Ohio by birth, Arizona by choice. I’m 25 and I graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Journalism. I’ve worked as a photographer, a writer, a theater intern, and PR assistant.
I was in the Peace Corps in Honduras for nearly two years working as a health education volunteer. But due to the overall insecurity in the country, all volunteers got evacuated this past January. It was a disappointing way to leave, but didn’t change the fact that I had an amazing time and learned so much.
After being back in Cincinnati for a month, I decided that in my heart I wasnt done traveling. So my friend and I decided to spend some time working at an orphanage in Ayacucho Peru, which is where I am now. You can read about it here and keep checking back to the blog for updates.
I love getting emails, so feel free to write me and send feedback.
PAZ y AMOR
-Sarita
(Please note: The content of this website does not represent the Peace Corps or the United States Government. My opinions are strictly my own – obviously. Please do not use any photos or text without my permission. Gracias).
As a RVCP from Honduras (’84-’86…”the Reagan – Contra years”) Health Sector no less! I recently started reading some of the blogs from PC Honduras Journals site. I recognize that I’m coming up on the 1/4 century mark for completing my service, but I do try to keep up with news related to Honduras. I’ll try to keep this brief, but it is a bit strange to relate to a lot of the experiences that many of the recent bloggers have shared (and this in spite of the years difference and the changes due to current technology – namely the internet). I do know that it was due to my experiences in living and working in Honduras that I developed an interest and appreciation for soccer (never did I think that there would come a time where I’d be more interested in futbol/soccer over baseball, but then, I still crave some platanos and red beans every now and then – who knew ?!?). I’ll also share that my PC service was a major influence career-wise, as I’m still working in the public health field.
The main reason I’m sending this email as a Comment to your June 15th posting is that I can only imagine the impact that the World Cup is having on the whole country. And I hope the folks down there don’t get too “down” with the 0-1 loss of Los Catrachos to Chile this morning and too critical of the team, etc. (I’ll be optimistic that Hondurans will display some resiliency). Not sure if you appreciate irony, but during my time there, when my Honduran colleagues, friends and acquaintances spoke to me about soccer, they were proud about how Honduras did so well (they tied Spain) in the World Cup in ’82, at that time the most recent Cup. They would also comment how the US was not good in soccer and how they believed that the US would never be competitive in soccer – so since then, the US has gone to every World Cup tourney and as you best know, the Honduras needed USA’s help to make it into this WC (and they will be playing Spain again in a few days).
So soccer aside, the other reason for sending my Comment is to sincerely wish that you and the others in your group have a rewarding PC service. So good luck with your home vegetable gardening (if you can believe it, community/home gardening is getting a big push in the US as a way to address obesity and chronic diseases).
Best wishes down in the land of “el Pueblo mas macho…” (not sure if this is really a good saying to keep promoting, but I think you get the positive sentiment).
rr
Hi Richard, thanks for your comments!
Im glad to hear your experience in Honduras was rewarding. I´m slowly starting to get into the culture of futbol here. The influence of the World Cup has been interesting… It pretty much shuts down the entire country; no work gets done, no one leaves their houses for the afternoon of the game. Im sure it was similar situation when you were here.
And yes, even if they don´t still call it the “Pueblo Mas Macho” that is still the reigning attitude around here. I like to think of it like a pride for our state. Kind of like Texas I guess…
Thanks again for reading!
Hola Sarita! Your proud papa so kindly sent me the link to your blog which I, of course, immediately had to read in its entirety. Love it! I often tell the story of how I came upon the Peace Corp sign up table at UC when I was in graduate school. I was 21 and so excited. I called my parents and told them I wanted to join the Peace Corps. My parents were apalled and told me that I needed to get a real job and quit living in an ivory tower. So once graduated I took a teaching job at 22 instead of the adventure you are having. Now I look forward to a possible stint in the Peace Corp when I retire. I think they actually take people who are 50 yrs. old…give or take a year or two…now. It is just so cool that you took the leap and went for an adventure…an adventure of hard work and commitment but an adventure nonetheless. I will continue to follow your blog. Have fun Sarita! Keep up the good work.
Your former THS principal,
Peggy Johnson
!!hola sarah!! espero que te encuentres en exelentes condiciones de salud… e estado leyendo todo y me parese muy interensante el trabajo que hacen ustedes los voluntarios de cuerpo de paz aqui en honduras. Esoero que te lleves muy buenas impreciones de nuestro pais!! nosotros con la voluntaria de cuerpo de paz aqui en mi comunidad hemos previsto realisar la capacitacion YO TAMBIEN MERESCO en febrero del proximo año cualquier duda que tengamos te lo hare saber para una respuesta. me gusta mucho como relatas tus historias, como cuado leo un libro. Esta muy bonito tu sitio web… bueno me despido desiandote muchos exitos en tus lavores que la noche acobije tus sueños y que el dia ilumine tu camino!! see you
Hi Sarah,
I came across your blog while doing some research about the Peace Corps. I’m 2 years out of college and have been working in research since then. Although my job has its good days, i can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on so much more. I studied in Egypt in college and in Mexico while I was in high school. I’ve thought about doing the Peace Corps for a long time, but am unsure of taking the leap. Its not so much the time commitment that I’m afraid of, its more where i will end up once i come back to the US. Will i just find myself where I left off, looking for another real world job that i hope makes me feel satisfied? Will I be out of the loop for 2 years and be struggling to find my place yet again once I’m home?
Its something I’ve always wanted to do. I think it suits the person I am and my interests completely, yet i find myself on the fence. My apprehension makes me even more nervous because I feel if its something i really wanted to do, i would have done it already.
Thanks for sharing, any advice helps!
Lost and confused
Hello Sarah! I found you!!! Loved reading your blog, looks like you are doing wonderful things. I sent you a letter/card once, not sure if you got it… oh well. I was in Ohio about one month ago… will be back there in November for a blood drive – Cleveland area. Hugs to your family !! When will you be back in the states? Would love to see you again – once in a blue moon. Keep up the great work you are doing. Kathy Flores Bell, M.A. Tucson, AZ
Kathy Bell! It’s good to hear from you! I did get your card several months back and it is still tacked up on my fridge
Sounds like you are keeping pretty busy with blood drive work, that’s so great. Give my best to Lizzie and the Bell Foundation and Family!
I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras from 1998-2000. Love reading your blog — it brings back so many good memories. I was also in the health sector so am enjoying seeing your work in this field.
Thanks for reading and commenting! I imagine many of my complaints and challenges are pretty similar to what you guys delt with not-so-long ago.
Paz, Sarita
Yes, it’s like nothing has really changed at all! And all of those little things, that you forget after a few years, come flooding back when reading your experiences! I just read the “I Matter” post and it was so spot-on! I struggled with the same thing when working with the kids in my site. I remember asking a class what they wanted to be when they grew up. And they just looked at me and shrugged their shoulders. I wondered if they didn’t understand my Spanish. I think it was because no one had asked them before — they never thought of dreams and goals. I FINALLY got them to talking and thinking.
I’ve enjoyed reading your journal. It’s awesome to see young people like yourself do great things with your life while impacting others in a positive way. I admire you.