This and That...
Trip Start
Feb 06, 2007
1
42
51
Trip End
Apr 24, 2009
Concepcion,
Paraguay
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Yes, you did read that right, I did say jail...and no, I wasnīt arrested nor was I there visiting a friend. A fellow PCV and I have now given two charlas/lessons there and it has been quite an interesting experience. When the project was first mentioned, I remembered back to a year ago when I was first getting settled in site and my site mate told me how her and another volunteer were doing some lessons at the jail with the inmates. I thought, man, is this girl integrated! They did about 6 weeks of charlas on self-esteem and work skills. So when the opportunity to continue the work they started after they finished their service (yes, both my site mates are gone now, but Iīm getting a new one at the end of the month!), I thought, why the heck not. It might be cool to work in with the inmates at the jail. I mean itīs certainly work Iīve never done in the states, thatīs for sure! Paraguayans thought we were crazy to go...but, it has been an enlightening experience. Let me share a few things that surprised me about working in the carcel.
1. There are no metal detectors, nor searches of our bags as we entered. (Leave your keys and cell phone, no mas.) We ask the teacher īAre there any other things we arenīt allowed to bring in?ī Her reply: īNo.ī Wow, what a security check. These days you have to take off your shoes, stand on your head, and state your name forwards and backwards just to go anywhere these days in the states.
2. The inmates donīt wear jumpsuits. Regular street clothes will do. Oh, and they hand wash the clothes themselves...hang them up to dry on the fences.
3. The inmates are polite, appreciative, and amazing to work with. Heck, they serve us terere, help us set up, pack up, and thank us at least 2 dozen times while they are doing it.
4. They have a school and a library. AMAZING. My neighborhood school doesnīt even have electricity.
5. They teach leather tooling...enough said? But IĻm looking forward to get a nice thermo and guampa (AKA terere team) before I leave Paraguay. Personalized they said...for much cheaper than anywhere in Concepcion.
So weīve given 2 charlas so far...the first one was on TEAMWORK and COMMUNICATION. This week TEAMWORK, COMMUNICATION, and LEADERSHIP. Theyīve enjoyed the activities so much, that today when we are finishing up they wanted to know when we were coming back. I remember to last week when some of them told us that their own families donīt even come visit them and they are so glad that we are taking the time to work with them. We are off next week, but weīll be back again on CINCO de MAYO. Iīll give another update then.
As for other work Iīve been doing...working on conquering my fear of public speaking...in Spanish. A couple weeks ago I gave a math workshop with another PCV for 50 teachers and principals. Heck...I didnīt like giving presentations in English in the states and here I am...doubling the group size and then adding in a second language.
This week I have a math workshop on Thursday and then a communication (literacy) workshop on Friday...English class on Saturday...itīs going to be a busy week. Then Iīm off to Asuncion for my Mid Service Conference where I get to see the doctors...see if/how many parasites I have (just kidding mom!)...get my teeth cleaned, finally!...present to other PCVs on teaching English...share all the work we have been doing for our first year in site...see fellow PCVs we havenīt seen since September! APRIL 30th...is our 1 year mark...1 more year to go. WHOOHOO!
