My Last Full Month as a PCV

Cooking in my house with Raquelita and Mary

Giant group at the Close of Service Conference. 

Hannah, Grace, Melissa, Dr. Ball, Elizabeth, Christina, Mags- representing Youth Development

Last game against Lydia. It was very rough. I got pretty beat up, but we won.

GuateMOLLY, take two! Molly came for another quick visit. It was so lovely. She was extremely helpful as far relieving stress and processing all of the changes.



Our team was invited to play in the pre-game before the males championship game. We played the team that we beat in the finals last season.



Kabobs for Lydia's Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Mary!

Natural hot water in Panibaj, the farthest away village in Patzun. We drove about a half an hour in Anacleto's car and then we hiked for an hour and a half. The kids were such troopers! My partner, Raquel, was more helpful to me than I was to her- like when we were crossing more "dangerous" areas.  The hot waters are located in a valley that has a river which separates Chimaltenango from Solola. 

On the way back we stopped in Chunimachicaj another village to enjoy the most amazing view!

Raquelita's talent show performance!

Great news! Patzún will not be left completely alone.  My friend from training, Callie, was elected as the PCV Leader. She will be staying in Guatemala another year, spending 50% of her time as a PC Leader and 50% of her time working with a local NGO. Part of the 50% PC time FORUNTATLY involves her visiting Patzún every two months!!  This is so wonderful because my teachers are not completely prepared to do the project alone; however with the encouragement of Callie every couple of months, they just might be able to do it.  Not to mention the director of education is very collaborative and willing to enforce the Youth Development project.  The above photo is from the teacher training that Callie and I did with the director of education to help the teachers and principals with the transition.  Hooray for sustainability and youth development!

A small group of females helped put together creative Valentine's for a candy cupid delivery fundraising actvity for the school.

I was able to get some International teaching experience this month!  I taught on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. The most dedicated yogi's were Guicho, Mary and family.  The little ones(3 yr. old, 5 yr. old)  were surprisingly great at yoga!!  I had the opportunity to work with a group of 38 middle school students, as well.  It was a wonderful experience...almost wish that I would have started teaching sooner.

Raquel and I had a super fun day in the market! Look how much we bought!