- P
Queridos Amigos y Familia,
I’m taking a little stint in Central America. I like to call it a multiple-month-vinyasa, with the intent to recharge, refresh, rejoice! Below I have included some information and highlights of my next chapter, and I’m sending it to you because I know you will be there with me in spirit (and just maybe, will come down for a visit!)...
Where I'm going...
Quetzaltenango, or ‘Xela’ for short. Xela (pronounced “Shay-la”) is the second largest city in Guatemala, and due to its habitation of many writers and artists, is known as The Cradle of National Culture. Yes-I! In a little mountain valley at an altitude of 7,500 feet, the city is surrounded by mountain peaks and volcanoes. It’s not a typical tourist town crowded with backpackers and attractions, but it seems to have enough charm and stimulation to suit a gal leaping directly from her bustling city by the Bay!
I found a great place to stay in the middle of town called Casa de Yoga (like Waffle House, but with yoga). Rent is much less than San Francisco, and unlimited yoga classes are included. They also have a family dinner every Sunday for all residents. Aaahhh, community :)
What I'm doing...
I have accepted the position as Assistant Coordinator of Medical Projects for two partnering NGOs. The first is the host organization- Asociacion Pop Wuj (pronounced “pope-woo”), which is a cooperative nonprofit located in the Highlands of Guatemala. Pop Wuj wears a number of hats; it is a Spanish language school for foreign students, a scholarship program for local children, and a community health program, which is where I will spend the majority of my time. The second NGO, EntreMundos, is a capacity-building organization that works with local projects and organizations in Guatemala (e.g., Pop Wuj) to enhance their development and promote sustainable growth.
This is a newly developed position and I will be the first person to fill the role. I will be responsible for helping to coordinate the medical projects, which are funded and administered by Asociacion Pop Wuj. The medical program began in 2002 and serves Xela and the surrounding rural communities with limited access to healthcare. The main projects I will be working with include the medical clinic in Xela, mobile clinics to surrounding rural communities, a nutrition program working to combat childhood malnutrition, and a chronic/referral patient care unit. In addition to myself, there are only three staff members to manage the entire medical program, so I expect my time to be fully utilized while I'm there.
How long I'll be gone...
The position requires a minimum commitment of five months, which I will start on May 4. There might be potential to extend the position for a longer term, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. No plans (beyond the next five months), so with nothing holding me here and nothing pulling me there, I’m essentially in a state of Zen. I just am, and I am happy. We’ll see what happens!
San Francisco has been my dream city since I was six years old, and for almost eight years that dream has been a reality. I love SF, but feel that I need a change of pace to gain a deeper appreciation for many aspects of my life and the world around me. I will miss my friends here, running routes in Golden Gate Park, the plethora of bizarre I experience on a daily basis, sushi restaurants on every corner, and the unlimited amount of live music! However, in my new destination, I look forward to hiking volcanoes, brushing up my Español, traveling around Central America on the weekends, living in a place where smart phones are a rarity, and being able to look into the eyes of the people I am helping. I also look forward to your visit (hint, hint!).
What Next?
A minor caveat to this great adventure is that it is strictly voluntary. Although the cost of living in Guatemala is relatively inexpensive compared to San Francisco, there are still a number of monetary factors to consider. In addition to that, the organizations request a minimum $100/month donation which goes to the projects designed by Pop Wuj to address the immediate needs of the community. This not only contributes to the continued success of the projects, but also helps promote sustainable growth and development among Xela and its surrounding areas.
In response to this, I have set up this page to help fundraise until my departure at the end of April. My minimum goal is $300 to suffice program’s requested donation, but I hope to raise $800 to help expense some of the other associated costs (flight, transport, and Guatemalan glitter!). If you would like to support me through this platform, fantastic. If you would like to support me in another way, please stop what you’re doing and SHIMMY!
You’re obviously already a tremendous support to me if you’re reading this, to which I am truly grateful. If you have any questions, words of wisdom, or know anyone in Xela, I welcome your insight! If you have read all the way to here, I sincerely appreciate your time and interest.
Want more information? Here are some helpful links:
· Partnering Organization: www.entremundos.org
· Host Organization: www.pop-wuj.org
· Yoga House (where I’ll be living): https://yogahousexela. wordpress.com/
· Natural hot springs from the volcanoes: http://www. lasfuentesgeorginas.com/ history.htm
· Lake Atitlan (one of Central America’s most beautiful lakes surrounded by inactive volcanoes): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Lake_Atitl%C3%A1n
· Tikal (one of Central America’s best Mayan ruins): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Tikal
I’m taking a little stint in Central America. I like to call it a multiple-month-vinyasa, with the intent to recharge, refresh, rejoice! Below I have included some information and highlights of my next chapter, and I’m sending it to you because I know you will be there with me in spirit (and just maybe, will come down for a visit!)...
Where I'm going...
Quetzaltenango, or ‘Xela’ for short. Xela (pronounced “Shay-la”) is the second largest city in Guatemala, and due to its habitation of many writers and artists, is known as The Cradle of National Culture. Yes-I! In a little mountain valley at an altitude of 7,500 feet, the city is surrounded by mountain peaks and volcanoes. It’s not a typical tourist town crowded with backpackers and attractions, but it seems to have enough charm and stimulation to suit a gal leaping directly from her bustling city by the Bay!
I found a great place to stay in the middle of town called Casa de Yoga (like Waffle House, but with yoga). Rent is much less than San Francisco, and unlimited yoga classes are included. They also have a family dinner every Sunday for all residents. Aaahhh, community :)
What I'm doing...
I have accepted the position as Assistant Coordinator of Medical Projects for two partnering NGOs. The first is the host organization- Asociacion Pop Wuj (pronounced “pope-woo”), which is a cooperative nonprofit located in the Highlands of Guatemala. Pop Wuj wears a number of hats; it is a Spanish language school for foreign students, a scholarship program for local children, and a community health program, which is where I will spend the majority of my time. The second NGO, EntreMundos, is a capacity-building organization that works with local projects and organizations in Guatemala (e.g., Pop Wuj) to enhance their development and promote sustainable growth.
This is a newly developed position and I will be the first person to fill the role. I will be responsible for helping to coordinate the medical projects, which are funded and administered by Asociacion Pop Wuj. The medical program began in 2002 and serves Xela and the surrounding rural communities with limited access to healthcare. The main projects I will be working with include the medical clinic in Xela, mobile clinics to surrounding rural communities, a nutrition program working to combat childhood malnutrition, and a chronic/referral patient care unit. In addition to myself, there are only three staff members to manage the entire medical program, so I expect my time to be fully utilized while I'm there.
How long I'll be gone...
The position requires a minimum commitment of five months, which I will start on May 4. There might be potential to extend the position for a longer term, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. No plans (beyond the next five months), so with nothing holding me here and nothing pulling me there, I’m essentially in a state of Zen. I just am, and I am happy. We’ll see what happens!
San Francisco has been my dream city since I was six years old, and for almost eight years that dream has been a reality. I love SF, but feel that I need a change of pace to gain a deeper appreciation for many aspects of my life and the world around me. I will miss my friends here, running routes in Golden Gate Park, the plethora of bizarre I experience on a daily basis, sushi restaurants on every corner, and the unlimited amount of live music! However, in my new destination, I look forward to hiking volcanoes, brushing up my Español, traveling around Central America on the weekends, living in a place where smart phones are a rarity, and being able to look into the eyes of the people I am helping. I also look forward to your visit (hint, hint!).
What Next?
A minor caveat to this great adventure is that it is strictly voluntary. Although the cost of living in Guatemala is relatively inexpensive compared to San Francisco, there are still a number of monetary factors to consider. In addition to that, the organizations request a minimum $100/month donation which goes to the projects designed by Pop Wuj to address the immediate needs of the community. This not only contributes to the continued success of the projects, but also helps promote sustainable growth and development among Xela and its surrounding areas.
In response to this, I have set up this page to help fundraise until my departure at the end of April. My minimum goal is $300 to suffice program’s requested donation, but I hope to raise $800 to help expense some of the other associated costs (flight, transport, and Guatemalan glitter!). If you would like to support me through this platform, fantastic. If you would like to support me in another way, please stop what you’re doing and SHIMMY!
You’re obviously already a tremendous support to me if you’re reading this, to which I am truly grateful. If you have any questions, words of wisdom, or know anyone in Xela, I welcome your insight! If you have read all the way to here, I sincerely appreciate your time and interest.
Want more information? Here are some helpful links:
· Partnering Organization: www.entremundos.org
· Host Organization: www.pop-wuj.org
· Yoga House (where I’ll be living): https://yogahousexela. wordpress.com/
· Natural hot springs from the volcanoes: http://www. lasfuentesgeorginas.com/ history.htm
· Lake Atitlan (one of Central America’s most beautiful lakes surrounded by inactive volcanoes): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Lake_Atitl%C3%A1n
· Tikal (one of Central America’s best Mayan ruins): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Tikal