I can remember exactly
what I was doing a year ago to the day.
And in my opinion it marked the breakthrough in my Peace Corps service.
365 days ago I was en
route to National Camp GLOW as a Counselor.
I was traveling to an experience that would later pave my way and lead
me to some of my greatest accomplishments and moments as a Volunteer.
I remember arriving to the
school and I, along with the fellow Counselors, embarked on the adventure that
Camp is. I remember meeting my very
energetic Ugandan Counselor Eunice and us preparing for our Rhino girls to
arrive. I remember the week ending and
how much fun I had and how motivated I was for the remainder of my service. That adventure will continue to remain as
vivid as ever… With songs that will never leave my memory and faces of girls who
made such an impact on my life.
Since that time I have
participated in two other camps as a Counselor and staff member, Co-Directed
National Camp GLOW, hiked the Impenetrable National Forest to find a family of
gorillas, celebrated a Christmas, New Years, and birthday in country, had two
site changes, facilitated many life skills classes in various locations ranging
from classrooms with no windows to under mango trees, held RUMPS workshops for
girls, and discovered my passion for teaching.
I believe that the
experiences that we remember so lucidly serve as a clear reminder of what we
are so fond of.
For me these range from my
first Camp, the day I got touched by a mountain gorilla, walking off the plane
at the Entebbe Airport tarmac and taking my first breath of Ugandan air, and
remembering my last moments with my family before leaving for Staging… From
Starbucks, my sisters helping with my luggage, and the hugs in the security
line that I wouldn’t get for two years, that is until my Dad returned minutes
later for one more embrace.
It is hard to predict what
moments one will remember but to those waiting… I look forward to meeting you.
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