Three highlights in three weeks

The past three weeks have each featured a distinct highlight of my Peace Corps service. 

America

The first was my trip home to the United States, where I spent December 22-30 in my hometown of Mill Valley, California, and December 31-January 5 in Jackson Heights, New York, where my grandparents reside. Being back in my country and seeing family and friends was enjoyable in and of itself, and amplified by the fact that I've lived without those things for so long. As if I wasn't sufficiently aware of this fact prior to my vacation, my trip home reminded me how lucky I am to have been born an American and to have had the opportunities and resources available to me about which residents of most countries can only fantasize. One's circumstances and place of birth are totally arbitrary and accidental, and people like me who hit the proverbial uterus jackpot (well, there probably isn't actually a proverb about a uterus jackpot, but you understand more or less what I mean) need to be aware of and humble about our fortune. After two years in the Peace Corps, I'll be at no risk of losing sight of how lucky I am to have happened upon such favorable circumstances.

While back in the U.S., I didn't experience the "reverse culture shock" of which PCVs are warned; I'm not far enough away–physically or psychologically–from the United States to be especially susceptible to that. I did, however, renew my appreciation for 1) being within my own culture and 2) anonymity. When one is within their own culture, he or she can speak, be understood, and understand others in their own language, both literally and, more importantly, figuratively. The figurative component involves the fluidity of communication between people with shared or at least similar values, identities, daily rituals, personal experiences, and education levels. As valuable as it is to interact with people from walks of life foreign to your own, there is comfort and ease in enjoying the company of those to whom you are similar. Regarding anonymity, the freedom to conduct your life without inspiring curiosity and receiving scrutiny from strangers is a blessing. In the U.S., my presence in public turns no heads and elicits no gawking or shouts of "Gringo!" or any other utterance that makes me feel exposed or unwelcome. I am just another person blending in. Living in El Salvador has given me great sympathy for anyone who has to deal with unwanted attention on a consistent basis. I've learned to live with it, but I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't looking forward to one day blending in once again.

Camp GLOW

An activity from Camp GLOW

Shortly upon returning to El Salvador after my visit to the U.S., I helped execute a camp for young women in collaboration with eight other PCVs from my cohort. It was a GLOW, or Girls Leading Our World, Camp, an activity that PCVs in many countries organize to teach girls about gender equality and leadership. Each participating volunteer could bring two teenaged girls from their communities to the camp, which we held at an ecological park in a charming mountain town called Alegría, which means 'happiness' in Spanish. The camp involved leading the girls in interactive games and activities to facilitate analysis of gender issues in their lives, teach them about different types of leadership and leadership skills, and propose solutions to problems such as the prevailing "machista" culture in El Salvador. We also did activities that were purely for fun and group bonding, like a hike to a nearby volcanic lake. 

Overall, the experience was heartening, as promoting gender equality among young women tends to be in this country. Girls get it. They know that machismo is a repressive force that holds back their country's economic potential, leads to problems like domestic and gender-based violence and teenaged pregnancy, and is a basic affront to human dignity and freedom. Getting men and boys to understand this is a greater challenge.

Dental Campaign in Citalá

Independently of any effort of mine, a group of Americans came to my site last week to carry out a dental campaign as part of a small nonprofit organization called Volunteers in Dental Service. They were twenty-two people in total, a mixture of dentists, dental hygienists, nurses and other people who performed various logistical and administrative tasks. On the first of their five days of offering free dental care to local people, I introduced myself to Karen, the bilingual American who appeared to be running the show, and, in need of an additional translator, she invited me to interpret for them for their remaining four days of work. I jumped at the opportunity, excited to have a chance to spend time with a group of friendly and humanitarian-minded Americans and help them perform valuable work that would improve the quality of many people's lives. 

Stuart and Adam at work on a patient

The experience was absolutely wonderful. The group of people, mostly from Maryland and the Atlanta area, was kind, fun and eclectic. They accepted me without hesitation and made sure I felt included (a huge thank you to Adam on that front!), and that I never paid for a meal (or a beer during our after-work revelry at their hotel, for which I specifically have Dave to thank). I also learned more about dentistry than I had ever thought I would. When I wasn't needed to translate, I often sat by the chair manned by Stuart, a brilliant orthodontist residing outside Atlanta and originally from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He made a point to make the experience educational for me and Adam, who is a nurse and was assisting him, explaining in detail the dental issues we were encountering. 

Those issues were many. A high-sugar diet paired with poor brushing and flossing habits and a un-fluorinated water supply leads to cavities and other oral health issues. The team pulled many adult teeth that were beyond repair, from people as young as eleven. It was difficult to watch teens and pre-teens losing teeth that are supposed to serve them throughout their adult lives, but the extractions were necessary and will protect those young people from discomfort and more serious issues in the future. Previous to this campaign, I had been ignorant of the deficit of dental health in rural El Salvador. The public health clinic in my site has a full-time dentist on staff, so I assumed the situation wasn't dire. Unfortunately, it is. In light of this, the same group of volunteers will be coming back to Citalá next year to offer more care. There was some talk toward the end of the campaign of incorporating a formal educational component to next year's campaign to try to improve people's oral hygiene habits, as the people of Volunteers in Dental Service understand that sustainability depends on people adopting healthy brushing and flossing habits. Behavior change is hard, but potentially with the proper programming mix, people can be influenced to make lifestyle changes that favor their dental health.

Overall, I'm very proud to have been a small part of an undertaking that will have an immediate impact on people's wellbeing. In total, 335 local people received dental care, mainly fillings, extractions and root canals.

That's all for now. Feel free to contact me with questions and don't forget to floss!