After all this time applying, waiting, interviewing, waiting, getting clearances, and then waiting some more, it's hard to believe I'll actually be leaving in a little more than a week. I'll be flying to Philadelphia on October 1st for a staging event where we process the final paperwork, and then October 2nd we fly to Kenya for the 3 month initial training. I can't wait to get to know the other people in my training group, we'll actually be meeting up at the airport before we head to the staging event at our hotel. You can check out our facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/351499358256678/
I've had a lot of questions about all this from friends and family, so I'd like to describe the basic idea of what I'll be doing in Kenya for everyone. I will be doing secondary science teaching (middle/high school ages) for children, in what will most likely be a rural community without many of the amenities we are used to here in the states. When volunteers first arrive in their host country we go through a 3 month training program where we begin to learn Kiswahili, the details of our responsibilities, cultural differences, health concerns, and I'm sure many other things that will help prepare us for the following 2 years of service. I'll be with a host family that will help be grow accustomed to the new language and culture, and I will still be in contact with other volunteers, as well as with family back home through this blog and facebook. Once I have the proper mailing address for the local peace corps headquarters I'll post it for any letters or anything you'd like to send.
I only have time for this quick little post for now, but I'll post more details later. Until then!
Tyler
