2011.03.18: March 18, 2011: Belize RPCV Patrick Wisniewski writes: My country of assignment was the beautiful land of Belize, unknown to many, but existing in the cranny between Mexico and Guatemala

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Belize: Peace Corps Belize : Peace Corps Belize: Newest Stories: 2011.03.18: March 18, 2011: Belize RPCV Patrick Wisniewski writes: My country of assignment was the beautiful land of Belize, unknown to many, but existing in the cranny between Mexico and Guatemala

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Belize RPCV Patrick Wisniewski writes: My country of assignment was the beautiful land of Belize, unknown to many, but existing in the cranny between Mexico and Guatemala

Belize RPCV Patrick Wisniewski writes: My country of assignment was the beautiful land of Belize, unknown to many, but existing in the cranny between Mexico and Guatemala

"For two years, I lived life the way that the majority of the world does: Without television, without electricity, without a car or a computer, in a house of cement consistently invaded by hoards of scorpions, tarantulas and small Mayan children. Every family in the village welcomed me into their homes and shared their food. The dish of choice was Caldo, a soup of chicken, cilantro and pepper, served up with a heaping pile of fresh tortillas. The home of choice was a thatch house, generally made of wood, which was often way too small for me to stand up straight in. While there I educated old and young alike on proper hygiene, sanitation, hand-washing practices, gardening techniques and small business practices. They educated me in speaking Mayan, planting crops and slaughtering edible animals."

Belize RPCV Patrick Wisniewski writes: My country of assignment was the beautiful land of Belize, unknown to many, but existing in the cranny between Mexico and Guatemala

Viewpoint: Peace Corps: A fair exchange of information

Published: Friday, March 18, 2011, 5:43 AM

The Muskegon Chronicle

To mark the Peace Corps' 50th anniversary, The Muskegon Chronicle is featuring a series of essays by former Peace Corps volunteers who have West Michigan ties. Learn more about the Peace Corps at www.peacecorps.gov/

By Patrick Wisniewski

Caption: Patrick Wisniewski is shown on assignment in a Mayan village in Belize.

I joined the Peace Corps shortly before my 24h birthday, without expectation or clear understanding of what I would be doing, where I would be going, or how great I would be at using a machete. My country of assignment was the beautiful land of Belize, unknown to many, but existing in the cranny between Mexico and Guatemala. While there I worked as a community health educator in a small Mayan village nestled in the foothills of the Mayan Mountain range, dubbed San Jose, which is Spanish for heaven.

For two years, I lived life the way that the majority of the world does: Without television, without electricity, without a car or a computer, in a house of cement consistently invaded by hoards of scorpions, tarantulas and small Mayan children.

Every family in the village welcomed me into their homes and shared their food. The dish of choice was Caldo, a soup of chicken, cilantro and pepper, served up with a heaping pile of fresh tortillas. The home of choice was a thatch house, generally made of wood, which was often way too small for me to stand up straight in.

While there I educated old and young alike on proper hygiene, sanitation, hand-washing practices, gardening techniques and small business practices. They educated me in speaking Mayan, planting crops and slaughtering edible animals.

Every day had hours of downtime, so many an afternoon was spent kicking a soccer ball with kids, writing and reading the great classics, including "Don Quixote," "War and Peace" and "Chickens in your Backyard."

Patrick Wisniewski served in the Peace Corps from 2008-10. He graduated from Grand Haven High School and Grand Valley State University. He is a writer for Groupon based in Chicago.




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Headlines: March, 2011; Peace Corps Belize; Directory of Belize RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Belize RPCVs





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