Time Line

I am not boarding the plane nor am I already in Africa but I thought I would give you a little background information.  This blog reflects my views on the world and stories but please be aware that it does not reflect the views and values of the United States government or the Peace Corps.

Let me start with some history about the Peace Corps.   A president made a call to America’s youth, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country – John F Kennedy.”  Several months after President Kennedy was inaugurated he made a speech in 1960 at Michigan University asking the youth of America to serve its country not with a gun but with a hammer and a hoe.  The first batch of Peace Corps volunteers left in 1961 for Ghana and Tanzania. Since the first group of volunteers there have been over 200,000 who have served in more than 139 different countries.  The volunteers work within five different sectors of the organization, health, education, youth development, business and agriculture.  Each volunteer serves for 27 months which includes 9-12 weeks of intensive culture and language training.

I hand delivered my application to the Boston PC office on the 1^st of December in 2010.  Two days later I had my in-person interview.  One day after that I was nominated to go to West Africa as a health volunteer!  I was initially expected to leave September of 2011, that date was soon changed due to government budget cuts of nearly 20% of the PC budget.  January 4, 2011 was my new date of departure.  My now official date (as of 2 weeks ago) is March 4, 2011.  Although the delay is a disappointment, it is a huge benefit to me and my experience in the PC.  I will have dual visa for The Gambia and Senegal.  This opportunity gives me the chance to work across borders and work with a larger network of volunteers.  My training will be held in Senegal at a USAID training site.  After my 12 weeks of training in Senegal,  I will spend two years of service in The Gambia.