If you're reading this, I miss you. Read updates about my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer here, and please send me email updates about your life. Also, add me on Skype so I can see your cute face. Feel free to leave comments!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

PC FAQ

I get the same questions over and over (plus I saw another volunteer did this), so I'm starting with a FAQ post. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. There's a good chance I won't know the answer.

What am I doing?
My official job title is "Community Health Promoter." Peace Corps will place me with an organization, and I will perform a variety of tasks, both office-based and community/field-based. I'll find out much more once I get to my site.

For now, I'll be in training for 10 weeks, studying intensively six days a week while living with a family. Training will include Portuguese, health & safety, interpersonal & cross-cultural skills, and technical skills.

Where in Mozambique will I be?
For the first two months, I will be in Namaacha with all 70 other volunteers. It's a rural, southern town near the border with Swaziland and about an hour and a half away from Maputo. In early December, I will move to my site, which could be anywhere in the country.

What will living conditions be like?
I really won't know until I get there. My housing may or may not have running water and electricity. I will have a door that locks and a roof, but the bathroom could be inside or outside.

How long will I be gone?
Until early December 2012, about 26 months.

Am I visiting home?
Yes, most likely in mid-August 2011.

Will I have internet access?
Yes, but it will be unreliable. During training my access will be pretty limited. Within the first couple weeks I will buy an internet phone, and I will occasionally be able to visit internet cafes in the capital, Maputo. Once I get to my site, my internet access should become more regular as I can visit nearby cities on the weekends. I'll keep you updated.

So, add me on skype and send me emails or facebook messages!

Can you send me care packages or visit?
Please do! Once I've been in Mozambique for a little bit, I will shamelessly post a wish list for care package items. Also, I can't have visitors for the first six months, but after that you are more than welcome.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010