Peace Corps Challenge: Honduras

As part of Peace Corps' 50th Anniversary celebrations, PC has created the Live Like a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) Challenge. Now there's more to being a Peace Corps Volunteer than just dealing with the living conditions, but you can be sure it's no easy task. Maybe we could add to the list that you can't offend anyone! Below I've included the rules for the Honduras challenge.

I don't necessarily live with the harshest conditions listed here, but I would say I live with 90% of them daily. So if you're up for the task, I would challenge you to live like a PCV (i.e. ME!) for a week. Even if you decide you can't hack the challenge, you can read the list to get an understanding of what rural Honduran life is like. If you are doing the challenge, please let me know and comment on this post to share your experience.

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For one week you are asked to give up some of the everyday conveniences we do without. The levels are arranged from more common to less common living conditions of PCVs in Honduras while also taking into account the difficulty of completing the challenge in the US. So while none of us have a car, it ranks quite high in the challenge as it is much more difficult to do without one in the states. Honduras is known as the Banana Republic, which is why we have named our levels from the smallest type of banana to the largest.

First decide which month you want to participate. The first week of the month you choose (the 1st-7th) will be when you need to give up your items.

Next, look through the list below and decide which one of the five levels of difficulty you want to take on, and which items you will give up (although youʼre items may come from multiple difficulty levels you are only trying to complete one level, the most difficult you think you can manage).

Finally, let us know that youʼve taken up the challenge by completing the Accept the Challenge section of the general Live Like a PCV document. (This document is to accompany another if you did not receive that other document which outlines the general nature of this Challenge please visit LiveLikeaPCV.org)

When asked to roll a dice that number represents hours, and should be rolled each day (a regular 6-sided die).

DÁTIL – Difficulty Level I:

Choose 2 of the following

•  You canʼt use running hot water, you may only use water you boiled (yes, this includes baths)
• You canʼt use any microwave
• No checks, no debit cards or credit cards, cash only all week.
• No washing machine or dish washers - plus you must wash all articles of clothing you wore during the week by hand.
• No flushing your toilet paper

MANZANO – Difficulty Level II:

Choose 2 of the following plus 1 from Dátil

• You cannot watch television, but may watch soap operas and soccer at a neighborʼs house.
• Must keep all valuables (cash, phone, ID) hidden. Some options include bra, socks, hats, etc. Get creative.
• No sitting on couches for the week.
• Internet only every other day and for only 1 hour each time.
• Men and women may not wear shorts in public (only choose this item if you live in a warm climate).

CHATA – Difficulty Level III:

Choose 2 of the following plus 1 item from Manzano or 2 items from Dátil

• You can use your toilet but you must manually fill the tank or do a bucket flush (turn off the water to the toilet).
• Power outage: Have someone else throw a dice every day for how many hours you will be without power (5am - 11pm). He/she cannot tell you how long it will be out for, and he/she must turn off your power breakers.
• You can only use one burner on your stove and no oven.
• Say hi to everyone (including strangers) and make a comment about the weather to people you know.
• No supermarkets.

GUINEO – Difficulty Level IV:

Choose 2 of the following plus 1 item from Chata or 2 items from Manzano or 3 items from Dátil

• Reduced living space. You may only use your living room, bathroom and kitchen.
• No driving. You can use public transportation, bike, or walk.
• Cannot leave your house after sunset or before sunrise.
• No running water from your house, you must go fetch it from somewhere else (a neighbor’s house is fine).

PLÁTANO – Difficulty Level V:

Choose 1 from each level

• No English for the entire week
• Lack of temperature control. No heater or air conditioner in your house or car.
• You can only use your cell phone for 10 minutes per day.
• Your diet for the week must include (bad) coffee twice a day with 4 tsps of sugar with each cup or drink soda twice a day. Also must eat tortillas, beans, and eggs daily (absolutely no butter).

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Let's remember how most of the world lives and be thankful for our luxuries. Good luck!