Karaoke!

I have decided to make it a personal mission to do Karaoke in as many countries as I can. I began this mission last night, attending El Cuartito's Karaoke night. It is judged Karaoke, but by the Karaoke machine, so I think it's a little messed up. You get a score out of a hundred and I spent much of the night trying to figure out how the machine worked. There were some people who were not really on key, barely in tune at certain points who got scores in the 90s. I, on the other hand, with "Hopelessly devoted to you" and "Ironic" only made it to an 86. I think all the machine cares about is your timing, so if I can focus more on that and sing songs I actually remember maybe in the future I'll do better. I mean, winner gets a free pitcher of Mojitos - how can I not aim for that? Nevertheless, it was a fun evening. A predominately Guatemalan singing crowd, it was quite amusing to see the songs they chose and listen to their group songs.

This week has been quite relaxing. Due to governmental changes in the Guatemalan school system, and teachers threatening to strike, the schools that Primeros Pasos works with haven't started yet. They were supposed to start in mid-January and looks like they will actually start next monday. This means that us Health Educators are using this time to learn the curriculum and help out with random projects at the clinic. I have enjoyed learning about how the clinic and registration works, sorting the pharmacy and medical donations, cleaning the supply cabinet and spending time with the Guatemalan and American med students and staff.

On Wednesday, Primeros Pasos' women's group had an event at the clinic to kick off the year. The turn out was pretty incredible. The women's program works with 3 communities meeting once a week to discuss nutrition, hygiene, family health and other things that are of interest to the women. All the women who are active participants in the group get free health care for themselves and their families. Over 50 women and their children came to the event. They played icebreakers, nutrition jeopardy, and matching games. The women were really into it, laughing as they and they children (both in their hands and on their backs) ran around the meeting area in a musical-chairs-type game. Word of the group has spread quickly with many more women wanting to join. It was really impressive to see what an effect this group had had on their health and their families. I should be able to go to some of the communities in the near future and shadow these groups.

I'm staying in town again this weekend, doing two separate hikes. I will write all about it, take pictures and post them. Love from Guatemala to you all!