HIV/AIDS Workshops continued....

The group heading out to Chuicaca.



Giving my "bienvenida" to the whole group in the salon.




Julia and Adrian with their group outside.



Natividad and Antonio translating the workshop.




Esther and Zane starting "Globulos Blancos" with their group in the salon.

"Globulos Blancos" activity - the lady is trying to force her way into the body!

"Soy Parasito" - "I am a parasite". He was by far the cutest parasite I have ever seen:)

Val and Travis.

Another breath-taking view of Chuicaca's landscape.

Me and the professional nurse, Natividad - I love her :)

Kate and Stephen giving a workshop in front of the town hall.

When there is no chalkboard... use a french fry stand instead!

The group with the mayors of Chuicaca.

Don Miguel - President of the Health Promoters of Chuicaca.

Our way back to Santa Maria Chiquimula.

Our "classroom" as we were giving the workshops - so beautiful.

The HIV/AIDS workshops are now completed! Friday I had 8 of my friends from all over Totonicapan come and help give the final HIV/AIDS workshop Friday to almost 300 people! The whole week couldn't have gone better and I can't thank the people who helped me give the workshops enough (Val, Zane, Stephen, Adrian, Kiki, Kate, Esther, Julia, Travis, Jerami, and Jesse) - without them this wouldn't have been possible, so thank you guys!!

Friday, we all pack in the back of a pick-up truck and made the hour long drive to the town of Chuicaca. When we arrived to the salon - the whole place was packed! It was so awesome to see how many people came out to listen to the workshop. What was amazing was how the whole community came together to make this workshop possible. The town hall of this town, the health post, the community leaders as well as the mayors from the central part of town came together to make this all possible. I was telling the volunteers that helped me that this would be such an awesome site for a volunteer and the community really would love to have a volunteer. This would be a dream site for any volunteer - people willing to work with you, organized, having the support of the community - I could go on! So I plan on talking to my boss in the near future to see if they would be able to set up a new site in this town for the next group of Healthy Homes volunteers that will arrive a year from now.

We were able to divide the people into 4 groups where 2 PC volunteers gave the workshop. Once the workshops were over they were gracious enough to provide lunch for us as well as diplomas! They were all so thoughtful and so incredible generous. When I stood up to thank the community and my friends I almost cried. It was a great day :)

For the whole week - we were able to HIV/AIDS educate about 600 people!

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HIV/AIDS Workshops: Aldea Chuicaca

Courtneay showing that "shaking hands" will not give you HIV.

Antonio, the health technician of Chuicaca, translating the poster in Ki'che

Condom demonstration.


Condom demonstration.

Making sure everyone can see.

Volunteers were asked to place their picture under "Yes, it gives you HIV" or "NO, it doesn't give you HIV"

Court and I giving a condom demonstration

An activity where participants were used to show how the body is protected by white blood cells and how the body is affected when it contracts HIV. This lady is representing "diarreah" and is trying to break through the body's immune system of white blood cells.

Another oppotunistic infection, this time "the common cold" is trying to break through the wall.

The beautiful people of Chuicaca

Giving an icebreaker to the participants.

This week I have had the opportunity to HIV/AIDS educate one of the towns in my municipality, Santa Maria Chiquimula. The town has roughly 8,000 people and is the farthest town in Santa Maria. By truck, it takes a little over an hour's drive - but through muddy roads and rough terrain.

I was approached a few weeks ago by the community to give a series of HIV/AIDS workshops due to an outbreak of new HIV cases. The mayor, the town representatives, teachers and health workers came together to see what they could do to help combat the fear of this virus. There were many rumos, myths and doubths that needed to be cleared and they asked if I would be able to help. My reply: Of course! That is why I am here! So within a matter of a few weeks I asked my fellow PCVs for their help in tackling the challenge of educating the town on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.

This Friday is the last day for the workshops - we have already finished 2 out of 3 workshops educating 3 out of the 5 villages that surround this town. Friday will be the last workshop that will cover the the central population of the town as well as 2 more villages. I have asked the help of 7 volunteers to help split the people into 4 groups - so I am crossing my fingers everyone goes well and that many people show up!!

So, I wanted to show you a glimpse of what we have been doing this week and look for a new post with Friday's pictures as well as how many people we were able to go to the workshop!

Happy 4th 2010!!

This past month I feel has gone by in a blur!!... A few weeks ago I celebrated the second 4th of July party in Peace Corps Guatemala. As always - it was a lof of fun! Besides the buckets of rain water that came that day - we were able to watch a World Cup game, eat delicious 4th of July BBQ, dance and enjoy the annual talent show where PC volunteers come on stage and show off their skills. There was also the socializing with old and new volunteers as well as welcoming the new group of trainees that will swear in this Friday! That means I have 1 more year left - I can't believe it.

The 4th weekend is also a great way to unwind.... and man did we all need to do that. Being able to wear clothes you wouldn't normally wear in your site, speak English, enjoy a beer without fearing that someone may be watching you... but it also doesn't beat the 4th in the States - friends, family, fireworks - you were all missed very much this 4th of July.

Until July, 4th 2011!!