I’ve finally made it to El Carmen! It’s a pretty big switch from Bogotá – hot and humid all the time, less traffic, mostly dirt/mud roads, small town feel, coconut trees, etc. Also no running water, that’s the biggest change. That, and for the first time since I got to Colombia I have no one around with whom I can speak English, meaning I have to struggle along with Spanish until it becomes more comfortable. Really that’s a good thing, I’ve been forced to practice so much during this past weekend since I arrived that I know I’m going to learn a lot quicker. Already I know enough (and have begun to get used to the local accents) to get by reasonably well, though at this point I still can’t always understand normal conversation with native speakers unless people go out of their way talk slowly and use simple vocabulary.
I’m going to be working with a network of asvidas, which are these local, community-run nonprofit groups that do a variety of things related to development, peacebuilding (there’s a long and fairly recent history of violence in the area), education, and health. My actual job right now still seems a little vague and confusing. For the time being I think I’m mostly going to shadow and help my coworkers in the asvidas network, and study Spanish on my own a bit. We’ll see… At the same time I’m also working for SembrandoPaz, a regional organization that works with different local communities and asvidas to provide resources, conduct staff trainings and workshops, and coordinate regional efforts between these local groups. I think I’ll serve kind of as a liaison between SembrandoPaz and the local asvida network. Again, very confusing, but I’m sure it will seem less so given time.
Currently I’m living in the office and sleeping in a hammock, which is kind of a bummer but ok for now. Soon I’m going to live in a nearby apartment with the son of local pastors, Elias, who is my age and will accompany me some as I start work. Already Elias has been showing me around some and introducing me to his friends, so I’ve been grateful for that and for the hospitality of his family. I’m certainly blessed to be in such a welcoming community!
