The past few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of events, emotions and transitions. We have finally completed the 11 weeks of grueling training in language, technical and cross-cultural skills. While I feel as though I have been prepared to a certain extent, nothing can truly prepare you for the moment when you are posted to the community you will be living in for the next two years. Here are a few pictures of some of the events we have had the past few days.
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| Our last week of training we had a "cultural day" in which we invited all of the host families, cooked for them, sang local songs, danced and said our farewells. My host father wanted a picture of me with the cows before I left. ;) |
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| Trainees preparing for the meal |
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| My next door neighbor/biking buddy/one of my besties during training. She will be in Northwest Province speaking a language called Lunda. Tonga's and Lunda's are tribal cousins, which basically means we can joke with one another and share humor. |
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| Cultural day with many head Peace Corps staff |
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| My host Ba taata and Ba mamma. My host father wrote me a farewell letter in English saying some of the sweetest things I have ever read. This was our final "farewell." Needless to say, I cried. Seeing as it is not extremely socially acceptable in Zambia, I hid my face from my family ;) |
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| Before "swearing in" as official volunteers! These two ladies were in my Tonga language class. All volunteer outfits were made from local material called Citenge. |
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| Some of the CHIPer's (aka Health Volunteers on Swear-in day). |
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| It's official...I'm a Peace Corps Volunteer! |
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After swear-in ceremony. Chelsea (on left) is going to Eastern Province, Jenna to Northwest, and me to Southern. his just gives me more reason to travel!
I am looking forward to posting more pictures from my actual village which I will be going to today!
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