Changes in Guatemala

As of late, Peace Corps Guatemala and Peace Corps programs in Honduras and El Salvador have undergone some serious changes.  These changes have led PC Guatemala to ‘implement specific initiatives to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that volunteers serving in Guatemala will do as safely as possible.’  But the question I have been asking myself lately is: At what point does the priority of safety and security for PCVs trump the overall effectiveness and purpose of our service?  As listed below are some of the new measures that will be implemented.

-- Decreasing the overall volunteer population by having certain programs close their service (COS) early.

--Clustering of volunteers which means to close certain regions of the country and relocated volunteers closer together in other sites deemed ‘safe’ by PC Washington and PC Guatemala.

      --Granted any volunteer regardless of time spent in Guatemala an early COS or chance to go back to the states with the benefits of completing the full two years.

Over the past week, I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions.   Measure two will take me out of my site here in Malacatancito Huehuetenango, where I have spent the last 16 months working and living.  Needless to say there have been struggles, successes, ups and downs, but all of these challenges and breakthroughs have shaped what I know to be Malacatancito.  I am just upset and extremely disappointed to know that I have to change sites and face the remaining 8 months working in a new community (that is if I choose to do so).  My immediate concerns were - I am expected to break ground in mid February for my bottle school - I have promised a community the hope of a better future -There are countless donors in the states that have donated their money and time and that I have other communities looking to develop and gain experience with project proposals and applications.  What now?  Am I supposed to abandon my friendships and my work that I have poured myself into these past 16 months?

I am upset and just worried about what will happen, what I will be allowed to do and what I can hopefully finish.  An All Volunteer Conference will be taking place tomorrow until Thursday.   Hopefully, we will receive more information about plans as a team from PC Washington and the regional director will be meeting with us over the course of the next three days to explain the current conundrum we are in. 

I have 8 months left according to my Peace Corps commitment and contract that we signed before we were sworn in as official Peace Corps Volunteers.  We are at the time of entering the country given a PC Handbook stating expectations and guidelines for all PCVs.  On the first page of the handbook is a famous quote about the Peace Corps by JFK immediately followed by the 10 core expectations for PCVs. Here are two that I seem to be thinking about as of late.

#4 Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on the local trust and confidence you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community and culture.

 #9 Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a representative of the people, cultures, values, and traditions of the United States of America. 

Since being in site, I have fully devoted myself to integration and doing my best to be respectful to all people by having conversations, offering a hand in whatever it may be, and most importantly, by being an active member of the community.  By abruptly leaving right now, with all the ground work for projects done, with the fruits of our labor and hard work almost attainable, I am leaving communities at their most hopeful and vulnerable times.  This then brings me back to expectations #4 and #9.  How by removing myself, will that trust and confidence be affected?  Forget the success, but that then leads right up to being how I will be perceived, or how Americans will be perceived for that matter in my town. 

The municipal development program has had a tough time so far.  We have had to face the end of an administration where works and plans are wrapping up, an election/campaign season and then lame duck municipalities that were not reelected and just waiting out their terms.  Now, finally, as we are working with newly elected administrations with no fear of looming elections, work gearing up, projects starting, support for us is strong, now, at this most ideal sought after chance, where we pinned our hopes during our most frustrating times, we have to leave and abandon that opportunity that we had waited so patiently for.  

So I am left with a lot of unanswered questions and what to do next.  Hopefully by the end of the week, after the meetings I will have a better understanding of the situation.  Until then...