Learn about what I'm doing

What Might CHALLENGE me?

-hot water is not common

-hand washing clothes

-housing will vary from one or two-room adobe clay structures with dirt floors to brick homes with zinc ceilings

-might have access to electricity, sometimes running water and telecommunications

-diet will be mostly beans, tortillas, eggs, rice, coffee, limited meats, and seasonal fruits and veges

-will live in a small town ranging from 800 - 40,000 people

-"the romance and excitement of working in a developing country quickly wears off...homesickness can be a strain"

What do you WEAR?

-Dress is conservative and more formal that in the US

-For MDP on the job, casual business attire -khakis, skirts, and nicer shirts

-For community work, jeans and polos are most common

-refrain from spaghetti straps or things too revealing

-on rare occasions you may need a dress

How will I GET AROUND?

-public bus system

-horseback

-bicycle

-walk

What Do Volunteers DO in El Salvador?

-project areas include: Water Sanitation/Health, Agroforestry, Soil Conservation, Small Business Development (ME!) and Youth Development

HOW will I Help?

-local community groups will have the ability to solicit and manage projects at the local level and address their own needs through increased citizen participation

-a more capable local government will lead to improved public services

-improve quality of life through better living conditions


What am I EXCITED about?

-"El Salvador is small enough to allow Peace Corps volunteers to know and collaborate with their PC companeros"

-beautiful beaches, Playa El Espino

-"you will be able to engage with other institutions in your town, such as the local elementary or high schools"

-"influence people's lives by working to obtain scholarships for students, coach sports, teaching English and forming youth groups"

-playing pick-up street soccer with local kids

-laying in a hammock at night looking at the moon

-"you will have time to pursue interests -reading, writing, photography, music, etc. that oftentimes are driven out by the rushful worklife in the US"

-"you will find Salvadorans to be hardworking and anxious to receive your assistance, in addition to being incredibly hospitable and giving"

-there is flexibility and a variety of activities I can do with MDP