Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Ten Days to complete training

The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.

In ten days I will complete the three months of training and be designated as a Peace Corps Volunteer. It has been a demanding time physically and other wise as I deal with a very different culture, different language and very different social structure. Attempting to reach some level of ability in the language has been a challenge. I will know in a few days if I have reached an acceptable level or will need some more training. I certainly will get more training opportunities as I get to my permanent site in a small village in the Brong Ahafo Region. I have a very good map and the village is not showing. However, I am ready to go, set up my two room home and get started with living and teaching there.

I am told this is the time trainees start the list of things they miss. Here are some of mine so far: My children, my family, my comfortable home, driving, the variety of foods available, something sweet, cooking for my self, controlling more of the days events, no roosters within a mile of my bedroom, a choice to sleep in, up to date news, the ocean, others to come.

Next week is likely to be a big event for the Peace Corps as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Ghana was the first deployment site for volunteers, so the ceremony to officially recognize this group will be a little bigger than usual. I will attempt to get some pictures.

I am feeling fine and ready to get started with the next two years.