Warmly Welcomed

I know it’s been a while, but I’m trying not to fall too far behind on this whole blogging thing!  I am happy to announce, however, that my transition to my permanent site went perfectly.  I absolutely love my new host family up here in Corozal, and I think village life will suit me.

Yesterday, I survived my first mobile health clinic.  Two nurses from a clinic about 10 miles away come each month to provide vaccines, monthly checkups for newborns, and counseling for pregnant women (or anyone else that comes).  The event is held at the community center, and I get the honor of helping out.  Mostly, I took measurements and charted height and weight.  It sounds boring, but it’s actually important because several infants in the village are considered undernourished or malnourished.  We take the opportunity to talk to the mothers about nutrition and give them protein supplements called incaparina, if needed.

There are certainly ample opportunities for health-related projects here at the village level, but we Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) have been instructed to take these first few months just to get to know the our new neighbors.  I’ve spent most of my days just walking house to house introducing myself along with my community health worker, who is well respected for the work she does in health promotion.  She is a native to the village and is fluent in Spanish, English, and Yucateca Maya.  She’s so impressive. 

I’ve gained some valuable contacts here, and everyone has been extremely welcoming.  I’ve been ambushed a few times to give a speech as I’ve attended mass on Sunday and a parent/teacher meeting at the school.  Needless to say, my Spanish is getting better by necessity!

I know two years sounds like a long time to be away from home, but I can already tell it will be hard to leave.  I look forward to making new friends and getting some good projects going here. Oh, and by the way, the food of the north is amazing…we have fish and chicken dishes regularly, and my host mom makes fresh bread and flour tortillas! Anyways, more to come later! (Internet is limited, and I may not keep my weekly schedule…but I’ll try!!)

Love always,

Jess