And Then There Were 29...

On January 26, 2009 35 American Peace Corps Trainees met in Washington, D.C. to begin their two year experience in Rwanda. Before we left D.C. we were already down to 34. 10 weeks into training and right before we were to swear in 2 others left (a married couple). Within the past two weeks two others have left and now it appears that we are down to 29 volunteers in Rwanda.

That is to say that life in Rwanda and the life of a volunteer is no cake walk. It takes determination and a constant re-focus of why you decided to become a Peace Corps Volunteer in the first place. Life at my site has definitely not been easy. Speaking three languages a day and constantly being stared at and called "Muzungu" definitely can wear on a person. If there is one change that I already see taking place in me is my patience - patience is definitely a virtue here in Rwanda. Patience and the ability to be totally a lone with nothing to do. Here's to "finding myself"!

I Solomely Swear... I'm An Official Volunteer!

Well it has actually happened! I'm an official Peace Corps Volunteer and can now begin my two years of Peace Corps Service in Rwanda. This means I can officially return back to the States in two years. Yes, I do that know that that is a long time away. So now I’m in a village by myself working at a Centre de Santé (Health Center for all you English folk) and teaching English to the nurses and government officials. I have my own little house behind my resource family’s home. It’s actually their storage rooms that they converted into a house for me. I have a little sitting room, bedroom and my own latrine/wash area. Oh! I also have my own kitchen but it’s outside and I don’t really know how to start a fire yet, so I rely on food from my resource family.

I have posted the picture of the Swearing-In ceremony with all the volunteers and the American Ambassador to Rwanda (in the back-center). It was a nice day but it rained the whole time - so my hair was completely ruined.

It’s been a little difficult getting used to my new environment (my little village with very little to do or eat here). I’ve been really homesick and also I experienced my first intestinal/stomach sickness – Giardia! It was awesome; vomiting and other pleasantries for over a week! When the nurse gave me the antibiotics she told me “Welcome to Africa – this is the first of many.”

Can’t wait for people to visit!