from a month ago

I wanted to post this a month ago, but the internet wasn't working:

I’m writing this on a Wednesday afternoon, and by this time Sunday I will be finished with Pre-Service Learning, I will have taken the Peace Corps oath and be deemed an official Peace Corps volunteer, I will have packed up my room here in Djougou, squeezed its contents into a bush taxi (which I will be sharing with another volunteer and all her stuff), and be on my way to my post in Tobre. Hopefully I will have finished up my shopping, which should happen since all I still need is instant coffee, clothespins, a head scarf, condensed milk, and butter. Hopefully I will also have worked up the energy to do my laundry before I pack it, but the temptation of waiting until I get to my post, and then paying a petit (child) to do it is strong.

I am very glad to be wrapping up PSL. Our swearing-in ceremony is on Friday, and I’ve been told that I should expect TV cameras, an appearance by the US Ambassador, and lots of speeches. Among those speeches are some given by those of us swearing in, either in local languages or in French. The two people giving a short speech in French are the two people from the TEFL group who made the biggest advancement in their French proficiency, so that means – drumroll please – I will be giving the speech. My “prize” for moving from novice-low to advanced-mid in nine weeks is giving a two minutes speech, which I’m hoping will end up on Beninese TV. This could be my big break, guys, so when I get offered a job as a news reporter, or, say, a place in the ministry of education, don’t be surprised.

But in all likelihood, I will be in Tobre for the next two years, teaching English and doing anything else worthwhile that comes my way, instead of becoming a West African celeb. And that is fine with me. I’m ready to start doing what I came here to do. I’m ready to schmooze it up with the mamans and tantes in the market. I’m ready to figure out how to use teaching English as a vehicle to address other issues, such as gender equality and HIV/AIDs. I’m ready to become so invested in my students that it hurts. I’m ready to cook my own meals and divvy up the chores I don’t like doing among the kids in my concession (such as collecting water and doing laundry). I’m ready to learn to speak some Bariba, perfect my French (advanced-mid is still a long way from Fluent). Basically, I’m ready to begin.

Officially beginning my career as a volunteer also means upping moving further away from home. Although I’ll only be a couple hundred kilometers from where I am right now, it will feel much further. Communication with home will be limited greatly, considering there is no telephone, post office, or internet in my village. My request is this: don’t stop sending me emails or letters. I will do my utmost to keep my family and friends in the know, but I need to have a pile of letters and a list of emails waiting for me everytime I have a chance to check. Please, it is for my emotional health. Bravo to those of you who have done such an excellent job of making me feel loved and important for the past nine weeks.

And another request: pray for me and for my community as we get to know each other. That we will both be fair and kind in our judgments of one another. That we will be gracious and generous. That we will also be honest, not pretending that we have things (knowledge, abilities, understanding) that we don’t. That we will be accepting and trusting. I think if these things were to happen, my first few months at post will be some of the most exciting and informative of my life.