I´ve been in El Salvador for a week and a few days now, but it feels like a month!! I think the days are just going slower simply because they´re so packed with information, and the heat I´m sure has an impact. It´s already been a challenging experience, as well as very inspiring. I´m constantly learning, often frustrated, and always excited about the next step. So far, I see many needs around me healthwise. There is garbage everywhere from a lack of garbage cans, no trash or active recycling system, and I think just uneducation about the effects of trash regarding sanitation. So, if that´s the case in my site, that is a task I´m wanting to take on. I´m actually going to give a "charla" (talk/presentation) on March 12 to the 5th grade class at a local school on "limpieza" (cleanliness) and the effects of trash in their living spaces. We observed at that school (we is my community group - Natalie, Kevin, and I with our Spanish teacher, Maria Luisa) on Thursday, and I was quite impressed with the 5th grade. They paid attention and it seemed very similar to a U.S. school, unlike the other grades, according to my team. So, I´m pumped to have that grade for my charla. We also interviewed the director of the school. and I have to say that from interviews we´ve been doing, it´s difficult to get the truth out of people. Of course, they´re a bit defensive because we´re asking questions about health and sanitation issues...who wants to admit to having hygiene problems??? So, I understand, but it´s just proving that it will take much time at my own site to gain trust before I can be an agent of change. A problem is that there´s no potable water source at the school, nor at most homes. For bathrooms, they have latrines, which is fine, except that this school has a problem with them flooding in the rainy season. Plus, there´s no soap for washing hands...only water. As a health volunteer, this is something daunting since so many of the sicknesses here are passed so easily from person to person. It´s crazy because the day before, we interviewed the Unidad de Salud, (health clinic) about 15 minutes away from our cantone, and there was no soap there either. Crazy!
Sex Education and Reproductive Health are going to be topics to discuss. There´s definitely a need for this type of education, but it´s quite taboo to discuss the human body parts and how they work, and totally taboo to talk about sex or prevention or birth control. So, I have my work cut out for me, but it will be worth it when the people are educated and can make wise decisions regarding their health, both physically and mentally.
I´m having doubts as to my capabilities, but know Christ will give me daily strength and wisdom. It´s tough, but fun and envigorating at the same time. I´m staying sane by laughing a lot and listening to my ipod each night before I go to bed. I´m so thankful that I can communicate with people in Spanish, or it would be so much harder. It really is a large part to my happiness here...I can make friends because I can speak with people...that´s huge. Please pray for the volunteers who don´t have that luxury. It´s hard for them and I think they miss home a lot more because of that. Well, peace out and will write more soon!!!