2011.01.24: January 24, 2011: Niger Peace Corps Volunteer "So Far Away!!!: My Peace Corps Service in Niger" writes: The last week has been one of the most emotionally intense in a long time

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Niger: Peace Corps Niger : Peace Corps Niger: Newest Stories: 2011.01.17: January 17, 2011: Peace Corps Suspends Program in Niger; All Volunteers Evacuated Safely : 2011.01.17: January 17, 2011: Niger Peace Corps Volunteer "This Anasara Life" writes: This morning, at 5:30 a.m., I boarded a plane to Morocco and say goodbye to Niger, potentially for forever : 2011.01.24: January 24, 2011: Niger Peace Corps Volunteer "So Far Away!!!: My Peace Corps Service in Niger" writes: The last week has been one of the most emotionally intense in a long time

By Admin1 (admin) (98.188.147.225) on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 12:35 pm: Edit Post

Niger Peace Corps Volunteer "So Far Away!!!: My Peace Corps Service in Niger" writes: The last week has been one of the most emotionally intense in a long time

Niger Peace Corps Volunteer So Far Away!!!: My Peace Corps Service in Niger writes: The last week has been one of the most emotionally intense in a long time

"Even with the hardships in Niger, being there, sharing life and working with the Nigeriens, was one of the best things I've ever experienced in my life. I felt so fortunate to be there. And it ended so abruptly, with so many loose threads. Who knows I'll ever be able to return; I hope so."

Niger Peace Corps Volunteer "So Far Away!!!: My Peace Corps Service in Niger" writes: The last week has been one of the most emotionally intense in a long time

Monday, January 24, 2011

If we knew the future then life wouldn't be very interesting, would it?

Caption: Two French citizens who died after being kidnapped from this restaurant in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on Janaury 9, 2011 were probably killed by their captors. French troops were attempting to rescue them when they found the bodies.

The last week has been one of the most emotionally intense in a long time. A week full of good-byes: to Niger, to Peace Corps (for now), and many friends. A week of uncertainty, which will continue; for, if I do re-enroll in Peace Corps, I don't know when I would be leaving or where. However, I am lucky that we have this option, because I still want to volunteer with Peace Corps.

Even with the hardships in Niger, being there, sharing life and working with the Nigeriens, was one of the best things I've ever experienced in my life. I felt so fortunate to be there. And it ended so abruptly, with so many loose threads. Who knows I'll ever be able to return; I hope so.

On the one hand, I am happy to be seeing my family and friends again soon. Being so far away has made made it clear how precious those relationships are. I'm also wondering how we've both changed. And if they'll want to listen to everything I have to tell them.

Morocco has been lovely- clean, modern, mild weather. The streets aren't dirty and there aren't emaciated farm animals wandering the streets. Oh, Niger. Rome should be amazing. I plan on seeing: the coliseum, the forum, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Protestant Cemetary (Keats and Shelley are buried here!). And more. Just aimlessly strolling the ancient streets should be great. Some good time to reflect on all that has passed, and is soon to come.

I know I'll be coming back a different, but stronger person. 6 months ago I would have been too scared to travel in Europe alone; now, off I go! Niger has shown me how I could do things I never thought possible. Like living without electricty or water; being crazy sick; not speaking English for weeks at a time; being the foreigner; being away from my home. I'm thankful for this experience, and hope I continue to have more like it.

I land in Seattle on February 8th. Be ready! Many stories and pictures. Be well, friends. Through all this turmoil I am still safe and calm and happy, and grateful for everything I get to experience and feel. That, I think, is the best way to live!




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: January, 2011; Peace Corps Niger; Directory of Niger RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Niger RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Evacuation; Blogs - Niger





When this story was posted in January 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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How Volunteers Remember Sarge Date: January 18 2011 No: 1487 How Volunteers Remember Sarge
As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge."

PCV Murder Investigated Date: January 18 2011 No: 1477 PCV Murder Investigated
ABC News has investigated the murder of Benin PCV Kate Puzey. Read our original coverage of the crime, comments on Peace Corps actions, the email Puzey sent her country director about sexual incidents with Puzey's students and with another PCV, the backstory on how RPCVs helped the Puzey family, and Peace Corps' official statement. PCOL Editorial: One major shortcoming that the Puzey murder highlights is that Peace Corps does not have a good procedure in place for death notifications.

Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal Date: November 9 2010 No: 1460 Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal
The Peace Corps has always neglected the third goal, allocating less than 1% of their resources to "bringing the world back home." Senator Dodd addressed this issue in the "Peace Corps for the 21st Century" bill passed by the US Senate and Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter proposed a "Peace Corps Foundation" at no cost to the US government. Both are good approaches but the recent "Comprehensive Assessment Report" didn't address the issue of independent funding for the third goal at all.

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PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams

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Story Source: Personal Web Site

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Niger; Safety; Evacuation; Blogs - Niger

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