Happy Holidays from the D.R.!

Oh December! Most Peace Corps volunteers stationed in the D.R. are either on a plane right now, have just landed or about to be ready for take off to the United States of America. Christmas rules December as far as most are concerned and that does not exclude P.C.V.’s. They are on their way to see all the Christmas movies in the theater, eat all those frosted cookies and drink hot chocolate next to the fire. Not to mention be swarmed by images of Santa Claus left, right, north and south. It is pretty ironic how so many in the states are anxious for their Caribbean getaway come the new year and those who have been south of the equator so to speak cant wait to bounce on outta here. I for one definitely miss the cold, the snow, skiing, snuggling up in a down feather comforter, putting on sweaters, etc. Paradise isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for a New Englander come
wintertime. Nonetheless, I am staying put in the D.R. for the holidays. In a way, being Jewish has its perks…. I am not missing decorating the Christmas tree or waking up to presents December 25. I do however miss Hannukah; lighting the candles and laughing with my family. Being Jewish in the D.R. is pretty similar to that of public elementary school (when I was there
anyway). Neither can really fathom a world without Christmas. Needless to say, this month is consumed with fiestas, eating, drinking and doing everything but working. On one hand I could get frustrated that most families in my community are spending all their money on new clothes, alcohol and food that will last all of a few days. I could get caught up in the idea that come January people are going to have already spent all the bonuses they got from their employers and be back to where they started. Or I could just join in the festivities. I am doing a little bit of both. I am trying to take advantage of the fact that the kids are on vacation.
I recently started a kids club. It is pretty funny. The kids are my neighbors who are always there, but I have put some formality and continuity to us “hanging out.” I even take attendance! It is funny taking attendance for a two-year old! We meet for about an hour every Saturday and read, sing songs, play sports and do whatever random preschool games I can think of. Most recently we had a relay race, played Simon Says, read and colored. Not bad way to spend a Saturday morning!
The main project I am working on right now is called Escojo Mi Vida (I choose my life). It is a healthy decision making/ sex ed course that includes topics like, adolescent pregnancies, Reproductive organs, sexual orientation, discrimination, H.I.V./A.I.D.’s, S.T.I.’s, how to use a condom, anti-conceptives and you get the idea. Things are going pretty well with it so far. It is much needed in this community because there is a lot of teenage pregnancy. Most teenagers hide having boyfriends from their parents because moms and dads like to keep their kids close. The idea behind this program is that parents can have confidence in their kids to make some good decisions. Anyway, I am implementing photography in the course to keep the kids motivated. Last week we took pictures of pregnant women and talked about what we saw in the frame….. how many months is she? How old is she? Is the Dad in the frame, who else is in the frame? Etc. I love this project, so I hope it keeps going!