Since Salvadoran time for meetings runs later than usual, I am used to saying JST (Jewish Standard Time) since I could practically speak, (that one when I first attended Rosh Hashana service, either or) but this is a whole other level. The official time for the meeting was set at 1:30 (pm, duh.), I wrote on the invitations 1 pm, just to be safe. Everyone was there more or less by 2 pm, and the PC staff finally made an appearance around 2:20 pm. There was a good amount of people, who came, about 85 showed up; we had to set up more chairs in the back. It was mostly mothers, crying children and kids playing in the background. All of my community guides were there including my health promoter, all the teachers from my school, my regional leader, and two nearby volunteers. I would say I had a pretty good turnout.
I prepared the entire thing in Spanish of course and had it checked over by my principal at my school, so I think overall it went really well. I would post it, but I have ZERO desire to translate it into English…and then type it up. Sorry, just not gonna happen. But, I am happy it is over and I think I made a great impression on my community. Hector, who is one of my project managers for PC spoke afterwards as well as emphasized I have no money (lots of new communities assume as a gringo we can build a new road, etc), and that Peace Corps cannot be affiliated with politics or religious organizations as well.
Before the meeting, my principal, the teachers, my health promoter, Sarah Sterling (the volunteer who lives near me, set up my site, and has already become my best friend here) and I all had lunch together that the teachers cooked and my principal surprised me with a cake, since there was no school during my birthday because of the tropical storm, she wanted to celebrate with me. It was super sweet of her and nice to all enjoy a delicious lunch together before the meeting.
I really love my community, I do. They have been incredibly welcoming to me as a new volunteer here in La Loma, even though I still do not have electricity and my potential new house fell through (complicated story), I do love it here. Eventually I will move, not sure where yet or when, but I know where I am currently living I cannot be for the next two years. I know I will figure it out, but it is nice to know the school, the kids, the families and almost everything about living here has been rewarding already. I cannot wait to get started working on things that will make this community a stronger, more united, and supportive place to live for everyone.
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