Monday, July 18, 2011

Invitation - July 18, 2011

Ola!  My name is Lisa, and I am going to Mozambique on September 30th, 2011.

This announcement is both a relief and a nerve-wracking prospect.  Sixteen months ago, my husband and I began our application for the Peace Corps.  We waded through paperwork, interviews, rounds of vaccinations, and months of silence on the other end of the line before reading these words:

"Congratulations!  It is with great pleasure that we invite you to begin training in Mozambique for Peace Corps service.  You will be joining thousands of Americans who are building stronger communities around the world.  This call to action gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and to find the best in yourself.  The next step is up to you."

Our next step has been to take stock of our situation.  I will be teaching English at a secondary school.  Dan will be teaching math at the same school.  We are both aware that schools in developing nations are crowded and have limited access to resources and teaching materials, so we are preparing a few materials in advance.  I am searching for paperback novels at all reading levels.  Dan is searching for a comprehensive math text.  I am looking up prop-free lesson plans.  Dan is trying to learn Portuguese.  We are both overwhelmed, but are standing firm in our decision to go.

This is the plan:  Dan and I will be in Santa Cruz, California until the end of August.  Then, we will drive our Honda Civic cross-country back to Pennsylvania to spend time with friends and family before Staging (orientation) begins on September 28th.  We will fly out of Philadelphia on September 30th.

WE ARE GOING TO AFRICA!

Boa Noite, America!  Bom Dia, Mozambique!

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