I have just recently received my official Peace Corps invitation to serve in Rwanda. And though as exciting as that may sound, I must say I was a little taken back when I found out where I was to be sent to. A couple months ago, in August, I was told that the Peace Corps was considering sending me to Francophone Africa. Since then I had done all my research on Western Africa, particularly reading up on countries such as Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso. When the invitation package finally arrived, I scrambled to open the envelope eagerly anticipating Mali or Senegal. When I saw the words Rwanda I had to sit down. Rwanda was not Western Africa and I didn't even know that Peace Corps sent volunteers to Rwanda. In fact the Peace Corps has not been to Rwanda for 15 years; since the beginning of the tragic genocide.
Since the reading of this news 4 days ago, the reality of spending the next 2 years of my life in a beautiful country marred by ethnic conflict has finally settled in. And now I'm really excited about leaving on January 26, 2009. But it has also stopped me and made me think that this is actually my 3rd time applying to the Peace Corps and my 3rd placement. And a lot has happened in my life since the first time I applied to Peace Corps 4 years ago as a lowly undergrad from Sacramento State. In the past 4 years I have definitely had my fair share of ups and downs yet I feel I have really matured as a person. I have began graduate school and am studying international development. 4 years ago would I have been ready for Rwanda - No Way. But today I'm ready and let's hope Rwanda is too.
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1 comment:
Wow! That's really exciting. I look forward to hearing about all you're experiencing and learning.
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