Donkey Polo 2011

This year the 16th competition of Donkey Polo was hosted by new volunteer Ryan (second guy from the left). Donkey Polo has been a long standing competition in Peace Corps Honduras history, with Peace Corps volunteers on one team and the city of Yuscaran on the other team. Donkey Polo is like soccer except that the players are on donkeys and can only use mallots to hit the ball into their goal. Several volunteers came out to show their support for the event. I was one of the few that did not get in the game and ride a donkey, but I did play the role of cheerleader for my team.

While our team had strength in numbers, we were no match for the team of Yuscaran. Their team was full of players with years of experience playing donkey polo, while team Cuerpo de Paz was all novice. The game ended with a score of 4-0, a win for the home team. Our team lost but everyone had fun. Afterwards we were able to see all of Yuscaran and the show they had for the feria that evening. Yuscaran is a nice city with a beautiful park, if you ever find yourself in eastern Honduras.

My Experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras

This blog is about my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). The views expressed here are mine alone and do not represent the views of Peace Corps.

I arrived to Honduras in June of 2010 with 56 other volunteers in my training class: Honduras-17 (H-17). H-17 is comprised of three projects: Youth Development, Municipal Development and Protected Areas Management (PAM). I am an H17 Youth Development.  I was sworn in after three months of training with my fellow trainees.

I arrived to Danli in September of 2010, and have kept myself busy with several projects. (This is one of the reasons I am just now beginning a blog). So I work with three different counterparts: the school district, an elementary school for kids at social risk and COMVIDA - the office for youth and children. Besides training primary teachers in English and methodology weekly, I also work on projects at the Estancia Santa Gertrudis (elementary school for kids at social risk), and facilitate various trainings with the COMVIDA office.

I will write about the different work I am doing here, as well as write about my life as a Peace Corps volunteer.  Peace Corps service isn't just about the tecnical skills one brings to a developing country. It is also includes getting to know a new culture, integration, exploring new land, culinary adventures, and making new life-long friendships.

I will write about my different adventures as often as possible, so look out for upcoming entries!