12/30

I apologize for not writing recently, but as promised before, the past few weeks have been very busy.  Starting off, I graduated my health promoters in a nice morning of reflection, certificates, and of course lunch.  Although throughout the planning and graduation, I realized that I do not have the most faith in some of the women who graduated to continue as successful health promoters within my community, I learned that for some of them, that wasn’t the most important part of the process.  Seeing these women get out of my town for the morning to go to the “city,” watching them interact with the women from other Healthy Homes groups, and realizing that this was the first graduation of any sorts they had attended or the first certificate they had received in their lives…and how much pride that instilled in them, was worth it.  Maybe all of them don’t know everything they should know about the health topics we covered, but all of them were inspired.  That day, I think they realized that they were capable of things they had never imagined.  Maybe all of them won’t become stand-out promoters, but they all now know that they can accomplish things through hard work and participation.

I also took two of my youth from my 8^th grade class to a one day conference in La Romana.  It was another celebration of World AIDS Day, just set a little later (and happened to appropriately fall on Human Rights Day).  My kids were responsible for presenting a small part about HIV – mainly specifics about the test.  We practiced several times the day before in front of their families.  We received some superb presentation tips from my host mom.  “Suck on a mint right before you have to present.  And believe in God.  FIRST comes God, THEN comes the mint!”  It was their first time traveling without family, and going to a conference like this.  They were nervous about the presentation, but did a great job (it was obviously those mints).  I had other volunteers approach me to let me know they were shocked with how well they did, and what a great grasp of the subject they had, especially as they were some of the youngest at the event.  I couldn’t have been prouder.  Outside of the presentation, they participated in a march, helped paint a mural, and listened to other talks related to HIV/AIDS.

During my last session in the school before break, I received a gift from the director of the school.  You are probably assuming, it was a gift to say ‘thank you’ or express her appreciation for my work with the school.  She got me a pair of fake Crocs.  Why?  Because she’s sick of me coming down from my house with mud covered broken sandals in hand, and watching me teach barefoot every week.  Whoopsies. Anyways, it was much appreciated and I actually wear them everywhere.

As the New Year approaches, I find myself planning my last 10 months here (crazy!).  I have a bucket list of places I need to see, volunteers’ sites I need to visit, and 10,000 ft peaks I need to summit. : ) As far as projects, the gardens will be starting soon, my Chicas Brillantes and Somos Ingenierios groups will continue, as will my 8^th grade Escojo Mi Vida group.  My health promoters will now move into phase 2, starting somewhat supervised house visits within our area.  With two requests recently from separate people, I am also considering teaching a modeling course.  No, unfortunately I do not mean anything relating to differential equations or Calc 4, but instead how to walk the runway and pose for pictures.  I’m only kidding; I think I’ll try to put my time into something more sustainable (although those were serious requests…if only they knew I’d probably be better at the math).

I hope you all have a wonderful New Years and a great 2012!