Travel Plans

So I've been working on buying everything to live overseas for 2 years (don't worry, there's a final packing list coming soon.)  This weekend, the solar charger I ordered arrived.  Before anyone realized that it had been delivered, our black lab and husky mix found and, tore open the package, and drug all the parts all over our front field.  In the description of their product, Solio brags about the durability of their products.  This was definitely proven.  My very sweet little brother hopped on the four wheeler and hunted down every tiny piece over an area of a couple acres.  After putting the charger in the sun for a couple hours to charge up, it miraculously worked!  So for anyone needing a solar charger, check out Solio products! They are even dog-proof!

 Today though, I got my final email from the Peace Corps sending me last minute papers and travel arrangement information.  The email told me that my staging dates have been pushed back to September 22.  After calling the travel people, it turns out that there are not any flights that can get me in before meetings start on the 22nd so I'm actually flying in on the 21st.  This should work out great though!  My friend Elizabeth is actually moving to Philadelphia soon so I will hopefully get to see her and hang out before I ship out!  I can't believe I am leaving so soon, but am getting so excited!!

Maisha merefu! Afya! Vifijo!
(Good Health)

Katie

Where in the World?

After 16 months of waiting, I finally found out my home for the next 27 months.  TANZANIA!!  I could not be happier about my assignment.  I will be a Secondary Education Biology teacher in Tanzania, Africa.  I could not believe it when I received my invite from the Peace Corps and didn't even tell anybody for about the first hour or so that I had it.  It was so unbelievable that I had that blue envelope in my hand after waiting for so long.  The timeline of my application process is below.

Applied April 2009--->Interview/Nomination Aug. 26, 2009--->Send in Medical Review Jan. 2010---->Dental approval Feb. 2010--->Medical Approval April or May 2010--->Receive PC Invite Aug. 11, 2010

This process is in no way easy.  The entire time you are unsure of what is going on and feel completely helpless.  I think this has maybe given me an idea of what I might feel like over the next 27 months.  But finally, I am an official Peace Corps Volunteer.  After I received my Invite, I had to read over all the information they sent me, telling me all about my country assignment and job.  I then had to contact the Peace Corps office to officially accept my invitation.  You actually have 10 days, but after 16 months of waiting I was sure I wanted to accept within 16 seconds of opening that packet.  Then the never ending paperwork began.  My immediate attention was on getting my new government passport and visa.  I got to deal with a very confused, not so nice lady at the post office, but finally got all my passport paper work approved.  Then I got walked through the Visa application by a laughing Tanzanian on the phone who found my questions extremely entertaining.  At least I brought a little humor to some one's life.  

The name of this blog, "Tumaini" means "hope" in Kiswahili (which is the language I will be learning!).   I feel that will be my theme for this journey.  I want to bring hope to the Tanzanians I work with and my fellow Peace Corps volunteers, and also try to remain hopeful throughout my journey no matter the obstacles I encounter.  Wish me luck on this!! 

I should be getting more information in a couple weeks letting me know my address in Tanzania.  I will definitely put that up as soon as I get it!  Also, feel free to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or email me!!

Maisha merefu! Afya! Vifijo!

(Good Health!)

Katie