I’m back in Chicago after attending the volunteer conference in Tegucigalpa for four days. The entire conference was extremely helpful, it updated us on the security issues and gave us time to reflect and to adjust. Here are the main take aways I had from the conference:
- As I mentioned earlier, my site, Las Capucas, is extremely safe. But travelling was where the majority of security issues came up for most volunteers. We did not leave Honduras for any political reasons. A crew of Peace Corps staff will be doing a security review next week to see what options Peace Corps has in staying in Honduras. However, current volunteers will not be returning since this process will take time (i.e. moving the PC office out of Tegucigalpa and developing new sites). Peace Corps has been in Honduras for 50 years and the Hondurans, that I have met, love having volunteers to work with. So hopefully, Peace Corps can continue its work in Honduras in some form.
- I had a meeting with a Peace Corps Staff member and went over my options for re-enrolling into a new country. I can be in a new country between July and September. Re-enrolling means starting the 27 month commitment over again, but I get first priority and my country options are sent to me and I can pick from that list, which is really cool. Plus I am able to go back as a health volunteer.
- And lastly, during one session our assistant director put up the challenge of summing up our Peace Corps experience into six words; he was inspired by Ernest Hemmingway. Hemmingway did this for a contest and won with his words: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never used.” I finally came up with my six words which are: More than I could ever imagine. Although cut short, this entire experience honestly has been more than I could ever imagine. I have made life long friends in Honduras and among other volunteers. I am extremely grateful to have the had the opportunity to live and to work in Honduras and for the love and support I have from all my friends and family.
In the mean time, I will be in Chicago living with my mom and dad and taking a couple of classes. The adventure will continue though!
