Minor Change of Plans

Since the get go, we have been told to remain flexible, open, and patient in all areas… From language and site announcements to homestay and travel arrangements.  Needless to say, I have mastered these.  When I received my site, I could not have been more excited to move in and begin my journey.  During my Future Site Visit, I realized that my primary job assignment was not consistent with what I was given and what I wanted to achieve out of my Peace Corps service.  That being relevant health experience that I could use after to apply to an MPH program or to a government position.  Centers of Disease Control and Prevention anyone?!  The health program manager and specialist were incredible and with the support of the Country Director and the Director of Programming and Training, my site was changed to… Drumroll please… Hunter’s Foundation Hospital in Bushenyi.  I will be living on the hospital compound with some of the other nurses and will do health outreach with the village health teams in addition to work at the hospital.  I have ideas for secondary projects including Girl’s Who Click (a girl’s empowerment program through photography, creative title right?!), Happy Hour Handwashing (self-explanatory), and PostSecret (Google it).  We’ll see what happens over the next two years.  Hopefully a lot! 

I have yet to see my site or housing so Friday will be interesting to say the least.  I have been told wonderful things about the location and the organization I will be with so I am extremely excited.  There are other volunteers placed in and around me, which will be fabulous when I need an “American” weekend.  I won’t have running water, which translates to pit latrines and bucket bathing.  BUT I should have electricity, which means I can keep these ever so intriguing blog posts coming.  Be excited about that! 

On Thursday I swear-in, which marks the transition from training to my actual service.  No more Peace Corps Trainee (PCT).  I will be an official Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV).  It’s kind of a big deal in the world of Peace Corps.  I am eager to begin my service but also extremely nervous, anxious, and sad to leave my friends.  Some memories from the past 10-ish weeks…

- The other 44 amazing, fabulous trainees, AKA my support and family.

- The Sexy, Celibate 6… Sophie, Kat, Julia, Caitlin, Pat, and Me.  BFF.

- Meeting President Museveni during satellite.  A blog post to come later about that.

- Passing my Language Proficiency Interview in Ruyankore/Rukiga at Intermediate Med.

- Managing to get myself from point A to point B in Uganda.  It’s a task.

- Tea time. 

- Hikes in banana plantains.

- Cards Against Humanity.  AKA Apples to Apples for Adults.

- Not eating matooke at homestay.

- Game of Thrones.

- Cadbury.  Yes it does exist.  In immense quantities.

- Getting my bags back after they were held hostage in Kampala.  It was like Christmas morning.  Finding 2 full mason jars of Crystal Light.

It’s off to continue organizing my bags and to prepare for the supervisor’s workshop tomorrow.  Thursday: Swearing-In.  Friday: Day 1 on the job.  Crazy.