Officially a PCV

I have survived my first week at site! In the PC books and blogs I read prior to joining, I noticed that many people wrote about that moment when the Peace Corps car drives away and you are the only American in your village. All I could think about in the moment was how hungry I was.

The last few weeks have been long—between final tests and presentations to swearing-in to moving into my new house. Swearing-in was very fun and had great food (I must officially be a volunteer because all I can talk about is food). It was held at the Ambassador’s residence, and even the Prime Minister attended. There were news reporters, cameras, and a pretty good sized audience. It was also wonderful to dress up and straighten my hair (and wear my dress and wedges for the only time during the next two years—seriously what was I thinking).

After an evening of celebration and goodbyes, the people in my region aka ‘Ladies of the Lake,’ and I (there are five of us total moving to the region to join three current education volunteers) loaded the car to the absolute max and drove the eight hours to Ambatondrazaka. In one day, I bought everything I needed for my new house including a lofted bed, table and chair, and two bookshelves (custom made in less than 24 hours). I was the first person to install in my site which terrified me because I couldn’t see anybody else go through the experience first. I moved on Saturday, April 26 and installation went exactly how I wanted it. I quietly slipped into the community without a big party so it wasn’t too overwhelming. The Peace Corps car and my friends left around 6:00pm and I enjoyed my first meal on my own of bread, tomato, and avocado. 

My house is small, and it reminds me of a one person dorm room with my lofted bed. I live on the CSB compound with four other families including the doctor and the guard. We also share the compound with a few families of chickens and geese that frequently wander into my yard. My house is on the end of a three house complex. My kitchen is a separate room in which I walk outside to get to. I have my own bathroom and shower (bucket bath room), and I’m surrounded by a fence. I have no running water or electricity and tend to go to bed around 7:30pm because it is so dark! My house definitely cozy, and now that I’ve finished cleaning, it’s starting to feel like home.

This last week has slowly ticked by as I’m not yet working. I’ve visited the market every day to ensure that I actually leave my house. I’ve introduced myself and my purpose countless times, and each time it gets a little easier. Language is rough overall though. I understand far less than I hoped. I can only ask people to repeat or speak slower so many times before I lie and say I understand. I usually get called out on this though. However, today I spent the afternoon with my neighbors who are nursing students and about my same age. We chatted about our families and boyfriends, and it was the first time that I have felt at ease in my community. I finally understood that language would come with time, and that it’s not always about what is said as it is how we interact and relate to one another. 

 This upcoming week is ‘Mother and Child Health’ week. I am working, i.e. observing at the CSB every day this week. I have a meeting with the CHWs on Friday where I hope to establish a schedule. At this point, I will be working at the CSB on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, and visiting the fokontany in the afternoons, although this could change after our meeting. 

You know you’re a PCV when:
-You phone is so primitive that you can’t even change the volume

-You have debates with other PCVs on whether you should filter, sur’eau, do both, or neither to your bucket bath water even though everyone attended the same informational session.