One month in site w/ some progress

Friends,

Today I have reached my month mark in-site. I am transitioning into my work pretty well but still lack information to get myself running on bigger tasks such as grant writing and proposals. I have met and shared time with almost everyone in my community which is nice. Basically wherever I go I am greeted by name or by "Americana"/"Cubana". I cant say I know each person´s name or apodo (nickname) but Im getting there.

The Lodges are well on their way construction wise. As for funding, they are starting to run low and concerns for the projects completion are on the rise. We still have enough funding to roughly complete 3 of the 5 lodges (let me emphasize "roughly"). Right now I am working closely with my project partner to update our original proposal so once I am given the go I can begin requesting funds from other NGO´s.

I have 2 months left until my 3 month reunion with Peace Corps staff to present my organizational diagnostic and my plans for the next year. I could probably present today if I had to, so I am not concerned about the content of my work and priorities. In the mean while I am more focused on "Escojo me vida" youth group and English classes. Today is Intl HIV/AIDS Day and yesterday we had students from the group present a charla to the local highschool on the realities of HIV/AIDS, statistics, etc for awareness. After the charla we marched through the the community with a banner. Last weeked we (students and 2 fellow volunteers, Peter and Randi) painted a mural on the school wall regarding HIV/AIDS and how it is contracted.

I have great pics and videos of all of this and hope to post them as soon as I get better internet access.

English classes begin in 2 weeks after the local elections which is the hype at the moment.

Last week for Thanksgiving all the volunteers in country traveled to the capital to celebrate together. We all stayed at local pensiones which are not too shabby and very cheap for us volunteers. I arrived in Santo Domingo on Wednesday morning and as soon as I arrived to the Peace Corps office I saw a litter of puppies that a fellow volunteer was caring for. You know where this story goes.... I had to take one. It was a litter of female pups that were going to be abandoned or euthenized because no one in this country wants female dogs. Long story short, her name is Luna "LULU" Perez and she is precious. I cannot say what kind of mut she is but she is super cute and has an amazing personality. Since my job has no restrictions she basically goes everywhere with me and is now my official confidant in crime..(J/K in service). ****SMILES****

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Thanks to the Thanksgiving commitee we had amazing delicious food and I was able to stuff about three plates into my belly and then some. I put the boys to shame. Mind you I have gained my freshman 15 since my arrival to this country. Im not too sad about it, keep telling myself its muscle weight from all the hiking. The bash was held in a country club in Santo Domingo and we did all sort of activities throughout the day. I was able to meet many new faces (old volunteers and not so old ones). I still have many more left to meet. The size of DR team is really daunting.

I beleive this sums up most of the latest. I love you all!

Marite