Invitation Information

Ok, now things have settled down a little and I'm still stoked about my assignment. Basically I'll be working in the mayor's office of whatever village, town, or city that I'll call home for the next two years (more on that later). This pic is me before I got my invitation (left, I'm not even wearing a watch) and after I read through it (right). I can't remember now, but I think I was excited. Everyone has been so supportive. I could not ask to be surrounded by more supportive people. Thanks.

I've had about two weeks to think about all of this and I'm more excited than ever. Of course I'm going to miss everyone here, but what is life if not an experience. And I'm going to be experiencing life under conditions that seem alien to everything I've ever known. I don't even know at this point if my site will have electricity or running water. I just keep telling myself, "Self, people have been living like that a lot longer than they haven't."

The people I've "met" online who are also going to Niger all seem like really great people. It seems that we have at least three different groups going: Municipal & Community Development, Community & Youth Education/Development, and Community Health Development/Health Extension. I'm thinking there will be a whole lot of shaking developing going on.

I know you have many questions, because at this moment I'm filled with them. Some how I am able to be at peace with not knowing all the answers to the questions. They will be answered soon enough. I'm hoping this comfort with confusion will help during my time in the Peace Corps.

I will post soon with more information about my program, Municipal and Community Development, and I will update as I learn more.

To whet your appetite for all things Niger, this information is a sample of what comes from the CIA's World Factbook (click to read more):

Location:	Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Area - comparative:	slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Climate:	desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Geography:	landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

Population:	12,894,865 (July 2007 est.)
Nationality:	noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups:	Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Touareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
Religions:	Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
Languages:	French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Government type:	republic
Capital:	name: Niamey time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Peace Corps Invitation

My Peace Corps invitation arrived Yesterday.

My invitation is to serve as a Municipal and Community Development Agent in Niger and staging will be July 24th - July 26th. I'll land in Niger on the 27th.

More details to come, currently focused on more paperwork.

I'm beyond excited right now.

ps Niger is pronounced nee-ZHER ( just think French)

What A Day

Part I

Well, this morning started out great. I got up, showered, breakfasted, and out the door. Traffic was minimal. The sun was shining and I'm sure that the birds were singing. I arrived at work and realized that I had left my cell phone at home.

After a quick panic attack, "What if my Peace Corps Placement Officer (PO) calls today, the one day I forgot my phone?" So, I called Lindsay from my work phone and being the wonderful fiancee she is, she brought me my phone. It's not even on the way. How sweet is that?

Ok, backtrack to Monday. I called the Africa Placement Office to ask if the "closeout out" date had passed on the July invitations. They ask for my name and social security number and tell me, "No, Mr. Jones people are still being invited into that program. Your PO has your paper work and will contact you soon."

A few days go by and now we are back to the present after I receive my cell phone. By the way, William sans cell phone felt very vulnerable. I guess I'll get over that soon--sink or swim. I'm sitting at my desk and I'm thinking, I need to hear something from the Peace Corps today or I might just freak out. It's June 7th and I'm supposed to leave some time in July. So, I call the Placement Office back and spoke to a different person. We go through the name and social security game and then I ask, "When is the last day for someone to be invited to the program I've been nominated for?"

"Tuesday", he responded.

I'm getting a little nervous at this point, "Wow, that's only three business days." We both fake laugh.

He assures me that if I am being invited to the program I was nominated for, I will know soon. Then I get back to work and he gets back to work and that's that.


Part II

The day goes on normally. I looked through some charts, I entered some data, I took my lunch. After lunch I ran some errands and while I'm in Light Hall at approximately 1:13 in the PM I received a phone call from a 202 area code. Jackpot! Washington DC, PC HQ. I answered my phone and there's no one there. It rang again. "Hello? William Jones, this is your Placement Officer from the Peace Corps." He gave me his name and asked me a few questions about my romantic involvement. Apparently romantic involvement is one of most common reasons people ET (early termination). He lets me know that I will be getting my invitation by FedEx on Saturday or Monday.

At that point all of the heavens rejoiced and all seemed right with the world even if only for a moment.


Part Last

Well, I wish I had more information, but I won't until I receive my invitation packet. Wish good tidings upon the FedEx folk.

Things I am pretty sure it will include:
My invitation (which I must accept/decline within five days of receiving it, no big deal)
Welcome Book(Country information either on CD or an internet link, supposedly very exhaustive)
Suggested packing list
Forms for the no-fee passport and work visa (HOOrah, more forms!)

Things I wish it would include:
A clean up crew
Solar-powered Nintendo Wii
The answer to this riddle


[warning: none of the dialogue presented above is entirely accurate]