I’m offically a PCV

Well I’m officially a volunteer now. Sorry for not posting for over a month, but the last few weeks were pretty stressful. I had a great post visit to Dapong at the beginning of November so I was really looking forward moving in to my new home for the next two years. I live in a small compound with a few other apartments. I have two bedrooms and a large living room. I don’t really have a kitchen but Im setting up a cooking space in the living room. It was about a 12 hour drive from Lome to Dapong but right now it just feels good to be “home.” Im still setting up, its starting to look pretty good. I need to buy, like cooking utensils, and a desk but for the most part I have all that I will need for the first few weeks.
The last few weeks of training were pretty stressful. It was nice to see everyone in my stage after post visit, we were all ready to move on and become volunteers. In the middle of November we took a 4 day field trip around the country and saw volunteers in action and we learned about different projects we could start at our post. Some of the things we saw were a village savings and loan group, a science club, and a women’s rights organization. It was a nice break from the usual training schedule and we got to see many parts of the country. After the end of training we went to Lome for a very hectic four days. We had to sign several forms, get our swine flu shot, (yes, its made its way to Africa) go to the bank, buy things for post, and get sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers. It was a very hectic time for all of Peace Corps Togo because many of the volunteers who came here in September of 2007 were in the process of leaving the country. It was sad to see them leave after barly getting to know them but they left us with great advice for service and I know they are excited to get back home to their family and friends. People are always coming and going in Peace Corps but the next stage is not until June 2010 we will all have a least a few months having the same people around. I really like the other volunteers in my region and I think we are going to be a good group.
I got to Dapong late on Saturday night and I spent the night at the Peace Corps transit house and I moved in all my stuff to my house on Sunday morning, and yesterday I went and observed some English classes at one of the middle schools in town and I had dinner with two other volunteers who are married and have been here for just over three months and we discussed possible project ideas. Setting up my house has been a work in progress and I hope to put up pictures when I’m done. I hope everyone is doing well and thank you so much to those of you who have sent letters and emails. They are really great and always put a smile on my face and I will do better about responding to them. I promise.
Du Courage