Unexpected Surprises

Much has happened since I last wrote and I don't even know where to begin. Well, I guess I'll start from where I left off. Things with work have been going well but there was also a big lull in work last week (due to my absence this time, not schools canceling for once). I have been continuing to visit my schools, one at a time, to do my initial baseline surveys and to do my first workshop with the teachers. The schools I have been going to have all been really responsive and it's a great feeling you have when it feels like the teachers actually care about the work you are trying to do with them. One of my schools in particular I went to last month went surprisingly well. Based on my first visit with them I did with Lohmo when we first got here I couldn't get a read on them if they were interested in the program or not. Partially because the day we went they were having this big Mother's Day activity at the school and didn't really pay attention to us. Therefore I was hesitant and wary of my visit. The school consisted of three female teachers and they were all super pilas (really with it and determined). The workshop was successful and I actually ended up staying for an extra hour afterwards just chatting with them. We chatted about things I didn't think I would be talking about with Guatemalans for some more time once they gained more trust with me (for cultural reasons). So you can understand my surprise when the conversation openly turned to talking about sexuality, reproductive and sexual health, to homosexuality and bisexuality, to pornography. It was awesome! It was refreshing to hear female Guatemalan teachers address these topics because a lot of times it is taboo in the cultural here to talk about these things, especially in small, indigenous communities. We had a great discussion about the injustice the parents of the students are doing them by not giving them any sexual and reproductive health education. The teachers were aware that it was their responsibility to give them this education because it would most likely be the only place they'd be receiving it. They told me that many young girls in the school get their periods and have no idea what is going on in their body. That must be so terrifying! It's a great opportunity for me to work with these teachers on reproductive health and education and I love how it presented itself to me rather than me have to somehow introduce the topic. 


Another school I went to at the end of last month also consisted of a surprise during the visit. The school is an hour away by microbus and so I took the only bus that goes out in the morning with all the teachers. When we got to the school, the director starts telling me how she didn't really want me to come that day. I was confused and a little shocked she was telling me this since I had just called her the day before to confirm the visit. Well, turns out it wasn't that she didn't want me there, it was that there was a problem going on in the school. The school currently had a Tuberculosis outbreak. WHOA! Way not to mention that to me on the phone the day before. I was obviously surprised and a little upset with her for not telling me because she was putting me in direct risk of being exposed. So we discussed TB for a bit and had a meeting with community health representative for the school. The day before I came to the school the Health Center of the town came and pulled out seven students that were confirmed to be infected. The problem was that they didn't know who else and how many students (or teachers) were infected and still in the school. I really did not want to stay any longer at that school but I had already went all the way there and getting a ride back is very hit or miss so I figured I might as well do what I came to do and then leave. So I did and then swiftly left afterwards. After talking to the Health Center and to Peace Corps, we came to the agreement not to visit that school, plus three others who also have the outbreak, for a month until the outbreak passes. Meanwhile, I will be having a TB test to make sure I didn't contract it. Most likely, though, I didn't since I wasn't directly around anyone coughing. Sadly, a woman in the community I was in has already died from TB. After meeting with the director and the health representative for the school that day I realized that the local community really had no idea what TB was and the severity of it. I was also surprised that there existed no kind of alert system for the school to advise community members of the outbreak. After talking with one of the medical officers from Peace Corps, I was given some useful material in setting up TB awareness and an alert system. When I go back to the school I am going to see if the school in interested in implementing the system not just for TB but for any infectious diseases because outbreaks happen often in these communities. So although it is unfortunate the outbreak has happened, I once again have been presented with another opportunity to try to help in the community in some regards. 


After that school visit I was actually away from my site for about a week. Fourth of July quickly approached us and we had some Peace Corps sponsored activities going on in Antigua and at the office. It was nice to have a mini vacation and to see all the volunteers. I hadn't seen most people for three months and so it was nice to catch up and see how everyone was doing. Post Peace Corps activities a bunch of us went to down to the Pacific Coast to a beach town called Monterrico. Ahh it was EXACTLY what I needed. One of the hardest things about being away from home right now is knowing that I am missing summer and the beach at home. I miss my beach days and the ocean terribly and being able to escape to a beach was lovely and refreshing. I definitely recharged and it felt gooood. It's crazy how diverse Guatemala is. Being down at the beach had such a different vibe and it's quite amazing how many different ecosystems Guatemala has. So beautiful. Monterrico has mangroves and I have always wanted to go see mangroves. I went on a tour that took us through them on a boat and it was beautiful. So many birds. Monterrico is also famous for having big sea turtles. It's not turtle laying season so you couldn't see them out but sadly one night while we were there a dead one came up to shore. They are quite large but lovely creatures. 

Monterrico

In other news, Lohmo, my site mate, bought a puppy! His name is Midas and he is a golden retriever. He is also the cutest thing you will ever lay eyes on. He is only 3 months old and so playful and just puppy cute. Lohmo went home to the states for a wedding and I've had the privilege to dogsit Midas since Thursday. It has had its challenges but all in all it's been pretty great. Training a dog though is not easy, especially in Guatemala. I've been battling fleas with him and trying to keep him clean and trying to prevent him from being attacked from street dogs. It's a battle. It has made me realize that getting a dog here is a lot of work and constant work. It's also hard because when you have to leave somewhere you can't just leave the dog alone all day. I was considering getting a dog but now that I got this experience I'm not so sure I will. And plus, now that Lohmo has Midas I can just mooch off his puppy love.

Midas

Next week I have to go back to Antigua for some more meetings at the Peace Corps office and then my Mom is coming to visit!!! I am SO excited to see her and spend time with her. She will be here for 2 weeks and it really is going to be great. So I will keep you updated and until next time I will try to stay alive and healthy :)