525,600 Minutes

It has been 54 weeks and 3 days since I arrived to The Pearl so technically the title of this blog should read, 548,640 minutes. 

As I embark on the second half of this experience I wanted to take the time to think about the successes and challenges and the highs and lows.

 I have to say that leaving home behind; including my family, friends, dog, and gym was incredibly difficult. 

It was equally difficult maneuvering all my luggage alone through the Philadelphia airport.

I remember landing in South Africa on the morning on Thursday, May 24, 2012 with my stomach in knots and I was not yet convinced that I was this was for me.  I remember when we left for Uganda and when we boarded the plane we walked onto the tarmac, up the stairs, and took our seats on the flight that would connect us to our new home.

Then we landed in Uganda as the sun was setting on Lake Victoria.

Again we walked down the stairs onto the tarmac to be welcomed by smells of burning trash and tropical lush.  As the luggage made its way from the plane I frantically grabbed mine so I could change into a skirt, nice top, and my hairbrush… I did not want our Country Director’s first impression of me to be in a sweaty top, leggings, and hair that looked like a lion’s mane.

That night I somehow slept like a princess, accompanied with my own princess canopy… Also known as a bed net to protect me from the malaria-ridden mosquitoes.

Training was a long 10-weeks that to me felt like summer camp.  I connected with my fellow Trainees and began to make friendships with those that would remain throughout my service.  We swore in, ate good food, took lots of pictures, and then departed throughout the country for our respective sites. 

Not going to lie.  Site was difficult.  There were plenty of times I was ready to throw in the towel, return home, and move on to the next chapter of my life.  I knew that I committed to this though and I knew I had to be resilient.  With the help of my family and fellow Peace Corps Volunteers I was able to pull through. 

But let me be honest.  There are still days that I question my being here and whether or not I am making a difference and whether or not this experience is going to help me once it finishes.  I know this experience has forever changed me but how will it help my professional career… Will Peace Corps stand out on my resume?  Will people even be interested? 

This is a daily struggle among all PCV’s.

But then I think about what I have done in my community and how I have hopefully made a difference and impact.  My involvement in the camps has by far been my most rewarding work.  My conversations with community members about America, gender roles in Uganda, food, Obama, and many other topics are some that I will never forget.  The work I do in the schools with the youth has shown me a possible way forward when I get back to the United States. 

What is in store for the next year?  More work in the schools doing life skills and health education, Mid-Service Training, co-directing National GLOW 2013, a quickie trip to Rwanda, a safari trip to Murchison Falls, going to explore the hidden treasures of Eastern Uganda, a world map project, building hand washing stations at the schools and organizing a “Happy Handwashing Hour” program, a RUMPS (Re-Usable Menstrual Pads) workshop, another World AIDS Day event in December, killing a chicken on my own for dinner, and continuing to build lasting relationships. 

However, time is flying by!

During my Pre-Service Training a year ago a Volunteer told us this…

“The days will drag on forever but the weeks will fly by.”

There could not be a more accurate description.

I know that when the time comes to when I COS (Close of Service), I will be feeling similar emotions as to when I left California. 

But I still have at least 547,200 minutes to enjoy what is my home and make some magic happen.