Hi Leslie,
It was good meeting you in Chicago. You had asked if I would send in my
thoughts on my upcoming assignment and later, to email you from my area.
I am on my way to Lesotho, South Africa. I am looking forward to my
assignment which is to put together informational and educational pieces on the
prevention of HIV/AIDS, to coordinate the collaboration of groups working with
HIV/AIDS, and to teach proposal writing, among other responsibilities.
I am a little nervous at not knowing where I will live, what it will be like
living in another country, and how I will be perceived by the people
there. I have had a lot of trouble packing for this experience. I
have packed and unpacked two duffel bags - several times. Whenever I
speak with a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I unpack some things and throw in
other things. I don't know why I am finding this the most challenging of
everything else I have had to do - and still have to do - but, it occupies
practically my every waking moment.
I am anxious to get to Lesotho. But, the nearer I come to the departure
date, the more anxious I become. Suddenly, things that are occurring in
Chicago, my hometown, after my departure, seem so important. I think that
maybe I should be here to attend this or to do that. Maybe this is a
normal reaction.
I will leave Chicago on June 2nd which is a little over a week away. Am I
really ready? Can I make a contribution? Will I and my work be
acceptable? These are questions I have now. Well, I am
rambling.
I look forward to writing again once I have been in Lesotho awhile.
Maybe, then, I will have the answers.
Hazel
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