I'm finally a Peace Corps volunteer!!!!!!!!!
Trip Start
Jun 09, 2007
1
6
15
Trip End
Aug 09, 2009
Mafinga, Tanzania
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
So after the swearing in ceromony there was a nice lunch afterwords for all of the Peace Corps staff, new volunteers and Host family. Shortly after it was time to say goodbye to our host families. During this my host parents handed me a gift. I was very surprised as I didn't expect to get a gift from them. In the package was a set of plates and cups for my new site. I was very grateful. My host family has been great to me and had a fun time living with them. I have to admit that I'll miss them but I'm ready to move on to my location ( Maduma village).
The last night in Kilosa was very fun. Half the training group inlcuding myself just hung out around the hostel we stayed at and talked and listen to music. This would also be the last time that some of us will see each other for the next three months ( In 3 months all the volunteers meet up for a in-service workshop). My site, Maduma village , is located in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania which is a 30 minute drive from Mafinga, Tanzania and is an hour away from the city of Iringa. Six other volunteers from my training group including a few of my closest friends in the Peace Corps ( Steve, Charles, Jessica) were also placed in the Southern Highlands. Steve only lives 5 Km away from my house and Jimmy Church, who was the guy I stayed with during my shadow visit is only 10 km away from my house. So i'm very fortunate to have other volunteers nearby.
Last wendsday through Friday, me and a few other volunteers spent the night in Mafinga shopping for our new homes and also setting up a bank account. For my house I bought some food, cleaning products, and new Jicco ( stove), a mattress, and some buckets. Finally on Saturday I moved into my new house. When I saw my house that day, I was amazed by how nice it was. The walls were already painted bright colors. The house also has an beautiful view of the tall hills and mountains. The house contains a big courtyard with many plants and the kitchen is awesome !!!!!!!. Now from my previous post in my blog, I was talking about how my house use to belong to a previous peace corps volunteer named Chris Brown. As I walked into the house that day I was amazed by the things Chris left for me to have. He left me most of his food and spices, plates and pans, his books, and even his sunglasses and headphones. Wow what a very nice guy !!!!!! So Mom I'm not going to need a care package from you for a very long time LOL .
The first few days in my village were very nice and relaxing. This past weekend I met my counterpart name Taulem who I will be working with for the next 2 years. Taulem is also the village chairman of Maduma Village. He's a very nice guy and that weekend he gave me a tour of the village and introduced me to allot of the villagers. On Sunday he even took me to the local Pentecostal Church and introduced me to the congregation there. Tommorow i'm going to my first village meeting. During this meeting the governmental villagers will talk about the problems and needs of the village. This is an very exciting time for me and I'm happy that I'm finnaly a Peace Corps volunteer!!!!!! Well everyone I have to get going, I'm going to make an effort to go to Mafinga once a week to update my blog and charge my cellphone. Speaking of which, for those of you who were trying to reach me the past few days I'm sorry I havn't been in contact with you. My cellphone battery has been dead the past few days. So what I'm going to do is that in order to save battery power, I'm just going to have my phone on during Late afternoon to night time. Again I want to thank everyone for all the support that you all have given me and I keep in touch with you guys as much as possible. Kwa Heri !!!!!!!
Comments
Congratulations!!!
Hey there Mannis, It's Julia Hooper (from BUMC) I haven't peeked back on line for a while...and wow what you have accomplished is truly remarkable. Congratulations. The photos are great, keep em coming. Be safe and know that you are in our prayers always. Julia, Bob, John and Katharine