Today begins my last week of training. Someone at the beginning of our time in Guatemala said to my group and I that the days will go by slow, but the months will go by fast. It didn’t make sense to me at the time, and I bet I still don’t grasp the truth of this concept, but Pre-Service Training definitely went by fast. I feel like I just got here, but at the same time I feel like I’ve been here for years already. The days often feel long and drawn-out as I am packing so much information into my brain. And yet, I feel like I blinked and all of a sudden I am here with one week left before my two years really starts. Two months ago these people around me who are my new family were strangers. Now on Friday I will have to say a very difficult temporary goodbye to them as we all move to our new homes, starting the awkward process of getting to know strangers all over again.
Since my last blog post, a lot has happened. My Healthy Schools program teammates and I ran a Leadership Camp to train and equip Student Health Promoters in Santa Lucía, Santo Tomás, and Magdalena to promote health in their communities. We had about 38 students who we certified as new Student Health Promoters in their schools. I got a taste of what my job is going to be like in Guatemala and I loved it. Working with young students who are passionate about health in their communities was an inspiring experience. We went over topics such as leadership skills, self-esteem, team management skills, hand washing, and nutrition. I cannot wait to continue this work and get even better at it.
I had my last few classes with my language group. We all moved up to the advanced category and I am so proud of us! Our language will only improve from here and we put in the hard work during PST to jump from intermediate to advanced. I will never forget the amazing things we did together during PST and all of the laughs we had together. In one of our last meetings together we were able to learn how to make earrings with a business called Swietstuff (follow them on instagram @swietstuff or visit their website swietstuff.com). They are a group of powerful women doing some fabulous things for Guatemala. Check out their jewelry!
My language class and I also had the opportunity to visit a Macadamia farm in San Miguel Dueñas. We got a tour of the farm, got free mini facials/massages, and ate a big lunch there.
I’ve spent a couple days in Antigua and I have decided it’s one of my favorite cities and I could go on forever about it. Lily and I got a little bougie and relaxed with some massages and wine and were able to have a moment to center ourselves. It was much needed relaxation.
And then, most exciting of all, I received my site placement! Kan 14 traveled to San Antonio together and there we received little gourds that had rolled up pieces of papers in them with the name of our new site. It was a very emotional time full of anxiety. We sat down, counted to three, and then opened our papers to reveal our new homes. And what I saw when I opened my paper: Sacatepéquez!! This is the department where I currently am living and where the Peace Corps office is! My first emotion was relief, and then excitement, nervousness, and then hope. I still don’t know exactly how to feel, but I am thankful and I have a feeling this is where I am called and I am going to listen to that calling.
For those of you who don’t know Guatemalan departments well, here’s a little map with my department colored in. The capital of Sacatepéquez is Antigua, the Peace Corps office is in Santa Lucía Milpas Altas, and it is a beautiful department with lots of urban areas, modern stores, and classy restaurants. It’s population is mainly Spanish speaking, ladinos with a small percentage of Kaqchikel speaking indigenous peoples.
The first two months of my service will be a lot of learning and readjusting before I start my work. I’m going to be completing school visits, meeting representatives of Guatemalan institutions, integrating with my new host family, and more. On Friday I swear-in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer. My Healthy Schools friends have nominated me as one of two swear-in speakers for Friday, so I need to start writing a Spanish speech that I will be giving in front of 200 people, including the ambassador of Guatemala. Send me all the prayers and well wishes! Thank you for all of the support!
Camille's Peace Corps Adventure 