Hello peeps-
Well as most of you know, this blog has been a long time coming! The application process took just under a year, but it’s finally official! I am going to be a Rural Health and Sanitation Extensionist with the Peace Corps in Paraguay starting February 8, 2012!!! YAHOOOOOO!!! After a summer full of ups, downs, excitement, and anticipation, I am SO glad to finally know what I will be doing for the next couple of years.
As a volunteer, I will likely be living in a small village in rural Paraguay helping them get clean water, learn environmentally friendly waste management practices(go ahead, let the poop jokes begin), and educate the community on health topics ranging from general dental care to HIV/AIDS prevention. Once I am able to assess what the community needs assistance with, I am hoping to get involved in some youth activities and maybe some English classes or leadership seminars. There are 3 months of intensive language/technical training in the capital, Asuncion, and then I will be on my own at my site for the following 2 years. Should be challenging and full of ups and downs, but I am hoping to come out the other side with a very rewarding experience, new friends and family, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Not much else to say until I leave for Paraguay, so don’t expect any updates until February. I am planning on staying in Denver until Christmas, and then will head home for 6 weeks to tie up all the loose ends and say my goodbyes. I am hoping to see all of you before I leave, and I will definitely plan some sort of going away bash!
Keep in touch!
Emily
