Sorry it has again been so long since I blogged, but a lot
has been going on here. During the beginning of August I went to the jungle on
a medical brigade, then I went to a workshop in Quito, had medical exams, and
have been planning for the new year.
The jungle was a very incredible experience. I stayed in a
town called Misahualli, about 45 minutes outside of the big city of Tena and 5
hours from Ambato. I met up with the Timmy brigade, which consisted of 4
medical providers (2 doctors, a physician’s assistant and a nurse), 4
pharmacists, several nursing students and technicians, three college students
and translators. The brigade went out into different communities each day and
provided a full day of medical care, treating up to 150 patients each day. The
patients went through triage, saw the medical provider, then received their
medications from the travelling pharmacy. After a full day of work, we then
went back to the headquarters in Misahualli to enter patient data into the new
computer system and count pills/restock the pharmacies for the following day.
It was a lot of work, but also very fun and rewarding. A lot of people were
treated and helped in short amount of time and I met a lot of neat people on
the brigade. It was also fun going into the jungle for the first time and
seeing some of the indigenous culture in the jungle.
The trip was a lot of work, but also some touristy fun. We
got to ride a canoe down the river to an animal rescue center, eat traditional
meals, and enjoy the warm climate of the jungle. I at a fried grub for the
first (and maybe last…) time! I also stayed with the group for the last two
days as they went to Otavalo and Quito. It was fun to be with them, I helped
with the shopping in Otavalo, and we went on a really neat tour in the historic
center of Quito where I learned a lot more about the churches and buildings I
have seen but never known much about. The Timmy brigades come every 2 months,
so I’m hoping I can fit a few more in during my service!
After the Timmy brigade I came home for 2 days, had a Cora
pregnancy scare, then left for the Brigadas Verdes workshop at the training
center in Tumbaco. The good news is I don’t think Cora is pregnant. The spaying
wasn’t a complete success as she still went into heat, but successful enough as
a method of birth control.
The Brigadas Verdes was a workshop to help us design youth
groups specifically geared towards environmental protection and awareness. Some
of the sessions were focused on engaging youth while the majority were focused
on environmental issues in Ecuador and how we can help decrease the carbon
footprint here. We learned a lot about water conservation, forest conservation,
and recycling. The last day we spent learning different recycled crafts that my
kids will be excited to continue with this coming year. It was a really well
presented workshop and I think all 13 of use there left feeling a little more
inspired with some things we can do back in our communities.
Some of stayed after the workshop and spent a little time in
Quito, which is always fun. From there I went home for a few days and then
right back to Quito for my 1-year medical exam. Other than some asymptomatic
amoebas, I have stayed healthy all year! We did our medical exams in groups, so
I got to hang out with the other 5 in my group who I haven’t seen in a long
time. Seeing them made me really excited for our mid-service conference coming
up next week where all 53 remaining people in my omnibus will get together for
a week in the training center for some more in-service training, debriefing,
refocusing, etc. It will be interesting and wonderful to see everyone! I haven’t
seen some of the people who live far away since our reconnect last November, so
it should be fun.
The volcano, Tungurahua, was very active for a week last
month. Tungurahua is the volcano nearest me, very visible on clear days. I am
in no danger when it is active, no ash came my way this time, and it was
absolutely gorgeous. Some of the days were very clear except for the plume of
smoke billowing out of the volcano, and a few of the nights we could clearly
see the lava spewing out the volcano from the roof of the house. It was a bit eerie
during the height of the activity because there was constant rumbling, like claps
of thunder but on perfectly clear days. Some of the eruptions were so strong
that they rattled the windows, even from this far away! It has calmed down now,
but it added a little excitement for a while.
Since the volcano erupted, it has been bitter, bitter cold
here. We had one absolutely gorgeous day on a Friday two weeks ago, the most
beautiful day I have had yet here in Chibuleo. That afternoon the clouds moved
in with rain and have been here ever since. The sun has been out for about 2
hours during one morning in the last 10 days. It is an almost constant drizzle,
freezing wind, and just plain cold! I am back to the multiple socks, two pairs
of pants, and 5 thick layers on top, plus the hat, scarf, etc, and even then I am
freezing. It has been good practice for my baking since it is so cold in the
foundation. I have made something every day so that we have an excuse to turn
on the oven and heat up the kitchen a little more, where we all huddle during
the days. Even the natives here are talking about how cold it is, especially
for this time of the year, and are blaming it on the volcano. Whatever the
cause, I just hope it passes SOON! Another reason I’m excited for mid-service:
thaw out in the valley for a week.
Tomorrow is the parent meeting for the beginning of the
year, then Wednesday the kids come back! It has been a nice enough break, but I
am more than ready to have them back and have more things to do with my days. I
have been spending my time planning and am excited for the things I am going to
do with my different groups, especially my garden group, dance group, cooking
group and environmental group! I am also waiting for things to get going to see
if I can work a little more with the group in the high school, but still need
to plan that with my counterpart and the director of the high school. If that
doesn’t work out, I’m going to try to start a youth group with the jovenes in
my community, hopefully using the foundation, but inviting all of the older
youth who don’t regularly come to the foundation.
On Thursday a few Peace Corps official are coming for a
visit to see the work I am doing in Chibuleo, including one woman coming from
DC, so hopefully everything goes well! From there I leave Saturday to meet up
with people for mid-service, then come back for a few normal weeks of work
before Darcy and my parents come! The visits are coming up soon now and I
couldn’t be more excited!
I am still playing soccer with my host sister, Amparo, and
Sunday’s are a great family soccer day. Playing is a lot of fun and I really,
really enjoy all the women on the team. The host family is still fantastic and
I love living with them. Dalila is growing quickly (now 2 years old) and
talking a lot more. Soon there will be another little baby with one of the
brothers who lives in the community over, so hopefully he will visit frequently
too! Darcy is planning to spend 10 days with me in Chibuleo, so I am really
excited for her to know the family here, them to know her, and have her do some
fun things with the kids at the foundation. My parents are also coming to visit
for a few days, which everyone is really excited for! They have never had PC
family visit here before, so everyone is looking forward to it, me included!
Those are the updates for now. I have some pictures that I
will try to post as soon as I get fast enough internet for that. I hope
everyone is doing well at home – I miss you all!
Un abrazo,
Kerry
