El Dia de Accion de Gracias: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving one year ago was different than ever before. I don't mean in what I did - because I'm certain that every single Thanksgiving Day of my life I've done something unique, in keeping with tradition. Last year I was more appreciative of small things that I've ever been. Hot water, clean toes, etc. 

This year, I'm still appreciative, but less in the wide eyed, shell shocked at civilization, give me as much food you can sort of way, and more in the I totally appreciate my life, my friends, and what I've been given the opportunity to do sort of way. 

I met 150 of my closest Peace Corps Volunteer friends at a small rustic mountain eco-resort above the farming town of Cerro Punta. It was beautiful... and cold. I mean cold. OK, it wasn't snowing, but I wanted to put on a jacket like never before here in Panama.  It rained and we socialized and snuggled beneath multiple layers in our beds at night. I used the sauna with my friends. There was an amazing group of volunteers who cooked a fabulous real American Thanksgiving dinner. What was hard to come by (sweet potatoes??) was substituted (squash) and made delicious. Satisfied, but our stomachs not too full to slow anyone down, we did the night Latin (or Peace Corps) style with dancing. 

Photo Credits: Bri Drake

New and Good

We imagine that when we are thrown out of our usual ruts all is lost, but it is only then that what is new and good begins. While there is life there is happiness. There is much, much before us.

― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

You are now reading the blog of Peace Corps Panama newest Circuit Rider. What's a circuit rider? And what does a Peace Corps volunteer do as a circuit rider? I believe the term originates from a religious history of traveling clergy who circulated over many different areas. Riding the circuit. Get it? But in this context, I will be a technical expert who travels to various communities to provide advice, support, and training to aqueduct projects in Panama.  Sustainability is essential to the long term success of Peace Corps projects. For the Environmental Health sector for which I work, Peace Corps commits three volunteers (or six years) to a community; one volunteer to prepare the community, one volunteer to facilitate the execution of an infrastructure project, and a final volunteer to see to the maintenance and operation of the project. This sustainable development plan prepares the community for a lifetime of improved access to safe water. Often times, however, years after the last volunteer has accompanied the community, an array of factors may contribute to the community not meeting the operational demands of their water system. Necessary repairs may not find economical support within the community, breakdowns in teamwork within the water committees who are responsible for the maintenance and operation, or technically competent community members may die or leave, leaving the community without support. Here is where my job will come in. 

After around 50 years in Panama, Peace Corps has many former work sites. My job will be to locate these communities, re-introduce Peace Corps and with the help of the community and Panamanian government representatives evaluate the state of their aqueduct and make action plans to support the systems if need be. I will work with 10-12 communities over the next year, as well as continue the work in my community, Duima. I am excited about the opportunity to start this significant work and become friends with many more communities and individual. 

The house, painted with leftover paint from my world map project.

My neighbor Mixi and I.