So I expected the month of June to end smoothly with a grand
trip home for my friend’s wedding, but somehow June ended up being one of my
more busy months. I guess that’s what is expected as a PCV, never really plan,
don’t have any expectations, and just go with the flow!
The school year was finally coming to close and other
projects were coming to an end and others were just about to begin. The
parenting classes in Santa Martha were coming to an end, we only had a few more
sessions left and started to plan their last session with a big graduation of
the COMPAR Program (Community and Parent Empowerment Program) in the beginning
of July. The parents of this program have come a long way, we could tell that
they were becoming more invested in the classes and actually practicing what we
had taught them about having a loving home, being there for your children, and
providing a nurturing environment for everyone in the household. When I
returned from my trip home, we had a great big celebration for the parents and
just about the whole village was out there. The parents performed skits on
different things they had learned and each received a certificate and at the
end there was so much food, drink, and music for everyone to celebrate.
The week before I left I had the opportunity to help a
fellow PCV, Gayla, who lives in a village in Corozal, called Cristo Rey. She
refurbished the village community center into a youth center, where the kids
from her village can come read, play games, color and just hang out with their
friends. It was the first day of her opening the center and she had about 50
kids in the morning and afternoon! I was glad to be there and help and see what
a success it turned out to be. The same week I got to see one of my good
friends, Ingrid, head off to India for study leave! I’m so proud of her!! She
is going to be studying English there for three years. Her family had a going
away party for her and we all celebrated her next endeavor in life.
Also this month I finally got, Gaia, spayed! It was a long
time coming. But, a volunteer who finished her service came back in June with
some US veterinarians to do mobile clinic in her old village of Sarateneja. So,
Gaia and I made the long trip up to the sleepy fisherman village on the very
bumpy and flooded road. The surgery went very well even though she pulled out
her stiches to her incision and then pulled her staples! That little butt! J So, when we got back
to Orange Walk, I just had to keep it wrapped and clean and keep her not moving
as much as possible, which is very difficult because she is such an active dog
with me. In the end, everything is great with her. She is all healed up and her
mange is getting so much better!
When we got back from that long weekend, the following day
all the PCV in the North had an In-Service Training with some of the PC Staff.
But, before that afternoon when our training started, Barbara (who also works
at the Education Centre with me in Orange Walk) and I got word that we would be
able to go out to Santa Martha Primary School graduation! We were so excited
because we didn’t think we could because of transportation out to the far
village. We knew it would be cutting it close, but we took the chance anyway.
We had worked all year with this school and thought it was most important that
we be there. We figured everything was going to go smoothly on the way out, of
course we were wrong! Right before we left the Education Centre the principal
called me and asked if I could get the certificates/diplomas from our office,
no problem if the office was open! We were leaving before 8AM when the office
was open, so we had to call our District Manager to get her keys and the fish
through the entire office to find these papers and make sure they were signed.
Thirty minutes later we were on our way, so we thought. Five minutes later we
got another call from one of the teachers saying that the car they were riding
in had broken down! They needed a ride out of the village! So we picked up the
principal and another teacher, who could fit in our truck and were finally on
our way to Santa Martha. The other teachers were going to be on their way in
another vehicle they had found. As you can imagine, the graduation didn’t start
on time, but it in the end it all worked out. Barbara and I were able to get
our ride back to town just in time for our 1PM training session with Peace
Corps and our work partners. What a morning!! J
But, I will never forget that day!
The training went well and I since I had requested annual
leave prior to the training I only could make it to a day and half of the
training because the next day I left for my trip home! FINALLY! It had been 15
½ months since I had been home. My trip home was very short, but well worth it!
I went home for my friend’s wedding and it was so great to see all my friends
there. I got to see both my brother as well, my twin brother from Michigan,
came out in an impromptu trip and it was awesome! I got to just relax, watch
TV, go to the beach, eat great food, drive a car and do some shopping! J Even though it was a
short trip, I’m so glad I got to see everyone I could, especially my family,
friends and boyfriend. But, of course Belize beckons and I had to get back for
the summer activities that were happening.
When I got back, it was right back to Santa Martha Village
for the Parenting classes’ graduation. And then having only a few days to prep
and organize for Camp GLOW in the Cayo district. I was in charge of all the
food, snacks and catering for the campers and camp leaders and volunteers. Camp
was AWESOME! Everything went so smoothly and the girls seemed to really enjoy
themselves. Some highlights from the week was field trip to Chaa Creek
butterfly farm and museum, the pool volleyball games, the campfire, zumba
classes, and the talent show! The camp was a lot of work and a lot of long days
and nights, but it was all worth it for the girls to have a good time! When I
got back to Orange Walk, the running club I have was signed up to run in a
duathalon the next day, so on little sleep and not really working out, we were
out there Saturday morning to run 2.5 mi, bike 5 mi, and run 2.5 mi again. It
was loads of fun because I had never done anything like that (the closest thing
to a triathlon for me). I actually ended up winning for the women, which was
very exciting and Neli, who runs with me got second! Needless to say that the
whole weekend following was just getting R&R from everything!
One last thing, the funding for the preschool is finally
here!! The contractor and I went out to start purchasing items and material to
start working on the preschool starting Monday! I am so happy that it is
finally in because that has been a burden every day for me. We have 5 weeks
until school starts and I think and believe it will be finished by September 3
when the first day of school starts! So this next month of August is going to
be spent out in Santa Martha any free time I have to help and finish this
school for the village.
Hope everyone is well and hopefully by next time
the preschool will be open! J Miss you, love you, and we’ll talk soon! XOXO J
