#peacecorpsweek

[veronica-in-the-universe]

New blog post! “So You Want to be a Peace Corps Volunteer? Thoughts and advice from PCVs and RPCVs” Link in the bio! #peacecorpsweek #peacecorpsday #peacecorps #howiseepc https://www.instagram.com/p/BuiKQG7la8j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15okar8pn90s8

[veronica-in-the-universe]

Second Peace Corps Day post! I feel so very blessed to have ended up on Maewo and in village and school, as well as blessed for the friends I’ve made on other islands. Maewo is magical. Vanuatu is magical. Here are some of my favorite pictures from my time here, so far. ANNOUNCEMENT: I will be extending to my site so I’ll have a whole additional year in this beautiful place that has taught me more than words could ever explain. 🇻🇺☮️🇺🇸 #peacecorpsvanuatu #peacecorpsday #peacecorpsweek #peacecorps #vanuatu #southpacific https://www.instagram.com/p/BudmW6gFzp5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11gsikzfq3zr5

[colorsofcambodia]

Happy Peace Corps Week! Theme: A day in the life of a PCV - Laundry. Contrary to many beliefs, I love washing my clothes by hand. It’s a time for me to meditate during my lunch break. Cultural fact: I’m washing a sarong in the photo. A sarong is worn when taking a bath or lounging around the house. In the past, before bathrooms, people would bathe on the side or back of their house with rain water from a cistern. Typically, women wear a sarong and men wear a kroma, like a large scarf or smaller version of the sarong. I heard people in the cities don’t really wear them (that’s how you know people aren’t from a city). They are very practical and cool in this heat. I wear it everyday around the house. My sister laughs at me when I want to tie it like a pareo. #peacecorpsweek #peacecorpscambodia #howiseepc #peacecorps #pck11 #laundrybyhand (at Cambodia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuYeZainsXr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19527y0m0avxz

[doriscahill]

Why’d you join the Peace Corps

I am in my 19 month of service and it seems like a good time to share. Why I joined and why you might consider joining Peace Corps. here is the link  

My cohorts overseas know this, but few at home do. I filled out the Peace Corps application in my last few months of college and went so far as locating referrals from a few professors.  At the time, Peace Corps seemed like a good idea. I could  experience another culture, while contributing to others. And I was not ready to return home from college.  To be a volunteer then was cool. And to be a volunteer now, is still cool. My upbringing encouraged volunteerism and so does my faith. 

Post college, I did not finish the process, the paperwork seemed overwhelming, and there was pressure to enter the work force, marry and start an American adult life. I spent my summer away teaching summer camp, only to return early and start a job. 

Years pass really fast and I have few regrets; I have a loving family and my work life exceeded anything I could ever imagine. However, in  my later 40′s I began to consider  items that I left unfinished. Like, a list of books I was suppose to  read in high-school, places I had wanted to visit, people I had long forgotten or had bitter words, organize years of photos, decorate the spare room,  take up a new sport or hobby, get to know my neighbors, master a foreign language. My list was large and not in any order. 

I could not roll back the years, and recapture those moments when I did, or did not do something. But I could tap into when I felt the most happy and why. And how best to get to my list. 

So I began to work away on my disorganized lists; and one item on my list was to walk more; by age 50 what was once  low blood pressure became high blood pressure. So on election day about 4 or 5  years ago, I walked to my local polling station. A few  energetic sign holders, stopped me, we chatted. I said something like “more people should walk, I love my morning walk” and that led to “you love nature?” and me blurting “why, yes I do!” Within a few short weeks I was volunteering  in the woods for a frog study. I counted, weighed, identified  the growth of  frog-let to frog  at  “Ice Pond”. At one time the pond was a source of block ice in cold winters, thus its name. A cement damn holds the water on one side and most times, the water is calm.  The study  lasted summer to fall for two years. A lot of frog handling;  catch and release. I contracted Lyme disease in that first summer. 

Ice Pond Southborough, Ma Photo Credit me Doe

This frog study involved some training on herpetology. Those two summers  led to the bumble bee photo ID study in open grass fields, which led to joining the newly opened CSA farm in my community. Volunteering simply made me happy.  In my youth; serving in church,  local hospital  or nursing home, it just felt good to give. To give of  my time or lend hand at tasks. I loved pushing the candy cart at the hospital to bring a sweet to patients or work with the nurses to change bedding.  

Breakneck HIll, Southborough, MA photo credit Doe

My renewed volunteer efforts had me imaging many what ifs.  Dreaming about  possibilities led to me google where I could seek out  various larger volunteer programs. And that is when Peace Corps kept popping up in my google search, again and again and again.I do have the belief that things happen for a reason and my faith reinforces this. Peace Corps was beckoning me. I recalled my unfinished attempt as a young woman. I felt energized. 

I began to research Peace Corps programs, read many stories and how its serves 141  countries.  I began to think about all the reasons I would fail; climate, diet, age, language, severe poverty, separation from family. But the positives outweighed any fear of committing my life for 27 months. I looked at where could I succeed and began to narrow my countries of choice. I asked questions; would language be taught, do my cultural values align, is there a  program that my background matches?,  and how am I supported overseas for health and well being. I was enthralled with the grass roots living coniditions within the local culture and thought that would make the greatest impact. 

I found the initial on-line application very simple, and was able to choose a preferred country and program. A very fair process.  I thought they will never pick me, this is silly, I am too old. Not much time passed and I was chosen to be interviewed. It seemed to go well. From what I recall,  the questions surrounded how I interact and deal with other people, other cultures. A good amount of time was spent on how  I develop relationships. My interview did not feel like any test I had taken. My recruiter asked for written referrals (two personal and one professional) and they would be back to me no later than a pre-determined time frame. If chosen with an  invitation by email,  I must accept an offer to serve in 3 days. This email could also be a rejection. 

The offer to serve came on a most unexpected day. And honestly like other volunteers who shared their special offer day, I cried. The 2017 US elections had completed and I happen to be in NYC where tensions were so high. I also happened to be at one of my favorite places with my favorite people to share the news; my sister and Wollman Ice Skating Rink in Central Park (on my list was to return to ice skating routinely).  I could not stop crying and shared the news with the ticket attendant “I have been invited to the Peace Corps!” tears streaming. 

I was ready, and my sister was overwhelming supportive. Now, to tell all my loved ones, which was not easy. Had they not been supportive I would not have accepted my service, its a huge sacrifice for my family, but I  wanted to give back and was heading to Republic Georgia.

It is the toughest job I have ever loved. I miss home a lot!, but this is a home. I miss my car, but I would never give up all the walking to work and markets daily.  The food is different, but more healthy. The culture is warm. Children and family needs  are the priority. The language is insanely difficult, but I am slowly mastering it. The nature, the history, the dance, the food and most importantly its  faith make Georgia a most loving place to serve. I am immersed.

My job is simple, I offer friendship, meet people,  share culture, train youth and businesses in areas of interest that will promote economics development. I live in my community, not an office and face much of the same day to day struggles of my community where I live. Electric outages, water shortage, outhouses, no car, no dryer or dish washer, nor  fast food/coffee and a language I continue to struggle speaking (I continue my lessons). But, I attend weddings, funerals and baptisms and birthday parties. And Georgians love a party. 

Peace Corps mission is to  promote world peace and friendship by fulling three goals.  1. to meet the needs of interested countries for trained men and women 2.  To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. 3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Next summer my service completes but my life will see future service somewhere and I need to get back to my list and see what comes next.  Thanks for listening! Doe

[dumbonem]

Long post alert! It was Peace Corps home and week. Usually in Jamaica we live with host families, for safety. It can be a great experience and or a tough one. It's always tricky to share space with someone else, especially strangers, and find your place in the home. Not to mention navigating personalities differences, boundaries, problem solving, etc. It can be an overwhelming, thrilling, horrific, or a lovely experience. I started reading this book given to me before left the States, "The Girl on the Train", and this page resonated with me soo deeply! Update: In the spirit of staying real about my experience, due to some unfortunate circumstances, I'm also getting a housing and possible site change. Don't worry, I'm ok. 👍🏾#PeaceCorps #PeaceCorpsJamaica #Travel #wanderlust #bloggingabroad #Livingabroad #JA #Jamaica #Volunteer #PCJ #PCV #HowISeePC #PeaceCorpsWeek #PeaceCorpsHome (at Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica)

[midnightmurauder]

This week is Peace Corps Week and it marks the 4 year anniversary of my COS (Close of Service) from Panama 🇵🇦. What a life changer. Here are photos that bring me take me back to my time there. Either interacting with youth, Mi Pueblo ( muchos gracias a mi tierra PORTOBELLILO), or my fellow PCVs. It's the hardest job you'll ever love and I'm grateful. #peacecorps #peacecorpsweek #peacecorpspanama #3rdgoal #bpcv #panama #nostalgia #friends #travel (at Clayton, Panamá)

[two-for-luck]

Remembering Rosalie and Albertine today. 

[doriscahill]

ბაბუა (Grandpa)

It was apple picking day and I was invited to the family home of my colleague Keti, in the village Uraveli.  We drive up a modestly paved road, all packed in the car with the children and husband at the wheel. We arrive, are greeted by her parents. Keti points  to the majestic mountains to the south :”over there is “Turkey”. I smile.  

We walk all the corners of  her small  farm, between the fruit trees, down steep paths, past the spent tomatoes and peppers, a few still dangle for picking; not yet bit by the frost near the cabbage readied for harvest.  We spend our afternoon picking apples and beans.  We continue to walk, pick and talk. Her mom says “ the work always goes quickly with extra hands”. .She points out the most precious spots, where the church once stood and candles are still lit; layers of wax from years. The church was destroyed in the war.

But is was on entering the family house, my heart filled, and eyes welled.Built in 1939, no longer lived in, only tended to on the weekends by her, her mother and father. It was so very care worn, yet “untouched”. Images of my grandparents’ home flashed; the smell of food, the chattering of relatives and warmth by the heater; here the pekchi.

 This was  her grandfather’s house, built by hand and with his brother; every stone placed and board hand-cut. We walk in and she navigates me to “his” room, it was filled with his favorite books; so many, a desk, and personal effects,  now all covered in dust. The draws and shelves were packed with his journals. She glows and tells me how smart he was, that he was in the war and had many honors he earned in his life, he was even  mentioned in a printed book. She was so very proud of having him as grandfather. Like my memories of my  papa’s desk; with his papers, pens and diplomas. 

She continues to what was her grandparents bedroom. Opens the armoire and brings out his jacket filled with medals. “may I take a picture?”,  “Yes”  I take a few, one is perfect.  

Unable to forget the emotion as as few weeks had passed. “Would you please write me a short note about your grandpa  in Georgian?” She said she needs to ask her father about this. Today, with tears in both our eyes remembering those who served in the war and those who are no longer with us. She passes this along to me and now I pass it to you.  

ნიკოლოს კოსტანიშვილი - მისი ახალგაზრდობის წლები მთლიანიას ომის ქარ-ცეცხლს უკავშირდება. მე-10-ე კლასის მოსწავლე იყო როდესაც ოჯახს ომში გაწვევის ცნობა მოუვიდა და ისიც, მის სამ ძმასთან ერთად ჯარისკაცთა რიგებში ჩაირიცხა. პატარა ბიჭმა მისი ემოცია ერთი პატარა ლექსით გადმოცა: „მიმაცილებდა მეობარს დედა,ცრემლი უკრთოდა მოხუცს თვალებში.მისი ოცნება მეც თან მიმსდევდაძლიერი სიტყვა, ტკბილი ალერსი..“ სრული ექვსი წელი დაჰქო ომში, იყო მუდმივად წინა ხაზზე, 3-ჯერ გადაურჩა სიკვდილს მძიმედ დაჭრილი, თუმცა ვერ შეაშინეს, ვერ გატეხეს.... ომიდან  დაბრუნდა 5 ორდენით, 10 მედლით, 14 მადლობით და მომავლის გეგმებით. მას შემდეგ დაამთავრა ორი უმაღლესი სასწავლებელი სპეციალობით აგრონომი და ქიმია-ბიოლოგი. შექმნა ოჯახი, გაზარდა 4 შვილი და 8 შვილიშვილი, რომელიბიც არასოდეს დაივიწყებენ მის დამსახურებას და აუცილებლად გადასცემენ მის შთამომავალს.

This is a translated version. Some words do not translate to English correctly from this ancient language, please consider this.

Nikoloz Kostanashvili - his early years of the war entirely wind-related fire. I- 10th grader was a family when war recruiting news, and he too, his three brothers enlisted in the ranks of the soldiers. One little boy of his emotions a little poem gadmotsa: "mimatsilebda meobars mother, tears in her eyes, the old man. The dream I had of mimsdevda strong words, sweet caress .. "a full six years dahko war, was always on the front line, 3-times survived badly wounded, but not frightened, not broke .... returned from the war 5 Order, 10 medals, 14 gratitude and future plans. After the two finished a degree in Agronomy and chemistry-biologist. Married, 4 children and 8 grandchildren increased, the romelibi never forget his contribution and will hand over to his offspring.

We had a lovely dinner that evening, all gathered around the table toasting to goodness,  life and friendships.

 I asked first and place a few peppers in my pockets, then fill a bag of apples to bring home to my host family. No preservatives. Thanks for listening. Doe