No, it's not an engagement, marriage, or baby the way many of my friends have been making similar "announcements" the past few years. This is another interesting life announcement that I had not necessarily expected to make this soon...
I'm going back to Senegal!
Yes, that's correct, I'm headed back to Senegal. With the Peace Corps. Again.
Don't worry, it's not another 27 month commitment--just 5 months this time. I'm going back as what is called a Peace Corps Response Volunteer. What's Peace Corps Response you may ask? Well, it's basically a bunch of short term (3months-1 year) specialized Volunteer assignments designed for "experienced" Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and apparently I fit into that category for peer education trainings. As part of the grad school application process (still awaiting news), I had been in communication with my old PC boss and one day he asked me about my interest in a PCResponse position. Seeing as I didn't have any concrete plans for the summer (or a plane ticket back to the US), I said sure! I will be returning to Senegal as a PCResponse Volunteer working as a Life Skills Facilitator in Thies with the NGO Plan International and probably assisting with aspects of the Pre-Service Training of the new Health and EE Trainees.
What's Life Skills? Well, it's a program developed by Peace Corps worldwide for training youth in such topics as self-confidence, good decision making, and reproductive health (mainly how to avoid early pregnancy, STIs, and HIV/AIDS). Along with Farba and several Stage-mates, I attended a Life Skills training program my first year as a PCV. My peer educator training in January 2010 was based off of some Life Skills models, though not a complete program. With Plan, I will help them develop a peer-educator program in Life Skills as part of a 4-year teen empowerment program (through health education and savings and loans programs). After a few months, another PCRV will arrive (and stay for a year) and we will work together to get the program off the ground. It's a really exciting project and directly in line with my career interests of health education and training. I will be based in Thies for the 5 months, but hope to make a few visits back to Ndiomdy as possible (but with the permission of my replacement so as to not edge her out as she's getting comfortable).
"So when do you go?" you may ask...soon. Like very soon...as in probably this week, Inchallah.
WHAT?!?! This week? "Aren't you still working in France?!" Yes, this week and I will be there through August. I'm currently waiting for Senegal to tell DC when they can "receive me in country" so DC can buy my ticket from Paris to Dakar. True, my contract in France is through the end of April, but with another 2-week spring vacation starting April 15 through the end of the month, and standardized testing in early April, (depending on when I fly out) I will only basically be missing 3 weeks or so with my students. And with my crazy messed up teaching schedule, that's less than one session with each group (not counting any canceled sessions for strikes/teacher illnesses/forgotten times with the Assistante). I spent the last several weeks mailing and faxing things to DC, getting stuck with vaccine updates, spending a lot of money on all of these things, and furiously sending emails for PC medical and legal clearance. I now have my PC passport back, with a new Senegal visa and lots of shots (which I kept in my fridge over the vacation and smelled like cheese when I gave them to the doctor to administer). It's a shame to have to leave a little early, but everyone here seems to understand that it makes more sense to leave France a little early than to miss out on a chance to return to Senegal and have something to do for the entire summer. Some teachers were a little sad, but several didn't even bat an eye or say anything more than "D'accord." They couldn't care less. Tant pis.
I'll be sad to leave Monica, Vir, Jie, Klara, and the many Dijon assistants, as well as many of the students, some teachers, and the town of Semur-en-Auxois, but am really looking forward to yet another African adventure, even if it will be during the hot and rainy seasons. I like Semur a lot and highly recommend it to people who want to see the true Burgundy countryside. Burgundy might not have a lot to offer, but the countryside is beautiful (esp in the sun and the fall), the food is great, the history fascinating, and the French accent fabulous (rolled Rs and high-pitched voices for old men). The past 6 months have definitely been an incredible learning experience and while my French still isn't perfect, it's much better and I'm more confident with it than I've ever been. I learned about teaching, France, myself, and much more. The school wasn't great, but I had company in Monika and the other assistants who more than made up for it. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate and I know that we will stay in touch (in the least so we can have travel destinations!).
So I don't know when I'm leaving, but it's soon, Inchallah. This weekend I have to finish getting things in order, start packing, and enjoy the all-too-rare Burgundy sun with some friends, perhaps for the last time. A good PCV friend is marrying her village sweetheart on Saturday in the village, but I sadly doubt I will be able to make it. Who knows though.
Needless to say, please don't send anything my way until I update with a new mailing address, probably the Training Center in Thies.
Always,
Bethany (soon-to-be Khady, again)
P.S. Please say some prayers for good news from grad school. I'm getting anxious in the waiting. Thanks!
I'm going back to Senegal!
Don't worry, it's not another 27 month commitment--just 5 months this time. I'm going back as what is called a Peace Corps Response Volunteer. What's Peace Corps Response you may ask? Well, it's basically a bunch of short term (3months-1 year) specialized Volunteer assignments designed for "experienced" Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and apparently I fit into that category for peer education trainings. As part of the grad school application process (still awaiting news), I had been in communication with my old PC boss and one day he asked me about my interest in a PCResponse position. Seeing as I didn't have any concrete plans for the summer (or a plane ticket back to the US), I said sure! I will be returning to Senegal as a PCResponse Volunteer working as a Life Skills Facilitator in Thies with the NGO Plan International and probably assisting with aspects of the Pre-Service Training of the new Health and EE Trainees.
What's Life Skills? Well, it's a program developed by Peace Corps worldwide for training youth in such topics as self-confidence, good decision making, and reproductive health (mainly how to avoid early pregnancy, STIs, and HIV/AIDS). Along with Farba and several Stage-mates, I attended a Life Skills training program my first year as a PCV. My peer educator training in January 2010 was based off of some Life Skills models, though not a complete program. With Plan, I will help them develop a peer-educator program in Life Skills as part of a 4-year teen empowerment program (through health education and savings and loans programs). After a few months, another PCRV will arrive (and stay for a year) and we will work together to get the program off the ground. It's a really exciting project and directly in line with my career interests of health education and training. I will be based in Thies for the 5 months, but hope to make a few visits back to Ndiomdy as possible (but with the permission of my replacement so as to not edge her out as she's getting comfortable).
"So when do you go?" you may ask...soon. Like very soon...as in probably this week, Inchallah.
WHAT?!?! This week? "Aren't you still working in France?!" Yes, this week and I will be there through August. I'm currently waiting for Senegal to tell DC when they can "receive me in country" so DC can buy my ticket from Paris to Dakar. True, my contract in France is through the end of April, but with another 2-week spring vacation starting April 15 through the end of the month, and standardized testing in early April, (depending on when I fly out) I will only basically be missing 3 weeks or so with my students. And with my crazy messed up teaching schedule, that's less than one session with each group (not counting any canceled sessions for strikes/teacher illnesses/forgotten times with the Assistante). I spent the last several weeks mailing and faxing things to DC, getting stuck with vaccine updates, spending a lot of money on all of these things, and furiously sending emails for PC medical and legal clearance. I now have my PC passport back, with a new Senegal visa and lots of shots (which I kept in my fridge over the vacation and smelled like cheese when I gave them to the doctor to administer). It's a shame to have to leave a little early, but everyone here seems to understand that it makes more sense to leave France a little early than to miss out on a chance to return to Senegal and have something to do for the entire summer. Some teachers were a little sad, but several didn't even bat an eye or say anything more than "D'accord." They couldn't care less. Tant pis.
I'll be sad to leave Monica, Vir, Jie, Klara, and the many Dijon assistants, as well as many of the students, some teachers, and the town of Semur-en-Auxois, but am really looking forward to yet another African adventure, even if it will be during the hot and rainy seasons. I like Semur a lot and highly recommend it to people who want to see the true Burgundy countryside. Burgundy might not have a lot to offer, but the countryside is beautiful (esp in the sun and the fall), the food is great, the history fascinating, and the French accent fabulous (rolled Rs and high-pitched voices for old men). The past 6 months have definitely been an incredible learning experience and while my French still isn't perfect, it's much better and I'm more confident with it than I've ever been. I learned about teaching, France, myself, and much more. The school wasn't great, but I had company in Monika and the other assistants who more than made up for it. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate and I know that we will stay in touch (in the least so we can have travel destinations!).
So I don't know when I'm leaving, but it's soon, Inchallah. This weekend I have to finish getting things in order, start packing, and enjoy the all-too-rare Burgundy sun with some friends, perhaps for the last time. A good PCV friend is marrying her village sweetheart on Saturday in the village, but I sadly doubt I will be able to make it. Who knows though.
Needless to say, please don't send anything my way until I update with a new mailing address, probably the Training Center in Thies.
Always,
Bethany (soon-to-be Khady, again)
P.S. Please say some prayers for good news from grad school. I'm getting anxious in the waiting. Thanks!
1 commentaire:
Good luck with all your changes this week. Have a great move. Warm temps sound good to me right now. :)
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