Site Assignment in Ecuador!

They definitely were making us more prone to nervous breakdowns this morning - we had two sessions of training before they'd tell us where we were placed! The way that they showed us, however, was awesome - in the field behind the training center, they laid out a map of Ecuador, using rose petals as the borders to each state.

Once everyone was outside and waiting to go, they announced one by one our town and region, and had us stand in our spots on the map - it was precious!

And my site assignment is taking me to..........

Chaguarpamba, Loja! I'll be in one of the southern-most states, on the border with Peru!

 Down south in Ecuador...

I'm the bright green county in the top, middle bit!

In my site, I will be partnered with the Youth Program of the county Red Cross (Programa Juventud de la Cruz Roja Cantonal de Chaguarpamba)! I am *so* excited - that is the assignment I'd been hoping for! I am the first PeaceCorps volunteer at this site, so it's up to me to make a good impression, and to really figure out what this site will be like for future volunteers! Fun fact: Chaguarpamba is apparently Quichwa for 'Valley of Jaguars'.

Team Loja (with my derpface) - 4 Omni112 PCVs for this province!

What will she be doing, you wonder?

Primary project proposals: 

• Strengthen individual capabilities through leadership, self-esteem, personal empowerment, decision-making trainings and strengthen each of the programs that are operating within the Canton (county).
• Conduct a community diagnostic through home visits to find those areas of need and interest of the community.
• Develop workshops on preventing young pregnancies, alcoholism, and drug addition, and HIV/AIDS.
• Conduct institutional visits to create strategic alliances and work seamlessly in all areas of the Ecuadorian Red Cross.
• Promote Volunteerism amongst the Canton.

Secondary project proposals:

• Organize courses and activities for children and youth that provide them with the opportunity to participate in positive activities during their vacation times.
• Develop and conduct Escuela para Padres (school for parents) trainings.
• Support the "mingas" organized by the community, and also work with recycling projects.

The above are what is currently envisioned for my work in-site - basically, county-wide needs assessment, doing trainings with youth and families, workshops and summer camps, professional networking, and community & recycling projects. ERMAZING. I'm delighted by this!

I don't know much about the region, beyond it supposedly being one of the most beautiful in Ecuador, being in the foothills of the Andes (thus warmer), being in COFFEE COUNTRY, and being about 12 hours south of Quito by bus. My community is about 9,000 people, so I'll have plenty of relationship building to do! I will also have access to internet (at least at work) so never fear! There are 4 volunteers (denoted PCV from now on) going to Loja, and many others within 5 hours of me, so it's going to be a southern Ecuador party!

Alright! We know where we're going! CELEBRATION TIME!

OK, that's enough exclamation points for now... back to homework!