Today we completed our Staging for the Peace Corps in Philly. There are 36 of us going to Swaziland, all going as Community Health HIV/AIDS Educators. And guess what? We're the oldest volunteers in this group (technically, jamie-boy is the senior member). Some volunteers graduated from college just a few, short weeks ago. This is a pretty impressive group of people, from all over the country, and already quite accomplished. For the curious among you, the average age of a Peace Corps volunteer is 27.
The average life expectancy in Swaziland is in the mid-thirties.
Our training here in Philly focused on the general demands of being a healthy, safe and effective Peace Corps Volunteer. We discussed the Peace Corps mission and its approach to development. Their goals focus on development that promotes the dignity of people and their capacity to improve their own lives, which draws upon their available resources. In other words, the projects are community initiated. It's nice to be involved in an organization that values integrating projects within the pre-existing framework and using the community's intrinsic strengths. It's a great combination of idealism and pragmatism.
Anyway, we've endured several icebreakers, of course, and many small group activities. It's been nice to be in a group of like-minded young people. Three other married couples are among our cohort and we've really enjoyed meeting them. Tonight we found time with some other PCVs to explore a small part of Philly, seeing Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell... an appropriate last evening in this country for a while. and Jamie-boy got a big cheese steak (which, for me, sounds awful).
Tomorrow morning we'll load onto a bus for JFK (New York) and fly out. So, next time we post something on the Cookbook, we'll be in Swaziland. Even as I write it, I can hardly believe it. We're spending the waning hours of my time in the US watching news channels and packing for the hundredth time.
Sala Kahle (or, if you like, hamba kahle, another goodbye which means "go well").
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Swaziland flag
We're Peace Corps volunteers who just finished 2 years in Swaziland, and we're taking the long way home.
Countries we visited on our way home:
- Mozambique
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Ethiopia
- Egypt
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Laos
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Korea
Our Swaziland Address
NEW mailing address:
Tim & Jamie Cook, PCV
PO Box 236
Nhlangano S400
Swaziland - AFRICA
We'll check this one occasionally, too:
Tim & Jamie Cook, PCV
Plot 188
Gate 256 Muzi Road
Dalriach West
Mbabane, Swaziland
Tim & Jamie Cook, PCV
PO Box 236
Nhlangano S400
Swaziland - AFRICA
We'll check this one occasionally, too:
Tim & Jamie Cook, PCV
Plot 188
Gate 256 Muzi Road
Dalriach West
Mbabane, Swaziland
Swaziland flag
Peace Corps disclaimer
The contents of this blog are ours personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.
6 comments:
i am so totally a fan of your blog. will be waiting eagerly for the next news...
keep the siswati words coming too!!
I CAN NOT believe you're there already. Good luck with any ice breakers you may have to endure on site. Really looking forward to hearing your first impressions. We're thinking of you everyday!
xoxo
lekha
Yep !
Good luck !
Gabe (Paris, France)
We think of you many times every day and when we do, we pray for you. "Strange" will give way to "intersting" which will be come "familiar". Then almost "normal" and even nearly "home".
You both are terrific. We love you very much
Mom and Dad
You old folks take real good care and don't let the youngsters get too rowdy. Can't wait to read more updates.
Heidi
Hey Jamies! Thank you for setting this up. I'm sorry I wasn't available the day you were trying to reach me. It's a long, discombobulated story. Thank you for your messages.
We love you and pray for you often. Can't wait to read the next update from "inside."
Dan & Christi
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