Estrellas de Belen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA!!!!! I love you and miss you <3

Well, the verdict is in and I've been assigned to my hogar: Estrellas de Belen. This hogar is made up of 26 girls ranging in age from 10-14. I'm happy with the decision. I took all of their pictures so I can learn their names. This will be where I spend my weeknights and every other Saturday. I think they will teach me more than I teach them! They are very sweet girls; they bring me my dinner, wash my dishes, carry my backpack for me, and invite me to play games and look at all their memorabilia.
On Wednesday I began working in the school in my "aula"/room. I am definitely going to have to get used to the school system here -- patience and flexibility will be key. I spent a lot of time cleaning out the shelves, organizing and labeling materials, killing cucarachas, and sweeping out animal droppings -- fun times. I will be sharing a caseload with Julia who is from Austria. She came here knowing little to no Spanish and with no work experience. Although I think she's faring well, it will be interesting to work with her. My caseload is so small compared to the United States. Here I'll be servicing 19 kids, whereas in the states I would provide therapy to over 60 kids. However, it will be challenging as I'm responsible for not only montessori and school-age students, but also the "especiales" (i.e., adolescent boys with severe disabilities). Once a week I'll also provide feeding and swallowing therapy to severely disabled women in Santa Maria Reina (a house here on the ranch), spending a day in Tegucigalpa doing feeding and swallowing therapy for the profoundly disabled in Casa Angeles, and spending one morning with the abuelos/grandparents in Casa Eva. So, this will definitely all be a very big learning experience, seeing as how I haven't treated some of these populations since grad school.
Wednesday night the new volunteers met with Alfredo and Jesus, the directors of the ranch. It was a great meeting. Alfredo is a former pequeno from Mexico and Jesus is from Chicago (so we had lots to talk about). They shared their backgrounds, gave advice, and let them know how appreciative they are to have us here. It was a "feel good" gathering.
Thursday I worked again this morning, going through student folders and making my schedule. This afternoon a group of us hiked to "las cascadas", a small waterfall about a half hour away from the ranch. A few pequenos joined us too as our guides. I didn't bring my swimsuit and was a little hesitant about swimming in the murky water, but when in Honduras..... All the boys stripped down and jumped right in. I had to follow suit (I've never swam in a waterfall before). I jumped in with all my clothes on! It was so fun and so beautiful. A great hike, but a little scary on the way down the mountain.
Tonight Markus (resource teacher from Switzerland) cooked us all chocolate fondue. It was a nice gathering and a good way to spend the evening. I'm feeling like we're all bonding little by little with the old volunteers, and I definitely can pick out a few volunteers who I see myself becoming friends with.

**Questions from Mom**

Have you had to spend any money yet?
I've spent money on bus trips (~12 lemps/ride), colectivos (10 lemps/ride), snacks (licuados, baleadas), and I bought a couple souvenirs in Valle de Angeles. There are a couple casetas/bodegas on the ranch that sell pop and snacks, so on a few occasions I've splurged on a Pepsi Light or Mandirina (11 lemps)

Do you feel you over packed?
I definitely feel overpacked. While I'm happy to have a lot of the "extras" (especially my lap top!), I think I brought too many clothes. People here wear the same thing over and over and it's no big deal. That's one of the culture differences that I like. Looks are not important here at all. I probably didn't need to bring my hair dryer and hair straightener; I don't think anyone on the ranch owns one. I also brought too many nice shirts...although we'll be going out dancing periodically, one or two nice outfits would've been enough.

Will the people that are leaving "will" you their stuff?
Yes, some volunteers will their stuff. Franci, a volunteer was going to sell me her phone, but she was asking too much for it. Another volunteer today asked me if I wanted her mosquito net...but I already bought one. There are about 8 volunteers leaving this weekend, so I'll be hanging around to see what I can get from them.

Is there any one or two volunteers you feel close to yet?
Everyone's pretty open and friendly here. There's one girl here from Minnesota named Ana Maria who's really nice. I feel comfortable just going into her room to borrow something, hang out, vent, or chat. I'm excited to move into my permanent room so I can better get to know the old volunteers...basically I'm just ready to broaden my circle outside of the new volunteers who have formed a little clique that I am not a part of.

Are there bugs?
Oh yes...my legs, ankles, feet, and shoulders are full of bites. Mosquitos, ticks, and cockroaches are the most abundant. We had a moth stuck in our room for a couple nights...it was huge! So big in fact that it sounded like a kitten purring when it flew...it kept us up all night. We were cleaning and organizing the speech room this morning and cockroaches showed up everywhere.

Are the kids neat & tidy?
The kids have "aseos"/chores that they're assigned to everyday. This includes, sweeping, mopping, laundry, watering the gardens, washing the dishes, serving food, etc. They do their laundry everyday; basically whatever they wear that day, they wash it the same day. Even though they are constantly busy doing chores and cleaning, they are not the cleanest themselves. Their clothes are old hand-me-downs (kind of like how we donated our old t-shirts and things to the Somali-Bantus) and are very dirty, stained, and some have holes and such. Eating dinner with the hogar can be pretty messy as well. Sometimes they don't have silverware available and they eat their food with their hands (rice, beans, tortillas, cheese...all with their hands). It's pretty gross. Salt is a prized possession in the hogares. The food is pretty bland here and only a few of the kids have salt. However, they share every little bit they can (even with me). It's gross though because there are no salt shakers. They just pour a little bit in their hand and then go around sprinkling salt onto others' plates (with the same hands they've been eating their food with). I guess it's something I'm getting used to.

What about head lice?

Funny you mention that. Last night as I was walking to hogar, there were three girls crouched around another girl picking out her head lice. They looked like little monkeys. Since I'm in a girls hogar, it is pretty likely that I'll probably get head lice at one point or another. But considering all the other things that could happen to me (e.g., chiggers, tarantula bite, scabies), I'm not too worried.

Are you able to shower & shave?
In the dorms we have 3 separate shower stalls. Cold water. Other volunteers say they got used to it and some even like it; however, I don't see that happening. I've gotten into a routine where I shower in the afternoon before going to hogares when it's hot outside. That way it doesn't feel as cold as when I would take a shower when I first wake up in the morning.

How are your new sandals?!
I love them!! A few other volunteers have Keens too. I wear them absolutely everyday and am so glad I have them!! Definitely a good purchase. We went hiking on Thursday to las cascadas...they are so good for climbing, walking, and swimming :)

Llamame!

So, I got a cell phone...yay! I am able to make international calls; however, I receive incoming calls for free - so better if you call me (hey, I'm volunteering - give me a break!). Here's my number:

Country code: 504
Cell phone #: 334 63 68

Today we had a busqueda (scavenger hunt) throughout Tegucigalpa to get to know the capital. It was lots of fun (although traveling in a group is never easy). We ate baleadas, drank licuados, took public transportation, and visited common volunteer hangouts. We saw tons of vegetable and fruit vendors, young boys sniffing glue, many dogs wandering the streets, and heard lots of reggaeton. Life on the ranch and the hustle and bustle of Tegucigalpa is like night and day. It's nice to have such contrasting places to be - you can escape to one or the other.
We also finished up visiting the hogares tonight. I think I have my preference, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow when we find out for sure before I say anything.

Salida

For those of you interested in coming to visit, here's an update on when would be a good time to visit. Please let me know in advance the dates you would like to come, as I have to get "permiso"/permission ahead of time.
Since I'm working in the school, I'm on the school schedule. I get four weeks vacation throughout the 13 months I am here. The best times to visit would be:
December-January
At this time the kids are on vacation and take vacation courses. I have to be on the ranch December 23-January 1 for the holidays. So, if you'd like to come and stay on the ranch the entire time, that would be good. If you'd like to travel then it would be best to plan around those dates.
Semana Santa - around Easter time (late March-early April)
Don't know the exact dates. Again, we could stay on the ranch for all the Semana Santa activities and/or travel.
Semana Pedogica - June (not sure of the dates yet)
So, if you're interested, please let me know. There is visitor housing on the ranch, but it's first come first serve, so the sooner the better. Like I said, you can visit while I'm working, but if you want to travel, better to plan around the dates listed above.
** Questions from DadHave you started working with the kids yet?I've been spending my evenings in a different hogar each night, but I haven't started speech therapy. This week has been devoted to the ranch in general. Next week will be spent in our assigned positions with the current volunteer. Do you have any free time?This week, yes. However, I've been told that we should enjoy it because our days will get pretty busy. I've been able to take a little siesta just about everyday, which for those who know me is wonderful!Love the food?I don't mind it. We eat frijoles and arroz about two times a day. I love beans as many of you know, but I'm not that excited about them now. I don't crave the food here, but I eat it. I've actually not been that hungry. While the food isn't the best it definitely keeps you full until the next meal.

Demasiado Frijoles!

Well, I've made it through my first week in a new world, and I mean that - I feel like I could be on a different planet at times. The rest of the week was spent touring the ranch, visiting hogares, and listening to many tours and bits of advice. I brought my photo album and Chicago books to some of the hogares...the kids loved them!! The girls think Rita is so beautiful and looks like Jennifer Aniston. On Wednesday we took a tour of the farm and the gardens. We saw where all of our food comes from...I don't know if that was a good thing. The chickens are put three to a cage, so only one can sit down at a time. They are used solely for laying eggs, no comfort for them! It was sad to see. We also saw the little piglets and the bigger pigs who will be butchered soon -- weird that I saw the animal that I soon will eat. The only meat produced here on the ranch is pork and chicken. The cows are used only for their milk and are considered "concentidas"/spoiled, favorites; they get the best food and the most space. We only will eat the cows if they die naturally (or by electrocution, which recently happened to two cows here). We also toured "la posa"/pond, which is where we get our water for laundry and bathing. Speaking of laundry, two of the older pequenas gave us new volunteers a laundry lesson. It is so old-fashioned: soap, water, washing board, sink - soak, scrub, rinse, wring, hang. It's not as bad as I thought though...I just gotta make sure I do a little bit here and there - if it piles up it would take forever! The kids here do their laundry everyday!
I was able to skype with Rita and my parents for a really short time. But I found out that when I do voice skype it kicks everyone else offline, so I'll only be able to use it if I'm the only one in the internet room, which is most likely after 8pm. I think computer-to-computer skype will work best, as computer-to-phone skype was very choppy on my parents' end.
On Thursday, Honduras celebrated Dia de Lempira. The school put on a fashion show and dance to celebrate -- it was very cute! That night a group of us hiked to La Venta, which is a small pueblo near the ranch (about a 25 minute walk). We went to a "polperia"/pub, good times.
Friday we went to Tegucigalpa to tour the bachirato/high school and universidad/university students' homes and other NPH offices. I really like the city...I feel like I'm watching an Indiana Jones movie or something with all the people, narrow streets, roadside vendors, etc. It's unreal.
Saturday I spent the day with Hogar Emanuel, which is an hogar for "los especiales"/handicapped boys. It was a fun, but challenging day. Two of the boys are brothers and products of incest, a couple have autism, and another has physical deformities. One of the boys, Pablo, pulled down his pants during lunch in front of everyone. Yeah, it was challenging...
All the pequenos met outdoors for lunch together. They organize this pretty often to allow siblings to interact and see each other. We went to "misa"/mass, which was all in Spanish (duh!). I'll have to go to mass every Saturday with the kids. It wasn't too bad...they gear it to the kids level and the kids participate. It'll be a good way to learn more Spanish.
Today I woke up not feeling so well. Stomach issues and feeling a little fluish; no diarrheah yet! Taking pepto everyday (thanks Amy for getting me hooked!). I went with a group of the new volunteers to Valle de Angeles/Valley of Angels; it's a touristy pueblo outside of Tegucigalpa with lots of artisan/crafty shops and a traditional plaza. I wanted so much to enjoy it, but I just did not feel good at all! We had to take two buses and two colectivos/taxis to get there...crowded buses, heat, feeling sick/nautious...not a good combo! Also was feeling a little homesick, which did not help the situation.
So, here I am Sunday night, feeling better having access to you all on the internet. My temporary dorm room I'm sharing with three women from Germany. I feel super leftout and lonely in my room because they talk in German to each other all the time. I thought I had it made since I came here speaking Spanish, didn't think I'd have to deal with German!! I only have one more week in the dorm-style room before I'm assigned to my permanent room, so I'm trying to not let it get to me, but I have my moments.
Thank you all for your comments and words of encouragement. Love you all!!!

Orientacion

Rest time is over. We began our two week orientation on Monday, and boy am I sore from all the walking! The ranch is much bigger than I imagined -- it’s over 500 acres. Our first day of orientation all the new volunteers met on the rooftop of the Casa Personal (volunteer house) to introduce ourselves. Then our day was full of tours and walking. We toured the main office and internet café. We had a long meeting with the social work department to learn about the process by which the pequenos arrive on the ranch.
Lunch: liver, rice, cabbage salad, tortillas -- I didn’t know it was liver at first, I did not like it!
We toured all the hogares (pequenos homes).
For the first two weeks we new volunteers will be spending one evening with each hogar that will be available when the old volunteers leave. After the two weeks, we will list our top three hogares and Jen, the volunteer coordinator, will assign us to an hogar. Our responsibilities in the hogares include: spending every week night in the hogar eating dinner with the pequenos, helping them with homework, reading books, playing games, and placticando (conversing). We are with them every week night from 6-8 PM. Every other weekend we spend the entire day (Saturday) helping them with chores, participating in ranch activities (e.g., last Saturday they pequenos went on a walk to Tamalequeso to play), etc.
My first night I spent at Disipulos de Jesus. This is an hogar of 18 boys ages 13-15-years-old.
Dinner: rice, beans, huajara (like cottage cheese, but in big chunks)
The boys were really entertaining. They tried to trick me by saying that they were a brother of one of the Olimpia soccer players (one of Honduras' professional soccer teams -- the other is called Montagua). We hung out reading the newspaper, they told me about their talleres (workshops), and we shared stories. It was really fun.
Afterwards, there was a "fireside chat" in Casa Personal with all the old and new volunteers. We went around the circle and old volunteers shared a story and a piece of advice to us newbies. It was pretty special.

** My mom asked about the Spanish here. I've been able to understand pretty much everything. Everyone here is pretty impressed with my Spanish abilities, as some volunteers arrive not knowing any Spanish. I'm learning Hondurenen words such as:
lelo - dumb, stupid
chegue - alrighty
Some say that some Hondurans drop the /s/ off the end of words (e.g., "ma o meno" instead of "mas o menos"). I haven't noticed that too much, everyone's been pretty intelligible. However, the kids are another story. Some of them are harder to understand, they jumble all their words together.

Aqui Estoy

Well, I've made it to Rancho Santa Fe! My trip was pretty uneventful. My flight from Chicago to Miami I had the entire row of seats to myself, so I laid down and slept much of the time. I watched a little bit of the in-flight movie, "The Shaggy Dog", but it wasn't that good. Our flight was a little bit delayed, which actually worked out really well because I went straight from one plane to the other in Miami with really no layover. The next flight on Taca stopped in San Pedro Sula for about a half an hour and then we flew to Tegucigalpa. It was pretty much an up and down flight; not long at all. A few people from NPH found me waiting outside. I hopped into the pick-up truck with Mauricio, Manuel, Cynthia, and Paola. Mauricio is an ex-pequeno who now lives in Tegucigalpa. Manuel drove the truck to Rancha Santa Fe. He's a pequeno, although he's probably in his late teens. Cynthia and Paola are sisters. Cynthia is 8 and Paola is 7. Their mother is an ex-pequenos, but was recently diagnosed with cancer so she brought her daughters to the ranch. Not long after I got in the truck it started to rain. The traffic is crazy. No real lanes, people crossing the street anywhere, no straight roads. People just honk to get where they want to go. In the rain it was even more chaotic. We had to keep wiping the windows so we could see outside. The guys also had to run out and cover all my luggage with tarps so it wouldn't get wet. Before we left the city we picked up another volunteer, Doni (sp?). He's from Austria. He had just finished up a study abroad in Costa Rica and bused it to Tegucigalpa. It was a little bit weird because he speaks German, English, and Spanish; so I wasn't sure which language to speak with him. We chose Spanish because of the other people in the truck, but it was pretty broken conversation. We arrived at the ranch, dropped off our stuff in the dorms, which really aren't that bad. There are five sets of bunk beds and 4 dressers connected to bathroom with 3 showers, 3 toilet stalls, and 3 sinks with a little counter and mirrors. I had to learn how to use the toilets. You have to put used toilet paper in a trash can instead of the toilet. Also, you have to manually flush the toilet using a sink-like faucet on top of the toilet bowl and then pull a string to clear the water. It doesn't work that great. That'll be something I have to get used to. There are 2 dorms -- boys and girls. I met some of the other volunteers. They're from Germany, Turkey, Austria, and the United States (WI, ME, MN, IL, CA, MA, NH). At night I'm told everyone kind of splits off according to native language because they're too tired from speaking Spanish all day to speak another foreign language. The volunteers range in age from 22-40, plus two families. Most of the volunteers are around 22-27 years-old. I was glad I brought a flashlight because the lights on the ranch go on and off constantly. However, when we were hanging out and the lights would turn off, we'd just turn on our flashlight and continue the conversation. No big deal. I guess if they turn off late at night, they don't even bother turning them back on. I got to walk around a little bit last night. The stars here are amazing! I'd say better than the UP. I feel like I'm camping, but one of the volunteers told me that that would go away in about a week when I realize that this is everyone's home. There are a couple ranch dogs and cats here as well, but they're not very friendly. There are also a lot of bugs -- in the garden courtyard of the Casa Personal (volunteer home) they have a "Cucaracha Checklist", which is a checklist carved in wood of all the murdered cucarachas. This morning, I also saw a bunch of "sopilotes"/buzzards. They are huge, black, and ugly. I was told they're seen all over, especially around the trash. I'll have to post a picture, because I've never seen them before. They're pretty gross. The terrain is hilly and there are tons of pine trees. I thought it would be more lush and tropical, but it's more foresty. That also added to the camping feel. Well, guess I should head our for now. Hilary, the current SLP from Oregon, is making "baleadas" (tortilla, refried beans, eggs, crema) for the new volunteers.

Hasta Pronto!