Testing testing one two three?

Hello all!

Welcome to my online journal, where, if I find internet access, I will post stories, thoughts, and pictures of the next two years and three months of my life in Nicaragua!

I am about to embark upon my Peace Corps adventure,  where I will serve as a Community Health Promotor for two years in tropical Central America. Collaborating with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health and NGO's, I will work with community groups to encourage safe sex practices, improve child and maternal health, and spread knowledge about STDs & HIV/AIDS. Or at least that's what my assignment placement booklet says :) 

Some staggering statistics for Nicaragua:*

In 2001, 31 infants out of 1000 live births died before reaching one year of age.

Forty children per thousand died before reaching 5 years of age.

One in five children is malnourished.

One in four adolescents gets pregnant before the age of 19. Half the population of Nicaragua is under 18.

The number of cases of HIV/AIDS more than doubles each year due to many factors, including migration patterns and social stigma.

And of course, the usual suspects are at the heart of these statistics: Poverty. Lack of education. Lack of access to jobs and resources. And so much more... that I hope I will learn and understand. And try to help.


and now, for an idea of where I'll be:




*stats from my p.c. placement booklet