Return to Guayaquil

Well, once I got word that I had permission to come to Guayaquil (since we have to get special permission now to travel to this now labeled a “high risk” area) I didn’t have time to blog about how nervous I was about the whole thing. What prompted me to ask in the first place was the despedida (goodbye) party of my former site mate Molly. We had braved the city together since the beginning and now she was leaving two month early to be able to attend an orientation of a prestigious scholarship she had received. Sure, I had some anxiety about going back but was that a reason to miss this proper send off?

For starters I traveled by day as we had gotten correspondence reporting some security issues on the night busses. That meant about 8 hour on the bus, all day long. I had stayed up until 3 am one morning making banana bread for the ladies as there was know way I could show up empty handed and I learned how to make the banana bread after we had gotten an insanely large donation of bananas, so it was a nod to the old days. I had a ton of work to do leading up to the trip and it’s a good thing that I didn’t go on and on about how nervous I was about returning.

Nervous about what you ask? Nervous about the city that essentially chewed me up and spit me out, nervous about seeing old friends and how it would feel, worried about going back to the barrio and seeing the ladies… it had been SO hard leaving I just didn’t know what to expect emotionally. Had I called enough? Will they be as happy to see me as I was I knew I would be to see them? Etc..It would have been an exhausting blog entry I’m certain!

What I can report now is that I am back and that the trip was absolutely amazing and cathartic. I was (as usual) worried for absolutely nothing. As I mentioned Friday I traveled all day by bus. I twisted my hair, read and slept and it actually was a quite enjoyable ride. I got in kinda late so I stayed in a hostal for the first time even in Guayaquil that had internet, AC and cable. It was fun little mental escape.

The first order of business of course the next day was to see the ladies. It turned out that they had a meeting near the hostal I was staying so we planned to just meet up there. I rolled up to the hotel where the meeting was being held. The ladies hadn’t arrived yet, but it turns out I knew SO many people at the event. It was a workshop of community organizers and I felt so welcome as even without the Ladies present I had made friends over the year and a half I had worked in Guayaquil. The meeting started and the Ladies still hadn’t arrived, so when they finally did show up in the middle of the meeting we caused a huge scene as we ran to each other hugging, talking, kissing with tears in our eyes. Hey it’s Ecuador, you can do stuff like that!

Not only was it great to just see the Ladies and be in there presence the meeting was amazing. One thing I miss about being there is the sophisticated issues the Ladies and these community leaders confront. The discussions they have are a far cry from the chasing after kids I do now. I love what I do now, but it was a great to change gears for awhile and it was great to remember the kind of work I was doing. The meeting was ALL day however, so I had planned on going to the barrio that day…so I let the Ladies convince me to stay until Monday and go to the barrio then. I HAD planned on coming back Sunday, but hanging in Cristo de Consuelo was worth staying an extra day.

The meeting was until 5 but I had to dip around 4ish to get ready for the Despedida. I showered and changed and went to Molls for the last time for a pizza party. Then we headed to the house of some other volunteers and had a fiesta. It was a lot of fun to meet new volunteers and to get together in honor of our friend. We went on from there to La Zona Rosa, which I had never been to while living in Guayaquil so that was something new. We had a great time and it was a good send off. I know from experience you don’t want to hear “don’g go!” all night, so we were all aware of that and kept the party going. We had beer, wine, brownies, cake, chips, played games and danced and danced. I was sad on the inside but we were in full fiesta fun mode so that made the goodbyes easier and we were able to send off our girl in style.

The next day was a fun filled marvelous day with my homie Liam. He and a new teacher Derrick were out and about to see the city and I was able to tag along. We hunted down the best Encebollado and talked and laughed until we couldn’t eat another bite. We went all around the city, to the pool, meet even more new friends out for dinner and I ended up spending the night as the good times kept goin.

The next day was barrio day. I was so excited I could hardly stand it. I was going to get to see the group of elderly I worked with, the kids, the neighbors and everyone one in between. When I showed up everyone was happy to see me and I was so stoked to see them too! I got to see the construction that is being done on the Tienda. When I was in Guayaquil we had been working tirelessly to get a propsal approved to build a community center where all of the small businesses could exist in one location. Well it had finally gone through and they were doing construction and it was a DREAM Come True to actually see that happening. Amazing. I went to everyone’s house and fell right back into the fold easily. The Ladies are amazing and resilient. They dream big and make things happen. They will be getting a new volunteer soon too I heard so that will be great. I left with one of the ladies I used to always ride to the centro with and it was such a great return. She dropped me off and we said our goodbyes..well our hasta luegos (see you laters). When the Construction is complete the ladies said they will let me know so that I can come back or the inaguration. So it wasn’t as sad this time to say goodbye.
I then went to the Malecon to meet my tutor and friend Lily. It’s where we used to have lessons and it was so great meeting in our old spot. We both had a lot of news and updates for each other and time flew by. She ended up riding on the metro via with me to the Terminal to catch my bus and that was such a sweet gesture and a wonderful send of.

Some volunteers never get to “go back” and see how they project is progressing since they left. I was able to see steps that we had taken together are still advancing and that was rewarding. All in all the Gqui return was more amazing than I could have ever imagined and I am looking forward to going back to visiting again.

A Change Is Gonna Come....

I could have been posting everyday, the ups and downs of what has been happening, but emotional roller coaster not only sound cliché, it doesn't even BEGIN to describe what I've been going through of feeling. I'll just give you the facts and as austerely as possible.

I'm being taken out of Guayaquil and moved to Sua for safety and security reasons.
This a HUGE change, I was just in Mid Service planning my next year in Guayaquil with the Mujeres, and now that is all changing. You never know what news tomorrow will bring.

Well in this case this has been dragging out for a month. I wasn't sure where I was going or when, and while it has been nuts, I have really great program managers that have I think taken care of the situation better than most people would have.

There have been tears, lots of stress and with all the unknowns hanging over me for weeks, it's been insane.

Now I have definites, so now I'm writing.

Location: Sua, a playa (that means beach and that's a plus) in Esmeraldas...a region I have never been to...It's going to be small town versus the big city I'm used to an aaaalll the changes that go with it...

When: Oct 29th is my official move out day...

In the meantime: I'm packing like a crazy person, STILL have to go to Quito to complete site change paper work and other Peace Corps Business...So I essentially have 3 days to pack up my aparment.

I know it's for the best, but the hardest part was telling the Mujeres I work with. I'm going to miss them SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much I can't even think about it!! I will keep in touch and I just know everything happens for a reason and I just hope and pray that this is the best path for all of us. One of the ladies was saying to look at it in a positive light, that I'm going to get a chance to help another community that may need me even more like I have helped them. I thought that was really sweet for her to say. All of them have said that they are most concerned with my well being and are going to miss me.

That has been the most shocking thing for me actually how much even my site mates are going to miss me. I feel like all I do is go to work and shut myself indoors. I am not half as sunshiney or social as I normally am, so I was surprised at everyones sadness...I thought it was only going to be ME missing Everybody else! Same with the ladies, they are so amazing and have been around for 10 years, so I knew EYE was destroyed with the news, but I didn't know they were going to equally miss me as much. I always planned to have Mujeres de Lucha in my life beyond my time with them, even when I returned to the states, so that still hasn't chanced. My Program Manager said I can still stay in touch and help out a little bit as well.

So that is the news...it's the beginning of my second year in Peace Corps and I'm starting in a completely different location! So lucky for everyone I have started blogging again and you can be a part of this new adventure of mine. Ahroa, I'm packing, saying good bye, and trying to get my wits about myself in this topsy turvy turn of events!

Love and Light

JC

# 5 Mujeres de Lucha

I could go on for days how much I love them, so I AT LEAST had to put them on the list. I would not be in Ecuador and loving it like I do if it weren’t for the Mujeres de Lucha. They are group of visionary woman who work tirelessly to uplift their community. I am inspired by them every day I am here. They know how to make a way out of no way and I love that in a ‘em! We have had great times together and I look forward to my future with them!

Reconnect. Lucky for you all I’m not in that much of a writing/babbling mood. Just wanted to report that Reconnnect, which I was calling DisConnect since we were all separated, was actually a great event. My CAT Tools, a presentation we were all freaking out about (and another reason I was MIA Dec/Jan), was not all that impressive, but we got through it. It was great seeing the volunteers that I don’t get to ever see and it was just fun switchin up the schedule and spending time in Cuenca.

Oh mama, Cuenca is my new love. It was BEAUTIFUL. Nice, clean, great sites to see, safe, you name it. We didn’t get to spend too much time in the city, but I definitely want to go back to Cuenca. Maybe during a family or friend visit? Hint, hint


Reconnect would not have been half as special or beneficial if it weren’t for the fact that I invited my counterpart. It was optional for our counterparts to come, and once my presentation wasn’t really coming along, I figured, I wouldn’t have her come and only embarrass myself. I also figured since she takes care of about 5 kids In her house there was no way she could leave for 4 days. But when I gave her, her invite letter she was ALL about it. During our meetings in Cuenca we had exercises in how to plan events from beginning to end which was great for her to see. Plus, I just love spending time with Lottie and this event brought us closer. We butted heads on some ideas, which was great, because we were able to strengthen our communication skills. She was all about participating (a little too much if you ask me, cause that meant EYE had to participate vs daydreaming hee hee) and everyone loved her. So that was special and amazing. Since Peace Corps paid for our counterparts I was really happy to get Lottie out of the barrio.

All of the volunteers were going to get together in Riobamba after to really Reconnect, but we weren’t allowed to due to strikes going on. That weekend ended up being a fun time though anyway…even though my apartment didn’t have water the whole time...but that's another story...


See Short and Sweet. Besitos xoxo

Part III-Just in the (Saint) Nick of Time

So by the time this posts but it’ll probably be February and I’m still talking about Christmas. I just felt I needed to explain why I fell off the map! So Where was I my feelings, heart and cooked eggs were all over my floor? Lol Yeah, let’s move on. Just like I did. I was tempted to “call in sick” to work, but the truth was there was no time for pouting, feeling low and sulkin. There was some Christmas to be had and joy to bring to the barrio. However, I can’t remember everything, but the whole next day everything was going wrong. To the point where I thought I was on a bloopers show or something. I mean foolish stuff, like I was trying to help one of the ladies open a frozen soda. Since when I was twisting off the top, slowly put surely, the soda would rise and I would stop to give it a sec. She’s like no all you do is cut the side and dump it in

a pot. She’s explaining this as she’s sawing a way on the side…and FIIIIZZZZSSSSPPPPAAAASSSHHHHSSLLLLAAAAT. The pressure filled soda bottle spews cola de manzana (APPLE soda…come on now..) Alll over my face, shirt, jeans…everything. It was very Three Stoogies. Even though the lady cutting away didn’t get sprayed and everyone else ran for the hills at first spray. But since I was front and center I got is straight to the face…So As if the mosquitos and flies aren’t unbearable usually, try dippin your body in your least favorite soda flavor and sit in the baking sun. But I digress ;)

Anyway, since it was getting ridiculous I needed to change my vibration. So prayed about it and asked God to allow me to have a heart to heart with Mary in the Universal language of Love since was simply not happening in English or Spanish. (I also had been waiting for a possible apology, but it became clear that wasn’t coming…) So in my heart to heart prayer it was revealed that she dislike me at all, and actually likes me and even has love for me. She is hurting inside too, cause she is just as stressed and worked as me, And she really, really misses her best friend. I can relate to all of these things, and in that moment I felt released, forgiven and I forgave. You can’t be walkin around with a heavy, scorned heart during Christmas week! It’s just not right.

As I said before I had been putting my neck out there trying to meet people..”Hi you look rich, or like you have connections, would you like to donate..anything…to the Mujeres De Lucha?” was prreeetty much how classy I was coming at that point. So one of the guys that I met had a friend that is Ecuadorian and “well connected”. We had talked a few times on the phone and I finally met him. What a great guy, we’ll call him Jay. We bonded instantly and he even had a woman in his office that lived In Cristo De Consuelo so there was a real tie. I love it when I talk to people and explain all that the Mujeres are up against and how they are trying to help, and they start banging there heads up against the wall, cause then I know they get it and that they care. Well Jay was doing that. We sat for hours, talking and trying to problem solve. Now usually being a volunteer that is all about making the Ladies sustainable, I’m talking long term all the time. However, this time, I was like…yeah yeah, that’s nice about getting something going for the comedor…but we can talk about that in…say January. What we REALLY need are some Toys for the niños. He too informed me that they had donated everything weeks back and had nothing. However, he was so drawn in by our projects that “he’d see what he could do”. I mean what CAN you do at the 11th hour. I think it was 3 days before the party.

Did I explain how the gift giving portion of the party? We block off the street and hang out eating, playing games and having a good time. Then the chairs are set up in the street facing the Comedor where there is a table with gifts. The kids are called up one by one to receive their gift. The catch? The only kids that have presents are the ones with a Padrino/Madrina or maybe their parents…but that usually doesn’t happen. What happens to the Majority of the kids that don’t have either or. They.just.watch. How sad right? I was trying to see if we can change that since we were clearly not going to have gifts for 200 kids and who didn’t want to hear my Christmas Charla on the real meaning of Christmas hee hee. Things are done the way they are was basically what I was continuously told…entonces, bueno. The gift giving program was going to be what it was.

Let’s just get to party day shall we? I had invited all the Padrinos that live in Guayaquil. That includes, people that work at the U.S. Conuslate Office, Chamber of Commerce and The Colegio. I had my big gift for my hijado and didn’t want to walk by myself through the barrio. I called Mary hoping she hadn’t left without me. I call…she’s already there…turns out she had been there since 6 or 7 or something way crazy early time. So I get there people are running around like crazy. As I suggested we just combined the Adultos Mayores and the Niños for one grand party. Since I had told the Pardrinos to be there in the morning of course they were all on time…however…since the party was really starting “ya mismo” by the time we really were gonna get started was hours away. So most of the Pardrinos had to leave before the kids even came. I’ll have to explain “hora Ecuadoriana y ya mismo” at some point since it effects our quality of life here.

So we were setting up presents in the Comedor and tensions are runnin high. Folks are cookin in the kitchen in the back, setting up presents in the front, setting trays of food, making lists and checking them twice. Once my hosting/tour duties were over, I kept asking can I help with anything..feeling more in the way than helpful. Was I got waved away by by homegirl one too many times I was like. Alright, remember you have joy in your heart. Just go outside, mingle with the Adultos Mayores and if you are needed they know where to find you. So I tell Mary I’m going outside hit me up if she needs me. So I’m just talking with the elderly folks who are so sweet and so cute and I was so glad I made the decision to just go out side (cause I couldn’t handle the heat in the kitchen..ookaaaay?)

So I’m talking and enjoying the company, when Mary appears outside of the door of the Comedor and stands and stares for a minute. I look at her like “looking for me? I’m over here…need anything?” She looks at me but just sits down outside of the Comedor window. So I get back to my convo, ever so often checkin in on her across the way. She gives me a few weak smiles but doesn’t come over. I think to myself that I forgot that I just had the heart to heart on the cosmic level. Here on Earth she may still be a bit disgusted with me and my incompetence. Oh well my heart is healed so I just keep on with my viejitos. Eventually she walks over to one of the grandmas and I say something about her looking like a model. She really does she’s a mother of two and has got it going on! She’s one of those hot mom’s. I just don’t know how to explain to her what a MILF is and I don’t think it’ll ever be appropriate soooo I just call her a model. She laughs and then flags me down and tells me we have to go to the Tienda to go get some sodas. I was like sweet, staying positive works. Today is going to go smooooth as silk from this point on.

So we are walking making small talk, turn the corner into the area where the Tienda is…give besitos to the two ladies watching the store, start to enter the doors of the Tienda…and all of a sudden Mary covers her face and starts WAILING!!! At first I didn’t know if she was laughing or crying or WHAT. She sits down in one of those stackable chairs and is crying her eyes out! I was completely caught off guard and totally Shocked! I just start hugging her and asking whats wrong. The way she is sobbing though I am ALLL too familiar with. I replayed the whole last 10 min in my head and totally get it. She comes outside, stares…sits (trying to hold it together my guess), weak smiles at me (probably debating to tell me, would I understand? I don’t understand anything), finally comes to get me, cause she’s gotta get outta there and maybe I will understand…and then the release. Something Clearly happened in the hot kitchen of the Comedor and that’s the only part I don’t know. Dee one of the ladies at the Tienda is batting Mary’s hands from her face saying “Stop crying, you’re a Mujer De Lucha we don’t cry” while I’m like, “Let it out, it’s okay, here take a tissue, drink some water…oooohhh * hug * let it out, it’s okay”.

Now at this point I’m SOOO thankful that I had my heart to heart. If I hadn’t. If I had been walkin around feeling victimized and bruised I would have probably been feeling like, “you see? This is how it feels, not so hot right?” (which would have been stank and ugly and small of me) but instead I was in a place of totally and complete empathy and compassion. I saw that we are SO in the same boat. We both come everyday to help the Ladies, but we don’t live there. She leaves her family everyday, the same way I left mine. She works while she’s in the barrio and while she’s home, she goes to school, doesn’t even have to work, and while she doesn’t ask to be thanked for ALL of her hard work, she doesn’t show up at 6 and 7 am just to be criticized all morning long for the work that she’s doing. Work that honestly wouldn’t be getting done if it weren’t for her. I felt all of this before she was even able to stop her gasping, hiccupping cry to start talking about what was bothering her. I guess or hearts were stayin in communication. It was something. The two ladies were totally not hearing it. There was so much going on it was hard for me to understand any words, but they were walkin around, pontificating saying stuff, like “yeah life is hard, but if I cried everytime life handed me lemons…” that kind of thing.. . I just kept providing, hugs, water, tissue and attention. I didn’t know what to do. Plus when she did talk some in between sobs, of course I had NO clue what was being said. You know you can’t understand English when people talk and cry, so in Spanish I was lost. But again, words would just provide the details. I was already pretty clear in general what was going on.

Usually I wanna be the one to counsel and console, but since I don’t have the words in Spanish and I wasn’t catchin all of hers, I couldn’t be there for her like I wanted to. The ladies who speak her language but were not…speakin her lanuage….were of no help to her either. I suggested she call her best friend the volunteer before me, cause She would be the perfect person who would completely understand, has been there before, and would completely be able to talk to her and have one of those “I know, RIGHT!?!” sessions. Again, since my I had laid my Ego to rest days ago, I was able to suggest that instead of feeling slighted by the mere idea of it, let alone mention it. So Dee and I took the sodas to the Comedor while Mary made her phone call. When she came back to the party she was as good as new. Judging by how everyone was acting when we went to the Comedor they probably have NO clue that someone up in there sent Mary away sobbing somewhere. Ah my life! At least someone gets it.

So the kids start coming, we try to keep the ca-razy kids away from the ederly who are not tryin to have screaming kids all up in their grill and I think it went well. I was trying to just sit and digest everything that happened. When Lottie looks at the HUGE group of wild kids and then at me and says “Don’t you know some games or dynamicas (ice breakers)?) I’m like Uummm if I knew to have some prepared in Spanish maybe, buuuuuuttt… “Great, KIDS! Gather round Jennifer she has some GAAAAMES FOR Youuuuuuu”… Yayayayayyyyyy!!! So super duper panic time. You are not a Peace Corps Vol though unless you have had this moment over and over. Whitney a stellar volunteer says she keeps notecards with dynamica ideas cause it’s inevitable someone is going to call you out when you least expect it. It’s always in that moment your mind goes completely blank.

I come up with some good educational dynamicas, some that allowed me to learn there names, but after awhile, they were getting antsy and while the adultos mayores have bad nerves…so do I…so I thought running around was going to drive the viejitos crazy, but I had to. So we played duck duck goose or pato, pato..______ I have no idea what the word was, but it was the same game so that worked out well. Oh the craziest thing though. The person doing the duck, duck, ducking, has to close there eyes!! So I was walking ALL over the place lol…it was a mess but so much fun.

Food was great (food which I was eating well past New Years) There was rice, chicken, oooh and the cake there was cake and it was delish. There were balloons, group games the works. The party was in full swing and I was feeling better. I had been in communication with my new friend Jay so while everything was goin well…I still had some anxiety about if he was going to be able to come…and would he have toys?! The ladies KEPT asking too, but I didn’t want to call and bug him, as I know he’s someone that is going to be helping us with some long term projects. I didn’t want to feel so fixed on toys and material things, but it meant so much to the Whole barrio that the kids had something….that it put us all on pins and needles. The Director of the Colegio I work with wasn’t able to come, but he sent a car load of ice cream for the kids which was incredible and so fun. Suprises like that made it feel like Christmas. Lottie makes the call that we can’t hold anymore. We gotta line the chairs up and start the present presentations. She looks at me like, I know you were keeping hope alive, but this is life in the barrio and that’s just the way it is. So Mary has her official clip board with the names of the kids with Padrinos and is trying to get everyone seated and quiet. I’m just sitting idoly by like…I have NO clue how this is about to go down.

All of a sudden another car pulls up outside of the gates blocking of the street honking… at the same time I am getting a call from Jay, “Hello!?” , “Yeah, I think we’re here…yeah, yeah there you are…” So I run to go welcome him. I’m glad the ladies are going to get to meet the group that I wanting to help the community….and then….Oh, wait…What’s ALL THIS!?!?

TOYS!! Toys, Toys, TOOOOYYYSSS!! Toys filling the backseat, the ladies are holding them in their laps in the front seat. Jay goes around and pops the trunk, toys spilling out into the street!!!!!!!!!!!!! FELIZ NAVIDAD TODOS!!!!

Top 5 moments of my life I think. Sooooo freakin happy. The toys were really great too! Toy cradles, doctors kits, baseball bats, Pelotas (balls), muñecas (dolls), books, games everything! RIGHT on time. I mean RIGHT.ON.TIME. A Hollywood crew couldn’t have timed that more perfectly for a season finale moment. It was incredible.

I took Jay and the ladies in to get some food and introduced to everyone. The Mujeres were giddy with delight. Mary had gotten the kids quiet and first the Padrinos/Mardinas presented their gifts and then one by one Jay and his team presented the kids of the community with their gifts. They were so grateful and it was the perfect moment. There was no one left out and everyone got something. I even got some Spanish and English kids books so that I can teach my classes later on this year. It really brought the Mujeres back together on one accord as well. It made all the drama seem worth it…well almost. Drama free is usually the way to go We were sent home with montons of food. Some of which I still have in my fridge.

Walking home, Mary and I had an out loud heart to heart. She explained exactly what happened and we vented about the difficulties of working in the barrio. Just as I suspected we are so on the same page with our challenges. She was also like, even though the ladies are working Christmas Even and Christmas, you need to not go back until the 30th (which is the day we were doing our own personal Secret Santa lol late…) so I was happy about being given a mini-vacation, because I needed it. We exchanged Feliz Navidades and even I love you’s. I’m all about going through the valley with someone if it brings you closer together. So the drama if nothing else served that purpose and for that I’m grateful.

More about What I Do: My Support Network

I'll try to make this quick...

I gave you a tour of the barrio and our projects so that's the heart of everything of what I'm doing. So thanks to the relationships the Mujeres and the past Volunteer built, we have angels and helping able hands around us ready to assist. This is just an introduction to some of them. I'm actually still trying to learn and figure out some other people/organizations that have contributed to the Mujeres. Again, could be a simple conversation, but my language limitations make it hard to get an exhaustive list as in the ten years they had been around, naturally they have received assistance from different organizations over the years.

My Main List of Organizations/Characters:

Again not wanting to name names....but...

The US Consulate here in Ecuador. Cool right? That's what everyone says. It just makes me nervous as I know the Ladies have a lot of expectations and I feel like any false move and I can ruin what was so delicately built. The credit of this relationship goes to the volunteer who came before me (Super Tere!) and all I gotta do is Maintain! the relationship. Why I liken it to an egg on a spoon relay race I have no idea...but that's how I feel sometimes. Everyone at the Consulate office that I have met is SUPER cool, SUPER helpful, A ton of them are Returned PCVs themselves so the get it. It's really a joy working with them. There is new Consul General now, that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting. He did say he is excited about coming to visit the Mujeres one day when his schedule allows! So that is going to be a GRAND Day indeed! The Consulate has already given us bags of food since I've been here so they are wonderful to work with. I work closely with two individuals that I really like and have been soooo instrumental to any progress I have made thus far. One of those angelic individuals at the Consulate Office put me in contact with...

The American School or Colegio Americano. I work with the Director who affectionately calls himself the Gringo Loco or El Guapo (from the 3 Amigos). He's such a character with a golden heart for service and helping people. He is over the whoooole gigantic Colegio and apparently took it from poverty to prosperity! I have only seen it at it's best and I can't even imagine all the work he must have done to get it there. He ALSO contributed to a huge donation when I first to Guayaquil. He really has a vision for making the Mujeres sustainable as well which is really awesome that we are on the same page. He knows what he's doing and it's always fun to visit. I learn so much just sitting in his office absorbing techniques on budgeting, fundraising and sustainability. It's so right up my alley in things I wanna learn so I feel fortunate for that. He knows other people too that really are good at business plans and things of that nature and at the level the Mujeres want to operate we need more know how in that. So he put me in contact with....

The Chamber of Commerce! These are like heavy hitters in Guayaquil I'm working with you see? and I'm just a non Spanish speaking gringa without a clue! But do you see why I work all day everyday? I just want to take advantage of all of these resources I have and really do everything I can in these next two years to help the Mujeres get sustainable! Okay so there is one gentleman in particular who I work with at the Chamber of Commerce and he is an ANGEL for REAL! He's so sweet, so knowledgable on all things business and even has gotten his wife involved to help us. I mean just one of those people who simply want to help because it's in their hearts. He's my main man on realizing the dream of helping the Panaderia to make enough to sustain the Comedor. We suffer highs and lows together all week long but he really stays the course so to him I am grateful. We had a meeting this Saturday and he was telling me of another woman he knows with a really good heart who can help and her name is...

Phyllis (not really thought, but it's not about her org it's just her so I had to give a name) Now the Mujeres and I have actually been looking for this woman since I got to Guayaquil! Our relationship is new, but I did finally speak to her and yes she wants to help with anything she can. She's also a business woman who is able to get donations as well. I'm sure she is business savvy as well and can be instrumental in helping us develop these micro empreses (micro enterprises). So that's my newest relationship and I feel really fortunate to have some helpers.

The feeling I have "to whom much is given, much is required". Yes I have a lot of help and resources around me, but that makes the responsibility all the greater! This does not feel as minor league as I thought my PC experience would be. However, I don't feel too far out of my league either. Oh sure, I'm jumping midway into projects and this Spanish thing is a nightmare a lot of times. BUT I feel like everything that is in front of me to dive into and learn is RIGHT up my alley and I'm eager and willing to be a sponge and take it all in and apply it here and apply it when I go back to the States.

So there you have it. My network of support :)

Break In Case of Emergency/Light at the End of The Tunnel Part Duex

A Month by Month Break Down of things I know I have to look forward to in order to make the hard days just pass away....

November- Por supuesto Thanksgiving
I knew Thanksgiving was going to be fun because one of the girls in Guayaquil stated early on she is very serious about her Thanksgiving so we were very serious about making this a fun one. As it's turning out, good friend PCVs are coming to town. Some of gringa connections are also having some fun activities. The US Consul and the American School are having Feasts and Flag Football! We are going to be eating non stop from Wednesday night to Sunday Morn, we are going to be playing out in the field and having fun time slumber parties. Nov has come with its challenges but what a great light to have at the end of the tunnel right?

December- Navidad! I thought this was going to bring my first group of visitors but it turns out that isn't possible. Which is okay cause it is still New Apartment Month. My first month of real privacy and freedom! Yay I never have to put on pants or a bra to go to the kitchen ANYMORE! ooops sorry TMI. Look people its HOT here! Also, I am excited about all the fun Christmas activities we are going to be doing in the barrio. Plus December is the LAST month of 2009! This has been such a crazy, different, off, zany year for everyone and now it's over. I remember Jan 2009 like it was yesterday. Time waits for no (wo)man, that's all I know. It's an exciting milestone

Then already it's 2010!!!
I look at 2010 as the "the long haul" If I make it through 2010 the rest of my service is a cake walk. It's really all about 2010. '09 was getting trained and getting acquainted. 2010 is about really getting into projects, making a life here in Guayaquil, getting my travel on and really just taking advantage of my time here...

2010 Lights-

January- New Years! My birthday! Reconnect-An event where we travel to a location and all of the PCVs get together and discuss their progress so far. Reconnect will really be a validate our time here thus far I think. Its a week long so it will be fun to have that break and see everyone.

February- I was giving myself time get adjusted before I dove into my hobbies. I'm so tired at the end of the day I didn't know how I would do it. But now that Reconnect is over and it's time for The Long Haul I'm about to get my Dance Dance Dance ON! Feb is when I'm going to start taking dance classes at this one place I found. I think the adult classes "tropical" dances (that's what they call it) but I think it's all the Latin based favorites, salsa, merengue, bachata and other stuff I can't pronounce. I'm still looking for a modern and maybe ballet class as well. Also, Jan/Feb is going to be when EYE start teaching dance and wellness classes!!!

January-April- Marks The duration of my classes I will be teaching where I get to work with the youth in the barrio. I think this is really going to brighten my days and give me a sense of purpose. I need to remember to still be getting my travel on! Oh I forgot to mention I also REALLY hope to be getting some tutoring at this point!

May - My mama is comin to see her baby!! I have also been invited to Miami for a very important bbday bash :) Maybe May will be a wooo-sah break month to exhale after my classes with the niños y jovenes.

June- Marks a year I've been in Ecuador what can be better than that?

July- Will probably do some fun 4th of July stuff will probably visit the new kids on the block that will be starting training and visit my Cayambe Family. (all this time, I'm still enjoying Everyday with the Mujeres, Improving my language, making good on some projects I have started and dancing it up!)

August- A YEAR of being an official PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER. We have our Mid Service event where we AALLL get together and I simply cannot wait for this! This is really going to be a grand moment for us. This is another real light at the end of the tunnel. I know it seems like so now we have another whooole year to go, but I KNOW after August time is going to really zip on by.

Sept-December- Apply what we learned at Mid Service (we get new ideas to implement from the PC staff during the event), Now is the time where I get to improve upon what I kinda messed up the year before. The Mujeres have event that they do every year. Well Sept of 2009 I was clueless and could barely speak. I'm hoping by Sept 2010 I can be real asset to the events such as Day of Nutrition in Oct, be instrumental in the Thanksgiving donations this year, and really contribute to the Navidad celebration now that I know what one looks like and how they get down! Really excited for a second go at these things :)

2011!! Already!

January- Family reunion in Orlando! My first officially planned US trip (we'll see about May '10) and of course New Years and 30th!! Birthday!

Feb-April- My last time teaching my classes gotta make it great!

okay so here's the deal. Right now I want to apply to be a co-trainer. Our co-trainers were awesome and fun and really added so much to our training experience. A Co-trainer is a volunteer who is currently serving in country who wraps up their service three months early to assist with a new incoming group. So remember those three months I had training in Cayambe? Well there were people that wrapped up their service early to be there with us. After we swore in, they left and returned to the US. IF I am able to be a co-trainer... Theeen...

May- is all about wrapping up my service officially!!

June-August- Will be training with a new Omnibus and COS ...Close OF Service. And then....just like that...the whole thing is over. Sad huh?

There are soooo many variables in all of that too.Peace Corps offers committees we can join, who knows the friends I'll meet, what opportunities that are going to rise. Something new pops up EVERYDAY with the Mujeres. Who knows who is going to be able to come to Ecuador and see lil ol me. Then there is just the new and strengthening of friendships here...the skys really the limit. This is just an outline skeleton of the most boring dull thing that can happen. Not too shabby! Anything added will only bring more excitement. So for the complete list of aforementioned reasons....my "super bad I can't do this anymore, I'm SERIOUSLY going to lose it on the next guy that hisses at me, tells me he loves me in poorly spoken English, or makes a kissy sound at me crap days"...are just bad days, because I know I have SO much to look forward too.

Peace and Blessings!!

Last But Certainly Not Least: La Guardaria

Oh yes, the Guadaria. Another one cerca de mi corazon (close to my heart). This is the nursery! You gotta love the Nursery. Look at all of those kids. The idea of the Guadaria is a place for the kids to go freeing up the mothers and fathers to go to work and earn money. See how something so small can be so big?

I don't know why I try to act like I don't like kids lol. I'm always coming up with a reason why I need to go peek at the kids at the Guadaria. They are sholl nuff all over the place, but it's always a lot of fun. It needs A LOT of help though! 

There are diapers that need to be changed, there is only one crib, we are always scrapping to have enough food for them for breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day. 

It would also help if we had more toys, books, art supplies etc. 

Right now there is a program similar to the Padrino program for the Guadaria. A person pays $5 a week to provide the meals for a child in the Guadaria. A great cause right? Let me know if you are interested in this program as well!!! (CovingtonJennifer@Gmail.Com)

I also have visions of fixing up the place so that it's has a cheerful, hopeful upbeat feeling to it. 

They also have some land in the back of the Guadaria that I would think would be Perfect for a jardin. That way the Mujeres could start growing their own food and it doesn't get more sustainable than that!

Second to Last: El Gabienete

The Gabienete De Belleza is the Beauty Shop! Hey now! You can get your hair done..excuse me, hair did, nails right, and get all lined up.... Well you could... right now the Gabiente doors are not open. All of the work had fallen on one individual who could only work on the weekends from what I understand. The Mujeres never knew when she was coming in and where the money she was earning was going...sooo... We have closed the doors as of right now.

We would need to find a couple of people who can work all week and the weekends to make the Gabienete a more thriving business for the Mujeres. That shouldn't be too hard to find since the Gabienete was also a location where these wonderful courses were held to train people. In my opinion we have our hands full, so we can focus getting some of these other projects off of the ground first. It's really awesome though that the Mujeres have all these locations that great things are being done. They have the space and some of the necessary equipment so that's a huge hurdle we are already over once we are able to open the doors again. Hopefully you will be getting a post one of these days about the doors opening again to the Gabienete! 

Comin Up Next: La Costura

The Costura is actually located in Lilly's living room. It's amazing. There are a ton of machines just waiting to be used. Pictured here the people who took advantage of the course that was held for sewing class.  Just recently we opened the doors again to the Costura. There are people in the community trained to sew and tailor and the machines are there so anything that we made would be nothing but profit. Right now we are working with just finding where to get the clothes. We have some ideas of what we can do. One, we are going to have the ladies sew the uniformes for the Colegio I'm working with at the beginning of next year. Also, the ladies are asking for people's old clothes and they are fixing them up and selling them on Saturday at discounted prices. We are hoping that once we are up and running for awhile people in the barrio will catch on and start bringing their clothes there. I'm sure one of my tasks will be to look for more outside business, but we are just taking it one step at a time. The Costura is another service that we provide that can help bring money INto the barrio and is a possible way another one of the other projects can be sustained. Ah, I just love possibility!

Third Micro Empresa: La Panaderia

The Panaderia is located right next to the Comedor. The Ladies wake up bright and early and make the bread fresh everyday. In these pictures the Panaderia along with some of the other micro empresas had actual courses where they trained the people in the community skills so that they could go out and get work in these fields. Que Bueno! 

 Right now I am working with the Director of a Colegio here on making the projects of the Mujeres De Lucha more sustainable (your gonna hear that word a lot...at least if I'm doing a good job you will...) We were thinking that if we can get sales of the bread up and maybe sell it in other places besides the barrio, then the Panaderia can be a source of funds that sustain, the Comedor for example. That would be such a shining moment, if we no longer had to look outside of the barrio for a way to make sure the kids eat! But all of that takes time and planning, so that's another thing on this hot and full plate of mine :) I think it is very possible to see that happen in the two years I'm here. Vamos a ver! :)

Next Stop:El Comedor

Ah the Comedor, what could be better than feeding the community? The Comedor doesn't turn anyone away and they feed over 150 people from what I understand. That's only counts the people I have down of paper. Rose in the picture to the left is the boss of the Comedor. She cooks, decides what is going to be made and just all things Comedor.

I'm going to be working with her to get an exact head count of home many children are eating at the Comedor and how many elderly people. Also, working getting a process in play of how we decide what is going to be served everyday and what is being taken out of the Tienda. That way we will have an exact dollar amount of what we either need on of the micro

 empresas to earn each month or how much we need to secure in donations each month.

The children not only are given nourishment daily, but they are taught manners (like saying buenas tardes and saying thank you when they get served) and etiquette as well at the Comedor. It's a really great experience. 

Right now we have the Padrino system that anyone can be a part of. For just $2 a week you can feed a child! How great is that! I just became a Madrina (the female version of Padrino or God father) and I couldn't be happier. However we need a TON more! It's $2 a week or $96 a a year for a child to get a serving of soup, rice, meat and vegetables or fruit, for a whole year! Let me know if you want to sponsor a child! I can't think of a better cause!!!  

Hit me up at CovingtonJennifer@Gmail.Com and we can get the ball rollin! 

Close up on The Projects, First Stop: La Tienda

To me the Tienda is the heart of it all. The Tienda is the community store where the Mujeres De Lucha provide everyday goods and affordable prices for the community. 

There is also the yard in front of the Tienda where special events are held, where we eat lunch, where the ladies make bolones for extra income and more. There is a stove and a table and always a good time there. 

 The challenge with the Tienda are many... but I'll just list a few things...we take inventory on notebooks so it's kind of unofficial and hard to keep track of the items. Also since the tienda feeds the Mujeres, our lunch, the Comedor AND the community...there is a lot that is taken out of it, but the tracking is mas o menos. That's one thing I'm trying work on right now, keeping track of what is leaving and how much it is costing the Tienda. Another huge challenge is keeping things in stock. In these pictures the Tienda looks full and thriving! Right now however, the shelves are getting bare, and we just went to the market and got a ton of food! We rely heavily on the kindness of others and donations.   My Focus while being here is sustainability of all of these projects. So while donations are great, it's not guaranteed and it's not consistent. Sometimes, often, we have to turn customers away because we don't have something in stock. We also don't like the venders come by looking for there money! Hooo Wee! We all go running. We have to keep our lights on, the phone on, the electricity for the refrigerators so the food doesn't go bad on. It's a struggle for sure. I'm currently looking for grants and more people to donate but it's still a challenge. Foundations that give you money also want to see that they are giving to a sustainable project. People who donate want to know Exactly where there money is going. 

The Mujeres Always land on their feet. I see that. I just want them to not have to be Women of Struggle (Mujeres de Lucha) I looked up "Lucha" in my Span/Eng Dictionary and it means :Struggle, Fight or Strive For...So I want them to be Women who are just Striving...Striving & " Working for a Better Tomorrow" (their slogan). 

Thanks for the Comments and Keep on Reading!

Just wanted to send a message saying thank you all for keeping up with me through my blog! It really means a lot. I was so unsure of blogging, but it has definitely served the purpose of keeping my loved ones informed a receive love and support in return! Que bueno! So just wanted to say keep reading, keep those comments coming (so I know you're out there!) and I will keep writing!!

I'm happy that I went to work writing and posting enough pictures to get me through the month. I posted everything pretty much my first week here and had enough to take me though the second to last week in September. Perfect, just enough time to get over my two week slump of the hohums after "the incident" (yes that's what we're calling it..)lol. I was so bummed and just inconvenienced and had a lot of ick thoughts and reeaally didn't want to post all that ickyness. I think I'm on the upward swing of things...well hopefully I really will be by the time this posts. Hopefully my two weeks with no cell phone will be no more and I will feel safe and not so creeped out. 

My time with the Mujeres has been really great. They have just become so protective of me and it feels more like a family now. We are still new to each other though. I'm more like an in-law that married into the family, but we have that sister- girl- I-got-your-back thing going on that goes beyond any language barrier and I really appreciate that. 

Que mas?

Pictures. Yikes. I dont know when I'm goin to bust out pictures in this city. Maybe the other volunteers will, and when I start traveling to other sites I may take pics then...but right now you are going to be getting photos off the internet I think. Why didn't anyone tell me that blogs are so boring without pictures? And why didn't anyone tell me that you don't need a ton...just one or two will do sometimes?

Oh I know, it's just my whimsical and witty writing is so entertaining you don't even need pictures. Is that it? Oh well mil gracias to you all. 

I wonder if the next coming months I will have bastante material to write. I think at the minimum every month I can do at least 4 posts for every week. We shall see. For October I am going to be outlining the projects we are working on and the plans we have to mejorar them. So there will be plenty of posts and pics (taken from the computer in the Mujeres oficina) for Oct. Maybe even take it all the way into November...we shall see...you gotta read to find out.

Thanks for the love I'm reflecting it right back at cha!!

Paz y Amor!!! (just trying to add photos!)

Activities I've done since here....

Unpacked,
Slept a total of 5 hours over the course of 3 days
Slept for over 12 hours this past Tuesday...cause I was times Gquil are tough and I was exhausted
Killed rats the size of kittens my first day at work (well I just held the door closed while the brave souls broom "sticked" those monsters to death yeeeeps!)
Managed to aggravate all the sweet ladies with my lack of language skills...luckily eye rolling is a universal sign for get out of my face.. (ack I was more popular when we were killing rats!)
Walked aimlessly in the blazing heat not knowing where I was or who I can ask...(plus side I may actually lose weight with all this walking I'm doing)
Figured out what bus I take to and from work (whew that's a relief!)
Wrote down aaaaaalllll the dreams and aspirations of the Mujeres and Friday (today) (which actually now was yesterday...late posting this...)I need to present on what I heard them say, and what I think we can do....wish me luck!!!
Talked to my duena (my landlady) maaaaybe twice since I've been here...this is so not my Cayambe family...
Been able to come and go as I please and haven't been force fed a meal...I take that back actually...today my Mujeres realized they can force feed me...so I had two desayunos (breakfast) and a mountain of rice, lentils and eggs for lunch...
Discovered there is a slug like bug living in my bathroom (O Dios Mio!)
Got the Secret in Spanish! (score!)
Actually eaten more fruit than rice or cookies...I'm doing better...

There's more but I'm tired...and I gotta work on this presentation for the Mujeres. I just hope I can get this Spanish and earn the friendship and trust of the Mujeres. There are really actually quite self sufficient and borderline famous (if you ask me..). They have had a lot of publicity and success and have been around for years and years. Everyone be praying for me that I can add some love and light to their organization!

Paz y Amor!

Ohhh so an update since I didn´t post this on Friday like I planned.

I definitely went to work today (yep I work Saturdays) and after much stress and exhaustion...I definitely broke down and cried today at work. The story can come mas tarde. I think I´m just stressed, and it´s SO hard to not be able to express myself and I want soooo very much to do a good job and add something to the lives of the people I´m working with and I think I was just feeling too much. Ah well. I have volunteers to tend to right now who are visiting for the weekend. Don´t worry about me though I still have my head on straight and haven´t lost perspective. Sometimes you gotta get broken down to build back up into a newer stronger you. Onward and Upward!

MUJERES DE LUCHA

This is a discription of projects and work found in the community I’m working with and what they are requesting from the volunteer (that’s me!!) who is moving to their city. (May read kinda choppy cause I translated it from Español)

Right now Mujeres De Lucha is working in their community against of lot of the threats that are in their neighborhood, such as poverty, malnutrition, violence, the lack of opportunities to advance and machismo (or chauvanism).

The association of muejres are working together in order to improve their community. They have a community store where they have items for the community at affordable prices. Items such as veggies, lacteos (dairy goods), fruits and other things important for life. They also have a community dining room where lunch is served to children, elderly people and people with disabilities.

With this the comedor we have people who pay for the lunches for the ninos who don’t have the means to pay (i.e. padrinos)

There is also a restaurant in connection with the cafeteria where the community can buy a complete lunch for $1.00. There is also a bakery where they sell pan for 7 cents. They also have a beauty parlor where the people can come in order to improve their looks and there for improve their self esteem. Again, all services at a discounted affordable price.

They also had a daycare/nursery whose function was to play with and feed the children of the community so that their parents can go to work. There is also a medical area where services are given to assist with the health of members of the community.

Outside of the microenterprises there was a project with the Ministeries of Work where young adults were taught life skills such as baking, cooking, sewing, industrial and automotive mechanics, beauty school, and electronic. The point of this project was to teach the students things they could use to start better work and by having better work options they could create a better life for themselves and that in turn would improve their self esteem. This project right now is no longer functioning even though the hope is that it can be started again.

Things that I will be working on primarily:
Help improve the micro enterprises
Help with business plans
Help develop projects that just started or need to be rejuvenated
Help find more padrinos for the thecomedor
Find people/organizations to collaborate with
Continue to keep in contact with the network of people all ready in place
Conduct talks, charlas, presentaciones about life plans, self esteem, family and health…. I have more things…but this is a long “primary” list…
Secondary proyectos are:
Teaching Dance, Music and Arts and Crafts classes
And if they let me, I’m going to work in the beauty shop as well (smile)

Guayaquil

I´m back from my site visit and don´t know really what to report. I was going to try to have Wikipedia do everything for me but here Wiki was in Español. Okay do you want the good news or bad news first? Okay I´ll just get the bad news stats about Guayaquil out of the way. It´s kinda way dangerous. You have to your pilas about yourself. Robberies are really big...so I had money in my bra, in my little satchel thing, I had my bank card in my right shoe under the my insole thing, and an extra ten in my left. So even if my satchel got stolen I wouldn´t be down an out. My friend Jen wrote emergency numbers inside of the tongue of her tennis shoe. Yeah we were getting down like that. Take that G-quil robos. All of the volunteers that I talked to while there have most definitely been either held at gun point or knife (point?). So that´s uber scary. But they have techniques of getting out of the situation without getting shot or harmed. Peace Corps goes through GREAT lenghts to make sure that we are beyond prepared to live in these cities and if you estar pilas then they support you all the way. Like if I got held and gunpoint and have to give up my decory money and cellphone, Peace Corps will reimburse me because my life is more important than those things. I don´t know how other people make it but, as a PCV I feel well protected and support. On the flipside, we are responsible for our own safetly. I´m going to be so street savvy in dos años! I grew up in a place where we don´t even lock our doors...so it´s an adjustment. I´m up for the challenge. The public transportation right now to me is INSANE I´m sure if I lived in NYC I would be more accustomed, but since everything is in Spanish and my big city experience is LA where we drive everywhere. I am muy overwhelmed with it all. Que mas? My host family is 180 degrees different than my family here in Cayambe. Which I am happy about. I was not going to be able to fall in love with another family. In G-quil, my host landlandy is just that, I rent a room from her, she works all day long, she has a son who is so sweet and helpful and they don´t cook any meals. They saved me a shelf in the fridge and they are like fend for yourself. I prefer that. No pressure to eat heaping plates of food. Since the ladies I work with cook such huge lunches I think that´s going to serve as lunch and dinner.

Que mas, que mas, I wish I had organized this but I didn´t. So G-quil is peligroso but I´m in good hands. My living sitch is nice. No pressure and the accomadations are nice. I have a shower, a flushing toilet, a soft grande cama, I have a TV but I´m not going to watch it, I have a fan which is really great in the hot city. It´s like normal room. I have bats outside of my window and there is a liiiitttlle bit of a roach sitch in the kitchen, but I didn´t really go in there for the 4 days I was there. All in all it´s a sweet deal and no one can replace my Cayambe family. I´ll be in touch with them for ever and really think of them as my second fam.

Let´s get to the best part of my trip. The Good News. Mujeres De Lucha. That is the organization of Afroecuadorian Women I will be working with. The name translates to Women of Struggle. I absolutely love love love them already. It´s a task and a challege. I don´t even understand what they are saying but they do great work and are muy amable. Maybe actually I will do a post just about them, because they are that special. The whole point is that there are some challenges about living in Guayaquil but I´m so up for it because I´m SO excited for my project. I think even when I return to the states I will want to be involved somehow, but that´s in two years. I need to just figure out what they are saying lol. They are just like my family, my aunts, cousins, sisters and mothers all talking at once and cracking up. It´s great fun.

The barrio I work in is also supposed to be kind of dangerous, but the women I work with are well known and after I¨ve been seen with them a lot around the neighborhood I will be fine. I feel safer in my barrio than the mean streets of G-quil already. While a lot of people will work and live in their same community my set up is a bit different. My barrio isn´t safe enough for Peace Corps standards especially after dark, so I can come and work and then leave and go to my house in G-quil. When I pictured my time in the peace corps I imagined myself on a dirt road sitting on the porch of my grass house waving to my neighbors that I work with. It´s a bit different than that romantic vision. I actually report to work everyday and then leave at night. I have so much to say but I can´t free style on this blog anymore.

Coming attractions:
Mujeres De Lucha
Otra Cosas Part III
Maybe some pictures....(all old)