My project site in Jarabacoa

`Los Claveles Girls´ in our business training site in Altamira, Puerto Plata

2 Weeks Away....

Friends,

My work is about to begin! There are less than 2 weeks left until we are all sworn is as Peace Corps Volunteers. :) Just this weeks I was notified about my work assignment here in the DR. I will be in a small campo (pop. 500) about 45 minutes away from Jarabacoa and 15 KM from the entrance of the National park, where many go visit Pico Duarte. I was told I will be working with an Eco lodge that just received funding for construction. Unfortunately this is all the information I have at the moment. This Monday I will be given a more thourough explanation on my assignment and project partner.

My sight is knows as the Alps of the Dominican Republic where there is eternal spring. This is one of the most lush areas of the country, where most fruits and vegetables are grown and exported. This area is also known for its wonderful rivers and waterfalls and out door sports.

Coming Tuesday I will meet my project partner and be taken to my sight where I will be introduced to my community and my next host family. I will be with this family for the next three months until I find my own home and get aquainted with my project and community.

I will return to the city after a few days at my site and on October 28th be sworn in as a volunteer. All the volunteers including myself are very happy to have completed training successfully. Training was definately dense and challenging but we now all feel very prepared to go out there and help out our communities. I am sad to say that we started out with 52 trainees and are now down to 46 however we all know that they left for the right reasons. They will be missed and I wish them the very best.

More details soon to come.

Marite