Ivan en Guatemala

Environmental Week Fotos

2012-01-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

An Early Invitation to Leave

2012-01-25T11:34:00.001-08:00

Ironically, the name of my first blog post created in late 2009 was entitled “An Early Invitation to Serve.” After being in a country I have grown to love for two years, we are being forced to leave a month early. The current security situation in Guatemala is not good- one employee explained it as “a very dark time for Peace Corps Guatemala.” The entire country will be consolidated to serve in one area of the country. Having served my two years in Alta Verapaz, the hardest part of this news is accepting that the department with the highest average birthrate in the country-11, some of the most severe malnutrition, and greatest need will no longer be receiving support. Losing my last month in site was a tough pill to swallow, but I have come to terms with it. During the 2-month state of siege, fellow volunteers who left had two hours to return to their homes, gather their things, and leave, making this deadline not seem so harsh. The next month will allow me to finish my large project with the school, hold final meetings with my cooperative and the tourism alliance, attend despedidas or “goodbye parties” and spend a last few nights with my original host family.

Having to leave has subconsciously forced me to commence reflecting on my time here. From a work standpoint, I have encountered many successes. These have included promotion with the tourism alliance, Viviente Verpapaz; an alliance catalog, banner, website, tourism fair. Nearly doubling the amount of tourists on the Chirrepec Cooperative in a year of a two-month drug siege, while also implementing better business practices, bilingual tour accommodations, tour feedback, and overseeing new promotional materials- new brochures, posters, etc. Teachers have been trained in environmental education and disaster management. Signage for three small community tours has been carved with the router. TEFL, computer, nutrition, and health lessons have kept minds of local youth thinking and informed. Over 600 students have been capacitated on the importance of proper dental health and proper brushing and flossing techniques. Latrines have been constructed in two rural communities through USAID. I was able to experience over forty families receiving solar panels through great investment, in turn giving them light for the first time in their lives. I have assisted with the construction of two schools made of recycled bottles and translated a handful of medical missions. The list goes on.

A rollercoaster of emotion, in reflection my time seems worthwhile. At the end of the day, or two years I suppose, the human experiences are the most memorable. I now have a godson who I am sure I will be in contact with for years to come. I helped a neighbor escape an abusive husband and start a new life. I have broken stereotypes by making tortillas with the women in the kitchen, but also broken ankles on the basketball court. My crossover isn’t actually that good, I just thought it was funny. I’ve explained how the gay man in the community was not a threat, but just an equal. Irony. I can now have a complete conversation with just local hand signals. The human experiences that have stuck with me have by no means always been feliz. I was able to spend Christmas Eve with a welcoming family, only to find out it was the eldest son’s birthday. Due to financial hardship, they had to ignore the fact, unable to afford a present or cake at the time. In response to translating to a woman at a medical jornada- from English, to Spanish, to Q’eqchi- that she had an extremely severe form of thyroid cancer, she replied “What is cancer?” One of my best local friends told me she wished she had followed her dreams as I had recommended. Instead she was “too scared, got pregnant, and is now stuck.” I have undeniably grown as a person through these and many similar experiences.

It is interesting that the month remaining- a time period that seemed like decades when I first arrived- now seems so short. This week I started my Peace Corps Partnership Project, consisting of two weeks of trainings with the students and the construction of a recycled playground. The day I was told I have to leave early, I was also informed by my bank that my credit card had been cloned and half the project money had been stolen. An official case has been claimed with the bank and the money should be returned in the coming weeks. Despite this fact, I am leaving in the coming weeks and needed to proceed with the project now. In writing this I realize I have learned to better roll with the punches as well. We are cutting corners on the project, but the teachers are still implementing the lesson plans they had previously learned. During my site-mate Kamille’s service, new roofing was put into the same local school. Yesterday morning, while going through some of the old metal, we were able to use a few of the old roof beams to construct the teeter-totters. In the end we are further embracing recycling, being creative, and allowing another project to be partially funded. (Pictures of the project to come)

Just the other day, I came across an old bucket list I had made a few years back. One of the goals was to live in a foreign country for a year. 26 months later I suppose that is a double check. Speak another language- Check. Make a positive impact in the world-Check. Which check is next? Travel Asia or get a tattoo? I am excited to find out.

My Guatemalan Adventure (Guest Post from Mom)

2012-01-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

My adventure started on the 26^th of December, right after Christmas at home. I left Cicero and drove down to New Jersey to meet Luis at his house. His mom had the day off and made for us Alcapurrias, a Puerto Rican fritter made from a seasoned dough mixture of grated green bananas. The dough surrounds a meat filling, typically beef or chicken, and it is rolled into a distinctive peg shape and fried for several minutes. Delicious! After a snack and a little repacking, we were on our way to the airport. The flight from Newark to Houston went well and Luis arranged for a shuttle to pick us up from the airport and take us to the hotel. We had cookies waiting for us upon check in and it wasn’t too long until I was passed out in bed.

As we boarded the plane the next day, we met two Peace Corps Volunteers returning from the holidays, Betty and Barrett. I admit I was very nervous and experiencing some anxiety about my trip, but so excited to see Evan and meet all the people who have influenced his life these past two years. We landed in Guatemala City just before noon and ventured out to find a taxi to the bus station for our 5 hour bus trip to Coban. The ride up was a little unnerving – the driver zoomed through narrow streets and windy roads. At one point we were so close to a bus I could have poked my finger out the window and touched it! Evan met us in Coban and we took a taxi to Chirrepec where his home is. It is located atop a hill and has a beautiful view. There’s even a leather leaf farm just across the street. Evan made pasta with homemade tomato sauce for dinner that night and we celebrated our safe arrival in Guatemala.

On Wednesday we traveled to San Juan Chamelco to La Siguamonta, an orchid and organically grown produce farm at the foot of the Sierra de Santa Cruz mountain range. It was truly a beautiful tour and I think we all learned something interesting during the tour. They also have many species of bees and we tasted a wonderful assortment of exotic honeys. We then traveled into the town of Chamelco and saw the house Evan had previously lived in. We saw the family that lived next door to him and I got to meet his two godsons, Selvin and Edgar Ivan. Edgar let me hold him and Selvin was just that much older and cried every time he saw me. We brought small gifts for all the children and met a sweet little girl named Dulce who made sure I met everyone and saw all the homes that were connected for all the extended family.

We traveled into Coban by microbus (similar to an Astro van) to have lunch at Casa D’Acuña. This restaurant is owned by the same people who own the orchid and organically-gown produce farm. One of the servers knew how to do latte art and made coffees for us decorated with a bear on the top. We enjoyed a delicious meal and relaxed for a bit. After resting, we then went to the market, the post office and the park in town center, meeting many people who are a part of Evan’s life in Guatemala. We even saw Winfrey, the Peace Corps volunteer who works at the coffee cooperative at the other side of Coban. Evan and Luis were able to deliver scholarship money he had reeived to a young boy on his Cooperative, affording him the ability to attend school for the 2012 year. Luis then made a parmesan crusted chicken on a bed of spinach and roasted up some tortillas given to them by the grateful family. The boys took very good care of me!

On Thursday we visited the tea cooperative Té Chirrepeco and met many of the people Evan works with every day. We walked through some of the roads through the cooperative and saw the modest homes many of the families live in. Banana and avocado trees are planted amongst the tea plants to provide shade for the crops. We also toured the area where the tea is processed and met with the president of the coop. After toasting with some tea, we traveled to Coban to Café El Merendero for pupusas Salvadoreñas. Patty owns this restaurant and included Evan and Winfrey in their family Christmas celebration. After lunch, we traveled by taxi to Chicoj to the coffee cooperative and met Gloria, the head of the tours. We enjoyed a cup of coffee, a walk through the area and bought some wonderful coffee to bring home. Gloria took us back to her family’s home and showed us the beautiful stoves that were built as a part of Winfrey’s improved stoves USAID project. These new stoves vent properly and help prevent many ailments that come as a result of inhaling smoke. It was so wonderful to have met in these few short days so many families that have welcomed me into their home, as they have Evan over these past two years. That night I stayed in Coban at El Portal hoping for a hot shower, but settled for just a cold shower.

Friday morning we had breakfast at Casa D’Acuña and waited for our microbus to take us to Antigua, about a 4 ½ hour ride. We stayed at a beautiful hotel called Casa Florencia run by a very nice woman named Patricia. She made us all feel very comfortable. We walked the beautiful cobblestone streets, saw many vendors selling fabrics and gifts and took in incredible views of the beautiful city. We had dinner at Sabe Rico, a dinner for 3 that total 297 quetzales or 35 US dollars.

Saturday was New Year’s Eve and we had breakfast at the hotel. I loved the way it was decorated – lots of wrought iron, clay pots and my favorite warm colors on the walls. After finishing, we walked through the market in Antigua to where the “chicken buses” depart. These pimped out buses are at least 3 to a seat with people standing in the aisle and hanging outside of the door. People would jump in and out of the emergency exit and yell “BAJA” or GETTING OFF if they needed to get off. We rode on the bus about 25 minutes to Alotenango to visit Evan’s first host family.

There were screams of excitement from Christian and Andrea as Evan approached and they all welcomed us to a wonderful lunch. In those first 3 months in Guatemala, I was always relieved to know Evan had been placed with such a lovely family. While we were there we saw that many people were coming in and out to use the family’s pilla to fill their water containers. It seemed the town was experiencing a water shortage and many families had been without water for several days. Evan’s host family had a large reserve and openly shared it with the other families in their community. It really did speak to their kind-hearted nature. After lunch, we were offered a ride back to Antigua in the back of a pick-up truck. We stopped at Café Holistico, a hostal where many of the other Peace Corps volunteers were staying for New Years and chatted a while with his fellow volunteers. We later met them at La Canoa on a rooftop bar where celebrated New Years with incredible fireworks and wonderful company.

Sunday, New Year’s Day, was very relaxing. We lunched in the courtyard of a small restaurant called Culinaria. It was such a beautiful day. We then wandered the streets and walked through the markets, stopping to have drinks and appetizers at another rooftop establishment called Lava. We had exotic ice creams on our way back to the hotel – passion fruit with jalapeño, pistachio cardamom and a secret recipe made with fruits.

Monday we started the day with our microbus arriving bright and early at 7:30 AM to take us to the beach. We went from a chilly morning temperature of 50 degrees in Antigua to a temperature of 88 degrees in Monterrico. We stayed at a motel called Brisas del Mar just across from the beach. It had a small pool and we were one of the only ones staying there. The waves at the beach were strong and the sand was a dark brown similar to soil. We went to a restaurant called Johnny’s Place for lunch and afterward then I sat in an Adirondack chair overlooking the beach while Evan and Luis enjoyed swimming in the ocean. That evening we walked to a rooftop restaurant and watched the sunset.

Tuesday and Luis’ birthday! We went to breakfast at Johnny’s Place and had coffee frappes while lying in the sun. It was so hot. We enjoyed the beach some more and took an afternoon bus back to Antigua, about 2 ½ hours to my first stay at a hostal, Burkhart. We went to a great restaurant called Epicure across the street from ruins and celebrated Luis’ 26^th birthday with great food and wonderful conversation.

Now for our next adventure – Lake Atitlan! We took another microbus 2 ½ hours to a town called Panajachel. It was quite a long descent down the winding road to reach this lakeside village. We had lunch at a local restaurant and brought some beautiful scarves from a local girl peddling them to our table. We had all our luggage and so we took a tuk tuk to the boat dock as I prepared for my next mode of transportation, boat. Our hotel, called Casa del Mundo, was located across the lake in a town called El Jaibalito. It was beautiful, built on the volcanic cliffs of Lake Atitlan. When we arrived, we had a long ascent up the stone steps to the hotel from the dock. The hotel had an amazing view of the volcanoes and was surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Thursday we had a nice relaxing day with breakfast overlooking the volcanoes, fruit smoothies, reading, swimming and a candlelight dinner. We met some beautiful people from England at the hotel – Tricia, Carolyn and Tim and Luis exchanged emails with them. Tricia and Carolyn were celebrating their 60^th birthday with a month long trip to Guatemala and Belize. We met several other people but our new friends from England were our most memorable.

On Friday, we took a private boat back to Panajachel to catch our microbus back to Antigua. We dropped our bags off at D’Leyenda Hotel located near the park and ventured off to lunch at Tartines – boasting the nicest terrace in Antigua. We met the chef from France who proudly told us all of the day’s specials. Luis and him spoke a little French and immediately became good friends. One of specials was Snook, one of my favorite kinds of fish I would always get when visiting my sister in Florida. It is no longer available and I was delighted to see it. We went up the spiral staircase to the rooftop terrace overlooking ruins. After lunch we spent a lot of time shopping the different markets in Antigua for special gifts for special people Evan wanted to remember at home. A little time relaxing at the hotel and then dinner around the corner at Sobremesa, our most expensive dinner at 669Q, but definitely one of the best. We had 3 different steak entrees which were incredible, but also a menu including giraffe and unicorn.

And then the bittersweet day when we need to leave this beautiful country and my wonderful son Evan, who planned this incredible tour of Guatemala for Luis and I. We saw so much and met so many people. We had a rooftop breakfast at our hotel with another Peace Corps volunteer Laura, who I am so grateful that she took the time to travel to share the morning with us.

**A special thanks to my husband Gary for the extra time he spent working clinics to help fund this trip and to my friends and family who encouraged me to take this wonderful adventure. And to Luis for being a fabulous travel partner.

Latrine Inauguration Photos

2012-01-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

US

2011-12-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

Us (pronounced oose) means bueno/good in the local Mayan language, Q'eqchi'. Past volunteers from Chirrepec have visited and indicated that it is one of the words they have kept in their vocabulary. Letting out the occasional us to good news will likely remain a part of my vocabulary and will surely result in weird stares at the guy who seems to be making some sort of animal noise. I am pleased to let out an 'us' that the Hope 4R Youth Project has been completely funded and will commence in mid-January. Thank you to all the donors!

The Volunteer project you have requested is fully funded. Please consider supporting other projects around the world:

Sanimtaka Solar Panel Project

2011-12-05T07:04:00.000-08:00

Forty-two families in the remote indigenous village of Sanimtaka invested 1000q each (about $130) to purchase their own solar panel kit: a solar panel, two lights with extension, and a phone charger. The remaining funding was provided by USAID as part of the renewable energy initiative. Each family will now have light at night for the first time in their lives. Children will be able to complete homework without candles and families will no longer purchase copious amounts of batteries to use in flashlights. The solar panels were provided by Quetsol, an NGO which specializes in solar panel projects throughout the region. Check out their work here:http://www.quetsol.com/

I’ll Take the Ricky Martin Special

2011-12-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

A younger co-worker and his brother have decided to start their own barbería or barber shop. In an effort to help support their business and entrepreneurial spirits I made a sign for the new shop they will be constructing in the coming weeks, set to include a cement floor. As a thankful gesture they offered me a free cut. The walls are lined with pictures of celebrities; David Beckham, Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin. With fifteen weeks remaining in my service I took a leap of faith and asked for the Ricky Martin fo-hawk. When in my life will I live in a society where fo-hawks are socially acceptable again? (Enter New Jersey joke). Here are a few photos, although blurry, of just another day livin la vida loca.

All Saints Day

2011-11-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

2011-11-07T07:29:00.000-08:00

Perez Molina Wins Election

Peace Corps of Mind

2011-11-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

I am elated to officially state that the USAID Latrine Project has been completed. Fourteen families have now been capacitated and have successfully constructed new latrines in an effort to improve community health and water sanitation. I am now well underway with my upcoming Peace Corps Partnership Project (see below) and will be involved to some capacity with a solar lighting project in a rural community about an hour outside of Coban. The community, called Sanimtaka, is located in a cloud forest and does not have access to any electricity. I should have more details about my involvement with the project in the coming weeks after I meet with my Program Director.

One roadblock I encountered with a particular family throughout the latrine project was a struggle with fulfilling deadlines and the ability to enact a sense of accountability within each participant. Having taken over the project from a returned volunteer who left during the two month state of the siege, it was a bit more difficult as I had no previous relationship with the local government or the project recipients. Nonetheless, we were able to establish ground rules and hold each participating family accountable for their materials and deadlines through the completion of the project. Consequences helped in this specific case.

Time and time again key words have com e up—accountability, sustainability, investment, consequences. Being here has shown me firsthand how important these ‘things’ are not only in international development, but within any type of efficient and fluid society. Whether it be a kindergarten class or the United States government, consequences and accountability are essential. I recently visited my Aunt Michele and her family in Palm Coast, Florida. While having an early Thanksgiving dinner she asked me what I missed the most about the states. I’m not sure if it was being on the verge of a food coma or the few Octoberfest Blue Moons I had drank (highly recommended for all those stateside!), but I was hard pressed to come up with a significant answer at the time. I mentioned something about a social life and the sarcasm of my friends back home and that was that.

On my flight back to Guatemala I ran into a fellow volunteer from my training group. Her Guatemalan boyfriend was picking her up and kindly offered to bring me to my bus station. After picking up my luggage, I put my passport and the majority of my money into my money belt and headed to his car. During the ride he mentioned that had been robbed of his Blackberry and some money while she was away. We talked a bit about how one becomes accustomed to always having your guard up; it becomes second nature. We equally noted how nice it was to not be concerned about being robbed or hiding our valuables while home.

I hopped on the 1pm Monja Blanca bus up to Coban, expecting to arrive around 5:30. Unfortunately, a Dole truck carrying bananas had flipped causing the road to be blocked. This resulted in a three hour delay of standstill traffic. It began to get dark, and there I was with my new computer, passport, i-pod, and other valuables on a bus unable to go anywhere. Primetime vulnerable victims- have I been watching too much Law and Order? The cherry on the sundae was the lack of cellphone coverage at the particular spot. Having just returned from being stateside, I was more aware in the moment of not only the vulnerability the situation posed, but the difference between our two worlds.

To make the traffic situation worse, rather than wait in the extensive two lane backup on each side, drivers decided to fill all four lines. All four lanes of a two-lane highway filled with cars in one direction- a truck in the middle- resulting in neither side able to pass once the wreckage was indeed cleared. This reinforced for me the lack of consequences in Guatemala. There is little to no chance people will get ticketed for filling lanes meant for the opposite directions- so why not try and cut? Ultimately, the cars were able to file back into their two appropriate lanes and we began moving again. The initial lack of patience just extended the delay. I arrived in Coban around ten pm, concluding a bus trip three times as long as the flight. Lucky for me, my site-mate was moving the next day and her boyfriend was able to pick me up in their rental truck upon my safe arrival.

Within my first ten hours back in country I was quickly able to answer my aunt’s question: safety, security, accountability, consequences. Peace of Mind. In a month where the focus is on being thankful, we tend to focus on thing we can often times take for granted. Family, friends, health, access to food. Being away has extended this list for me to include the aforementioned forgotten items as well. Not wearing a money belt. Taking transport without the thought of a robbery. Traveling at night.

Each Thanksgiving all eighteen cousins write down what we are thankful for in my grandmother’s notebook. This year, not only am I thankful for family, friends, and my health- but for this peace of mind I took for granted back home and this unique opportunity which has allowed me to realize it exists.

My good friend Jessica’s brother also crashed a banana truck a few years back in Central New York. For this reason- and that I miss her- this post is dedicated to her.

P.S. Jess,

I had a dream which included you & me, a morning walk, and turkey bacon last night. It was lovely.

Peace Corps Partnership Project

2011-10-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

          Hope 4R Youth is an effort to educate, inspire, and offer opportunity to the youth of a small indigenous community in the northern highlands of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The department of Alta Verapaz has one of the highest poverty rates in the entire country, which itself severely lacks health care and yields the highest malnutrition rate in Latin America. This often times causes children to feel they have no control, diminishing hope and the ability to dream big. Hope 4R Youth aims to show the children there are aspects they can control, now. These begin in areas as basic as their health, wellness, and surrounding environment. The program will include two weeks of workshops, with a three work construction period during which a recycled playground and completed kitchen stove will be built.
          The first week will focus on a number of environmental issues and activities including the 4R’s (Reducir,Reutilizar, Reciciclar, Recoger), water conservation, tree planting, trash decomposition and classification, and recycling bin construction. The interim three weeks will include building a recycled playground, including the use of eco-bricks (bottles stuffed by the children with inorganic waste), and an improved block-stove with ventilation . The final week will focus on nutrition, the food pyramid, the building of tire gardens, dental health, self-confidence, and exercise.   The community will be contributing $311, accounting for nearly 30% of the total cost.
          The project will officially be completed in a 47 day period; January 9- February 24th. The three teachers and I are currently in the process of organizing the lesson plans and creating a ‘guide’ which future teachers and other schools can use to conduct similar trainings and projects. Included in the proposal are the brief lesson plans for the two weeks of training, as well as the playground games we will be constructing. We are collecting and organizing the plans from a variety of sources, ranging from Peace Corps published workbooks to our own unique ideas.

       From January 9th through the 22nd we will be collecting and purchasing the materials for the four week project. This includes everything from materials for the playground to supplies for the lessons. The students (75) will bring their money for their dental supplies during the collection period as well. The Guatemalan school calendar begins in January and runs through October. This will allow a few weeks for the students to get accustomed to their teachers and being back in school mode before beginning with the project. The director of the school owns a car, allowing for us to transport the heavier items, i.e. block, wood, cement, fertilizer, directly to the school.
          During the week of the23th through the 27th the Environmental Education Workshop will take place. Throughout the three interim weeks the stove and recycled playground will be constructed. The tentative schedule for construction is as follows: January 30th-February 3rd- stove, eco-brick recycled bench; February 6th-10th- teeter-totter, swing-set, balance beam; February 13th-17th- tire ladder, tire goal posts, tire worm. Depending on progress, the older children of the community will be asked to help on the weekends if additional time is necessary. During the week of February 20th through the 24th the Healthy Choices and Exercise Workshop will take place. Following the workshops, the teachers will put together a maintenance plan for the new infrastructure.
          The women of the community regularly use the stove at the Chibulbut School. Whether preparing snacks for the students or cooking with the local women’s group, the respiratory effect of the smoke from the cooking fire is extremely hazardous. The construction of the ‘improved stove’ with ventilation will significantly reduce this issue, allowing for a virtually smoke-free kitchen. Likewise, the building of the playground will encourage increased exercise and activity. Both of these infrastructure improvements will aid the community in meeting a long-term goal of healthier and longer lives for the community members. This a basic, but integral goal in improving quality of life and the basis for being able to reach other goal or aspirations.
            The prosperity of our future lies directly within our youth; education is the foundation for our youth to prosper. The students will learn and grow throughout the duration of the workshops and construction. Participating in activities covering themes ranging from personal hygiene to trash decomposition, the Hope4RYouth program will instill a greater sense of understanding in the youth of Chibulbut enabling them to make better and more educated decisions. These are decisions which will directly affect their bodies, health, and environment, directly affecting their futures and community as a whole. Without one’s health and well-being, all other goals are cut short. Therefore, concentrating on the well-being of the students and their surrounding environment, even on a basic level, will enable the next generation in Chibulbut to hope, dream, and prosper.

Project Link

A Latrine Photo Update

2011-09-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

I spent the majority of yesterday mud skiing through the hills of an aldea in Alta Verapaz with this wise man pictured to the left. My venture even included an accidental slide on my butt down one of the hills. We were completing the final check-ups for the USAID latrine project. Despite the fact that a departmental drug siege, the election, and mother nature have all played their part in the delay of the project, it should be completed in the coming weeks. Gracias a dios.

Okay, Okay. Half the photos are of the project and the other half adorable children and puppies.

2011-09-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on the snow. I am the sunlight that ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush; Of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.

Remembering Babci 1917-2011

#The Quetzal --Tweet Tweet

2011-08-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

National Bird

In a recent effort to catch up on technological advancements I have made a Twitter account. I finally understand what the # topics I’ve encountered over the past years time have meant. Not only can I see what delectable cuisine my friends are eating: so-and-so has checked in at this pad thai or that sushi restaurant, but I can also see updates from celebrities, NGO’s, world news, and even B4thFame, my best friend Marissa’s upcoming musical on the life of Lady Gaga. Twitter includes a location along with each brief 140 character update. Ironically, Twitter notes that I am located in Mexico. This reminded me of many questions I received while recently visiting the Estados Unidos in July. #How is It up there?, #Where is Guatemala again?, #Does it take a day by plane?

Besides basic location, I knew little about neither Guatemala nor the culture before arriving here in January, 2010. Let’s be honest, the almighty Twitter doesn’t even know where I am on this rainy afternoon. Although I am always happy to answer questions, these basic inquiries almost make me feel as if I am semi-failing with a central aspect of blogging- educating. Here’s a brief background for my readers. Guatemala is a country roughly the size of Kentucky, located directly below Mexico, making it an integral passing point on the narco-trafficking route. Of the 14 million residents, over 10.5 million live below the poverty line--over 75%. The most shocking statistic is the rate of malnutrition; Guatemala now ranks third in the world, only behind Afghanistan and Yemen. In addition to high rates of malnutrition, Guatemala has a deep history of violence, including a 36 year civil war which took the lives of 200,000 individuals and left 40,000 plus individuals missing.

The following articleperfectly encapsulates the on-going issues here in Guatemala.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/110714/ghi-targets-chronic-malnutrition-guatemala

Lack of family planning is a major issue contributing to the high rates of malnutrition, especially within the indigenous population. A friend of mine, an ex-volunteer who now runs medical missions throughout the country, recently informed me that Alta Verapaz, the region where I am currently serving, has the highest average child-per-mother rate in the country- 11. It is common these families are supported on a dollar or two per day. Disturbingly, if you ask women in rural areas how many children they hope to have they are often confused. How many? A typical response may be ‘As many as my husband wants to have.’ Although many answers lie in family planning and increased nutrition education, citizens are currently looking ahead to the presidential election for hope. In a country where no party has had consecutive representatives win, the controversial election which will take place on September 11 holds heavy weight with the people.

Peace Corps recently released the following message concerning the election and the rainy season:

“Heavy rains affecting Guatemala have damaged the road infrastructure, causing several sections of main roads to collapse and/or wash off. Historic rain fall data has shown that expected September’s rains will certainly cause more damage to the collapsing road system, increasing the risks travelers/visitors often face. Another important event occurring in September is the Presidential, Congress and Local Authorities General Elections; which will be held in every town in Guatemala on Sunday September 11^th. Due to these threats to PCVs Safety, Peace Corps Guatemala has temporarily prohibited PCV’s from other countries from traveling to or through Guatemala. This prohibition starts August 29th, 2011 and is expected to be lifted on October 3rd, 2011. Approaching October, Peace Corps Guatemala will notify a change or continuum in its status”.

The upcoming elections, in conjunction with a generalized passive nature and miscommunication, have affected the final construction of the latrines. ‘No’ or ‘I don’t know’ aren’t common phrases you’ll encounter in Guatemala. If you ask someone on the street where an office is you are more likely to receive a generalized ‘In that direction…’ than an ‘I’m not sure.’ All of the local materials for the latrine project have been collected; sand, cement, toilet bowls. Workshops have been completed. Rather than providing me with an explanation of the current road block in the project, I received a simple affirmation that all of the materials are ready and construction would be completed throughout July. In fact, each family’s material contribution has been collected and is ready, but not all of the materials needed.

The only materials lacking are the actual latrine frames, which are being shipped from Guatemala City. Due to the local alcalde (governor) being the transportation method, the election has halted this last piece which is needed in order to quickly complete the project from being delivered. Nevertheless, the final structure is now being shipped and I will spend the week of September 5-9^th finishing the project in the two rural communities--pending on the fact that we are not ordered to stay in our homes throughout the election week. Although the project has now been extended, I am glad I will directly be involved in the construction with the participating families and not miss this last leg of the process, as I thought I had while stateside.

I am currently planning a five week environmental and health based workshop entitled Hope 4R Youth aimed to be given in January and February at the local school. A recycled playground and stove with proper ventilation are also included in the project. Details to come! Prior to the election I am also scheduled to participate in a seminar on climate change and natural disaster emergency planning. A member of my work community named Hugo will be accompanying me. Hugo, 21 years-young, has never left the department of Alta Verapaz. I am excited he is getting the opportunity to see his country and learn.

Evando113- Evan James-

Miss you all #Only217DaysLeft

Chiapas, Mexico

Estados Unidos

2011-07-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have now been back in Guatemala for four days. Despite the return of minor stomach issues (soft ice-cream poop consistency), things are off to a positive start. Funding for new promotional materials has been granted and will soon be printed, the latrine project materials are all collected and it now only lacks construction and paperwork (although, a ton), I have cleaned and de-roached my house, and the rainy season has been tranquil thus far-- knock on wood. My trip stateside was simply perfect and provided the reboot I needed to complete the last third of my service. Here are some photos from my trip. I undoubtedly have a wonderful family and awesome friends. #winning

Visiting with my Babci (Grandma)

24th Cumpleaños in NYC

Garett's (mi hermanito) grad party

Syracuse

Oneida Lake- Central NY

Overwhelmed in Wegmans

Perspectiva

2011-06-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

Living in a developing country for an extended period of time irrefutably gives you a different perspective on life- and the one you left behind. The faucet has been letting out dark brown water as a result of the heavy rains that are a daily part of life this time of the year. Despite the fact that upwards of 97% of tap water in Guatemala is contaminated, when your toilet looks like a chocolate fountain it is obvious a brief opening of the mouth in the shower will likely result in hours on the crapper. Yesterday I took a warm shower under the murky water. I am fairly certain I am at least a tad bit cleaner than before I showered. This may seem to be a negative experience, but having a shower, a warm one at that, is actually a convenience. We recently went through a three week drought without water here in my aldea. Likewise, in comparison to the tarp outside my neighbors use as a showering area, I am quite fortunate. I have experienced a change of perspective in a plethora of areas, from everyday accommodations to larger scale issues.

Later in the week I will be taking a 10+ hour round trip to the capital, Guatemala City, to meet with a doctor. I won’t deny a 10+ hour trip is exhausting to anyone and I am not particularly looking forward to it or the possibility of pooping myself on the bus. This access to healthcare, funded by the U.S., gives me a huge advantage over the large majority of Guatemalans. In general, most developing countries do not have organized healthcare. Unfortunately, many of these countries additionally have the highest child bearing rates; family planning and population control are significant issues to be aided as well. (A topic which could be expanded on exponentially, but requires their cultural perspective to be considered in the solution.)

Being away from the United States has made me aware of a sense of entitlement many of us hold. I highly doubt I would have joined the Peace Corps without medical coverage nor do I feel anyone in the world should be without it. The harsh reality is a majority of the world is without medical coverage. In a nutshell, Peace Corps has taught me appreciation. Yes, new medical coverage plans in the U.S. may result in longer lines, but at least there is a line to wait in. I have experienced a similar change in perspective regarding schooling. This past week we held a half-day training with 15+ teachers regarding the implementation of environmental education into their lesson plans. In the middle of a water classification workshop, a number of the teachers had an extremely hard time with simple math (i.e. 1% of 1,000). Calculating that only 1% of the earth’s water is usable fresh water was a difficult task for a handful of those who are teaching the kids. This gave me a differing perspective and deeper sense of appreciation.

Yes, we should always strive to improve our lives, our systems, our regulations, etc. Yes, long-lines, high-unemployment rates, and not having the highest education system in the world can be frustrating. But taking a step back and taking a look at life from a global perspective can sometimes make all the difference. In fact, I could make a lengthy list of individuals who would give it all, even leave their families to illegally flee to the states to send back remittances, to see their children make it through high-school.

I will be back in the U.S. of Awesome in just two weeks for a visit. I can’t wait to appreciate a clean/hot/sandal-less shower, delicious food, comfortable transportation, and my loving family and friends. In the meantime, it is important to be aware of my change in perspective, while continuing to take everything with a sense of humor.

Toothbrush holders in the classrooms

Humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs.-Christopher Morley

27 Month Marathon

2011-05-22T23:17:00.000-07:00

This Sunday marked the 37^th annual Coban Half-Marathon. Kenyan Peter Cherouiot took first place with an impressive time of 1:03.51 . The marathon is the largest event of the year in nearby Coban; thousands of tourists and locals gather to watch, cheer, participate, and celebrate the event. Work as of late has been a half-marathon in itself, full of projects and traveling. These have included a world map project with the local school, a flossing lesson, a dental workshop with 450+ children at the Chicoj School, a latrine maintenance and importance presentation, and the construction of two bottle schools.

Salmar- one of the two communities participating in the SPA Latrine Project

Luckily, no teeth fell out and the students were receptive to adding floss into their daily hygienic routines. Cardboard tooth costumes and all, Luis, Winfrey, and I put on a half-day dental workshop at the Chicoj School, focusing on the functions of a healthy mouth, proper brushing techniques, the negative effects of sugars and candies, and preventing plaque build-up. Each of the thirteen classes then practiced brushing, which will become daily habit- each class is building holders to store their brushes. It was refreshing to work with teachers who want to be change agents in bettering the practices of their students. Each student is paying money, a mini-investment, to promote a sense of ownership and worth in their brushes and toothpastes. This money is being reinvested into school projects, specifically in this case- world maps. Special thanks again to Drew University- Luis Pena, Liverpool Annex, and everyone else who has donated to this secondary project.

Nick- Captain of the project

This past week, Nick and I traveled up to northern Alta Verapaz with the PC Security Director to check on the current status of the two bottle schools being constructed in two rural communities. It was awesome to see the advances in the projects, the communities coming together to build a place for learning (and learn about inorganic trash), and directly spend some time with the families and community leaders. One family in San Francisco, one of the two communities, provided a feast of tamales, a chocolate drink, and adorned the hut area with palms. This generosity and showing of respect, especially in a community and area that has so little, was one of those feel-good cliché moments in Peace Corps- but nevertheless brought a smile to my face. Although the area is currently off-limits, we will be returning for the inauguration of each school at the end of June with PC Security. Again, thank you to Liverpool Annex, Kayla McAndrews, my Mom, and everyone else who has helped in funding the schools through Hug it Forward. The communities appreciate it!

This week we will be holding a three-day community tourism workshop, mainly with members of Vivienete Verapaz (www.vivienteverapaz.com), our alliance of ten community tourism sites in the region. Objectives of the trainings and meetings include business plan writing, forming of a mission and objectives, product/service analysis, and marketing/promotion. Hopefully the event will move us forward in planning for the future, forming a cohesive vision, and understanding how to achieve that. Only ten months remain in my service here in Guatemala, but like any race, every step counts until the finish line.

2011-04-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

As a Lent tradition, alfombras, or carpets, are created in the streets of Guatemala, specifically during Holy Week. The alfombras are laid down as a welcoming symbol for the arrival of Jesus, similar to the palms in religious tradition. Originally made from flowers and feathers in the 1500’s, the process rooted in Spain often causes roads to be blocked off for hours at a time. The entire Catholic community participates in the process. Each person’s ‘plot’ in front of their home or place of work is decorated with pride. Today, the majority of the alfombras are made with colored saw-dust and sands, but are decorated with candles, flowers, foods, statues, you name it… A procession takes place throughout the town, in which varying numbers of ‘floats’ are carried by hundreds of men. I was told being able to carry the large Jesus float, symbolic of the carrying of the cross, is a major honor in the religious community. Check out some fotos from the week:

And sometimes Y

2011-04-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

A,E,I,O,U & sometimes Y. This is a phrase my weekly English class of middle-aged students and soon to be tour-guides have repeated over and over. Every word is made up of consonants and vowels; there is at least one vowel in every word. The Y was initially left out by the students when learning the vowels early on. Students often want to jump to the finished word or phrase- as we as humans may instinctively want and only analyze the final product, service, ability, or effect. The Y, or WHY, is something that has become relevant in many projects I am currently undertaking. The cause is often times the most overlooked and integral aspect that needs to be changed. Students may be having trouble because they do not understand the opposite adjective-noun placement in the English language, the differing base sounds that form words, or how to make the ‘th’ sound. Kamille and I have made fools of ourselves sticking our tongues out to teach and stress ‘th’is aspect of pronunciation. Without analyzing, asking and solving the why, we are merely constructing a palace on unsteady ground. This basic concept transfers over to a number of areas.

The dental workshops we have conducted are aimed to educate kids on the importance of mouth hygiene through brushing and flossing both properly and regularly. In addition to preventing dental caries, dental hygiene – or more simply- healthy teeth are necessary for eating and talking. On an inevitable superficial scale, appearance affects job opportunity. Likewise, overall health affects long-term availability to work and productivity while present. The message can be skewed that toothbrushes are the solution, but this is not the case. Behavioral change, one of the harder tasks one can face, is where the problem lies. Lack of access to health-care undoubtedly plays a role in the shockingly high number, an estimated 60% of rural children currently have some sort of tooth decay, but this is not the entire cause of the epidemic. Excessive snacking on junk-foods, lack of education on nutrition, and soda (”water”) being the regular cheap drink of choice by children are the roots of where the problem lies- the why- and for this reason are the areas we are targeting to create an increased awareness and understanding about.

Empty bottle+ plastic bags+ chip wrappers+ a little effort= ‘eco-brick.’ Gather and create thousands of these +cement + wire +metal slabs for the roof +a lot of hard work + community teamwork and bonding and you have a school. (Add in NGO support, specialty workers, etc.. you get the drift). The Chibulbut School is currently collecting plastic waste and forming these ‘eco-bricks’ to be used in the construction of two schools in Lachua, Alta Verapaz, to the north closer to Mexico. The project promotes community leadership, ignites a sense of ownership and mutual identity with the children who aid in constructing it, and uses garbage, in effect cleaning streets along the way – it is an ingenious thing.

Despite this fact, especially with my school that is collecting the materials for schools being built elsewhere, a disconnect for my students has been the why. Yes, the filled bottles will create a school. Yes, the streets where they collected the waste are cleaner in this moment, but it is not merely about filling the bottle. No, you should not buy more Tortrix chips if you are short on wrappers to complete an eco-brick. No, plastic bottles should not be a priority to buy in the future because you can construct things out them. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, light merely breaks them down into smaller and smaller particles that contaminate the water supply and soil. Likewise, plastic bottles do not decompose for thousands of years. The goal is to construct a place to learn, while fostering environmental learning in the process...to turn a negative into a positive with hopes of gradual behavioral change and understanding for the next generation.

Growing up, my mom always played a video entitled “Everybody Poops” for the children she watched in daycare. I can still recall the chorus line- She is a super-duper-pooper™. Everyone does indeed poop, but not everyone has a sanitary location to do so. This past week I met with community leaders I will work alongside to complete the training and construction of 14 latrines, with the same number of rural families. The two communities, Santa Ine’s Chicar and Caserio el Salmar, will each have seven families participating in the SPA (Small Project Assistance- USAID) funded project. Having a seat and semi-private place to defecate is certainly an aspect many of these families will thoroughly appreciate.

Again, there is an extreme underlying why. In the coming weeks we will be holding workshops with the families explaining the maintenance, upkeep, process, and reasoning behind the importance of sanitary waste management. Over 15% of early childhood deaths are due to diarrhea, over 2/3 of the time the result of inadequate sanitation. Chronic diarrhea has also been known to compromise development and growth, leading to increased chance of illness down the road. Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong association between improved latrines and reductions in diarrheal disease, with the improved latrines yielding results of increased height and weight among children users. Improved sanitation is a large step towards a healthier and happier community.

Looking at the big picture, or examining the why, is beneficial in almost all problems and situations. I have recently been contemplating how this cause-effect mindset can be applied to other activities and lessons, including our tourism alliance, customer service practices, and the planning of a recycled materials playground/trainings at the cooperative school. I have also been sparked to think in reverse, to the life I left behind. I am in constant contact with families who have dirt floors and minimal food, but they are undoubtedly happy. The why. This introspection is something I hope to apply to my life into the future. Ultimately, the power to create change is within each individual. As I’ve told many of my students, you do not need one of the common A-E-I-O-U vowel words to do so, but a positive attitude and to T-R-Y, where the sometimes y is applicable.

Donate to Hug it Forward and Support Bottle Schools!

World Wise Connection!

2011-04-13T10:52:00.001-07:00

http://www.eaglestarreview.com/Articles-c-2011-04-13-103428.114134-sub13349.114125-LHS-Annex-students-raise-funds-for-Bottle-Schools.html#axzz1JPd9Yj00

Reducir, Reusar, Reciclar

2011-03-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

Promoting proper trash management and recycling in a culture where it is common practice to throw wrappers on the ground can be a strenuous and tiresome task. (Ok, corny joke out of the way.) In the United States alone, on average upwards of 300 million tires are disposed of annually, of which nearly 30 million are estimated to be left in landfills. Because of their extreme durability, amount of time to decompose (over 100 years), toxins released into the air and soil if burned, and extremely high number, tires are one of the more problematic wastes in the world.

The durability of tires also presents great opportunity for recycling, whether that be re-using the rubber for future tires (which only uses 30% of the energy needed to make a new tire , in effect reducing oil usage) or using them in everyday projects. We did our part this past week at the Chibulbut School, using tires to construct six tire gardens. Each grade is maintaining their own mini-garden, grades one to six. Between the six classes we are growing carrots, cilantro, and beets. Kamille plans to use the crops to make healthy snacks for the kids to use as a supplement to nutrition workshops she will be coordinating. The projects roll on….

The Week in Fotos

2011-03-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

Alabama, Arkansas..... HOME!

2011-03-04T00:37:00.000-08:00

The song ‘Home’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros has naturally become a group favorite in the department of Alta Verapaz. Whether sung with a guitar beside a bonfire, whistled down a dirt road, played on repeat via I-pod , or belted in harmony while out together during the state of siege, it has become a quasi- theme song over the past few months. After an exhausting 65 days out of site, since December 20^th, I returned exactly there this past Wednesday- home to the Chirrepeco Tea Cooperative. Only six volunteers will now remain, as a handful of others have returned stateside, moved to different departments, or taken on other work within the country. One volunteer named Nick particularly ~~enjoys~~ loves the song Home, but unfortunately will not be permitted back to his site. Fortunately, in the midst of two bottle-school projects (and being one of the funniest people I’ve ever met), he will be permitted to return back sporadically in the daytime to oversee the completion of these projects.

Newly painted office

Finishing up the Chirrepec sign project

Over the two-month siege another volunteer’s mom had visited. Unable to go visit their site, they explained that although it was great for her to see Guatemala and different tourist destinations within different areas, it was hard not to be able to show off their home- a place that will inevitably always be a part of them. Over the past two months, despite moments of anxiousness and frustration, I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from various activities; Spanish classes, assisting build a school out of recycled bottles, youth development help with an ngo, mid-service medical check-up (TB FREE!),and attending my first ladino wedding. I undeniably enjoyed these experiences, yet they still were not home- I continually yearned to return. Chirrepec has similarly and descreetly become a part of me.

Roof Inauguration 2,011

It is now a new year, there is a newly instated military presence in the region, a new group is soon to be sworn in (none will be sent to our region), and a handful of us remain—as always change is the only constant. All one can do is roll with the punches moving forward. In my short time back at site work is steadily moving forward. I will be undertaking a SPA project (Small Project Assistance Program) of a volunteer who returned stateside. Over the next few months, I will be overseeing a latrine project within a community located a little over a half an hour from Coban. Upon returning to the Co-op, I found my co-workers painting the offices and salon, part of the yearly work-plan we had written up. As part of Kamille’s Peace Corps Partnership project, a new lamina roof was put on the Chibulbut School while we were away. Just weeks before, a number of openings and cracks allowed for rain to form puddles in the four classrooms. New windows are set to be put in within March, as well.

Likewise, The Viviente Verapaz tourism alliance held meetings while we were away. Winfrey, from ~~Alabama~~ Arkansas, and I are the only two remaining tourism volunteers in the region/ working with the alliance. Although this is a challenge, it is a good step towards sustainability and self-management into the future. We are currently in the process of forming an alliance webpage, setting up a promotion event in Antigua, networking with a few new NGO’s, and organizing a training workshop in May. A few of the activities for the upcoming weeks include a dental/floss workshop with a local school, tire-gardens, nutrition/ cooking sessions with the women’s group on International Women’s Day, sign projects in two neighboring communities, TEFL classes in my two communities, putting the new windows into the school, and a 50^thyear PC gathering at the ambassador’s home.

My training host family and I at the wedding

My godson- Selvin Jr.

I am elated to continue working with my community. I am cognizant of how much I have —and how that can be taken away in the blink of an eye. I am happy to see my godson, Selvin Jr. on a daily basis. I have a lot of work to do. I only have a year remaining. I am ready. I am excited. I am content. I am home.

Trent's Bottle School

2011-02-15T18:51:00.000-08:00

To check out information on the project, go to www.hugitforward.com

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” --Mother Teresa

2011-01-12T13:10:00.000-08:00

I have not posted in a month’s time and hope the holidays and New Year are treating everyone well. As many of you may know throughout that month’s time a 30-day Military Siege of the Alta Verapaz region has been underway in an attempt to reinstate some sense of security and authority over the narcos and corrupted police force in the region. During this time frame civil liberties are no longer valid and people can be detained without reason. Over three-hundred new police officers will be sworn-in in the Coban and surrounding regions today. As a cautionary measure Peace Corps has extended our evacuation from site for another week, until at least the 19^th. Although no weapons have been fired as of yet, this will allow us all to see if there is any initial conflict with the new force in place.

Over the past months time I have been able to experience first-hand the amazing diversity and beauty this tiny country holds. Each obstacle seems to present a unique opportunity. These have included my first trip to the lake, my first hike up volcano Pacaya, and a stay at Trent-Guillermo’s site in Mañanitas, Escuintla on the Pacific Coast. The visit to the coast included seeing Guillermo’s current sea turtle project and the release of fifty newly born turtles into the ocean. Only an estimated one in one-thousand turtles will survive to adulthood.

Being able to flee my second home has produced a conglomeration of reassuring and saddening sentiments. It is reassuring to know our security is one of the aspects at the forefront of importance as a volunteer. Leaving behind local workmates, friends, family, my newly-born godson, Selvin Jr. , etc. can be disheartening knowing they don’t have the luxury of just getting up and moving. Living in a country and region with a history of extreme violence makes the current events even more real- many locals shut-down and cringe at the idea of military presence and violence as they play out under current different circumstances.

I now anxiously await the one week-seven days-168 hours to pass until I am hopefully able to return home to continue working on a variety of projects. Like the baby turtles, only a select few things may flourish and grow, but those select changes are worth the effort.

Trent's family with the daily catch