Swearing-in!

So, this is the week I swore in and transitioned from being a Peace Corps Trainee to a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). The 10 weeks of training have been very structured, lots of rules about what we could or could not do in our down time, our food was prepared for us, and all our needs were met. This was the first ‘dry’ Pre-Service Training (PST) in Namibia which meant that we could not drink in public. We could have a beer or glass of wine with our host family but that was it. I think the policy makes sense. We stand out, we are vulnerable targets for thieves and alcohol can impair your judgement. Why not take this time to think clear headed and become aware of potential threats? Anyway, the point is that we were kind of in a bubble during PST. Immediately following the swearing-in ceremony, I was driven about 2 hours North by the friendly principal of my school, given a brief tour of the town, shown where to report to school the next day, and dropped off at my new site. All of Group 48 were at their new sites by the next day, some without electricity or indoor plumbing, of which I have both. Basically, we are on our own. Of course, we have each other for support and we have resources for help, but we are on our own. Peace Corps assumes we will reach out for support, use our resources and meet the expectations we swore to uphold. Amazingly, by far, the majority of PCVs do just that. I am proud to be in Namibia’s Group 48, the newest group of Peace Corps Volunteers!

All for now, with all my love