Here's another silly/awkward music video tyler made (at the end there's a glimpse of carnivales and my queen experience):
yeah we're weird...
3 years ago
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
día internacional de la mujer
This Sunday, we celebrated Internacional Women’s Day. I saw this as a great chance to educate the people about domestic violence and women’s rights. Domestic violence is a huge problem in Julcán. Of the 100 women I surveyed, I learned that 83 of them know someone who faces domestic violence.
One of the nurses and I got together to help some health promoters put on a skit about domestic violence. It went really well (a lot better than I had thought, actually. The health promoters could act pretty well!) and I think the audience at the health center got the message. This sort of thing obviously can’t change overnight, but we’re taking steps to get the message out there. Over my two years, working against domestic violence is definitely going to be one of my priorities.
One of the nurses and I got together to help some health promoters put on a skit about domestic violence. It went really well (a lot better than I had thought, actually. The health promoters could act pretty well!) and I think the audience at the health center got the message. This sort of thing obviously can’t change overnight, but we’re taking steps to get the message out there. Over my two years, working against domestic violence is definitely going to be one of my priorities.
visitas a los caserios
While I have been busy upholding the role of queen as my town (ha), I actually also have been working pretty hard over the past few weeks. Last week, Chris and I visited several caseríos (smaller towns surrounding Julcán) to give educational sessions about microbes and sicknesses.
People here don’t really understand the concept of bacteria and other microbes. If you have been following my blog, you know about my chucaque experience when I learned that it is a common belief here that being sick is attributed to evil spirits rather than having a bacteria or virus in your system.
As a health volunteer, I would like to educate the people that, while spirits may exist, little tiny animals called microbes also sometimes may be the cause of our diarrhea or cold. For example, no one here washes their hands because they think that cold water makes them sick. People at the health center tell them that they need to wash their hands, bodies, and food, but no one explains to them why. So, Chris and I developed a session that teaches about microbes and sicknesses.
It was very interesting to go out into these little communities and talk to the people. Many of them have less than a 5th grade education. But they were really receptive to what we taught them. It was a great learning experience for not only them, but also for me. I realize that if no one ever teaches them, they were will never know. The doctors here can continue to tell them things without explaining. One of my goals here is to be on the level of the people and make sure they understand why they should practice health lifestyles. If they don’t understand why, they are never going to change their behavior.
People here don’t really understand the concept of bacteria and other microbes. If you have been following my blog, you know about my chucaque experience when I learned that it is a common belief here that being sick is attributed to evil spirits rather than having a bacteria or virus in your system.
As a health volunteer, I would like to educate the people that, while spirits may exist, little tiny animals called microbes also sometimes may be the cause of our diarrhea or cold. For example, no one here washes their hands because they think that cold water makes them sick. People at the health center tell them that they need to wash their hands, bodies, and food, but no one explains to them why. So, Chris and I developed a session that teaches about microbes and sicknesses.
It was very interesting to go out into these little communities and talk to the people. Many of them have less than a 5th grade education. But they were really receptive to what we taught them. It was a great learning experience for not only them, but also for me. I realize that if no one ever teaches them, they were will never know. The doctors here can continue to tell them things without explaining. One of my goals here is to be on the level of the people and make sure they understand why they should practice health lifestyles. If they don’t understand why, they are never going to change their behavior.
feliz cumpleños mama
This past week my mom, Marcia, in Virginia celebrated a birthday. I’m disappointed that I had to miss out on yet another family celebration that I used to look forward to. But I found my own way to celebrate my mom’s birthday. Check it out:
Happy birthday Mom!
Happy birthday Mom!
video chistoso de trujillo
Two of my fellow Peace Corps friends, Tyler and James, came to visit La Libertad a couple of weekends ago. After Tyler and James (who live in different parts of Perú) visited my site, I showed them around Trujillo. We had fun hanging out on the beach, exploring the city, and going out at night. Tyler, who is way more creative than me, made a music video about our weekend. It was nice to take a break from being a peace corps volunteer in the mountains to become our silly selves in a big city. Enjoy!
If you want to see more of Tyler’s wonderful videos of Perú, here is his website:
http://tylerspeaceofperu.wordpress.com/
If you want to see more of Tyler’s wonderful videos of Perú, here is his website:
http://tylerspeaceofperu.wordpress.com/
carnivales y “miss julcán”
Celebration of Carnivales is pretty big in Perú. Although it originated in Brazil, Perú has adapted the celebration with its own traditions and festivities. In Julcán, especially, Carnivales is a time to forget about the rain and cold and celebrate for the entire month of February. Water balloons are thrown, parties are had, and on the 26 and 27 of February, the main festivities take place. On the 26 of February, Julcán held its huge parade to celebrate Carnival Julcanero. The parade is a competition among the 10 main neighborhoods. Each neighborhood brings to the parade a band, dancers, a huge float, and… a queen. You all will never guess who the queen was for Barrio San Isidro. Yours truly.
That’s right, I was a beauty queen for a day. I was Miss San Isidro and stood on top of my neighborhoods float waving, dancing, and throwing out candy to thousands of people. But what’s even more exciting (or weirder…), I won! So until next year, I am officially Miss Julcán. It was quite an experience. The pictures didn’t completely capture how big this event is, but at least you all can have a glimpse of my being a queen!
That’s right, I was a beauty queen for a day. I was Miss San Isidro and stood on top of my neighborhoods float waving, dancing, and throwing out candy to thousands of people. But what’s even more exciting (or weirder…), I won! So until next year, I am officially Miss Julcán. It was quite an experience. The pictures didn’t completely capture how big this event is, but at least you all can have a glimpse of my being a queen!
diagnostico comunitario
For the past three months, I have been working on a community diagnostic to assess the problems, needs, assets, and resources of my community. Every Peace Corps volunteer is expected to complete a community diagnostic and present their gathered information to their community leaders as well as the Peace Corps. Over the past few months, I have visited 100 homes to survey mothers about their practices and beliefs about their health, family, and community. I’ve also completed a pre-test for health promoters, done a focus group with high schoolers, interviewed various community leaders, attended community, municipality, and health center meetings, as well as made overall observations within the community. I’m turning in a __ page document this week to the Peace Corps. Here is some information that I’ve gathered about my community:
22% of the population is unable to read and write
40% of the population completed primary school (elementary school)
15% of the population competed secondary school (high school)
56% of the families do not have their own hygienic service (toilet, latrine, etc)
66% of the families live in houses with dirt floors
75% of the families receive money from the government (about 30 dollars/month)
85% of the children are malnourished
Of the interviewed families the community’s main issues include:
• alcoholism,
• lack of secure water (only available 2-3 days a week for 15 minutes),
• lack of employment,
• poor trash and sanitation management (trash is just thrown on the streets),
• malnutrition,
• Necessity of family gardens, improved kitchens, and latrines,
• Domestic violence
22% of the population is unable to read and write
40% of the population completed primary school (elementary school)
15% of the population competed secondary school (high school)
56% of the families do not have their own hygienic service (toilet, latrine, etc)
66% of the families live in houses with dirt floors
75% of the families receive money from the government (about 30 dollars/month)
85% of the children are malnourished
Of the interviewed families the community’s main issues include:
• alcoholism,
• lack of secure water (only available 2-3 days a week for 15 minutes),
• lack of employment,
• poor trash and sanitation management (trash is just thrown on the streets),
• malnutrition,
• Necessity of family gardens, improved kitchens, and latrines,
• Domestic violence
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