Modern roofing

This past week I did my third VRF (Volunteer Reporting Form... at least I think that's what it stands for). Every six months we're supposed to sum up what we've accomplished and how many lives are forever changed. Well, at least that's what it feels like. I spent a lot of time on this one and I tried to explain just how working with community partners has affected my time spent here. Yikes.

On the other hand though, this means I've spent 18 months in-site and I've been in-country a total of 618 days. Que fast. And what exactly do I have to show- work wise at least- on these VRFs? The insecurities are seeping in...

Some PCVs are the camp types. They love camps. I love that they love camps, but I think I'd go insane if I tried to do one myself. I'm more of the slow burn kind of volunteer- I'm always around doing something, even if the doing is glacially slow. Sometimes I wish I was a camp person so I could feel that whoosh of accomplishment, but alas, I am more campo than camp. Oh, but hey! It only took me 18 months to get these financial education classes going! Imagine what I could accomplish if I extended another year.

(Sorry, I have no plans of extending. I love my host family and my community, but I'm ready for the next chapter. The above statement is just to see if my mom still reads my blog posts.)

This week is Semana Santa so everyone from students to health promoters to executives in the capital have the week off. My whole host family is home together so we've spent it making tamales and watching beach soccer. Now, usually I hate watching soccer for obvious reasons (IT'S BORING). But I gotta tell you- I love beach soccer. It's shosrter than a normal game, the field is a sand pit, and the players can do cooler tricks with the balls in their bare feet. El Salvador is actually amazing at beach soccer, and there's an intense rivalry between the US and El Salvador. The biannual international competition is being hosted in El Salvador and I'm so proud of my host country! Plus, these players aren't so bad to look at.

We also took the time off to put lamina on my roof because it was raining on me during the few rainstorms we've had. I suggested putting up a tarp, but my host dad wouldn't have any of that. A simple hour long activity turned into an all day tare down. And I cannot lie- I was absolutely disgusted. Mounds and mounds of dust, 30 years of it to be exact, came raining down as my host dad removed the ceramic tiles. Mild surprise turned to horror as I realized that THIS was the culprit for my recent sinus infections. That stuff is in my lungs?!

My host dad balancing on the baras.

My host mom sweeping up for the third time. Seriously, think of this times three. 

Even though I had my stuff covered with the tarp I originally bought to put up on the ceiling, the dirt was everywhere and I had to wash everything. I stupidly left my shoes uncovered and they were literally filled with the stuff. There's nothing I hate more than washing my blanket by hand, and I nearly cried when I found dirt stuck in my loofa.

My host mom felt bad for me because I'm not used to "this kind of work." Ok lady, I'll bite. I'm not used to it! I hate it! I miss my appliances and modern roofing and clean bedsheets. Dear lord, what I would do for a new mattress and clean bedsheets.

On the bright side, there is much less dust and dirt falling from my ceiling and I believe I'm protected for the rainy season. I made my host dad mango popsickles this morning to say thanks. I may not be used to dust and back breaking work, but I appreciate when others are willing to help me out. Can I put that on my VRF?

Busy days!

One thing I love about my community is that there is ALWAYS something to do. I'll look at my blank calendar on Sunday thinking, "Gee, I have a lot of free time." Then BOOM and now I have 15 meetings, intramurals, cooking, art, women's groups, ADESCOs, NGOs, this, that, and more! It's great and it's exhausting.

Today I ran around with the kids from my school for their annual intramural extravaganza. Of course, the boys play futbol and the girls either sit around or some play softball. They never mix and the girls never play futbol. Besides the gender divide, the kids really like having time out of class. And they're getting bastante time off! Three days this week are spent in the cancha playing sports and next week is Semana Santa, which is like spring break but with a lot more church.

Kenny and his friend. The mayor donated the uniforms for kindergarten. 

Two of my 9th grade englsih class students are in *love*

Finally got a pic of Kenny and David. So cute here, so loud when they're at home. 

Kids really wanted me to take a photo...

Me with my 9th graders. I asked the teacher next to me to take the photo, but he made a big deal about finishing his cortido and beans so he could be IN the photo. Guess I should work on my speaking skills some more.

Some girls playing softball. There were so many dust storms. Where's the RAIN!?!

Then I showered up and zoomed into town for a presentation from Asociacion PROESA. I'd like to think that my NGO b.s. meter is pretty accurate at this point, thanks to all the failed projects and false expectations previous NGOs have brought to my community. PROESA seems pretty OK to me. They work with the mayor's office to build capacity for production and local economic growth. I like their mission statement and their output goals are reasonable. They're going to start decentralized meetings across the municipality this month, focusing on the strengths of Osicala's producers (cafe, henequin, artesania, coopertivas, corte conffecion, etc) and how to improve their technical skills and organizational capacity.

I was feeling extra confident today and even read a paragraph of the powerpoint slide out loud when no one answered the presenter's plea for participation. I stumbled on a few words but everyone seemed impressed with the gringa's mad Spanish skills. I'm just here to make people smile :)

Futbol Diaries

On Saturday, December 7 we had the annual Peace Corps/JICA/JOICA futbol tournament. I had no idea there were so many Japanese and Korean volunteers in El Salvador! Our common language was Spanish, which seemed fitting for a game of futbol. My team ALMOST won, but I missed the penalty kick. Hey, I never said I was good! I had so much fun, and I can’t wait to play again next year! 

Hey girl.

Zumba break!

My team!

Team Pupusas! 

Caminemos Con Job

Do you guys remember that most horrible, awful day when I was selling raffle tickets to benefit the man in my canton who has cancer? Sunday we had the big soccer tournament and raffled off the baby cow! It was fun, and a lot of people showed up. The DJ wasn't too bad either.

I'm really proud of this campaign. They did great!

It was muddy, but that's how it goes. 

There were 20 futbol teams who participated. I think it went that they played for 10 minutes then did a shoot out? I don't really know, but it looked like fun. 

The prize! A baby cow goes for about $300. I didn't stay long enough to see who won because they were really messin with me. "We'll do the raffle at 1pm!" Yeah, 4 hours later.... 

I got to hang out with Job the whole time. We ate ice cream and talked about American movies. I told him that I like hockey and he was like, "Ooooh, like Happy Gilmore!" He really likes Adam Sandler. 

It was a fun day! I want to find out how much money they raised. Hopefully it will be enough to cover the costs of his prosthetic.