Monday, August 6, 2007

Almost a Volunteer...

Hello all! and world, as this is my first publishing effort online...

I have been in "The Savior" for just over two months now. I have two weeks left of training, and then I am off to Caluco, Sonsonate, El Salvador! So far, it has been a crazy ride, filled with many highs and lows. Ring a bell, fellow camp people? First of all, I would like to make a disclaimer: my English and grammar is going to suck. Bad. It is amazing how your native tongue can become so rusty in such a short while, but also, I am using a Spanish keyboard. For instance, does anyone know what this ç is?

It is hard to know even how to begin to explain what has happened here so far, as so much happens daily and I am constantly learning. So, if anyone wants the dish on the last two months, email me or ask anyone of my close peeps. It is easier for me to start with the here and now. forget capitalizing letters...so last week i visited the site where i will be working for the next two years. the pueblo is called caluco, and is very tiny. there are over 40 little settlements that are included in the municipality of caluco, all very rural and quite poor. ngos like world vision have projects going on in my municipality. since i am a municipal development volunteer, this is my domain.

I am not exactly sure what i will be doing, but i am working with the mayor and the local government center very closely. they have all kinds of projects for me, from tourism to local women´s groups and enterprises, to a youth softball team, to teaching english, and helping organize the local government jobs and offices. this local government center, the alcaldia, is present in every pueblo for each municipality. when the central government of el salvador was restructured after the peace accords, they have been given more power and responsibility to the local governments. thus, this is why municipal development volunteers are in el salvador. there is much work to be done, and historical problems are still very fresh. although life is challenging here, i have found the people to be kind, generous, hard working, and generally joyful people. i have much to be thankful for here.

the big date of swearing in, that is to become a volunteer and leave for my site, is aug 16th. the 17th i will move to my new home with my new family. i will try to update often, and always, emails are welcome!