September 12th, 2007 marked the beginning of my third month in Central America. Individual days continue to pass slowly beneath the Honduran heat. At moments I wonder how time is capable of moving at such a pace. Yet, the beginning months of my experience are coming to a close. Overall, I am surprised at how quickly two months have passed. I remember with clarity the drive away from San Francisco. The city slowly disappeared in my rearview mirror. My last night in New Mexico was spent watching the Albuquerque sky turn fire red above the beautiful dessert. In Washington, D.C. I ran to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and stretched aside the Whitehouse gate. Then, before boarding my flight out of the country, I embraced one last cup of morning coffee while sitting inside a Dupont Circle café. These memories, along with so many others, remain clear as crystal. I can’t believe I’ve been away from the United States for over two months.
The training phase of Peace Corps is nearly finished. On Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 volunteers relocate to Santa Lucia once again before departing to individual worksites. I am still uncertain as to where my permanent site will be. Peace Corps withholds this information until the very end of training. Last week, however, each trainee received information regarding the organizations he/she will be working with at their site. I have three primary organizations:
1.Department District Direction – Each Department, or State, within Honduras has a Department District Direction (DDD). The District Direction acts as the central office of education within their specific Department (Honduras has 18 official Departments). The DDD oversees teacher development, training, curriculum design, academic progress, student achievement, as well as budgetary issues within each Municipality. My first task is to conduct a needs assessment of the Department in order to determine what areas are in dire need of reform (with a focus on teacher training). After identifying the different areas of need within the Department my next task is to prioritize the issues that need immediate attention. Lastly, a plan of action will need to be created in order to address the areas of need.
2.Educatodos – Many Honduran children work during the day in order to supplement family income. Unfortunately, work replaces education as families struggle to climb out of different levels of poverty. For students seeking to continue their education after the workday ends, Educatodos provides classes in the evenings and weekends. This program allows students to continue their education in spite of difficult circumstances at home. Educatodos has requested a Peace Corps Volunteer to help them develop and supervise an English language program for 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students.
3.Youth Center – I know little about the Youth Center counterpart. From what I understand at this point, I will be working in conjunction with a local youth organization to train youth leaders in various community projects. I am still waiting to hear more about this project.
I am excited to begin my work as an official Volunteer. As I learn more about my whereabouts and projects I will update everyone via email. Also, I wanted to thank all of you for keeping in touch. I love hearing about life in the United States and miss being able to communicate with ease. I am hoping that my permanent site will have Internet access. At times I run out of minutes before being able to respond to everyone individually.
All the Best,
Dan
