No-Blog November

I know it’s not the greatest play on words, but it explains my blog activity haha. I would have to say that it can be mostly credited to the lack of actually sitting down and getting a chance to write about my life. Whatever it is, I have realized that over the course of my Peace Corps service that I’m not the most consistent blogger.

In that case, I will once again blog-vomit (yes, I just made up that term) all of November J

As some of you know I have a “godson” in site. Over a year ago my host sister in site named me the god mother of her baby boy. His name is Pedrito and his 1 year old birthday was the 2nd of November. In Paraguay, the biggest birthday celebrations are your 1st (or Tú Primer Añito) or your 15th (Quinceañera), which is only thrown for girls. It is kind of like their “coming out” party as a woman. Unfortunately, boys don’t get one, which also means that the 1st birthday party is kinda a big deal. So obviously I was in full birthday party planning mode with my host mom at least two weeks before the day. I did all the preparations for the cake and was the photographer, of course. He was so cute and the party went great even though it rained all day.

The little munchkin! 

Madrina y hijado :)

Family and Neighbors w/ Grandma Cristina

All the invitados! 

Giving out the present bags! 

With his Aunties 

With all the kiddies!

The next day, I actually had the first healthy cooking class with my health committee in site since we had built the fogons. It was a major vegetarian success! I wanted to prove to them once and for all that eating an entirely vegetarian meal would not kill or starve them haha! I was seriously impressed with how many green things I put into our food and that they genuinely enjoyed it. We made green salad, veggie/egg empanadas, veggie pasta, and corn bread (Sopa Paraguaya). Everyone ate it and didn’t complain at all. Instead, they all commented on how easy and delicious the meal was. They actually wanted to learn more vegetarian meals. Great day to be a veggie lover J

My Senoras enjoying their veggie meal :)

Wouldn't have accomplished a lot with out her!

Empanadas

Salad and Veggie Pasta

Proud Committee Members!

A few days later, I travelled to Asuncion for the Red Hot Chili Peppers Concert! Although I could only afford nosebleed standing tickets it was super fun and it was nice to be with Volunteers again!

 That same week, Peace Corps Paraguay had another AHENDU night. If you follow this blog you probably already know about the great shenanigans these nights involve. It’s a chance for volunteers and friends of volunteers to preform live and have a lil’ fun ;) Once again, it was a great time!

Some of my lovely G-mates! Almost done!

That next week, my VAC had the next Tour de VAC planned; however due to a variety of reasons it was postponed for March! Anyways I decided to play the movie I was planning to have before we were going to do our Gender and Development presentations (charlas). The movie is called Girl Rising and I highly recommend getting your hands on it. It highlights the lives of 7 or so girls that live all around the world, touching on their specific struggles and perseverance. It really gives a great insight to the general inequality struggle women all over the world deal with, yet really digging deep into the region specific problems. I loved it! Check it out! Girlrising.com

That same day I also gave a charla to my committee and interested members of the community about sanitary latrines. I explained the project and how we can find help with the costs. I have about 25 families that I plan to gather funds for in order to put sanitary latrines in their homes. All of these families lack sanitary means of disposing of fecal matter. It is the source of a lot of sanitation and health problems in many communities in Paraguay, like parasites and food/water contamination. I plan on asking the state government to help with funding. To be continued!

A little more on the status of projects I site: I have recently turned in all the paperwork for the PCPP Grant for the funding of my community library. You might be asking what is a PCPP. Well, it is a grant that follows the Peace Corps guidelines and policies in order to ask anyone, anywhere for funds to help complete a project. The grant asks that the community lie down 25% of the overall cost of the project, which shows participation and motivation. I am proud to say that the Parent’s Commission in my site has put forth a huge effort in order to get this project off and running. They have already helped me paint and organize the room, repair the electricity, buy new locks for the windows and door, buy shelves and tables, and install an overhead fan. All the funds that I ask for in the PCPP will go to purchasing more books for the library. This project will help the dire need for literacy improvements within the elementary and high school students. Books are not readily available in Paraguayan schools and even more scare within Paraguay. Implementing a library anywhere helps children in their education more than anything. If you are interested in donating please visit the peace corps donation page!! Link --> 

 https://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfmshell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=14-526-005

Or just visit peacecorps.org --> donate to volunteer projects --> search by name --> BATZER (A community library)

Another highly celebrated and rare occasion in Paraguay is a BODA de ORO, which is a 50^th Wedding Anniversary Party. Fortunately, I have been able to attend two during my Peace Corps Service. The second one was during the last week of November and it was none other than my Paraguayan “grandma and grandpa” who live right next door! Such an adorable and hard-working couple! I am really happy I got the opportunity to celebrate with them. Moreover, it was most likely the biggest campo event I have ever attended. Guess the more kids you have, the bigger the show because their 10 children all put in QUITE a sum of money each towards the celebration. Super lindo!

Maida, Angelina, and I

My neighbors who celebrated their 50th anniversary and my close Volunteer neighbor

Juliana, Angelina, and I in front of the band!

The Fernandez Vera Family!

Belen, Araceli, Cristel, and Magri <3 my little chiquitas!

This month was full of celebrations because just two days afterwards I got to attend my second Pre-School Graduation! This time it was a little more special because my neighbor Cristel graduated. I was super excited to be able to be there for such a big occasion for my Paraguayan friends.

After that, I headed to Asuncion to celebrate Thanksgiving with some volunteers at my friend's house. It was just a little get together but really nice to have a break from work. The bigger activity was traveling down south to Encarnacion, Paraguay to hang out at a really nice pool hotel with about 30 other volunteers. Catch some rays and celebrate giving thanks one more time. Love getting’ a little crazy with the PC crew. Always a good time J

Gettin' ready for Thanksgiving Day Olympics :) We're Team Hungary hehe

Until next time, stay classy.

Le Tour de VAC - San Pedro Style

This past Thursday and Friday finally marks the first Tour de VAC!! A little explanation necessary, I know. In Peace Corps Paraguay, according to where volunteers are placed designates what Volunteer Advisory Council they are part of. Most of the time the VACs are defined by the state departments, for example I am part of the San Pedro VAC because I live in the department (similar to a state) of San Pedro. All the volunteers who also live in San Pedro make up the San Pedro VAC. We meet at least four times a year to have meetings. In these meetings we are given a chance to express our concerns and opinions. From there, we elect representatives for the NVAC (National Volunteer Advisory Council) that meets with our Country Director, making sure all the voices of PC Paraguay are being heard. This committee is an opportunity to work with other geographically close volunteers on larger group projects that can touch a more people. It is also our way to get out of site briefly and blow off some steam.

Back in April, we decided to plan out four separate tallers (workshops) that would each be focused on promoting one of the four World Wide Peace Corps Initiatives: HIV/AIDS, ICT (Technology), WID/GAD (Women in Development & Gender and Diversity), and Youth. Along with every taller we also decided to host a bike tour, or what we like to refer to it as LE TOUR DE VAC. There are about four different general locations where San Pedro volunteers are clustered within a 25-kilometer radius. For example, three are located in a 22-kilometer radius from a small municipality. They helped to organize a sex education taller targeting HIV/AIDS with high school student from around their communities. The day before we arrived at the municipality to give the daylong workshop, we began at one of the volunteers who was at the 22 km marker point and biked all the way. It was a beautiful day and we all made it in good time! Through back roads we were able to catch a glimpse of another part of Paraguay. During this 22 km bike tour we stopped in one of the volunteers site to give a smaller version of the sex education workshop we gave in the municipality. The worshop was also very successful thanks to all our super-guapa (hard-working) volunteers! Next one is being scheduled for either late October or November! It will include my site and it will target the WID/GAD initiative! VERY EXCITED! 

Photos of the TOUR:

Mini sex education charla at one of our fellow San Pedro VAC members school

Lovely TOUR DE VAC riders :)

Gettin' my bootayy up the last hill haha

TOUR = check. Sex Education Workshop = check! Ice cream break! I had avocado ice cream, so random but heavenly!

A year in the makin’

My contact/host mom Cristina & I foolin around while the bricklayers are learning the new model

So, as most of you who follow this blog know, I recently received the funding for my fogon (wood-burning brick ovens) project. Since May 2012 I have been working with a small neighborhood commission in order to teach about the fogons and find a way to fund their construction. As of the end of this month, I can proudly say that 14 of the 15 fogons are now built in my site! Thanks to some super helpful volunteers who came to my site to help me teach the brick layers how to build them! I would not have been able to do it without them! All the families in the commission have been incredibly thankful and appreciative of their LINDO new model fogons. Made all the tedious, and the “I-could-enjoy-pulling-out-all-of-my-hair-more-than-this”, work so worth it! But seriously…probably one of the most rollercoaster-like Peace Corps projects I will endure during my service. Thank goodness it’s done J #thetoughestjobyouwilleverlove

Below are some of the pictures I took during the weekend training session with the two volunteers who came to help. We built two fogons in two days J

Teaching

Making mezcla (red dirt and water) for laying bricks

First fogon finished!

The PCVC Eric that helped teach my host brother how to build the fogon! 

Proud volunteer!

Happy family!

Foolin' around with my Iphone with the kids

Second fogon built! Fam photo

YAY!

Thanks for coming Lauren & Eric!

The Longest Blog Update Ever!

Oh hello! Yes...I'm still around! haha I'm sorry I haven't exactly been the best blogger these days. I believe the last post was back in MARCH! In that case, I'm going to break down my life from the last couple months in chunks, beginning with:

MARCH:

The first weekend of March I went to a Peace Corps Improved Kitchen's workshop (Fogon Workshop) put on my some of the volunteers who have basically dedicated a large portion of their service to improving the design, functionality, and efficiency of the wood-burning brick ovens or fogons that are used here in Paraguay. As you know, I am doing my own fogon project in site so the workshop really helped me to get the last final touches on the project, including which model we are going to do. After returning to site I proposed the new Peace Corps model to my committee and they all came to a mutual decision that it was the best for all involved. Below is a pictures to help get a visual. 

The Traditional Paraguayan Model

The New Peace Corps Model. As you can see there are two combustion chambers that allow you to use the stovetop apart from the oven = saving energy and also focusing the heat where it needs to be.

Later that month, I met up with a bunch of my friends for a Paul Van Dyke concert in Asuncion. He’s an electronic DJ and it was quite the concert! I had a really good time and it’s always nice to see and catch up with all the G mates! Here’s some pictures!

At the end of March I got to celebrate my second Semana Santa in Paraguay! Only this time I got to spend it with my neighbors in site. Semana Santa refers to the catholic Holy Week, one of the biggest holidays recognized in Paraguay and throughout South America really. One of their traditions is the making of the CHIPA. Chipa is, what I like to compare it to, a cheesy madioca and corn flour bagel. A little difficult to describe but its the Semana Santa staple. Although technically they are supposed to fast the (days), they allow eating chipa so a TON of it is made. This is not a hyperbole people. Chipa is made from eggs, pig fat, cheese, madiocca (yucca) flour, corn flour, milk, and little salt, then rolled into a round bagel form. In the end, this whole “fast” things honestly never happens because taking away meat from the diet during a time when everyone is on vacation is more of a sin than anything! ;) Anyways, Semana Santa is really a chance to see and spend time with family and eat your stomach out. Here’s some more pictures of my Chipa-makin’ skills with my neighbors.

My neighbors Juliana & Maida mixing the chipa batter 

APRIL:

So this is when things started really picking up in site. I started two new projects in the high school, a World Map Project and a program called “Como Planear Mi Vida” which translates to “How to plan my life”. The first project involves raising money with the students of 11th grade in order to cover one of the outside walls of the high school with cement (making a flat surface) and painting a large world map. Every year the HS students are required to carry out a project of some kind. Most of the time it is something to improve the school like an outside bench area to sit on, maybe a new bathroom, or even new books. Since, I am working with my contact, who is a Arts teacher, I have also decided to use this opportunity to didactically share cultures from around the world through utilizing a large visual aid, the World Map. It’s really crazy how unaware most kids from the companias in Paraguay are about where they lie in the world and what is around them. I can’t tell you how many times I have been told that England is connected to the States. 

The plan is to first get the map painted (which is still in progress) and then I plan to come in weekly and having a day to learn about diferent regions of the world. I want to show them all aspects of culture from these places like food, dance, music, language, traditions, art, and costumes. I think the kids are really going to enjoy it. I’ll keep updates with this!

The second project is a series of charlas (presentations) that focus on teaching HS kids how to improve their communication skills, highten their understanding of their changing bodies which leads into sexual education, to learn more about how to prepare for college or a professional trade, and finally how to plan for a family. Utilized throughout Peace Corps posts worldwide, it has shown to help adolecentes in realizing their potential, focusing their interests into goals, and helping to prepare them for desirable futures.

Finally, I have also began the beginnings of developing a library within the two schools. Low literacy rates and interest levels in reading is a large issue throughout rural áreas in Paraguay. After discussing this with the principal of the elementary school he offered up the idea of reinnovating one of the empty and unused classrooms into a library. I obviously was thrilled with the idea. We currently are in the procces of replacing the electricity, getting proper security features, and “pretty-ing it up! I’ve already sent a Darien’s Book Aid (an organization that sends a box of free books to Peace Corps volunteers trying to improve literacy around the world) request so we are waiting on those books to come. Obviously a single box won’t fill up the library but it is a good start! 

Sooooo….if you're reading this and are at all interested in helping out! Let me know! Donated books and funds are very much appreciated since building a library in Paraguay is unfortunately a spendy and unprioritized expediture. Below is a picture of what my library looks like right now.

As you can see...I got some books missing! HELP ME :)

Next stop was during the second weekend of April when I went to my second concert in Paraguay! This time is was sort of a festival where three artists came to the Boardwalk (River) of the Asuncion: Sean Paul, Taio Cruz, and Martin Sloveig. It was absolutely amazing! So fun much! I even got to zip-line across the audience when Sean Paul was singing! Incredible! Here’s some pics!

Last little tid bit for April was my 1 year anniversary in site! CRAZY RIGHT!!! I have been here for so long! However, sometimes it really doesn’t feel like it at all. Before leaving for the Peace Corps you mentally picture the reality of what 27 months might be to you. You think well that’s basically over half the amount of time i spent in college! “I’M GONNA BE THERE FOREVER!” I’d say to myself. You know…totally confident in my committment skills obviously ;) But the real reality of it all is that when you actually get into your site after training, you begin to make it home and the things you do become so habitual that you sort of forget about the distance you are away from home and your COS (Close of Service) date. Time goes by just as fast as it would if you were doing whatever you would be doing if it weren’t for your Peace Corps service. So what I’m trying to get at is once big landmarks come around you think about how short this journey really is in the broad spectrum of things. To move somewhere else completely different and start a new life in 27 months is actually surprisingly one hell of a fleeting opportunity. My life here has been ups and downs, happy go lucky and also some of the most lonely and sad days of my life. I’d like to think I knew perfectly well what I was getting into so that I can confidently say that whatever comes my way from here on out is something I must deal with since I committed to it; however, we almost never know beforehand, yet that’s the toughest/mysterious part about this whole journey. It’s about being content with the fact that you can’t have expectations, handling anything that comes your way eventually, while recognizing and enjoying the positive side. With that said, I have about 10 months to go and although I’ve had my moments of discouragement, I will finish it. As my lovely father always says, “Gutters never quit and Quiters never gut”. Thanks pops…as annoying as it was and is to hear it…I’d like to think I’m learning the meaning of it everyday here.

So in celebration of my first year in site, the elementary school staff and students put on one of the cutest little presentations for me. It honestly was one of the best feelings I have ever had in site. It really made me feel recognized and special, like they really enjoy and appreciate my work and life here. They made some great speeches about how much they enjoy Peace Corps and how much they appreciate the work I’ve done in the community and in the school. After dancing, singing, and reciting poems they presented me with a certificate of appreciation. Below are some great pictures.

MAY-JUNE:

May was a crazy month. It began with a Library workshop which was super helpful too. I actually won a bunch of Spanish books to put in my library as well from the raffle they had. So know I have a little bit to start off with. I’m also thinking about and have talked with a few teachers about coming into the elementary classrooms to read aloud books to the kids to promote interest in reading so that when my library is actually functioning I can have people who are already interested who want to come in and hang out.

That same weekend was 5 de Mayo so of course I came into Asuncion to meet up with all the Americanos! We went to a restaurant called BOLSI BAR which is actually owned by a paraguayan who always goes to the states to get more menú ideas and he speaks English really well. He always tried to have a little party for the favorite American occasions too. It was a great time as always! Pics below!

After that was our Mid-Service Training. We had our year-in medical exam with a dentist visit. Perfect teeth! Which was actually surprising haha! We also had a little Guarani language pick-up that only made me feel more bad about how little Guarani I can speak. The thing is I can understand and grasp most of the idea of conversations but at this point I just speak in Spanish because it is easier. Oh well, I guess if I haven’t perfected it by now and I’ll never use it afterwards, I’m not really gonna get on myself to hard about it.

 

Towards the end of May I went to visit my friend Kelley for her birthday in site. It was really fun since I really love her host family out there. I tend to head her way when I’m not loving my site so much so I’m pretty well known haha. We danced and had a good time with her paraguayan friends and family. Always a good time.

Best part of this month is that on the 29th I went home for a visit for two weeks!!! I had SO MUCH FUN! Didn’t really sleep too much but that was because I wanted to see everyone and do everything lol. I got to head down to my houseboat on Lake Shasta with my best friend Kylie, Dad, Stepmom, and brother’s for a few days before I headed back to good ole Medford. GREAT TRIP!

 I had a really great dinner with the whole Batzer side of my family when I got back too. So amazing to see and catch up with everyone! Thanks everyone for coming! Love you! After that I took a day to float the Rogue with my mom. So relaxing and beautiful. I will always love how amazing Southern Oregon is. West Coast is the best coast! It will always be home. After Medford, I headed north to watch my baby sister Cody graduate from high school! I’m so happy I got to come back and see her walk across the stage, wouldn’t of missed it for anything! CONGRATS, LOVE YOU SISSY!

Next stop: Portlandia! My mom and sister came up with me and stayed for the weekend! We shopped, went to the zoo, ate amazing food, and got to hang out. It was really great to be with them again just the three of us. After that, I had about two days of hanging out with my best friends in Ptown until my dad and stepmom came up for the remainder of my stay. We went to a Timber’s game, went white water rafting, and also ate amazing food. Time obviously flew by and before I knew it I was on my way back to the airport, crying and saying goodbye. L

I had an amazing and epic time with everyone I saw. So glad I made the trip! Thanks to everyone who made it possible too!

Returning back to Paraguay was bittersweet and pretty hard. I immediately missed all my friends and family. However, I got to reunite with close contacts and friends in site so that made the transition easier. I also was informed that I would be receiving my grant money for the fogons at the end of July! Just recently, I finalized the workshop I will be putting on in my site during the first weekend of August. I have invited two volunteers who are experts in building these fogons to help teach my bricklayers. About five other volunteers who are interested in building fogons in their sites are also planning on coming to help out as well. Should be fun!

JULY:

To wrap up this mamouth of a blog, I wanted to post some pictures of my 4th of July weekend. Every year the US Embassy here puts on a party for all the volunteers which is always a good time. That same weekend, Peace Corps Paraguay put on another one of its AHECHA nights. This is something a volunteer committee puts on about four times per year to raise money for projects and to promote music. Volunteers and nationals perform similar to an open mic night. Super fun!

Until the next blog…promise it won’t be so far away next time!