Smashing Success!

Well folks, not gonna lie… I am feeling pretty damn proud of myself and the other Misiones volunteers who put on the Sexual Health and Leadership workshop for Paraguayan youth this past weekend – IT ROCKED!!! We had 21 youth attend from all over the department, as well as 12 volunteers and 5 Paraguayan guest speakers. We covered topics such as STI’s, teen pregnancy, family planning, condoms, leadership, project planning, and communication. Here are some of my favorite moments.

Here are 2 teenagers from Presencia Joven, an incredibly talented group of teen leaders from Encarnacion. For me, they made the sexual health portion of the taller. They were captivating, interesting, funny, and really knew their stuff. Plus, I think it was really great for the jovenes (youth) who attended to see what actual Paraguayan teens can do to make a difference. They were able to relate and really enjoyed their charlas.

Sara (16) and Walter (18) demonstrating the proper condom technique

Ice breakers are a PCV favorite. Below are some pictures from the jovenes doing these crazy activities we put them through.

Dance parties always break the ice

Ducks in a line

Gusano! (Worm)

The biggest highlight of the workshop was definitely when we had the kids get out into the community and do some awesome projects. They were split off into three groups and had a couple hours Saturday afternoon to take what they had learned and put it into action. One group painted a mural in the regional hospital, another recorded radio PSA’s that will be used on one of the city’s radio station, and the last created a Facebook page where they can share with their friends and family what they accomplished over the weekend and will continue to accomplish in the future in their communities. All the teens came back showing the volunteers pictures of what they accomplished and we could tell they were really proud of the work they did! (I was in charge of the mural, so those are the only pictures I have...)

Beginning stages of painting

The jovenes in front of the mural! (A couple volunteers finished it off since we rand out of time)

Overall, the weekend went about as well as we could have planned. The weeks leading up to it were stressful (and I would be lying if I said I knew it was going to go as well as it did), but it absolutely paid off.

To those of you who donated to the grant I sent out via email or Facebook – I honestly cannot thank you enough! Please know that through your generosity you have changed the lives of the people who attended, and I am forever grateful for that. (And keep your eye out in the mail for a little thank you. Although, remember that I am in Paraguay, so hopefully it will get to you before I get home next year….)

Here are some other great pictures from the weekend:

Silvia and Cristian (my jovenes) arriving in San Ignacio

Terere break with volunteers! Alex, Chris, and Alyssa

Creating a project plan for what we will do in our community

All the jovenes with their certificates!

Cristian, me, Silvia

My amazing jovenes!!! So proud!