VERY long update

It's been too long I know. But here I am with much to write so I hope this will make up for my delayed updates. Since returning from the U.S. after about a month in October(also the rainiest month in Costa Rica), I've had slow but increasing work progress. My English for Tourism course culminated before I left and until last month, it was my sole pride and joy. Looking back now, I think there's several things I would've done differently to have made better use of my time in the first few months. But I guess it's all part of the experience: recognizing mistakes and striving to avoid them in the future. A new group of Volunteers arrive today from Washington D.C. and I remember how exciting it was, how eager I was to acquire technical skills and start several youth and income-generating projects. The other night in San Jose, four of us celebrated our one-year mark in Pizza Hut, which feels more like you're in Applebee's. It's quite fancy. This was after a Junior Achievement course training, which I'll go into later. So we were talking about how fast time passed and I was really happy and proud to see how much their Spanish skills have improved. While we're all typically closer to the volunteers in our program area or region, I admire each and every one of the volunteers as we face different challenges but are still united by the frustrations and accomplishments we experience as PCVs. I wish I could spend more quality time with each and every one of them but I know that we'll always have a special bond and something to laugh and talk about. I'm ready to share my advice with the new volunteers, and I encourage my friends back home to consider this type of work and life experience. Everyday you learn something new, about your community, about yourself, and there really isn't ever a dull moment (unless you choose to stay in your house, which can happen from time to time). Some of us are "Super Volunteers", others don't want to be... from what I gather, this first category applies to those who never take a break from their work. I think we all need balance and if that's what makes you happy, good for you. I strive to be the best volunteer I can be. For new or potential volunteers, it's easy but wrong to compare yourself with others. I remember feeling all upset with myself during the All Volunteer Conference (AVC) in November when we shared our current projects at the time with one another. Now I understand that each community allows for and needs different plans. Of course, we need to make the effort to find out what those are. I'm not completely satisfied with my final Community Analysis Assessment (CAT) Report but I'm working on it. It's funny how sometimes I look back and perfect something that will no longer count or be reviewed again but I do it as a way to fix what I did. A sense of closure and peace. Hopefully, I won't have to do that anymore. I'm writing a proposal to create a multi-use bulletin board where residents and visitors can find out about community resources, activities, announcements, submit their own information, and offer their suggestions to improve this communication tool. I figure this is a good way to share the information collected in my CAT.

In November, I had the opportunity to participate in a three day Project Design & Management (PDM) Workshop given by trained Peace Corps staff. Each selected volunteer invited someone from their community, and I couldn't have chosen a better candidate. Ashly is 17 years old, and a natural leader. She has so many great ideas but with school and family responsibilities, she has been unable to realize or prioritize her goals. She was eager from the very beginning to learn how to organize and implement her project ideas. Before the workshop dates, we had to organize a community mapping activity that would help identify community resources, needs, and wants from a representative population. Although the group was not exactly representative of the community, Ashly and I were happy with the discussion that took place. (Another side note: this activity, which is one of many that help gather and analyze community characteristics, is underestimated. There's also seasonal calendars, daily activity schedules, and needs assessments.) We divided the group into two, males and females, and asked them to draw a map of the community, including all important places. Then, using three different colored pieces of paper, each member had to mark where they spend their time: each color meant everyday, once a week, or rarely. Then using circles and triangles, they had to mark places they liked and disliked. Finally, they had to answer the following on post-its: What do you want to see in your community? What does your community need? After presenting their map to the other group, everyone sat in a circle to compare and discuss the activity. Here are the maps, women and men, right to left:

We observed gender roles, differences between ages and use or awareness of resources, and, most importantly, how similar their concerns were despite their limited interactions. The workshop was invaluable and it left us super motivated to offer a similar taller in the community.

On February 13-15, we offered our own PDM Workshop with 10 participants, two of whom traveled by horse from a community an hour away. That's ganas. It was an overall success, and what I consider my second major accomplishment. I know this after speaking with and hearing feedback from the participants. Especially, from the campesino who told us that he's never received this type of capacitacion and now feels more confident and eager to share and use this knowledge in the organized groups to which he belongs. Here he is alongside a retired teacher and young college student who worked together to formulate a shared vision, a corresponding goal and objective, and a time frame with tasks and responsibilities. Below are more photos taken during the workshop.




Other people have asked me for materials of which I still have and am considering offering another workshop in the near future. To be continued...

Side note: Does anyone else feel that Facebook stresses you out? Mostly for those of us living abroad. I can't keep up with everyone and it makes me sad :(