S P O O N F O L K

School's out, and summer is officially upon us here in Punta Gorda!  The once quiet streets are now filled with youth of all ages, and as we ride our bikes through town, it is not unusual to find ourselves being hailed by a mango tree (or the children hiding within it!)  The rain which lends its name to our 8-month long Rainy Season is upon us, and with it comes a myraid of biting insects.  As usual, I am a bug magnet, and my legs have the scars to prove it.  Well, like all of our trials and tribulations, I trust that "this too will pass," and try to stay focused on the positive and exciting aspects of our work, of whick there are many.

We are now at the halfway point in our service, and the context of our work has begun to shift.  We recently got the green light from our Peace Corps supervisor to move from our now defunct "primary" projects to pursue the Art & Identity Program we initiated, and received funding for, in the Toledo District!

This means that we can now respond freely to the many requests by local schools and community groups for us to work with their youth, using art to increase their self-esteem, create youth-friendly spaces, and facilitate art programs and trainings.

Our upcoming projects include:  the renovation of a community center, including an historical mural, in the nearby village of Cattle Landing; a mural in the Children's Reading Room of the Punta Gorda Hospital; and more public park projects.

I also continue to work with the artisans of the Fajina Craft Center.  We are currently making a grant proposal from the European Union for funds that would allow the ladies to realize their long-time goal of adding a bathroom and a traditional Maya foods restaurant to their existing building.  Next week, we will be off to Camp GLOW (a girls' leadership camp,) to be held at the Belize Zoo Tropical Education Center.  John is also continuing his work with the PCV Peer Support Network, facilitating ongoing support groups and trainings to assist volunteers in coping with the many stresses of Peace Corps life.

For now, "Tingz aarait," as we say in Kriol, and we hope they are for allah unu back in the States too!

Keep in touch . . .
Our snail mail address (the best way to reach us) is:
Cheryl Frances & John Tuck, PCVs
Hopeville Village
Toledo District
BELIZE, C.A.

Peace, Love, Wit & Whimsy! We miss you, Friends!