A few days ago I completed a full month of being a PCV! So what exactly have I been doing besides getting lost every week? I mostly keep myself occupied visiting my schools, playing with poop (literally), eating dinner with the ambassador (que fachenta!), and attending Peace Corps trainings.
I spend most of my time at my rural school, where I teach english most of the week to incoming high school students (this is only a temp job during the winter vacation), and will be starting my ecological clubs in January. I never thought I'd enjoy teaching sixth graders, because honestly they freaking intimidate me!! But they are really awesome, respectful and love learning. I attended their elementary school graduation a couple days ago and I was so proud of them all!
These are some of the young ones during recess time!
I spend most of my time at my rural school, where I teach english most of the week to incoming high school students (this is only a temp job during the winter vacation), and will be starting my ecological clubs in January. I never thought I'd enjoy teaching sixth graders, because honestly they freaking intimidate me!! But they are really awesome, respectful and love learning. I attended their elementary school graduation a couple days ago and I was so proud of them all!
These are some of the young ones during recess time!
Every Monday and Friday they have what is called "Acto Civico'' Where one of the classes is chosen to do a presentation regarding a topic and then cultural performances. My little host sister did an awesome job on her dance (right side).
The schools are very creative in this country when it comes to recycling materials to make AMAZING ART!
A few weeks ago I went back to the Caribbean side for a day to help out an English volunteer with her English fair. I was a judge for a contest called "Miss English" and got to see different English performances by all the high school students. Had a great time chatting with volunteers from other sectors and departments. I also had the most delicious chicken taco in all of Nicaragua. I also saw a house that had a pet monkey...that's the Caribbean side for you.
This year I was very blessed to have been randomly selected to have dinner at the ambassador's house for Thanksgiving and let me tell you...BEST MEAL of the year! I ate my first plate in 5 minutes and still wanted more. I thought my stomach was going to explode! It was awesome sharing a delicious and beautiful meal with other very grateful PCVs. I think we all wanted to cry from how blessed we felt. And I got to share this awesome day with my training sitemate!
First week of December was spent in Managua with all of Environment from Nica 64 and 62. It was a week of what is called In-Service-Training where the volunteers can exchange ideas. Then, Nica 64 had an oven training where we went and build ovens that are more environmentally friendly by using less wood. All I can say about that project is that it is A LOT OF WORK, and you will end up covered in poop.
What better way to end the year than with GRADUATIONS!!! I enjoyed seeing my wonderful sixth graders graduate and also my host sister graduate from high school! She graduated the best female of her year, and she gave an awesome speech :D