One of the toughest parts of adjusting has been finding a job," Rebert said. She said she has been looking into working long-term for the Peace Corps or going back to school. After spending years immersed in the native Guatemalan culture of a small town known as El Novillero, it's no wonder Rebert has had some trouble adjusting. "Sometimes I feel like my vocabulary is just jumbled around in my head," Rebert admitted. She has spoken little English for the past two years, and seemed to hesitate at times before choosing a word. Despite the adjustment, Rebert said she has no regrets. "It's just an amazing experience," she said. Rebert's experiences included learning Spanish and the culture of El Novillero's native Maya K'iche' people while living with a host family. More importantly, she worked with natives and other Peace Corps volunteers to improve a local eco-park and bring in tourists. The park, a 100-acre tourist attraction called Corazón del Bosque, now features a restaurant, two cabins and a conference room, Rebert said. Rebert said Corazón del Bosque, which is Spanish for "heart of the woods," was started about six years ago by another Peace Corps volunteer. "They have a really strong sense of culture there," Rebert said. "I feel like because America is the melting pot, a lot of people have lost that strong sense here. That's something that I'd like to bring back to my family."
April Rebert returned last month from a two-year assignment with the Peace Corps in Guatemala
Peace Corps vet returns home
Guatemala trip was 'amazing experience'
Sarah Lambert • The Enquirer •
May 27, 2009
Caption: April Rebert, far left, is seen at the construction site of a recycling center during her two-year assignment with the Peace Corpos in Guatemala. The building is made partially from recycled plastic bottles.
DELTON -- April Rebert is bilingual, a mini-expert on Maya K'iche' culture and has made a difference in thousands of people's lives.
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A 26-year-old from Delton, Rebert recently returned from two years of Peace Corps service in Guatemala.
Now she has to decide what to do with the rest of her life.
"One of the toughest parts of adjusting has been finding a job," Rebert said. She said she has been looking into working long-term for the Peace Corps or going back to school.
After spending years immersed in the native Guatemalan culture of a small town known as El Novillero, it's no wonder Rebert has had some trouble adjusting.
"Sometimes I feel like my vocabulary is just jumbled around in my head," Rebert admitted. She has spoken little English for the past two years, and seemed to hesitate at times before choosing a word.
Despite the adjustment, Rebert said she has no regrets.
"It's just an amazing experience," she said.
Rebert's experiences included learning Spanish and the culture of El Novillero's native Maya K'iche' people while living with a host family.
More importantly, she worked with natives and other Peace Corps volunteers to improve a local eco-park and bring in tourists. The park, a 100-acre tourist attraction called Corazón del Bosque, now features a restaurant, two cabins and a conference room, Rebert said.
Rebert said Corazón del Bosque, which is Spanish for "heart of the woods," was started about six years ago by another Peace Corps volunteer.
"They have a really strong sense of culture there," Rebert said. "I feel like because America is the melting pot, a lot of people have lost that strong sense here. That's something that I'd like to bring back to my family."
Holly Barrette, Rebert's sister, said Rebert seems more receptive to cultural differences now that she is back in the states.
Barrette said, for example, that Rebert suggested they attend a Cinco de Mayo festival.
"She wanted to go just to experience something different and expose me to new cultural experiences," Barrette said.
Although Rebert said she learned from the Maya K'iche' culture, she also contributed to El Novillero's culture by teaching locals about eco-tourism, a way of generating tourist revenue without hurting the environment.
Along with teaching them eco-friendly practices, Rebert also reached the hearts of El Novillero's 2,600 residents through their stomachs.
She introduced them to carrot cake, which is now a popular desert that is even served in Corazón del Bosque's restaurant.
More of Rebert's story is available on her blog at battlecreekenquirer.com.
