No Longer “The Newbs”

I was forewarned that Peace Corps could often times feel like high school in regard to the classes being referenced to as the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors.  It seems that somewhere in between the four class titles, that just the newest group got labeled as “the new kids”, more commonly known as “the newbs”. 

Since arriving, my training class has been referred to by this.  I have come to recognize that this is just a part of Peace Corps as every six months or so a new group of trainees are entering the program.  It is an easy way to identify.  Now I have different ideas about how to identify others without a feeling of superiority, such as identifying each class by its class number, but it is what it is.  I do not hold anything against the PCV’s or the staff who refer to the Trainees as “the newbs”, as everyone here is doing something extraordinary.  But I can say that I was overjoyed when the new group arrived in November and that torch was passed on.

These individuals who are just getting settled into their sites are working in the education sector at Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, and Primary Teacher’s Colleges (PTC’s).  I was fortunate enough to be involved in their Pre-Service Training in different areas.  I help facilitate a session on living with a homestay family back in December, during their month long regional satellite language training I helped answer questions, was a guest at their Homestay Thank You, and most recently in January, I went to Kampala to hold their VAC Elections. 

During my week in Kampala, I, along with about ten other Volunteers, were invited to a “Training Thank You” dinner that our Director of Programming and Training held.  His home is very quaint and gave off the subtle reminder of what awaits back in America.  We were offered cold beer, wine, an assortment of appitizers and a dinner of homemade vegetarian pizza and not one, but two, fresh, green salads. 

The following day we were invited to Swearing-In, which marks the completion of Pre-Service Training and the beginning of ones two-year service.  This event took place at the U.S. Ambassador’s house.  Now this was not so quaint as it was extravagant.  Gorgeous.  But extravagant.  Thank you tax dollars for constructing a miniature White House in the suburbs of Kampala.  The event went off without a hitch and included Jen and I creating a congratulatory tunnel the Trainees had to run under, the singing our National Anthem, a reading of Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go!”, a speech by the Ambassador, and a live music performance by one of the Ugandan trainers.

As I congratulated the newly sworn in Volunteers, indulged in American hors d'oeuvres, feverishly ran up to pet the Ambassador’s dogs, walked around his home to find the autographed picture of him and President Obama, and used his Western toilet to long call, I was reminded just how far I have come and how much I have left of this experience.  18 months. 

P.S. Long calling in Uganda is doing the number two in America.  PCV’s are not ashamed to talk about it either.