Boredom has been a large problem. Similar to other volunteers who have worked with CASM in La Campa, it was very challenging to find work for me to do. I have had the soil analysis project, which was suggested by my supervisor, but which was not really wanted among the communities. And I have been teaching English a few hours a week since March, but at a day to day level, I frequently have come to the office wondering, "what shall I do today?" And often the answer has been, "very little." This has been challenging me for nearly the entire time that I have been here in La Campa. How can I find ways to share my skills with my coworkers who do not seem to want them?
A few weeks ago I came across a quote I wrote down during orientation last year: "be bored gracefully." This is a good lesson to learn, and I have been trying to learn it daily for months. I don't know how well I have succeeded, but it is a life lesson not to forget.
In the weeks since April the amount of work available has decreased significantly since several of CASM's projects ended, and they are now into the second month of searching for new sources of funding. I have been looking at my last seven weeks in La Campa wondering how I can occupy myself with no work!
So, through discussions with MCC supervisors, I now have a plan of work for the next weeks that will keep me from stagnating from boredom! I will spend 2-3 weeks at a farm and retreat centre that is being run by an MCC family, helping them out. I will spend a week in La Campa saying goodbye, wrapping things up, giving a final English exam, and celebrating the abuelita's 96th birthday. And then I will spend the final two weeks with the connecting peoples coordinator, visiting different regions and organizations and promoting MCC's one-year programs for young adults.
I am excited about these opportunities to help out and learn more about other regions of the country, and most of all that I will be able to wake up and say: "This is what I will do today!"
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