Looking back at the past year, and foward to Part II

On August 19th, I officially celebrated my 1 year anniversary in Guaranda, Ecuador. It's been an amazing experience, filled with laughter, new friends, challenges, new memories and of course, lots of food and dancing! (PHOTO: My Ecuadorian Host Family and my Grandparents; PHOTO:Guaranda with Chimborazo in the background "X" marks where I live)

Over the past year, I've learned more about myself than I ever imagined, I've been able to experience every holiday in a foreign country and have held my longest job-to-date. I've learned to speak Spanish; make spaghetti sauce, brownies, pancakes, banana bread, pizza and tortillas from scratch; to bargain for my fruits and veggies; to make a jar of PB last a month; to plant potatoes; to make recycled paper; to clean my dishes by hand; to not be afraid to try something new; to laugh at myself (and everyone around me); to be committed; to not be afraid to let go. (PHOTO: my bday, getting my face smashed into a cake; PHOTO: Christmas celebration at a school in the campo; PHOTO: dinner party with my friends)

I'm living on my own in Ecuador. I have a fantastic host family here, Ecuadorian friends, PCV friends, lots (sometimes too much) work, a studio apartment and people who trust in me. The mail-boy knows me by name and finds me on his scooter whenever I get mail (WHICH MAKES ME SOOOO HAPPY!) I have a credit account with my local grocer, and the fruit lady on the corner gives me my favorite YAPPAS (no more cuello for me). My host mother has opened a restaurant - where she often serves brownies, zucchini lasagna, carrot cake (some of my favorites that we cook at her house). (PHOTO: trip to the sub-tropic with Monica and Raul, playing in the pool)

A lot of my time goes into work. My primary work is with Fundacion Promocion Humana Diocesana de Guaranda - their mission is to assist organized groups in sustainable development and to help facilitate access to resources; their two main focuses are on Micro-Credit (community banks), organic agriculture and commercialization of products. (PHOTO: Kids in Santo Domingo planting a garden)

Since I'm a Peace Corps Youth and Families volunteer, and wanted to improve my language before diving into business development (which, as many of you know, is my passion) ... I started my service working in local schools (20minutes - 1 hour trip into the campo). I did lots of group building, self-esteem games and agriculture (yes, I learned to start composts and small gardens). It was a great opportunity to understand how my Foundation works, what the schools are like and who I could/ couldn't work with. Working in local schools led to working in schools all over the Provence and soon I was running around like crazy really not helping anyone (spending one day a month in a school, hitting 5-6 different schools a week). I was having a hard time building lasting relationships, let alone remember anyone's name. My Foundation was pretty stuck on the idea that I should help out all the schools, and I was pretty sure I didn't want to spend the next year and a half doing that ... so I decided to switch gears a little... (PHOTO: co-workers and I)

So, I changed gears and started looking for secondary projects - CEMOPLAF, Soluciones Comunitarios, Gustavo Lemos Elementary School, setting-up a toy room in Santo Domingo, Teaching English classes for World Teach ... if you've ever had a hard time keeping track of my "work", this is why. (PHOTO: cooking classes at Santo Domingo; PHOTO: students of Gustavo Lemos)

So, NOW WHAT you ask?? Well, over the past 12 months, there have been some things that have stuck, and some that haven't. Some that were great short-term projects that taught me about the culture, a certain group of people or how to manage/ develop an event. However, there have also been some projects that are just taking form, ready to launch-off, that I think just might stick for the next year. With each of these project, I've found a local I can work with - a single person that is willing, able, and wanting to participate in change. And this, with a little bit of encouragement, has created the momentum for my second year. (PHOTO: Don Hernan - agriculture promoter at Fundacion Promocion Humana)

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP - recycled paper. A group of 10-15 youth who are interested in making money (youth from low-income families that need the money to stay in school), while learning business skills, leadership and about the environment. Basically, this group will make recycled paper into cards, bags, boxes and decorate them with local pressed flowers etc. We'll utilize a beginner, intermediary, advanced ranking to encourage participation, savings and paper-making quality - their incentive, a larger percentage of each product sold awarded to the individual as they improve their personal ranking. Additionally, each youth will have the opportunity to take over leadership roles in the business – for example, marketing, production or sales. I have found a great counterpart to work with me on this project – we even took a 12 hour bus ride down South to visit a PCV and see how her woman’s group makes and sales their recycled paper (their product is AMAZING). Now, all we have to do is form the group. Laugh ... but I'm serious. Forming this group of youth has been one of the most challenging things I've tried to do in Ecuador - timing, participation, respect, interest, incentives, they all have to line-up perfectly. (PHOTO: visit to San Pedro to see recycled paper process with Teresa)

SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS Last year, my Foundation had a budget for scholarships; however, because of lack of organization, the money didn't go to children in need, it went to purchase candy bags for each child at each school for Christmas. This year (to start) 18 elementary aged students will receive scholarship for the year. We are currently evaluating each student, their needs and resources and coming up with a solution for how we can best help them (purchase of medicine, mattresses, clothes, food).

AEROBICS At work, I've started teaching aerobics classes! I know, I've never done it before in my life - but that's the point, when else will I have 6 women who are excited to go to my aerobics classes each day? haha, probably never :) We're doing kick-boxing, aerobics moves, weight lifting and some yoga. New moves, suggestions, and music are ALWAYS appreciated!

CEMOPLAF At the local “planned parenthood”, I’m helping start a youth group, a sort of peer-education methodology for the students to teach their friends at school. Last month, my counterpart, Maricela, and I attended a HIV/AIDS conference ¿Cuantos Sabes? in Guayaqui, where we learned a fantastic, new methodology for incorporating HIV/AIDS knowledge with youth groups (youth promoters, very similar to the peer-education model CEMOPLAF currently uses). We have plans to replicate the program with our youth group starting in November. (PHOTO: "This is how you put on a condom" demonstrations)

SOLUCIONES COMUNITARIOS Four women in my local community have decided to become acesoras for SC, an organization that sells health products to people in the campo through the micro-consignment model. (See my previous post in August for some photos and a video! PHOTO: Teresa helping a woman find glasses to let her read)

JUAN PABLO Last summer, when Social Entrepreneur Corps (a group of 14 University students here for a summer internership) and SC came to Guaranda to help the women acesoras, they also spent a day with the Foundation Juan Pablo. The women at this foundation make and sell turron and have been asking for help with their business. For the past 20 years they have been making turron and selling it under the name Deli Turron - a brand started by Fundacion Promocion Humana which sells turron from 5 woman’s group under the same packaging to help create market and brand for the entrepreneurs. After all these years and experience, the women of Juan Pablo want to expand their business and have their own brand. The visit and day long consultations from SC helped organize the women and get them focused on their business goals. Additionally, last month, we were awarded a grant from the Social Entrepreneur Corps and have started meetings to design a development plan. Right now, we're looking at new packaging (with a new logo, and brand for their turron), promotion, and product diversification (different sizes and the turron filled with different nuts). YUMM! (PHOTO: Women of Juan Pablo making turron at a food fair in Guaranda)

LIBRARIES and READING PROGRAMS Through the Peace Corps, there is a program called WWS (World Wide Schools). Basically it pairs up a PCV with a teacher in the U.S. From here, the project and outcomes are up to the teacher and PCV. I was paired up with a very responsive teacher and during our first letters back and forth to each other, Mr. Kennedy (my 2nd grade class, in Colorado!) told me he's very interested in altruism and creating a real-life project for his class. I brought up the idea of starting some libraries at two of the schools in the campo in Ecuador and implementing reading programs at them. Both of the schools in the campo are under 30 children, have great motivated and involved directors who often talk with me about the importance however huge lack of reading at their schools (and Ecuador in general). So, Mr. Kennedy and his 2^nd grade class have agreed to help me collect books and monetary donations to create a library at each campo school. While at home, I visited and met Mr. Kennedy's 2nd grade class. The kids were filled with endless questions and stories :) Want to help out?? More information to come… (PHOTO: Kids reading in Herapamba)

Apart from work, I’ve also been able to travel a little in the country (haven’t made it out of country yet) – the beach (Salinas, Palmar, M….), the jungle (MACAS!!!), the sierra (Ibarra, San Pablo, Cuenca, Loja, San Pedro). Along the way, I’ve met some very colorful individuals, friends for life and people who either love or are scared of me simply because I’m American. I was blessed with a visit from my Grandparents where I got to share my site, my friends and my family with loved ones from home. We were able to explore Ecuador together and I’m happy to see I’ll age well!! And, I even traveled home for a short, wonderful catch-up with my friends, family and the sweet CO air! (PHOTO: Whale watching off Palmar with PCVs; PHOTO: downhill biking Chimborazo with friends)

So, as I start the countdown (not that I’m actually counting days, but that I have less left then I’ve been here already), I look back and smile at my time in Ecuador. To Part II of my adventure! Salud!! (PHOTO: Riobamba at sunset)

Vacation to CO and my bday

I had the best surprise for my birthday this year! I got to come home for my birthday - my first bday at home in Colorado since I turned 21. I got to see old friends :) Hang out with my entire family, go trail running, make sushi, do yoga, play with my dog, drink coffee and have great conversations, visit old College stomping grounds, have sleep-overs, go to our cabin, play tennis, see the first signs of fall, watch the Rockies and eat a Rockie dog, drink micro-brews, ride my bike, go shopping at Target at 9pm, hug my mom, eat large amounts of Mexican, sandwiches, sushi, visit Mr. Bobby's class, drive ...

A few questions everyone was asking:
"Is it weird to be home?" NO. Honestly, not at all, well - I guess everything was sparklingly clean and I had to be reminded to flush my TP and that I could drink tap water, but other than that Colorado was awesome in a familiar "that's exactly what I missed" kind of way. I'm guessing my sub-two week trip didn't qualify me to go through reverse culture shock, so I'll let you know about that after my PC service. Oh, and there are ENDLESS options in the US ... going to the grocery store or ordering from a menu took at least double the BPC (Before Peace Corps) time.

"What do you DO down there?" LOTS and LOTS of different stuff everyday is the simple answer ... the long answer, read my next blog entry, I've included some projects I hope to continue for the next year.

"Do you have friends down there?" Honestly, I spend a lot of time with my host family - my best friends are a 37 year old woman and her 12 year old daughter. I spend a lot of time during the day at work, and there are a great group of women who I'm learning how to gossip with. Every once in a while, I break out the dancing shoes and hit up a graduation party or disco with some local friends - and yes, we ALWAYS party till 4 or 5 in the morning :) Some of the coolest people I've met are PCVs ... while the closest one lives 35 + minutes away from me, It's always a blast when I get to visit or be visited by PCVs - life long friends.

"Have you tried Guinea Pig" Yes, and, it DOES taste like chicken. If you want a try, we'll make you some, just come visit!!

"Do you like it there?" Ecuador has been an amazing experience and continues to be different and challenging everyday. I love my work and my host family. Some days are better than others, and I'm learning how to ride the successes with the failures. Living in a different culture and being committed to the same job for two years has pushed me outside of my box countless times. Ecuador is an amazing country filled with fantastic people who are always ready to laugh or dance.

"What did you miss the most from the US?" The people and being able to sit and have a good conversation; good beer and wine; my family, trail running; pet dogs; dating; yoga and endless saldo ...

"What are you doing after?" I've considered doing a 3rd year as a PCVL in Quito (you work at the PC office). I want to backpack up through Central America on my way back to CO, and then have a seasonal job waiting for me at a ski resort and then stick around for summer and probably live there forever (open a yoga studio). I've considered going back to graduate school - Environmental Economics, Social Business, Non-Profit Management. I've also wanted to get an apartment somewhere, get a job (not a 9-5, but one of those work-from-home jobs). Obviously, I have no idea. I should sit down and think about that.

"How's your Spanish?" It's getting there. I mean, I can have conversations in Spanish, but it's still not to the level I want. I often find myself frustrated because I can't find the right words or phrases to express my feelings/ situation. I hope it will come with time, but for now, it will just makes me respect words and people's ability to communicate successfully through them. My Uncle asked me "so, if you were to hit your hand with a hammer, would you shout in Spanish or English?" A close friend told me ... you need to find an Ecuadorian boyfriend. haha, both good pieces of advice.

My vacation to Colorado went way too fast, but it was great. It helped me realize people are people - we are the same all over the world (well, in Ecuador and the U.S.). Yes, we do have different cultures, histories, opportunities and personalities - but that's what makes us human. We all want friends and someone to love us ("some one to tell the pains of our lives to" - my driver at work during a heart-to-heart yesterday), we all like to have fun and don't like it when people around us are upset. There are also "good" and "bad" people everywhere - usually defined by local norms and customs. Some people you don't get along with, and some you do (and when you do, oh man, what an amazing feeling). People love to learn and be encouraged, hate to be told they are stupid, need to express themselves, often have self-esteem issues and want to be part of something. My trip to Colorado helped me tie my two lives together, things don't feel quite so odd or unfamiliar anymore.

Unfortunately, I have no photos ... I had to order a new camera charger and got it right before I came back to Ecuador. See ya in February!!