¿Y Entonces...?

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 13, 2011 – Peace Corps volunteer Jamie Nations of Lorton, Va., helped build the first two pedestrian bridges in her rural community in Nicaragua. Nations organized the planning and construction of bridges that provide access to the local school, health center, children’s food bank, and the main highway. One bridge was completed in September 2011 and the other in June 2011.



“The two rivers in my community are constantly flooded during the rainy season, making it too dangerous for my students to come to school. Class attendance dropped by almost 50 percent from May to October,” said Nations, a Peace Corps Education volunteer who has been in service since 2009. “I quickly realized this was a huge problem in my community, not only for the education of my students, but also for mothers taking their children to the food bank for their only meal of the day and seniors seeking medical care at the health center.”

Construction began on the first bridge on April 11 and was completed on June 14. Nations worked with the community, volunteers from the University of Iowa, and another organization to construct the 37-meter (121.3-feet) bridge out of steel cable, concrete, wood, metal fencing, and rocks. Construction began on the second bridge on July 11 and was completed on September 14. Nations secured funding from the Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development Small Project Assistance (SPA) program to construct the bridge using materials such as gabion, rocks, railroad tracks and wood.



“My community had been looking for means to build these bridges for 15 years and now it’s a reality. It is a gift to be able to see how these amazing people will progress and prosper because of the construction of these two bridges,” continued Nations.

The bridges are located approximately one kilometer (0.6 mile) apart and connect the community to the central highway.

About Peace Corps/Nicaragua: More than 2,020 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Nicaragua since the program was established in 1968. Volunteers in this Central American nation work in the areas of Small business development, community-based environmental education, sustainable food security, HIV/AIDS and maternal child health, and teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) education. Many volunteers work through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program to address HIV/AIDS issues. Currently, 218 volunteers are serving in Nicaragua. Volunteers are trained and work in Spanish.

-Peace Corps

YAY!!!!!

C/S America departing in mid-January to work in programs involving HIV/AIDS, malaria and nutrition*!

I have looked at the Peace Corps Wiki site and it could be Nicaragua (Jan 10), Panama (Jan 10), or Ecuador (Jan 18)!

We we so excited!!!!!

Who’s qualified for Peace Corps service as of today? Who should be getting an INVITATION within the next two weeks?

THIS GIRL!

It was a short interview, maybe 10 minutes, and boy was I sweating “um” bullets!

Questions I was asked:

• You have been actively applying since March. Are you still interested in the Peace Corps? What motivates you to seek a service position as a Peace Corps Volunteer?


• What experience have you gained since applying for the Peace Corps? Have you been in touch with fellow applicants/volunteers?
  


• Often, Volunteers are placed a fair distance from each other when based in rural areas. How would you handle possibly feeling isolated in this situation?


• When is the earliest you available for departure?


• Are you flexible to travel anywhere, even if that doesn’t include your original nomination?


•  Has your email or mailing address changed – or will it in the near future?


• Have you had any legal incidents or changes to your medical status since you submitted their application?


• What has been the response of your family and friends to your decision? How do you feel you will cope with the separation from family/friends for 27 months?


• Can you ride a bike? Can you walk long distances in heat?


• Are you worried about safety concerns?

YAY!!!!!

Booyah.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 7, 2011 – President Barack Obama announced the re-opening of a Peace Corps program in Tunisia. This announcement was made during President Obama’s meeting today with Tunisian Prime Minister Beji Caid el Sebsi, attended by Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams.

“We are honored that the government of Tunisia has asked Peace Corps to re-open our program in Tunisia,” said Director Williams. “The return of the Peace Corps to Tunisia offers our countries the opportunity to resume a partnership with a long and productive history. This Peace Corps program will contribute to the Obama Administration’s efforts to support the Tunisian people by working side by side on important education and economic initiatives.”

The first group of Peace Corps volunteers is scheduled to arrive in Tunisia in 2012. Volunteer assignments will focus on English language training and youth skills development. These two programs will build local capacity and help prepare Tunisian students and professionals for future employment.

Between 1961 and 1996, nearly 2,500 Americans served as Peace Corps volunteers in Tunisia, working in the fields of agriculture, architecture, education, health, and rural and urban community development.

About the Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, by executive order. Throughout 2011, Peace Corps is commemorating 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 8,655 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. Visit www.peacecorps.govfor more information.

They’re moving my file quick! Just got an email wanting an updated resume/volunteer experience and my transcript. All she said was to be flexible as to what region and be ready to leave early 2012!

Got the letter in the mail today. Now, off to the Office of Placement!

Please excuse me while I do my happy dance :D

I received a letter from the OMS today stating that because I was on “menses” (fancy word for every female’s favorite part of the month), my first urinalysis was abnormal and they wanted me to get another test.

Ran down to the clinic I got my first UA at and they recognized me. I told them the situation and without filling out any paperwork/paying a co-pay, they just gave me a cup and sent me to the restroom. I was in and out of the clinic in 20 minutes and got a “normal” UA testing.

Ran over to the FedEx Office, scanned the results and sent them to my OMS RN. Done and done. She’s not in the office until next Wednesday (thank you Out-of-Office Auto Reply), but at least I have it taken care of and can relax on this Labor Day weekend without stressing about it!

Fingers crossed for fast feedback/progress on the application!

Woke up this morning to an email from Peace Corps regarding a new “Application Toolkit Update”:

ANOTHER Medical Hold was placed on my account.

Lest to say I’m very frustrated at this, especially since the hold was lifted last week.

Edit: I talked to someone from the OMS. I have to REDO my urinalysis AGAIN. They’re sending a letter explaining what needs to be done. I’m going to try and get this all done for good before I go out of town for the Labor Day weekend.

Medical hold was taken off of my account, so that’s awesome!

However, there isn’t a check mark next to the Medical Evaluation part of the checklist…so now what?

So my “Medical Hold” was put on because I had to redo some of the original information:

• Polio Booster Immunization


• Urinalysis


• Hepatitis B Surface Antibody results


• Questionaire about TB test results

I got that all taken care of last week and sent it to my RN at the OMS. She said they were moving offices on Monday, so I’m crossing my fingers that I should hear from her that everything is right the second time around and I can continue on with the process.

Send good thoughts my way!

Good things always happen after Peace Corps does their website maintenance!

First, I got the Dental Clearance and after the most recent maintenance, I received a “Medical Hold”, meaning my paperwork is in the hands of a nurse now and I continue to patiently wait to hear something good!

Fingers crossed the only call I get is saying, “Everything seems to be in order and we’re handing your file off to a Placement Officer who will conduct your final interview.”

…or something like that :)

I love waking up to an email from Peace Corps saying that my Application Toolkit has been updated :)

Medical Packet has been received and Dental and Legal Evaluations are complete (“There are no holds on your account at this time.”)

Just waiting for the rest of my Medical Packet to be cleared and then it’s on to the next step! Crossing my fingers!

shortformblog:

Headway in the fight against HIV: A drug called Truvada is effective in preventing AIDS contraction up to 73% of the time, according to two new studies carried out in Africa. The drug has been tested before with less stellar results, but researchers now suspect the earlier study may have been flawed. The catch with preventative drugs, of course, is that you have to remember to take them before the risk presents itself, but still, this is great news. source

Read ShortFormBlog • Follow

I had my mom look over the whole packet just to make sure that I got everything I needed.

HOPEFULLY I did everything right the first time and I’ll be getting my Medical, shortly followed by my Legal, clearance ASAP!

It’s GREAT so far! Everyone here at CAP is super nice and very helpful. At the time being, I’m working front desk.

This is going to be the start of a great experience for me! :)

After some research on the Peace Corps Wiki website, it looks like I am probably going to be going to Guatemala or Nicaragua for my service. In years past, the missions leaving in January go to those two Spanish speaking countries.

Cool! 

(I’d have preferred South America, but I’ll take what I can get!)

Now…let’s keep our fingers crossed for Nicaragua!!!

As I was leaving my second to last final today (my LAST is on Thursday), I looked and saw I had a missed call from a number I did not recognize, as well as a new voicemail. 

“Hello, this is Linda calling from the Peace Corps. We just want to congratulate on your nomination to a health extension program leaving in January 2012 in South and Central America!”

YAY!!!

I’m so excited :D

Now the anticipation: What will I be doing? Where will I go? 

Let’s play the waiting game…

hardcorpscarli:

Bring on those volunteer hours!