1 Month-er!

Hey everybody! I've now been in site for a month and things are REALLY picking up! It's getting pretty overwhelming at times just because our first "3 month" rule kind of focuses on us getting to know our community better and getting to know families while evaluating the community's health and sanitation needs via census. So basically in Paraguayan terms that breaks down into T-reying (drinking terere — cold Yerba Mate) with families while they continually talk about the fact that I need a Paraguayan boyfriend/husband because I will be very, very lonely for two years, how I will learn Guarani very fast, why I don't eat meat because vegetarians will surely starve, and why I'm pretty much here. As much fun as that can be, I find myself drifting off during rapid Guarani discussions (clearly not including me speaking) and stressing myself out about everything I should or could be doing right now. I know I can handle jumping right into big projects like I mentioned previously but I really think the 3 month rule has some significance. I have a lot of pressure from members of my community to start quickly but as a first time volunteer to the area I think I have some more work to do in the confidence-building department. I want to make sure that people see me not just as a co-worker but as a member of the community and even a family member. With more connections like these I believe I will accomplish a lot more meaningful and lasting goals in this community. Although I've already made some amazing connections, I'm going continue on the slow route for a few more weeks. 

(Lucia & Cristina) My first and current host mothers watching the Independence Day Parade with their two girls (Ilse & Sandra) 

However, switching over to the fast lane of my life here, I just recently had my very first informational commission meeting. Since arriving in my site I have found a substantial amount of people who are quite eager to begin working with me on a fogon project. Fogon is the spanish word for wood-burning brick oven and they are useful and economical cooking tools in Paraguay. Unfortunately, even these affordable ovens are too pricey for many families living in the campo, which is why most people organize themselves and raise money communally to pay for them. That's where I come it! My involvement in such a project extends to the organization of this group, helping with official government recognition, finding ways to fundraise and/or request grant money if needed, and teach about the importance of having a fogon and what comes with it. The main reason Peace Corps Paraguay supports and urges fogon projects is because it takes the cooking off the ground to a higher, more contained, and ventilated cooking surface. This evicts many problems Paraguayans face like chronic back pain, respiratory diseases, and malnutrition. For example, people no longer need to bend over for so long to cook meals because their cooking surface is now elevated. Also, with a fogon (as you can see below), the smoke is contained and is then ventilated out of the kitchen. Finally, many of the models used with Peace Corps Paraguay include an oven. Many volunteers stress the importance of an oven in their sites because it helps reduce the oil in cooking. Paraguayan cuisine is loaded with oil and one reason being is that it's easier and quicker to fry things. In this case, using an oven while trying to teach healthier cooking practices is an easy way to reduce oil intake. Back to the results of my meeting! I had 15 members sign up who are all very excited and seem to want to work very hard, so that's a great sign. I explained to them that I am obviously very new to the area but to give me a little bit of patience and things will begin very soon. They all were very nice and helpful. First on the list is to get the papers from the Municipality and get them officially recognized by the government so in the future I can request government funds to help build their fogons. 

Wood-burning Stove/Oven = Fogon

On the more unpleasant side of things lately is the epic failure of bug spray in my life. I’ve yet to get used to the “pinchos” (bugs) here in Paraguay.  Although personally I’ve never been the one to NOT get bit, but it seems to be even worse here even with the excessive use of bug spray. One of the three favorite topics my community enjoys disccusing in reference to me is how badly I get bit by all the bugs. It’s sweet how concerned they are but I always like to joke that “los pinchos aman mi sangre nueva y americana y no saben que ya soy paraguaya” (the bugs love my new American blood and don’t already know that I’m Paraguayan). Jokes aside my legs, ankles, feet, and even butt are definitely taking the heat for it. I have a feeling I will be fighting this battle for some time. Let's be real here, I got bit on my face three times this past weekend, which isn't the best of news considering I was in Asuncion and they are known to be the ones carrying Dengay. Let's see shall we :/

Some exciting news: I got a new puppy! I have decided to name her princesa because sadly, in comparison to most Paraguayan pets, she will definitely be getting much more attention. 

My Paraguayan puppy Princesa :)