WHO: Lizzie. Alias: Ole Vagabond Greer. Native of Boone, North Carolina. 2009 graduate of UNC (University of National Champions) with degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish. A lover of mountains, Starbucks, and Sex & the City.
WHAT: The United States Peace Corps. A government program dating back to 1961 that sends American volunteers to developing countries around the world. Its mission: to promote world peace and friendship. Its goals: 1) to work with the people of the country to meet the needs for sustainable development, 2) to create a more positive image of Americans abroad, 3) to create a more positive image of people of other countries in the US. Check ittt.
WHERE: I have been chosen to serve in the country of PARAGUAY! Paraguay is a small landlocked country in South America, bordering Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. A country often overlooked by tourists, Paraguay is deemed a 'hidden treasure' for its great environmental diversity and strong cultural heritage. The Rio Paraguay divides the country into a green, rolling terrain in the east and the western Chaco, a low plain of savannas, scrub forests, and marshes. The Guaraní Indians had occupied the eastern region of Paraguay for 1,000 years before the Spanish conquest, and for this reason, Paraguayans are very proud that their indigenous culture has remained to this day. While the official language is Spanish, Guaraní is the spoken language throughout the country. Yayyy for learning my 3rd language! Paraguay is also known for its music, social drink of tereré, and tranquilo lifestyle.
WHEN: February 8, 2010 - April 30, 2012. Looooooong timeeeee huh?? So this is the breakdown. On Feb 8th, I will be flying to Miami for Staging which is a brief orientation. I will be meeting up with the other Volunteers in my training group, and we will all be departing together for Paraguay the night of Feb 9th. Upon arriving in Paraguay, we will begin our 11 weeks of intense in-country training focusing on technical job orientation, language, health, safety, and personal/cultural adjustments. During training, the other trainees and I will be living with different families close to the training site of Guarambaré, about an hour outside of the capital of Asunción. At the end of our training (given that we all graduate training as prepared, informed, committed Volunteers -- fingers crossed!), we will be dispersed to our own individual sites throughout the country. This is where we will serve for 2 years!
WHY: While Paraguay hosts Volunteers in agriculture, business, health, and community development as well, I will be an education Volunteer. As in many poverty-stricken countries, Paraguay's educational system is struggling. Traditionally most teachers employ reading and lecturing as their primary teaching methods throughout grade levels. This non-engaging style does not always meet students' needs, and it is said that 24% of students drop out by 3rd grade, 44% by 6th. On top of that, it is estimated that at least 60% of children enter school speaking only Guaraní while most teaching is done in Spanish, and it is said that unequal gender expectations give boys an advantage in the classroom. The need for a participatory, bilingual as well as gender-neutral education is dire. That's where I come in!
My official assignment is to be an "Early Elementary Education Adviser." Basically I will be training teachers using observation, reflection, model teaching, and hosting workshops. In turn, together with the local teachers, we will hopefully make a difference in how students and community members value education and view their futures.
So now we know why Paraguay needs me... but why do I need it?? Feeling unsettled and devastated when contemplating my post-college life, I applied to Peace Corps on a whim. While I knew it would be hard to find a place that brought me the same magic and happiness as Chapel Hill, I saw PC as an incredible opportunity to delve deeper into understanding myself and the world that we live in. There is a lot on my to-do list for the next 2 years. To grow professionally, culturally, and personally. To touch the dreams of at least one child. To read a lot of books, listen to a lot of music, and talk a bunch of talks. To endure lots of awkward moments in response to my weird gringa habits. To rid myself of the side effects of living in a consumptive society. To learn how to take a bucket bath, hover over a hole in the ground, and maybeee build my own house. To remind myself how to slow down and savor the present. To avoid crossing paths with any large snakes. Well, actually, any snakes. To feel connections in yet another corner of the world and strengthen my belief in the heart, the energy of humanity. To travel to Brazil, Uruguay, Patagonia, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, etc. etc. To live.
Through this blog, I will explore my experiences, emotions, developments, and beautiful moments of my life in Peace Corps Paraguay. Let me warn you: brevity is not my forte. So if you can endure the long posts, I invite you to read and grow with me. On the words of Albus Dumbledore: "And now, [Lizzie] , let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure."
