Well, it’s all over now. I have now been in the States for
about three weeks and I still can not believe my Guatemalan adventure is
officially over. I begin physician assistant (PA) school tomorrow so it’s about time I admit that
this new life is beginning. Before I
truly admit it though, I must complete this blog and sum up my last few weeks
in country.
After the project inauguration several women invited me to their
homes for lunch. It was a very humbling experience. Other women brought lunch
to my house which was almost always a surprise.
They would either knock on my door with food in their hands or call me
two minutes before. One promoter brought me two pounds of carne de res, two
bowls of pasta, salsa, tortillas and a 2L bottle of India Quiche Cream Soda. I couldn’t
believe the gratitude these women showed.
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| One afternoon after eating lunch with this amazing family |
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| The family of two of the strongest women I met in Guatemala |
I spent the last few days with Venoni’s family in his town.
His family became my primary Guatemalan family while I was there. Most
volunteers have host families but since I lived very apart from my host family
I never grew really close to them. I
also spent every holiday and almost one weekend a month with his family. So, clearly
the last few days were quite hard for me trying to say goodbye.
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| Venoni's nephew - Cristian. Since my own nephew was born about three months after Cristian was born, I felt like I adopted this little guy as my nephew for the two years. Love him so much! |
One tradition of Peace Corps is called the “Ringing the Bell”
ceremony which is held when a volunteer completes their service. All of the
employees in the Peace Corps office come together to support the completion of
the PCV’s service. My “Ringing the bell” ceremony happened two days before I
left the country. First, my Program
Manager Carlos said a few words about my service and then our Country Director
Mr. Like read John F. Kennedy’s speech. Mid-speech the tears started coming. I
told my friend beforehand there was no way I would cry, but yes, I did. I had
no idea the country director would make a speech nor did I know that all the
other employees would come too. I then attempted to speak but I’m pretty sure
it was just a mumbled jumble of words that didn’t make much sense. I then rang
the bell and finished my Peace Corps service.
Here is part of JFK’s speech that the country director read:
“Life in the
Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at
a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women
will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in
which they are stationed—doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the
same language.
But if the life
will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who
participates in the Peace Corps—who works in a foreign land—will know that he
or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way
of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace.”
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| Ringing the bell ceremony |
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| Ringing the bell after the speeches |
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| Our awesome country director, George Like! |
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| Doris!! One (I said one) of the best employees in Peace Corps! |
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| Another favorite employee, Carlos, our Program Manager. With the bell and my diploma for completing my service. |
Since I’ve been home I keep thinking back about all the
wonderful experiences I had in Guatemala. I am blessed to have had such a great
service despite the constant changes that occurred in PCG. Although I really
feel like I left too early and should have stayed longer, I am looking forward
to this new adventure that will allow me to practice both preventive and
curative medicine. Peace Corps was absolutely the best experience I could have
asked for. In my opinion, everyone should do Peace Corps at some point in their
life. (But, I also say that about being a server or a nurse tech too).
Seriously though, anyone out there that knows someone that may be considering
doing Peace Corps, tell them to do it! They have nothing to lose and the world
to gain.
I can’t say just yet exactly how much Peace Corps has changed
me but I know it has. From day one of simply meeting 50 other Americans from
all over the States with different stories, experiences, histories,
personalities, and passions, to my very last day at the airport shedding tears
while saying goodbye to my host country national boyfriend, I treasured each
friendship and relationship since they all taught me that much more about life,
myself, and the world.
Peace Corps is an experience to grow. To meet others. To
learn more about yourself. To live in the shoes of someone else. To learn
empathy. To create a better you.
I hope that this blog has helped others learn a little bit
more about Peace Corps itself and of course the beautiful country of Guatemala.
When I tell people now that I was in the Peace Corps, I get that weird stare
that makes me think they’re thinking “What the hell? That’s still around?” So I
hope that through this blog and my million FB posts that a few more of you now
have a better idea of Peace Corps and don’t give the next volunteer you meet
that really awkward stare. If anybody knows someone interested in doing Peace
Corps, I am always willing to help someone with their decision so please share
my info with them.
I would also like to
say thank you SO much to all my friends and family who supported me throughout
my entire Peace Corps adventure; from the decision to go, to the FB messages
and phone calls when I returned. You have all been awesome and I am such a
lucky girl to have friends and family like you guys!
Thank you all!
Chelsea
