17 days and counting
Trip Start
Jul 18, 2006
1
18
Trip End
Sep 2008
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Sunday, July 2, 2006
Today, I'm feeling pretty excited about all that I am about to face, but that changes from day to day (and hour to hour). Of course, sometimes I'm more nervous but as everyone has told me, that is perfectly normal.
For those that may not know, I am headed off to Benin (West Africa) to begin work with the Peace Corps. I will spend 2 days in Philadelphia doing a mini-training that will include filling out paperwork, getting some shots and learning the very basics of the Peace Corps. After that, I fly from Philly to Paris and Paris to Cotonou, Benin. From what I can gather, I will only be there for a few days doing some more training and then I will move to another city in Benin where I will live with a family for 3 months. During that time, I will get training from the Peace Corps regarding language, culture and my assignment as a "Rural Community Health Advisor." During that time, I am considered a Peace Corps Trainee (PCT) and it is only after completing that training that I am sworn in as a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) and will move to my post, thus starting my two year commitment. My post will be in Northern Benin and as I mentioned before, I will be serving as a Rural Community Health Advisor. As such, I will most likely be doing work regarding infant and pre-natal nutrition. Really, the whole first year of my service will be getting to know the village and establishing the needs of the community with the non-profit I am placed with.
This whole adventure has been a lot to absorb and think about, but I'm taking things one day at a time and doing what I can to be as prepared as possible.
My address until September 2006 will be:
Rebecca Mrljak, PCT
Corps de la Paix Americain
01 B.P. 971
Cotonou, Benin
Afrique de l'Ouest (West Africa)
*please write "par avion" and "air mail" on the envelope & number your letters so that I am sure I am getting them all!
Peace (Corps) out,
Rebecca
Comments
oh heck, beck!
what an amazing journey you have ahead!!! i can't wait to read more about your adventures and to get used to writing snail mail again. have fun in aFRRRICA!
love your big sis,
sara
Its Tracy , your cousin
That sounds way too cool. You girls know how to live. Make sure you take pics of animals for me. Especially monkeys!!! I will send this link to Jes and she can read and hopefully send you a message. Have fun!
Tracy
You go girl!
I am so impressed by your ambition & courage. You really will make a difference in this world!
Love/Aunt Flossie
Another child of Copargo
Hello, Rebecca! My name is Ali and I was the first PCV in Copargo--at least in many, many years! I served as a TEFL volunteer from 2001 to 2003. Am I understanding that the newest RCH stage is training in Copargo? That is amazing! What PSL are y'all on now? I am just curious. If you ever get to Natitingou, there is, or was!, a good cybercafe there. If you'd like, I will send you my email and/or postal address and we can chat. Best of luck!