7.26.2007

Peace Corps Eve

Last night was Peace Corps Eve. We got the rest of our shots and medications today and we fly out this evening. We will arrive in Niger on Friday after switching planes in Paris. There are no phones or internet access at our training site (where we will be for the first three months). 42 of us are going and we have already bonded a great deal. That should make our transition a little easier.

There are lots of other people waiting on the computers, so I'll leave this short.

Thanks for reading and thanks for all of your support.

7.24.2007

Staging Information

Another post from the phone. Everything went well with the flight, it actually arrived about 15 minutes early. About six of us volunteers arrived around the same time and took a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I had a "real" Philly cheese steak for lunch. We began orientation (or staging) at 3:00 and finished at 7:00. After that we checked into our rooms and broke off into groups and went to dinner. All of the people i have met seem like great people and i look forward to working with them and getting to know them. Tomorrow we go from 8:30 to 6:00 with a break for lunch. Then, Thursday we get the rest of our shots then fly out in the afternoon. That's all for now.
Well, i'm here at the airport in Nashville waiting to board around 7:00. I just saw my parents and Lindsay for the last time for a while and it was a lotta bit rough.

I'll be spending the next hour waiting with Mr. Potter.

I'm posting from my phone (which is not fancy) so i'm not sure how this will turn out.

Sai anjima.

7.19.2007

I Believe Some Thanks Are In Order

Sannu!

I want to thank all of the family and friends that have wished me well. This past week has been almost overwhelming. Not in a bad way, it has been a wonderful overwhelming. It is like being tightly enveloped by a warm blanket on a cold winter night. I will carry your thoughts and prayers wherever I go. Everyone has been so generous with their thoughts, prayers, time, and gifts. It means so much to me that while I'm gone you will continue to support me and tell my story. Not only will I learn so much from this experience I hope you will learn with me. This is the Peace Corps' third goal. Not that I have been thinking about changing my mind, but your enthusiasm has been contagious and a new passion has been born in me. I thank you for this and surely the Nigerien people would thank you if they only knew who you were. I will tell your stories and make you known to them (second goal).

The above map is one of the most detailed maps I've found of Niger. A former volunteer sent me the link. It is all in French, but it is still pretty easy to figure out. It shows lots of information including regional boundaries, roads, dominant languages, and all sorts of other great stuff. It can also be found here.

It is very difficult trying to pack 80 pounds for a 27 month journey. I've been told by people who are already serving in Niger that you can get almost everything you need (don't forget that need does not equal want) once you get there and not to fret. It is my understanding that most people bring too many clothes which is funny because the packing list doesn't suggest many. There is no perfect packing list that works for everyone, but Peace Corps Niger put together a list of things that other volunteers found useful. Once I get everything together, I'll try to post a list of the things I'm taking so that you can see what I was able to cram into my 80 pounds of allowed luggage. During my time in Africa I'll try to write about what items proved invaluable and which ones I wish I hadn't brought along for the ride.

Do you know what else is difficult? Leaving the people I love to go half way around the world to show some folks some pesky American optimism. Oh yeah, and trying to pretend like I know exactly what is going on. Have you ever tried learning three languages at once? No? Really? Well you should try it (actually it isn't as hard as it sounds, just TIME CONSUMING). Ok, that felt good.

Some of you have been asking what I want in care packages, but I don't know what I'll need/want yet. But don't you worry It will be in a future post.

Sai Anjima

7.15.2007

Peace Corps Application Timeline

Many people have asked about my timeline for the application process. Obviously no two experiences will be alike. Hope my information sheds some light on the process for anyone interested.

Some times during the process you feel like you are on cloud nine and other times you feel as you are pulling teeth to get to the next step. Maybe it is my pesky American optimism that makes my brain act this way, but I do not really fret much about all of the work I did to get to this point. However, at this point I tend to focus on all of the high points along the application process.

This chart is pretty self explanatory, but if you have any questions feel free to ask. The third column should be considered as a more relative time span rather than exact times. Also, I'm sure I have left some things out and some things have not happened yet, so consider this more of a rough estimate of my experience.

This information was gathered using my email account and past blog posts. Thank you Google.

2005

Spent lots of time filling out the application and then waiting, debating with myself on whether or not this was something I really wanted to do.

June

Told parents I was interested in the Peace Corps

2006

June 19

Went to an interest meeting

November 26

Submitted Application

November 27

Sumbitted Health Status Review

1st or 2nd Week of December

Received relevant skills addenda, background check request, information on student loans, finger print card, (maybe more, but that’s all I can remember)


December 22

Mailed above information packet

2007

January 25

Went for interview in Atlanta

January 29

Received nomination via phone for Community Development in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa leaving in July

March 5

Received nomination packet

Sent dozens of emails and made countless numbers of phone calls to OMS and the Placement Office. Being proactive is very helpful. I was told on more than one occasion it showed commitment and determination. Thanks to all of the people that had gone before me and had wonderful advice. It is only because of them and the support of my friends and family that I made it through this section so quickly and in such high spirits.

April 12

Sent off paperwork for personal passport

April 16

Received medical packet

April 30

Mailed completed medical packet

May 2

Dentally cleared

May 11

Office of Medical Services (OMS) request additional information

May 11

Faxed additional information to OMS

May 23

Medically cleared

May 23

Made contact with Africa Placement Office

May 23

Received request for an additional reference and resume

May 24

Submitted additional reference and resume

June 7

Talked with my Placement Officer for first time, he tells me I’m being invited

June 11

Receive Invitation to Niger as a Municipal and Community Development Volunteer

June 12

Accepted my invitation


June 14

Submitted information for Peace Corps No-fee Passport and Visa

June 29

Received Staging Packet

July 24

Staging in Philadelphia

July 27

Begin Training in Niger

7.12.2007

Still In The States, But Haven't Showered In Two Days

Sannu! (hello in Hausa)

Freshly, as of Sunday, back from Ethan's camp house which was a blast as usual and, like usual there was no electricity and it was July in west Alabama. If you did the math correctly, that should equal HOT! I was really excited about this year because I felt like I was training for Africa (no electricity and insane heat) but the temperatures were pleasant this year due to it raining the entire time. I think the veterans all felt like we missed out on something while all the newbies were confused by our longing for the "force you out of bed at 6:30 AM" type of heat.

I have showered since I left the camp house, that would have just been rude. But, for the last three days I've spent most of my day-time in the library studying Hausa/Zarma/French/History of the Decentralization of Niger. Then when Lindsay gets off work I come home and we spend the evening together. Apparently, during my pursuit of knowledge I've neglected to shower. Now I could just swipe things like that aside and pretend I'm trying to get ready for Africa, but I don't think it would go over too well.

Here is some information taken straight from my assignment information. I hope it helps shed some light on the type of work I'll be doing.

Under the direction of the Commune Mayors, Volunteers will:
  • Advise and assist municipal councils in the organization and administration of municipal services;
  • Train the councilors in participatory community needs assessment, strategic planning and project design and management techniques;
  • Train municipal council members and technical service representatives in the use of computers and other information technologies
  • Promote community organization, citizen participation, motivation and leadership;
  • Assist the councils in building relationships with international and non-governmental aid organizations operating in the area;
  • Help councils finance and implement small commune-level projects; and
  • Collaborate with other Volunteers within the commune on both village-level and commune-wide projects. [emphasis added]
When I first read this list a few weeks ago, I was nearly astounded that all of this was going to be expected of me. I must admit, I was a little nervous about this. Now, I've received and read some of the history of the decentralization of Niger and I'm aware that it is an even bigger task than I expected. One I'm looking forward to. More to come about my assignment as I begin to understand more.

On a different note, I still haven't received my personal passport. I called the passport office yesterday morning and their computer was down, so they couldn't do anything. I called back later and couldn't get through to a person. Called again, same thing. Sat on hold at least an hour and a half yesterday. Called once more and sat on hold for twenty-four minutes, but I finally got to talk to someone and they are expediting my paperwork and I was told to check again on the 18th. Today makes thirteen weeks (website claims 10-12 weeks processing time) since I sent in my passport application, but they can't help you until your travel date is within 14 days--which was yesterday. It is tough to leave this country.

Two weeks from now I'll be in Niger.

Sai anjima (until later)