Update,
Thank you all for your support on our goal. We have officially heard from the Peace Corps that we are invited to Paraguay leaving in late September. I have waited to update everyone because of recent discovery that many applicants have been receiving letters explaining the Peace Corps would not be placing any more volunteers in their field this year. The Peace Corps is experiencing the same budget crisis everyone else is.
The good news; Sue is assigned to an Enviromental Education position which is awesome since she will be educating Paraguayans on issues using Science which is part of her favorite teaching subjects. Her extensive background in Education will enable her to work with Paraguayans of all ages and backgrounds. Teaching others to teach each other will make her endeavors sustainable.
Mark is assigned to Agricultural Extension Agent working with Farm Families. Most Farms in Paraguay are small family operations and they have issues with production and erosion issues. Over use of Chemicals and Mega-farms from nieghboring countries grabbing land have sent locals into the Forest to reclaim land to make a living. I will work with other Ag Extensionists to assist families in retaining soil and lowering inputs so agricultural products will be more economic and profitable. I will also help families find alternative products and markets to enable them to live more comfortable productive lives.
Please, let the questions flow. We will be learning and finding out more about our assignments as we go along. Your questions will help us to be better prepared for our adventure. Again thank you that have helped us get to where we are today. The application process is long and daunting with many hurdles along the way. There is no way we could be where we are without the help we asked of you all.
Sue has started a Blog (yes Sue did it) that you can follow us on our adventure. We will try to update it often. The title is Twokeepgrowing. http://twokeepgrowing.blogspot.com
We are on a super high right now. We will update you again soon.
Thanks again for everything!
Woo-Hoo (whooping for joy)!!!!
