Summer Changes

As I mentioned before, some of my projects are going to change as summer approaches. I am still working with my Escojo groups, and this summer we will have both a Regional and Sub-Regional Conference for Escojo Mi Vida in my area. My mentoring group, however, will be graduating in a couple of days and will thus end my work at the school for the summer. In place of my mentoring group I am teaching a business class that teaches youth how to begin small businesses. I began “Construye Tus Suenos” last week and the first day went really well. I’ve got a couple of animated boys who I am excited to work with, as most of my work thus far has been with females.

I’ve got two more small projects to work on during the summer months before my August vacation to the States. I will be conducting interviews with sexually active youth about their decision to (or not to) take an HIV test. This is part of a barrier analysis study that the Peace Corps youth sector is conducting through PEPFAR funding. I will also begin to introduce a composting project to El Mani, the community next to my own barrio.

I just finished supporting La Conferencia Nacional de Ninos/Ninas/Adolescentes de Alto Riesgo (National Conference for Extreme Needs Youth) that my sector leader has organized. It’s a three-day conference for youth volunteers who work in the extreme needs sector and their organizational project partners. I have had a positive experience helping at this event, and it’s not only because I get delicious food, a gym, air conditioning, and free wi-fi for three days. I have also had the privilege of listening to representatives of well-known organizations in the development world: Save the Children, Catholic Relief Services, World Vision, UNICEF, USAID, etc. Even more, I have been able to listen to Dominican professionals who work as psychologists, social workers, and public health workers, and their perspective on social issues in the Dominican Republic. It has been refreshing to see the “professional side” of the DR, as I normally spend my time with the marginalized populations of Dominican society (obviously, as a PC volunteer!). But to spend time with Dominican nationals who are working toward the same goals as PC has definitely been an inspiring experience.

Today I will be going back to my site, and in less than one week will be my 25th birthday!! Ahh I can’t believe I’m already turning 25… time goes fast. Two months until my trip to Portland!