Babies, Brushes, & Banana Peanut Butter

This April I had the awesome opportunity to work at an orphanage, La Maison d'Arnaud, in northern Madagascar. As part of a site-exchange*, I and two other Volunteers (one third-year education Volunteer who lives at the orphanage and one health Volunteer from my Peace Corps entry group) facilitated a week of health-related activities with the children and staff!

A nutrition cooking demonstration was our first activity on the week's menu. First, we made our own peanut butter with the Malagasy orphanage cooks and nannies, then mashed some sweet bananas into it. We got to feed it to the babies for morning snack, and they went BONKERS for that stuff. One baby actually cried when we ran out of it! Then with enough vegetables to feed a small elephant, we went on to make a hearty, nutrient-rich soup. If you don't believe kids like eating vegetables, then you wouldn't have believed your eyes to see the kids slurpin' up this soup at lunch. But they did enjoy it, and so did the staff! (Shout out to my Volunteer friend Jenna, who was the mastermind behind our cooking plan).

Nutshell

This is the end my friend, this is the end....

...of Pre-Service Training!

As described before, PST was a whirlwind experience. I did everything from planting pineapples, to bargaining for a live chicken, to learning how to say "smell ya later!" in Malagasy, to beyond. It's been an educational 10 weeks, a tough 10 weeks, a wild 10 weeks. I wish I could capture and depict the experience in its entirety, but my mind is still exhausted and currently doesn't have the capacity for that level of processing. (And how can you truly describe PST, anyway?). So I've selected three major components of my PST experiences to feature "in a nutshell": Homestay, Technical Training, and PCTC Life. 

Viewfinder

Pictures convey what words cannot explain. 

My best description of the Peace Corps training, communities, and nature I've experienced my first six weeks in Madagascar are in the photos below. Enjoy!

Departure

Saved by the Bell (photo from quickmeme)

This is really happening.

I have officially left Texas. 

First, to Philadelphia for staging. I met my training group of about 45 soon-to-be Peace Corps Volunteers. In staging we had a day of preparation for departure, training, and service. A day to bridge ourselves between home and Madagascar.

Next, to Africa. Before long, I will be flying over ocean blue and distant lands to Madagascar. I will be going to my new home for the next two years.

Once I arrive to Madagascar, I will be off the communication grid for the first few weeks of training (aka, no phone or internet). In other words, you won't hear from me for a while. But I

Party Pooper

Saturday Night Live's Debbie Downer (photo from quickmeme)

I am the Party Pooper.

When my family suggested a send-off party for me, I couldn't tell them no. I knew it was something they wanted to do because they love me. So, with hidden inward objection, I consented to a party.

Oi. Most people know me by my extroverted side. The side of me that is always ready for fun. The side of me that socializes until I could pass out from all the conversing, smiling and laughing. The Energizer Bunny side of me....

Few people know of my introverted side. The side of me that secretly fears the inability to escape a social cluster. The side of me that gets uncomfortable with too much attention. The side of me that gets tired and grouchy from the hustle and bustle around me. The Party Pooper side of me.

A send-off party? For me? Oh no. This party is bad news for a Party Pooper.

Bad news for a Party Pooper, indeed. So it's a good thing my Party Pooper side had to eat. my. shorts.

The party was incredible. Any discomfort I felt faltered to radiating encouragement and support. I was taken up with joy. I was excited to be with those around me. I was deeply

Aspiration Statement

My Aspiration Statement for my Peace Corps Madagascar assignment identifies my strategies and expectations for training and service.


»Identify three professional attributes that you plan to use during your Peace Corps service and how these will help meet your aspirations and commitment to service.

Resourcefulness, diligence, and communication skills are three professional attributes I plan to utilize in my Peace Corps service. I hope to be resourceful by finding creative solutions, seeking opportunities, and networking with others. In diligence, I will strive to

Pilot

My Peace Corps journey begins at the end of my normal, Stateside life. In 40 days, I leave for Madagascar... In 40 days, I leave Texas. I leave for new adventure... I leave the familiar. I trade the known for the unknown, the comfortable for the challenging.

I am grieved to leave much... My community, my nephews, and cheeseburgers. I am relieved to leave some... Let's not specify those. But I