Site Assignment and Visit

Where do I even start?  Site assignments have already come and gone. After what seems like an eternal wait, I’m happy to announce that I know where I’ll be living for the next two years.  Peace Corps Belize officially assigned me to work in a lovely village in the northernmost region of Belize, Corozal.  

Last week was full of travel.  On Monday and Tuesday, we met with our site’s “work partners” in the western city of San Ignacio.  These are individuals that we will be collaborating with daily to carry out our planned activities when we get to site.  My primary work partner is Mrs. Justina, who is the Community Health Worker; she is trained by the government (Ministry of Health) to provide basic healthcare and medical advice to her village.  I also have another work partner, Mrs.  Carmita who is the principal of the Catholic school and a real go-getter.  

After our meeting ended, we all made our way to the village.  It included a bus to the capital, Belmopan, then a bus to the largest city, Belize City, then a bus up the Northern Highway that stopped frequently, and finally a short drive from the bus stop to the village.  After about seven hours, I safely landed at my future home.  My host family is great; they even built a new room in their house just for me!  (I promise a post on them later!)

I spent the rest of the week getting to know the friendly people of my new village.  With a population of 800, I think I will get to know each family personally.  My first introductions were to the village council, though.  I met the chairman (equivalent to the mayor), treasurer, secretary, and councilor.  They surprised me with a small reception where they served empanadas, which they found out I liked from my work partners.  It was so sweet, and I felt so welcomed! 

Really, I could babble on about all the great people I met at my site who invited me into their homes and welcomed me wholeheartedly, but I’ll just say this:  I know that I am meant to be here.  They are facing some grave health challenges with well over half of the population having diabetes.  I cannot wait to move to site permanently and really start to delve into our health promotion projects.  More on this to come!

Love always, 

Jess