Give Us A Hint: PCV Site Visits

Just over three weeks left before we’re volunteers, and I have to admit, the PC Paraguay Training team has done a pretty good job making me feel ready.

Learning how to work with bamboo

Touring Asuncion’s botanic gardens and zoo

Team ‘Tranquilopa’ (Tranquil) showing how’s it done on the field

Working the fields

We’ve also been working with the local school by teaching students creative ways to use trash

Our plastic bag jump rope was a hit

Making drinking glasses from bottles

I secretly wish PC could give us the day off when it downpours or if it’s 100 degrees outside with 90% humidity. Not because the weather is bad, but because I want a break! But we do get some ‘vacation’ time during training, when we get to visit real volunteers.

On one of these trips I visited Tom, a 2 year volunteer 5 hours east of Asuncion. For several days I roomed in his cabin and explored his site of Juan E O’leary.

Our nightly bonfire sessions

Tom’s library project

Will’s biodigester project

After visiting Tom, I went with three other trainees to visit Tiffany, a one year volunteer, living 3 hours south of Asuncion in the small rural community of Aragua.

We helped her and one of her community groups setup a tree nursery. Also, while there, we boarded with host families and I learned a little about life out in the ‘campo’

Tree grafting with plastic bags

Slash and burn to prepare a field.

Roudin up the cattle

We also had some time to explore the countryside, and climb some mountains.

View from the top of the local cerro; fields as far as the eye can see

A reflection pool in the woods

After each of these visits we have a chance to talk to our Program Manager and tell them about our experience. While we’re expected to be flexible, they want to place each volunteer in a site where they think they will be motivated to do their best. I have two days until placement, can’t wait to see where I’ll be!

P.S More photos here!