Somoto Lovin'

Last week, I visited my site, Somoto, Madriz (the place where I will be living and working for the next 2 years) and fell in love with it! When we received our site list, there were 9 options and after reviewing Somoto’s description I knew I wanted it, then after reviewing the rest, I wanted it even more. I wanted Somoto, not only for its location (mountains, department capital, easy access to highway for traveling, and a sweet canyon nearby for swimming and hiking) but also for the focus of the work there, more sexual and reproductive health and an opportunity to work with at risk youth in poorer neighborhoods of the city. That being said, I waited anxiously for 2 weeks to find out my site since Peace Corps Nicaragua chooses it for you. And when I opened my neatly wrapped site packet and saw SOMOTO!!! I cheered and actually cried tears of joy!

This photo is of Somoto from the top of a local peak that we hiked up with some of the local youth.  

To make the story even sweeter, I am actually replacing a friend of mine.  Five years ago, I studied abroad in Nairobi, Kenya and befriended another American girl in my program.  She came to Nicaragua in 2010 and was placed in Somoto.  After 2 years, her Peace Corps service is up and she will be leaving Somoto in April, when I begin my 2 year service there. Not sure, how often friends replace friends in the Peace Corps but I have a hunch that this is rare. Last week during my site visit, she was an excellent guide and introduced me to a lot of great NGOs I can work with, the casa materna, the city Mayor, and the health centers where I will working as well as friends and some of the youth that I will working with also.

First day, we met with a local NGO that took us out to rural communities including all indigenous community to see some of the work and possible options for further work.  This community was formed after all of their houses and belongings were destroyed by a flood. Therefor this Nicaraguan organization built new homes for the people as well as a craft center where the women can create pottery and other crafts for selling to bring in income for their families. An Irish NGO, which I will be working with, built their first and only school. One of the most striking moments of my visit was my trip to the neighborhood where over half the families are missing latrines therefore they just go outside and people are living in houses made from sticks, plastic sheeting, and cardboard.  I’ve seen these living conditions before in the slums of Kenya but was still shaken by seeing this on the outskirts of a small, tranquil city like Somoto.  However, I am very excited to work with the youth there since some attend an afterschool center called Los Quinchos where they learn trades that will help them earn more money as adults and hopefully break out of the cycle of poverty.  I also visited a couple other NGOs in Somoto and a couple health posts in the outlying communities.  One thing is for sure, I will be busy, busy and I’m happy about that. There is definitely no shortage of work or need there.  Some of the plastic and cardboard houses that need latrines.
 We did it!

This photo is of Somoto from the top of a local peak that we hiked up with some of the local youth. 

Everyone including my new family were very welcoming, kind, and all asked “Are you Nicaraguan or latina?” because of my sun tanned skin.  Funny considering how pale I am when I live in cloudy Seattle versus here.  My new home is adorable! I have a one room casita (small house) with a covered porch and a teeny kitchen that has a mini fridge and gas stove/oven!!! So excited about this since I will be cooking for myself. The shower and bathroom is outside but it is an actual showerhead so when the water is on, I will not be taking a bucket bath. I am so spoiled and so thankful about it.

I move to Somoto for good on April 1^st and will keep you updated on my work and life there. Until then, I highly suggest that you google Somoto, Madriz, Nicaragua or even the Somoto Canyon so you can see for yourself how beautiful it is here.