We wrapped up computer classes at the beginning of November so the kids could have time to “study” for their end of the year exams. And then the graduation planning began. I helped organize the graduation ceremony for our students graduating from kindergarten and sixth grade. For the sixth graders, it is the final activity that they will be present for at Centro Escolar San Jeronimo. For those who are able to continue studying, they will have to travel to the pueblo to attend classes. This year, 10 out of 18 graduating sixth graders have plans to continue studying. The eight students that will not attend seventh grade next year are not choosing to not study, but rather, they don’t have the means to travel to and from the pueblo five days a week. Obviously, economics plays a huge role in deciding whether or not you’re going to finish high school in El Salvador.
The graduation ceremony started with a mass at the Catholic church where all the Catholic students came with their friends and family to worship. The Evangelical students met us at the church afterwards and everyone, all dolled up in their fancy suits and dresses, walked through the community from the church to the school. It was bien bonita! Once at the school, awards for the top students were given and every student received their diploma. I awarded certificates of achievement to the students for participating in computer class throughout the school year. It was very exciting. All the parents were extremely proud that their kids “passed” computacion.
During the ceremony, I was given a chance to address the students and their parents and thank them for working with me at the school this year. I made sure to encourage the parents and kids alike to continue studying as much as possible. Education is the key to development, for sure. At the end of the ceremony, the directora presented me with a certificate of appreciation for my work at the school that year.
After all the graduation festivities were over, I headed out of site for Thanksgiving in the capital. Ever Thanksgiving in El Salvador, families at the American Embassy in San Salvador host PCVs for the night to have a turkey dinner and a hot shower. It was fabulous. My friend Paul and I were paired with a woman who works for USAID at the Embassy and was also a PCV in Paraguay ten years ago. It was so nice to talk to someone about my peace corps experience that had been through the experience. We had lots of wine, a fabulous turkey marinated in pisco sour, and WAY too much pie.
After Thanksgiving, we had a swearing in party for the newest group of volunteers in San Salvador, where we danced the night away at one of our favorite clubs in the city. It’s always a good time when all the volunteers in country have a chance to get together.
After swearing in, a group of us headed east to San Miguel to disfrutar Fiestas Patronales. It was a gran locura, a street party that took over the entire city. Liter Regia beers, papas fritas, masks and entertainers everywhere. We probably covered the entire city on foot that night, making our way through the fiesta, taking pictures with strangers along the way (they loved all the gingas in their mascaras!). Needless to say, the following day I had one of the worst gomas (hangovers) of my life, and I had never been so glad to get back to my bed in the campo. I think I stayed in bed for two days recovering, but the weekend had been well worth it!
Love reading your blog Jordan !!
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