Hey all i just go my new staging information. I will be leaving Aug. 30 for Washington DC. Leave there to go the Nicaragua! I'm so excited and can't wait to get out of this house.
There has been a slight change of plans in our living situations. Now all volunteers are mandatory to live with a host family for the whole two years. I'm sure it will end up being fine but I'm not really looking forward to that. I'm concerned with privacy and having your own space to be me. Like when i need to scream, cry or curse as well as just be America. I know that it will work out but it's not ideal in my mind. I also don't know how visitors will work out because I would love to see all of you in my humble adobe sometime these next two year.
That is about the only Peace Corps update that I have but I will keep you posted about any new developments as they come in.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A change once again
Hi all. It has been a while since i last wrote but some no developments has happened. I will not be going to El Salvador in July. With the new budget cuts Peace Corps cut my assignment from El Salvador. The new replacement is now a combined assignment of Youth Development with an environmental focus. This is not what i am interested in but i was willing to take a look at it and keep an open mind. Peace Corps said that they would send me information about my new assignment and if i would want to do it.
I never got anything. Instead i got a call today saying that i didn't sound to thrilled about the new assignment and that they were offering me a new place. They told me that they offered my the other assignment thinking that i would not want to change so drastically and stick with what i had. They saw that they were wrong and offered me Nicaragua leaving on Aug. 30. I would be doing the same sort of work as in El Salvador Environmental Education with a deforestation focus. I would be working with three or so rural school and the communities. This is a bit later that i would have liked but that's life. Now i would get to get some summer jobs before i go.
I think this all happened for a reason and that it will all work out wonderfully in the end. Peace Corps has been great throughout the whole thing. They understood how frustrated i have been and was willing to work with my as well as apologized a lot. So, so long until later. Nicaragua here i come! Can't wait to see you Allison.
I never got anything. Instead i got a call today saying that i didn't sound to thrilled about the new assignment and that they were offering me a new place. They told me that they offered my the other assignment thinking that i would not want to change so drastically and stick with what i had. They saw that they were wrong and offered me Nicaragua leaving on Aug. 30. I would be doing the same sort of work as in El Salvador Environmental Education with a deforestation focus. I would be working with three or so rural school and the communities. This is a bit later that i would have liked but that's life. Now i would get to get some summer jobs before i go.
I think this all happened for a reason and that it will all work out wonderfully in the end. Peace Corps has been great throughout the whole thing. They understood how frustrated i have been and was willing to work with my as well as apologized a lot. So, so long until later. Nicaragua here i come! Can't wait to see you Allison.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
From the Desert to the Tropics
Well I have a country no and a story about getting it. The recruiting officer called me with a placement in the Caribbeans i would be doing conservation sustainability work perfect. I said yes to it and did not think that the Caribbeans is primarily English speaking countries and I do not want to go to an English country since I can speak it already.
I called them back right after I realized my mistake but they were closed for the night. I knew that they usually didn't change an invite after it was decided. I got a call the next day and asked which country i would be going to. Jamaica, not that I have anything against Jamaica but it was not what I was really looking for. I asked if it was too late to change my place and they said that they don't usually change countries. He asked me what I didn't like about Jamaica I explained my desire for no English. They said that they don't do really do this but they would see what other options there are. I would most likely be leaving a few months later.
I got a call back and they said that i would be leaving for EL SALVADOR on July 19th! I'll be doing environmental education; agriculturalist work. So it's like a full circle. I was nominated for the exact thing I'm doing. Spanish here I come.
I called them back right after I realized my mistake but they were closed for the night. I knew that they usually didn't change an invite after it was decided. I got a call the next day and asked which country i would be going to. Jamaica, not that I have anything against Jamaica but it was not what I was really looking for. I asked if it was too late to change my place and they said that they don't usually change countries. He asked me what I didn't like about Jamaica I explained my desire for no English. They said that they don't do really do this but they would see what other options there are. I would most likely be leaving a few months later.
I got a call back and they said that i would be leaving for EL SALVADOR on July 19th! I'll be doing environmental education; agriculturalist work. So it's like a full circle. I was nominated for the exact thing I'm doing. Spanish here I come.
Monday, March 14, 2011
It's been a while
It had been a while since I last posted. As you are most likely aware I was evacuated from Niger at the end of Jan 2011. It was an interesting time emotionally for me during this evacuation. I was in my village for only 8 days. Yet some how in those 8 days i have become very attached to the village and it's people. I had made friends that i still cherish and miss alot. I think one of the things that i am most grateful for it the opportunity to see my village. i did not pass the language requirements to go to the village but Tondi allowed me to go anyways with a tutor. Without this treatment i would not have had to opportunity to meet such wonderful people. I am forever grateful to Tondi. thank you!
My village was about 3k from the main road and market town. there was no real store or market in my village. it was broken up into four sections. i did not get the chance to know the other sections as much as i would have liked. there were a few projects that i was thinking of doing in my village: a community garden, an adult literacy class, help with the existing school system, and farmer field school (a scientific approach to farming). One of the hardest parts about leaving the village when i did is knowing that i did not give the village anything when they gave me so much. It is an unfair situation but one that i can not change and should not dwell on for long.
The evacuation came as a surprise even if if shouldn't have. The week before the evacuation there was alot of stand by warnings and curfews. I was called one morning and told that i was being evacuated. i was not told why or when only that i had to pack two bags both about 40-45lbs or less. I was to call no one and could tell no one. the only thing i could tell my village was the i was leaving for security reasons. I was to wait for further instructions. These instructions did not come until late that evening when i got a text message saying that if i was not informed before now i was to stay the night in my village. I got another on at around 8pm that i was to leave on the first bushtaxi out. I was not told when that would be and had to ask the chief or maigari how to get the the road and when to leave. I was to wake at the first prayer hour 5 in the morning and be out by 6.
I got to the regional capital and my regions hostel where i had the first contact with other volunteers and called home to inform my family what was happening. I was in my regional capital for about 4 days when we were shipped off to the capital to do the last admi papers before taking a round about way to the airport and flew to Morocco. There were did our close of service (COS)and helped us figure out what to do next.
In COS we had medical and other activities that we did learned about our options there were a few options i could take: close my service, re-enrollment, direct transfer, and expedited return. close my service is never going to another country which was out of the question. re-enrollment is applying again with a quick application, being pushed to the head of the line, and given more of a say in your service. direct transfer is being send from Morocco to another country. expedited return going home fore a few weeks and then being sent to another county. All of the options for expedited return and direct transfer had language requirements that i did not meet. I chose to do re-enrollment.
I came home after my service and went through some readjustment mostly sad or numb feeling, avoiding places and feel overwhelmed. I am now over such times and have finished my packet for re-enrollment i am waiting back on a response which should be any day now. I will keep you all updated about my options.
i would like to thank everyone for the support that they gave my during this emotional time.
My village was about 3k from the main road and market town. there was no real store or market in my village. it was broken up into four sections. i did not get the chance to know the other sections as much as i would have liked. there were a few projects that i was thinking of doing in my village: a community garden, an adult literacy class, help with the existing school system, and farmer field school (a scientific approach to farming). One of the hardest parts about leaving the village when i did is knowing that i did not give the village anything when they gave me so much. It is an unfair situation but one that i can not change and should not dwell on for long.
The evacuation came as a surprise even if if shouldn't have. The week before the evacuation there was alot of stand by warnings and curfews. I was called one morning and told that i was being evacuated. i was not told why or when only that i had to pack two bags both about 40-45lbs or less. I was to call no one and could tell no one. the only thing i could tell my village was the i was leaving for security reasons. I was to wait for further instructions. These instructions did not come until late that evening when i got a text message saying that if i was not informed before now i was to stay the night in my village. I got another on at around 8pm that i was to leave on the first bushtaxi out. I was not told when that would be and had to ask the chief or maigari how to get the the road and when to leave. I was to wake at the first prayer hour 5 in the morning and be out by 6.
I got to the regional capital and my regions hostel where i had the first contact with other volunteers and called home to inform my family what was happening. I was in my regional capital for about 4 days when we were shipped off to the capital to do the last admi papers before taking a round about way to the airport and flew to Morocco. There were did our close of service (COS)and helped us figure out what to do next.
In COS we had medical and other activities that we did learned about our options there were a few options i could take: close my service, re-enrollment, direct transfer, and expedited return. close my service is never going to another country which was out of the question. re-enrollment is applying again with a quick application, being pushed to the head of the line, and given more of a say in your service. direct transfer is being send from Morocco to another country. expedited return going home fore a few weeks and then being sent to another county. All of the options for expedited return and direct transfer had language requirements that i did not meet. I chose to do re-enrollment.
I came home after my service and went through some readjustment mostly sad or numb feeling, avoiding places and feel overwhelmed. I am now over such times and have finished my packet for re-enrollment i am waiting back on a response which should be any day now. I will keep you all updated about my options.
i would like to thank everyone for the support that they gave my during this emotional time.
Friday, December 31, 2010
My new address
My new address Corps de la Paix, BP 291 Maradi, Niger, West Africa. I'm finally in Maradi we are celebrating the new year. It's my first day here we are having pizza and cake. Just hanging out making new friends and having a blast. Go to my site this week don't know when yet.
This is all of us in Niger 2010 group. You should check it out. Written by Jacob. http://jacobmbarela.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/cha-and-farm-bios-2010/
This is all of us in Niger 2010 group. You should check it out. Written by Jacob. http://jacobmbarela.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/cha-and-farm-bios-2010/
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
So I can't add a slide show of pictures but if you go onto my facebook there will be an album for you guys. I did my last LPI and got intermediate low which is not what i needed. However Peace Corps is letting me swear in anyways. Since i learn the best in an immersion environment and showed a determination to learn the language. I will be having a language trainer with me to help me if i need it for two weeks. I will be retested in two weeks to make sure i get intermediate mid. But I'm swearing in and becoming a full volunteer!! I was so scared that i wouldn't be able to. Swear in is on the 30th and i move to my ville on the 2nd.
Christmas here was a blast I'm part of the committee and we had Christmas caroling. Made an amazing meal of sauteed vegetables, chicken, cake, cookies, fruit salad and bread. We did secret santa and decorated a chalk tree that was written on the blackboard. We had movies playing and games going all night. Along with a dance party! The next morning we had a pancake brunch and pizza for lunch.
Tell you more later. Love you miss you.
Christmas here was a blast I'm part of the committee and we had Christmas caroling. Made an amazing meal of sauteed vegetables, chicken, cake, cookies, fruit salad and bread. We did secret santa and decorated a chalk tree that was written on the blackboard. We had movies playing and games going all night. Along with a dance party! The next morning we had a pancake brunch and pizza for lunch.
Tell you more later. Love you miss you.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Language Immersion
So let me tell you about language immersion. Oh my god what have i got myself into! I think this is the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. I have reached every limit i have and have been pushed farther. I have cried laughed screams and smiled in a span of an hour. I wanted to quit and loved this place at the same time. i have been stressed, frustrated, relaxed and overjoyed. I wondered if this was for me and why i am doing this? What is this all for is it worth it? My answer to that is YES! I can and will do it I have strength to prevail. I am doing this for me and for the people of Niger who need my help. In the end it will be the best thing in my life.
SO let me tell you about language immersion it was hard and we spoke a fair amount of English but also a lot of Hausa. There was four participants and two trainers. The girls which were five of us had to squeeze into a small hut which was made for one person. Oh wow was it small but we did it. The food was good we had one of the local women make us food. Sometimes we cooked ourselves. You will never guess what i have started to eat eggs, crickets, and beans. I know i hate those foods at home but i think the need for protein is making anything taste good. We had class everyday and a lot of different activities to do. Like teach someone how to make an improved cookstove in Hausa and i was alone. It was hell! I think it was the hardest thing i had to do since i got here. I started to cry in the middle of it and wanted to disappear. But they seemed to like it or they were just being nice one or the other. I can't tell yet since the culture is so different.
I'm nervous for my village since i don't feel like i can speak Hausa really well. I don't really understand when people talk and i don't speak really well. I know that this is normal and that i have only been here for a month and a half but it is very discouraging. Sai hankori (have patients) and i will learn it. I just hope I can pass my LPI's i will learn alot when i get to my village. I will get my site announcement this friday I'm really excited. I hope it's in Maradi but i have a feeling it's not. Since that is what Sangra said which is my adviser person. I really like it here it is the place the i felt most at home.
Niger is good it's getting cold well Niger's version of cold which is like 60-70 in the mornings we need to put on a sweater and it's cold to sleep. I say savor it while it lasts since the hot season is right around the corner and i will be wanting to have this cold back. The days are comfortable though which is nice.
Miss you all and Love you
SO let me tell you about language immersion it was hard and we spoke a fair amount of English but also a lot of Hausa. There was four participants and two trainers. The girls which were five of us had to squeeze into a small hut which was made for one person. Oh wow was it small but we did it. The food was good we had one of the local women make us food. Sometimes we cooked ourselves. You will never guess what i have started to eat eggs, crickets, and beans. I know i hate those foods at home but i think the need for protein is making anything taste good. We had class everyday and a lot of different activities to do. Like teach someone how to make an improved cookstove in Hausa and i was alone. It was hell! I think it was the hardest thing i had to do since i got here. I started to cry in the middle of it and wanted to disappear. But they seemed to like it or they were just being nice one or the other. I can't tell yet since the culture is so different.
I'm nervous for my village since i don't feel like i can speak Hausa really well. I don't really understand when people talk and i don't speak really well. I know that this is normal and that i have only been here for a month and a half but it is very discouraging. Sai hankori (have patients) and i will learn it. I just hope I can pass my LPI's i will learn alot when i get to my village. I will get my site announcement this friday I'm really excited. I hope it's in Maradi but i have a feeling it's not. Since that is what Sangra said which is my adviser person. I really like it here it is the place the i felt most at home.
Niger is good it's getting cold well Niger's version of cold which is like 60-70 in the mornings we need to put on a sweater and it's cold to sleep. I say savor it while it lasts since the hot season is right around the corner and i will be wanting to have this cold back. The days are comfortable though which is nice.
Miss you all and Love you
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