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 รง 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!
8 comments:
I'm so glad you have the blog - now I can read about what you've been up to without waiting for a letter, or trying to get through to you over the phone lines (I'll try again tonight). I really miss you lots right now and I'm sure we both have tons to catch up on. Love you so much, Elisa
Hey Kelsey, Its good to hear from you even though I get most of the news pretty quickly. I hope you're not too homesick but if you are I know how you feel! I better get back to painting the house! Take care of yourself, Tommy
Sorry I missed your call last night - what a bummer... this class is insane. I should have a chance in the next few days to call you and talk about it and everything else. Love you! Elisa
that a girl. u know ill be the first one reading every description of that west side i was supposed to be livin at. but come visit me in my next hood!
Hi kelsey, It was nice to get your email the other day. I've been working hard, and playing hard. Really enjoying the new boat. It's been hotter than hell here lately, and the fires are getting bad. Went to the good ole Superior fair last weekend. It was actually really fun though. Superior High School had an all class reunion and a lot of my class were there. Saw a few folks I hadn't seen since we graduated. 13 years. Can you believe it? I was in Plains a couple of weeks ago. Landed at the new Plains airport. Woohoo. Its pretty nice though. My mom was working there for the week, so I stopped in to visit with her. Enough about me, how are you? What is life like for you these days. Bozeman isn't the same knowing you won't be coming back. How is your family? What are they up to these days? I did a little reading on El Salvador yesterday to see what it was like where your living. Sounds like there are a lot worse places to go, but El Salvador has a long way to go. Sounds like the weather there can be a bitch too, but overall not too bad a place. I can understand most of what I read in spanish so you'll have to mix it when we talk sometimes. Do you live with a nice family? Are there any Amercians or Europeans where you live? Is it really third world or not too bad? Are you homesick yet? Don't worry, we won't do anything fun at home until you get back. :) Its good to be talking to you again. You are missed!
I'm so glad to have a way to keep up on all your adventures. I'm staggered that you're already moving into the real deal -- I'll be thinking of and praying for you in the transition! Bethany
Hey kid how are you doing? hope all is well with you. The fires finally seem to be showing signs of fading now and it kind of feels like fall in the mornings. We've been luck in Boz. this year, one fire S. of Liv. is the closest one and the smoke wasn't nearly as bad as last year, still some bad days but definatly tolerable. Well, it's that time of year again are you missing school yet? The library is in shambles without you! I have a pretty full load with three online classes, this will be a challenge, but I think I've figured out the routine by now. I helped Forrest with a roof a few weeks ago, nothing like a 13hr day of roofing to remind me what real work is like. And I had laser eye surgery last month, I'm almost 20/20 now and still improving! It's great being free of glasses and contacts, should have done this years ago. Mom said she has your address so we'll get a package together soon for ya. Anything you need or want send me a note OK. Take it easy Kels
Impatiently waiting for snow,
lc
it really very good.
I love it !
I like it !
thanks :)- .
Bathmate
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