My big project, Finishing the Ward 4 AMICAALL/Nhlangano Town Council Social Center, the PCPP

ITS FINISHED

Peace Corps Partnership Proposal (PCPP) with the Nhlangano Town Council (NTC)


http://swazilandreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-big-project-finishing-ward-4.html

First application draft submitted Feb, 2011
Approved & Funding Begins on PC website May 17th
IT WAS COMPLETELY FUNDED on Sept 8th.
Construction started on Oct 24th.
All exterior construction done by Dec 20th.
Grand Opening Jan 5th, 2012
Round 2 of the Funding arrives in early January.
Interior Only Construction Restarts Jan 16th.
Construction all done Feb 16th (minus a million tiny To Do's)
Project Officially Closed May 4th, 2012

Let the children play, learn & be safe.


As of Aug 25th, 2012, I am no longer a PCV, I am now RPCV (Return Peace Corps Volunteer). This blog is my experience in Swaziland between June of 2010 & Aug of 2012. Enjoy.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Survivor Show

So Peace Corps is very much like the show of the title of this entry.

In June of 2010, we started of on an adventure of lifetime to quote the PC phrase the "Hardest job you will ever love."

And now it has come for time when people are going home.

We arrived in Atlanta June 23rd, 2010. Even before we arrived one person didn't show up, we were supposed to be 40 PCV's. So it was down to 39, one girl I don't even meet left in the first session at the Atlanta hotel. Down to 38. We fly here this is when the show really starts kicking in. We had a quitter in the first 2 weeks, 37. We had a favorite literally kicked out for BS reasons. 36 finished training. 2 More quit during the first 3 months. 35,34. Then in Jan other quitter 33. At the one year mark almost exactly we lost a retirement age couple, the lady wanted to go home for grand babies & felt ineffective, her husband was happy having a great time but as couple the left. 33,32. Then a long stretch until Jan of 2012, when one of our own was kicked out for breaking the rules, 31.

Which a leaves PC Swaziland Group 8 with 30 members. Surprisingly, no one was sent home for medical reasons, which is pretty normal both Group 7 & 9 have had those.

So next week we have are COS conference (Close of Service) where they tell us how to go home. In February, I passed on the option to stay, life is calling in another place. Plus, I had just finished the Social Center, so a major part of my service was complete & won't be topped & was not interested in going back to coaching, although I will do that again in the future.

We have 2 closing there service a little early so by next week down to 28, #'s 30 & 29 on to grad school & just home.

Most of use will be leaving between July & Aug. We have all picked our dates & seem very much ready to go.

I believe 6 PCV's are extending for another year (2 married couples & 2 early 20's guys). By the way there are only 4 Group 7 left, and Group 9 has lost more then our group has at the same point in their service.

So my final scheduled day as a PCV will be August 25th. August 26th is my 40th Birthday. How about that for timing a huge transition in my life?

No idea yet, where I am headed, it all depends on the job. No plans for any serious travel post PCV, its job time. That leaving date is even flexible. But there is a mass exit in the last week of July.

Anyway, still got 3 months & a project to complete so can't get all sentimental yet, there is still work to do.

Ok, one sentimental note. I will miss the "hello how are you? I'm fine." crowd of kids that ask this everyday as I walk past. Not so much the them individually but there everyday often more than once greeting. Just the happiness of their greeting. It started out annoying then became routine now it just makes me smile.

4 comments:

  1. It has been an amazing year so far and I am feeling more fortunate than ever to have such great coaches.
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  3. i know you are anxious to come home and "resume" your life... BUT... you are geographically in a place you may never be again... and you should fight your desires to come home and take advantage of the opportunity to travel a bit. Home will be here.. it ain't going anywhere.

    Enjoy.. and congratulations.


    jack
    p.s. I just came back from my reunion meeting of my training group... BRA8 (1964-1966) before you leave, get as good a data base as you can for your colleagues.. trust me... you will be happy you did so

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  4. I agree with Jack - make sure that someone is compiling a data base. We have had several reunions of my Malaysia XII group (1965-1968). I miss the "Good Morning Sir" greetings from students who would even say it a 9 pm if they saw me in town.

    Travel as you come home - see other parts of Africa, maybe go West through India and SouthEast Asia. Enjoy!!!

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