Guanajuato, Mexico Briefing Report

Que onda? The 2007 Guanajuato Volunteers safely arrived on Wednesday (June 27) and they were greeted by the cheers of Project Staff members. Volunteers made the short trip to the Convento del Buen Pastor, beautifully perched above the headquarter city, Guanajuato.  For the following three days the Volunteers learned about their project, met host partnering agency contacts and had some time to explore the beautiful callejones and plazas of Guanajuato.

Upon arriving Wednesday, Volunteers had the opportunity to get to know Project Staff and one another.  Afterward, they participated in discussions on cultural sensitivity and the history and current events of Mexico.  Later in the day, Project Staff and Volunteers all went in to the city to do some exploring, and were fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate Mexico's 2-0 upset victory over Brazil in the Copa America.

On Thursday, Project Staff and Volunteers heard a presentation from host agency Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) and discussed diverse topics including personal health, safety and immigration.  On Friday, representatives from another host agency, the Secretary of Health of Guanajuato (SSG) gave presentations about their work. 

Volunteers gave sample health classes to SSG personnel -- with their newly announced partners!  Later on Friday, Volunteers found out more about their new partners, Project Supervisors and the specific details of each of their towns.  On Friday night we all went back into the city; volunteers spent time wandering around with their partners and routes, taking photos and watching Guanajuato's unique estudiantina street performers.

After a long day of travel on Saturday, Volunteers arrived in their towns by the afternoon.  They are now hard at work on their projects and are having a great time making new friends in their communities.  Project Staff members are excited about how much progress the Volunteers have made just in the first week!