Peace Corps Volunteer Jessica Buchanan in Cape Verde: Homestay



My family knows that one of my fellow volunteers hasn't had a solid bowel movement in 10 days, and they choose to refer to her in that manner instead of by her name, which is only two syllables

Peace Corps Volunteer Jessica Buchanan in Cape Verde: Homestay

July 30, 2005

Sao Domingos -- Homestay

[Excerpt]

The village I am living in is called San Domingos, and it is very small. I will be here until the middle of September when I go to site, but right now I am going to class 8 hours a day and living with a Cape Verdean family. Classes include 2-4 hours of Kriolu for the first 4 weeks, then Portuguese for the next 4 weeks, culture classes, health classes, and other training. I now know that I will be teaching literature at the Teachers college in the capital. This makes me happy. There is no internet in the town, and it is absolutely obligatory to say hello to everyone as you pass them on the street. Walking from point A to point B obviously takes longer than it would in America.

We have already determined that everyone is either related by blood or marriage, and word travels faster than speeding bullets. For example, my family knows that one of my fellow volunteers hasn't had a solid bowel movement in 10 days, and they choose to refer to her in that manner instead of by her name, which is only two syllables.

The town itself is devastatingly beautiful. Beautiful for the fact that it is situated amongst brown mountains that touch the mist in the morning and stand guard against the sun as it rises and sets each day. Devastating for the trash that is bestowed upon it without hesitation. The trash, in fact, has been the most difficult thing about Cape Verde so far. It is everywhere that people are, and the most responsible people seem to burn their trash instead of throwing it out willy nilly. I'm not sure which is worse. Sunday, my host mother used platic bags to kindle the fire that she cooked our dinner on. I watched in amazement as I sidestepped the black, toxic cloud that floated in my direction. I have already learned to bite my tongue and choose my battles.

When this story was posted in July 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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Special Events for RPCVs Join the NPCA in DC for Advocacy Day on July 28 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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July 9, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Mike Honda says Democratic Party in paradigm shift 6 July Peace Corps Suspends Program in Gabon 8 July Thomas Tighe says Thailand is faring better 8 July Michael Parmly appointed top diplomat in Cuba 7 July Paul Timmreck got his start trailing garbage trucks 7 July Shays says London explosions should be wakeup call 7 July Tom Murphy says: Be Vigilant, But Not Afraid 7 July Gov. Doyle saddened and outraged by London Attacks 7 July RPCV Films organizing Film Festival 6 July Terez Rose writes Aid for Africa – Will the G8 Help? 6 July Carl Youngberg takes ballet to Honduras 6 July Kafatia faces a mandatory eight years in prison 6 July Bill Moyers says LBJ hated FOIA law 6 July Andy and Trudy Anderson work with The Hunger Project 5 July Thomas A. Dine deplores the attack against reporter 5 July Mime Troupe tackles history, politics and the World Bank 4 July Francis Mandanici says investigation could lead to impeachment 4 July Beth Bedinotti says motherhood is "toughest job" 1 July Director Vasquez Visits Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean 1 July

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July 8, 2005: PC suspends program in Gabon Peace Corps announced the suspension of the program in Gabon citing the high cost of the program. In addition, a 2003 Inspector General report documented safety and security costs of $1 million that would be necessary to keep the program operating successfully. Background: In 1998 Peace Corps Volunteer Karen Phillips was was found murdered in the weeds about 100 yards from her home in Oyem, Gabon. Her killer has never been brought to justice.

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By richmckeon (198.228.216.171) on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - 12:06 am: Edit Post

My daughter is going to Swaziland next as a peace corp volunteer. I am worried about her safety. Please put my mind to rest.