Since I last posted...
Christmas was a good time as we celebrated it together as trainees. We sang Christmas songs (which I was very much appreciative for), had a secret santa in which I got phone credit so I could call home and American snacks!, and we had a dinner. I was able to talk to several people on Christmas Eve, and then with the whole family and Becky on Christmas (always such a blessing to hear from/talk with).
I also was blessed with the ability to pass my language proficency exam which means that I will be swearing in on Thur. Dec. 30th as an 'official Peace Corps Volunteer'! Sorry for the abruptness but time is short. Love you all, thanks for the support!
LIVEITUP
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Progress and Excitement
I spent 2wks with a group of other trainees and a couple language trainers in a small village as an immersion experience. It proved to be quite helpful as I passed my 2nd language proficiency 'exam' with a rating that (if I can keep) would allow for me to be sworn in which is in ~2wks! Hard to believe that after 7wks. in country they have taught us the foundations of a language well enough that we can function within the society! (Don't get the wrong impression though, we're still nowhere near being fluent though).
We all found out what village we will be posted in for our 2yr. term today! We were all anxious to find out and I will be in the Maradi region, which only means that I'll be within a 3-5hr. distance from Maradi using a variety of means of transportation (feet, donkey cart, bush taxi to list a few). I'll be in a village that's considered a 'bush village' of ~2000 people. There were 2 other volunteers that have been posted in the village before me but the 1st left after a month and the other took on a different postion within the PC after a year. From what I've been informed, the people are extremely nice and I'll have the opportunity to look into a few different bigger projects that would be accepted well within the village (although this is very subject to whatever direction the village and I are able to manage). I'll be able to explain a little bit more after I've actually been there, met the people, and seen what life will be like (I've been told that I also have the best hole in the ground 'toilet' out of all the PC volunteers in Niger!).
Hope you're all staying warm; its getting all the way down to the mid 60's here! It's hard to think that it's Dec. and that Christmas is a week away without the snow, Christmas songs, and fun seasonal gatherings and spirit.
Thank you all for your support and prayers, LIVEITUP, Peace and Love to all,
Michael
We all found out what village we will be posted in for our 2yr. term today! We were all anxious to find out and I will be in the Maradi region, which only means that I'll be within a 3-5hr. distance from Maradi using a variety of means of transportation (feet, donkey cart, bush taxi to list a few). I'll be in a village that's considered a 'bush village' of ~2000 people. There were 2 other volunteers that have been posted in the village before me but the 1st left after a month and the other took on a different postion within the PC after a year. From what I've been informed, the people are extremely nice and I'll have the opportunity to look into a few different bigger projects that would be accepted well within the village (although this is very subject to whatever direction the village and I are able to manage). I'll be able to explain a little bit more after I've actually been there, met the people, and seen what life will be like (I've been told that I also have the best hole in the ground 'toilet' out of all the PC volunteers in Niger!).
Hope you're all staying warm; its getting all the way down to the mid 60's here! It's hard to think that it's Dec. and that Christmas is a week away without the snow, Christmas songs, and fun seasonal gatherings and spirit.
Thank you all for your support and prayers, LIVEITUP, Peace and Love to all,
Michael
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