DISCLAIMER

This blog, "Vanuatu Adventures", is simply my personal reflection and in no way represents the opinions or beliefs of the Peace Corps or the US Government. Enjoy - and I hope to hear from you!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

A Long-Held Dream...

Well folks, I might as well 'fess up now...I remember hearing President Kennedy announce the formation of the Peace Corps in 1961-- yes I'm really that old!! At the time, I said that "one of these days" I would like to join the Peace Corps and go to some far-flung place to work and get to know another culture from the inside out. My husband and I often talked about what our retirement might look like, and one of the things we considered was joining the Peace Corps as a couple. Unfortunately, my husband passed away before reaching retirement, but after several months I began to think about my future plans and decided that perhaps I could continue "our dream". I checked out the Peace Corps website and was surprised to see that they were actively recruiting mature volunteers under their "55+ Program". Sooo, I talked to our children, and they cheered me on.

I began the lengthy on-line application and submitted it in August 2009. Within days I received a call from the Peace Corps office. I honestly thought they were calling to say "thanks...but no thanks". But much to my surprise, I was assigned a local recruiter. About a month later I met with the recruiter for a one-on-one interview. At the conclusion of the interview, she happily told me that she was "nominating" me for service. In my naivete, I thought that meant that I was "in like Flint". In reality, that was when the real work began. After submitting information and fingerprints for a full background check, getting a comprehensive dental exam, and many...many...many medical tests later, I was finally cleared for service. I was initially told that I would be serving a 27-month tour of duty somewhere in Africa. However, in May 2010, I participated in two in-depth phone interviews after which I received the final good news: I was being considered for a post in either the south Pacific island region or in eastern Europe. Several more days passed, and the coveted INVITATION PACKET arrived -- I was invited to serve a 27-month tour of duty in the island nation of Vanuatu. Since my husband and I had traveled to the south Pacific many, many times, I was overjoyed at the opportunity to go back and really become immersed in the culture. Without further delay, I accepted the invitation and will be leaving for Vanuatu on or around September 10, 2010.

So, at this point I am busily getting ready for the next phase of my life -- this includes putting my facilitation and management consulting firm on hiatus -- and reading and re-reading the recommended packing list for my two-year adventure! I'm also in the midst of arranging for long-term storage of my vehicle and all worldly posessions. Even my kitty, Lucy, is packing her things for a stay with my daughter, her husband, and their kitty, Phoebe, and two dogs, Rita (a golden Lab) and Lil' One (a wild chihuahua - aka, Tasmanian Devil).

I'll write more soon about Vanuatu and my ongoing preparations!