Friday, September 22, 2017

The Final Chapter...

            With only 4 days left of being a Peace Corps Volunteer I wanted to take time to reflect back on this three-year journey that took me places I would have never imagined. I experienced some highs, some joy, some sadness, some frustration, some anger, some happiness, and all those feelings in-between. When joining the Peace Corps you never know what to expect and just have to go into the adventure with open arms and letting God lead you. It all comes full circle, “All my life I have seen where you’ve taken me. Beyond all I have hoped and there’s more left unseen. There’s not much I can do to repay all you’ve done so I give my hands to use.” I am going into this next chapter of my life the same way I started my Peace Corps journey. Letting God lead and giving him my hands to use because I know he has a purpose and a plan for me, it will not be easy, there will be challenges, struggle, but in the end I trust and enjoy the life God has given to me each and every new day.

Swaziland and Sibebe Rock
            I recently finished my close of service interview with my program manager and one of the questions asked was what am I most proud of from my service. I was thinking backing to my youth clubs, the preschool, libraries, relationships built and my new family here in Swaziland. It is hard to think of just one but one thing does stand out during my time here. I have realized it is not the number of people you reach but the quality and relationships built during your service. There are two people who particularly stand out and have been a blessing to me and seeing them succeed and grow. These are their stories:

            Lindokhule approached me one afternoon when I was home washing clothes on a hot Swazi afternoon. Those over 40 degree days when your fan isn’t working, there is not water and you want to wear as little clothes as possible. She was a friend of my make from the community; a young woman aged 24 who was living at home taking care of her brothers and sisters. At the time she was living with her uncle as her mother was passed and her father was away unable to contact much. She completed her Form5 (Grade 12) studies but was unable to continue on with her studies due to grades and financial struggle. For the last five years she has been trying to provide enough money to take care of her siblings. We started talking and she wanted to return to school to upgrade her marks so she could get a scholarship and go to university. The problem was exam and school fees to retake Form5. It always seems to be an issue with money here in Swaziland for education purposes. We are very lucky in the US to have free education and many opportunities for scholarships to attend University. School should not be taken for granted, as there are millions of girls and children around the world who do not have the opportunity to go to school. After talking more we came up with a plan.
            I was able to create an online fundraiser to help her with the exam fees. I thank everyone who supported that cause and how much you helped change a life. We were able to raise the fees required in just a few short weeks and then went to register her for the exams. She still was unable to attend school so we worked with a few other students after school and had tutor sessions on English, Biology and Math. The high school was very generous in allowing us to use a classroom after school and to work with some other students as well. Finally she was able to start attending classes there and complete her Form5. We also got some of the past exams for her so she was able to review those and practice taking the exams.


Lindo on the far right with her brothers and sisters and uncle's family
            She worked extremely hard and was motivated to improve her marks and get into university. She was always the first one to show up and last one to leave the classroom and focused on her studies. While all the others were out at the soccer pitch or hanging out at the shops, she was in the classroom focusing on her studies. We made flash cards for some of her subjects, which she would review on her walks home or the bus rides to town. I could tell how much she wanted to succeed. I moved from my community in July 2016 to Mbabane to start my new position with Young Heroes and working in the Peace Corps office. She would be taking her exams in November of 2016 and would not receive her results until February of 2017. It was a long wait and was praying for her success.
            I started work, went back to the US for the holidays and then returned to Swaziland and got even busier at Young Heroes. My life in my community seemed so long ago and the next short chapter of my Peace Corps journey was underway. It wasn’t until April that I receive a text message from Lindo saying that she got accepted to continue her studies and will be starting them in March of 2018. Lindo got accepted into Bradford school for a teaching diploma, which is a private college in one of the main towns in Swaziland. It was so great to hear from her and learn that she is pursuing her dreams.

            The other story is about one of my closest friends and most motivated counterparts from my community. Without her the preschool would not be where it is today, continuing to service the community and now having graduated almost 100 children from grade0. The project started at the beginning of my first year in my community with the idea of creating a library for the Primary School. We looked at an old teacher’s house to renovate and make a library to serve both the High School and Primary School. As a Peace Corps Volunteer you have to be flexible and willing and open to work on projects that may not be your desire or expertise but is desired from your community. The library idea was not going well with the schools as many of the community members expressed concern over education and the need for a preschool.
The teacher and my beard at our new latrine being constructed

            Early childhood education is new for Swaziland and curriculum is still being developed for schools. Most of the preschools in Swaziland are privately funded or operated through NGOs or other organizations. This was going to be a challenge but one I was excited for. We started meeting at the schools with the parent committee and introducing the idea to them. Our first step was to start cleaning the building and work on funds for renovation. I had no idea how to start a preschool or what is needed so I set up a meeting with an organization here in Swaziland who focused on establishing and supporting preschools in my region of Swaziland. They agreed to help in any way they could and provide some training for our teachers. This was great news and excited to go back to my community to tell them and begin the work.
            The process of renovations started with cleaning the building, getting all the dirt out of the rooms, repairing cracks and clearing all the bushes from around the building. During this process we began to ask for volunteers or those with experience in teaching to help out and be teachers at the school. Few came forward to help out and of the few; one young woman has been there from the beginning. She was the one who organized the community members, lead the renovations, called the kids to come and made the first preschool my community has had succeed. Through the struggle or organizing parents, trying to get renovations and improvements done, feed the children, educate them and be a teacher she always has a smile on her face and never gave up.
The start of the Preschool Building
            We were able to take an empty old building and give it life and make it a safe and friendly place for the community to gather and mold young minds. The school now has a garden to supplement the food for the children, water harvesting system and holding tanks, toilets and hygiene station to wash hands, school supplies, desks and chairs, books and fencing around to keep the children safe from the road and animals. It is hard to put into words how much Lungile, the preschool teacher, invested and how important she is to the success of the school. Spending evenings preparing lessons, working on the weekends to clean the school or improve it and cooking for the children early in the morning so they had food at lunch time. I was able to work with her the last 2 years and see the growth in not only the school but also her as an individual. I was happy to find out that she was recently accepted into Ngwane Teachers College to finish her education and obtain her degree in teaching. This will be huge in her future allowing her to support her children and provide better education services to the kids around her and her students at the preschool. I am so happy to hear these stories and proud to have worked with someone so dedicated to life and the growth of young children.


The Preschool Today!
          There are so many others stories I could tell about my time in Swaziland and the people I have worked and interacted with. Eventually I would like to write more of these stories down and share them with others to realize what an impact an individual can have. Even if you think you are one person and that you don’t have the power, that is a lie and affecting the life of just one individual is worth it. It is the small things that will create change in the world today and it needs to start with that one person. I want to thank all who have supported me these last 3 years with your prayers, thoughts, care packages, monetary support, letters, messages and encouragement. You have made a difference and I would not be where I am today without all of you.

Siyabonga Kakhulu (We all thank you very much!)


PS: 7 days left in Swaziland. I will continue to write about my experiences in Peace Corps even when I get home and the memories and friends that have touched my life from Swaziland.

Friday, August 18, 2017

40 Days left in The Kingdom of Swaziland

It has finally arrived after just over 3 years living in The Kingdom of Swaziland. To be exact it has been 1,150 days since I put my feet on the ground in Swaziland. I arrived June 24th, 2014 and will now be departing this wonderful kingdom on September 27th, 2017. With just about 40 days left in Swaziland I made a list of 40 things that I will miss about Swaziland and Peace Corps. I have been posting them each day with photos on Facebook so be sure to check them out there. (They are in no particular order)

Overlooking this mighty Kingdom of Swaziland

1.     The preschool that I was able to help establish and seeing the smiling faces each day as I passed by. They have been able to graduate over 80 children now for the first time ever.
2.     The size of the avocados here and being able to buy them for less than 50 cents each (USD). Was able to make the best guacamole ever.
3.     Sunsets and sunrises over the landscape each and every day. God’s creation is amazing.
4.     Traditional attire from the men and women along with all the colors that are expressed. The fabric market and making curtains from them was the best.
5.     Boys from BRO (Boys Reaching Out) club and playing soccer, board games and having fun together along with taking them to the annual BRO camp that we started. It was the first BRO camp Swaziland has had back in 2015. There have now been more than 200 boys who have got to experience this camp.
6.     Working with the teachers at my High School and Primary School as friends and creating the bonds in and out of school.
7.     Hiking Sibebe multiple times and getting some time with God alone in His beautiful creation.
8.     Going to church with my family here and hearing the voices and their passion for God. Even though they could last from 3 hours to all night, the passion is amazing.
9.     Being able to buy fresh produce on the streets from the bomake (women) that would last a week all for about 5 USD. This would include potatoes, onions, carrots, tomatoes, apples, oranges, pears, lettuce, spinach, beets and even avocados.
10.   Sawubona (Hello) and Unjani (How are you?) greetings everywhere you go.
11.   Young Heroes staff and the passion everyone has for working with the orphans of Swaziland and building a bright future for all of the kids.
12.   Peace Corps staff, their support, laughter and always being their for you. They are family.
13.   The GLOW girls and their smiles that would fill a room.
14.   Fresh meat on the homestead and braai (BBQ) meat on the weekends. This included pork, chicken, beef, goat and even the occasional warthog or kudu.
15.   Playing cards and casino with my bhuti even though I still never learned how to play the card game casino. I could still beat him at checkers, sometimes.
16.   Volunteer gatherings on holidays or just when we needed some time off. The conversations and stories to share were endless from our time in our communities or just the most recent bus ride we just took across Swaziland.
17.   My friends.
18.   Rainstorms, thunder and lightening moving across the sky. You can see it come from miles away and hear the roar, as it gets closer to you. God is so powerful and just a small demonstration of his power.
19.   The simplicity of life in Swaziland. Being able to just sit under a tree for hours during the day and talk or just watch life go by and observe.
20.   Culture and the festivals including Umhlanga and Marula festival. Culture is what makes us who we are and why we are. It should never be changed but celebrated and loved.
21.   The places and trips with fellow volunteers during holidays or just long weekends. South Africa, Lesotho and Mozambique will be remembered for all those crazy adventures we Americans had.
22.   My family who welcomed me on day one to Swaziland and taught me things such as how to wash my clothes by hand, cooking traditional Swazi food, the SiSwati language and the kindness of Swazis.
23.   My new family who loved, protected and put up with me for two years as well as took me in as their own son.
24.   Make Masuku, the gospel singer who I would hear her singing on the radio blasting when she was not home and then hear her singing in the mornings when she was home.
25.   Pap (traditional Swazi dish) with Chicken dust (BBQ chicken sold from the side of the road) and the awesome Swazi beans. Best meal my parents had here while in Swaziland was Chicken Dust (all for under 2 USD)
26.   Playing soccer with the kids after school on the dirt fields and joining the game with my teachers and Young Heroes after work. Soccer is life and it was nice to see it all around.
27.   Animals and the different wildlife around, even the monkeys who would run across my roof and steal your food. Seeing the Elephants, Rhinos, Lions, Hippos, Zebra and Giraffes roaming free and safe.
28.   Bushfire Festival 2015, 2016 and 2017. One of the top 5 festivals in Africa along with the music at House on Fire and the food and quiet evenings at Malendelas restaurant. It has one of the best settings for watching the sun go down over Swaziland while enjoying a nice cold drink.
29.   The days of staying at backpackers including Sundowners, Legends and Lidwala. Always having taco nights and staying up late talking and telling stories or playing games with travelers and new friends.
30.   Seeing students succeed and build a future for themselves in and out of school. Working with the entrepreneurs and learners to be better and be successful. Especially working with Lindokhulu who is a young woman who has been out of school for 5 years now and returned to finish her Form5 and get accepted into college to be a teacher.
31.   The Swazi Times and Observer headlines. I don’t think you can be a Peace Corps Volunteer without having your picture in the local newspapers for some reason or another.
32.   Entertainment on those long bus rides from it breaking down, them having to pull over and weld a seat back in on the spot, the animals that catch rides, having to run and jump on the bus like a pro without them stopping and trying not to smash your eggs that you just bought at the grocery store.
33.   The time my parents came to Swaziland and we went to Cape Town and then they were able to meet my family here. It was a special moment having them come together and spent time here in Swaziland. Will be something that I will remember for my entire life.
34.   Seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces and the laughter as they run home from school. Every day seeing children around the community and town in their uniforms laughing and playing together on their way or coming home from school.
35.   The music here in Swaziland, the local musicians, and even the house music they play at Solanis (local hangout) in the evenings. That is all the music I will probably be playing and listening to now when I am back in the US. Get ready for some Tigi by Sands.
36.   Those best friends I will never forget here, Baba Siyabonga. You know who you are.
37.   Friendliness, support and help from all Swazis as we would learn what taxi to take to get home, how to order our chicken dust, carrying those large bags of groceries that we thought we could carry to the bus and just spending the last 4 hours talking with us on the side of the road.
38.   The dancing even though I can’t dance I tried sometimes.
39.   The hikes and adventures where Swazis always wonder why we do some of the things we do as Americans. Hiking up a mountain for fun, running through our communities at 5 in the morning or working on a 1500 piece puzzle at our house.
40.   The Kingdom of Swaziland and my family and home for the last 3 years and more.

Just another Swazi sunset

This is only 40 of the things that I will miss and love about Swaziland but there are so many more things that changed my life here. It was and always will be part of who I am now.


Siyabonga Kakhulu and Salani Kahle 
(Thank you very much and stay well)

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Letting God Lead 2017


            I recently returned back to Swaziland from spending 5 weeks back in the US on what Peace Corps calls my “Home Leave.”  It is a time whereby Peace Corps gives us 30 days off and a plane ticket home to spend time with friends and family before starting our 3rd year extension.  We are allowed to take it any time during our 3rd year but all 4 of us choose to go home over the holidays.  Lucky for me I was able to fit Thanksgiving, my 28th Birthday and Christmas in while I was home.  It was the perfect trip home especially since I have not been back in the USA since I left for Swaziland in June of 2014. 

Quick trip to St. Lucia SA before starting work again
            The trip started with 4-hour drive to Johannesburg on the morning of November 20th where I would spend the night and prepare for my flights the next day.  It took an evening flight to Frankfurt, Germany the next day, followed by a flight across the pond to Chicago where it was a short trip to Portland, Oregon arriving the evening of November 23rd.  After 4 full days I was finally on US soil and greeted by my parents and aunt in arrivals.  It was great to see them was looking forward to the next 5 weeks at home, but first needed to end the journey with a 4 hour drive over the hill to Bend, Oregon in the snow.  First time seeing snow for over 2 years also, my body was missing the warmth of Swaziland already.

            The next few weeks flew by with Thanksgiving at home and a visit from my cousin from Portland and her roommate followed by a day of skiing at Mt. Bachelor, then a presentation of my Peace Corps experience in Swaziland so far at Central Oregon Community College.  After that it was off for my week long adventure up to Seattle, Winter Park, Denver, back to Seattle then finally down to Portland and back home.  It was a quick trip to celebrate my birthday with my best friend from University up in Seattle then I was able to meet another Peace Corps volunteer I served with in Swaziland in Winter Park where we spent a few days enjoying the snow.  After that spent a day in Denver visiting another good friend from the college days before back to Seattle and home to Bend.  It was a blessing to have the opportunity to visit my friends and do the things I got to do while I was home.  Friends will come in and out of our lives I have realized and the true friends are the ones who after 2 years you can reunite like you just saw them yesterday.  This trip was full of blessings and God beginning to shape this next year for me and bring me back to the person he had intended.  The last few weeks at home was spent relaxing and enjoying the time with family, eating as much Mexican food as I could and drinking as much good beer as I could (I did return to Swaziland with a little extra weight then I left, but that will change real fast), downloading new movies and shows to keep me going for the next 9 months in Swaziland and appreciating the support of my family around me.  I was able to attend a gathering of RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) in Portland and share with them Swaziland and what Peace Corps is doing there just before Christmas.  Christmas was then spent low key with my grandparents visiting from Arizona, some bowling and billiards, and church time.  It was the perfect Christmas and so lucky to have been able to spend it at home surrounded by family for the first time in a few years.  The trip went by way to fast and before I knew it I was preparing for the journey back to Swaziland again.  The packing this time was much easier as the majority of my newly acquired extra bag consisted of tortillas, hot sauce, shoes and sweets for back in Swaziland.  Goodbyes are always hard and yet another goodbye to my parents and brother but knowing I will see them much sooner this time still didn’t make it much easier.  My brother will be starting his 3 month long journey to Peru and over to South Africa and Swaziland so I will be expecting him for a month in March here in Swaziland.  My contract will be ending in September so wherever God leads me next I know I will be able to have a visit home again in November.  So be expecting me then everyone who I missed this last trip home.  The leg home started early in the morning on December 27th with a shuttle to Portland in the snow yet again.  There was snow on the ground for the entirety of my time home except for the first few days I arrived in Oregon.  It even snowed in Seattle!  With that it was a flight from Portland to San Francisco followed by another overnight to London this time.  Arrived in London then a long flight down to Johannesburg arriving on the morning of December 29th where I caught a shuttle back to Swaziland, which was stopped for 4 hours in South Africa because they did not have the proper papers, welcome back to South Africa.  Finally arriving in Swaziland in the evening I was greeted by my friends again and brought home where we proceeded to catch up for a bit before I was passed out in my bed again back in Swaziland.  It felt like I just left Swaziland yesterday.

Family at Christmas time with the new selfie stick
               The next few weeks were filled with adjustment, rest, a new beginning and my routine here in Swaziland.  I was able to refresh and refocus on the year ahead while I was home and come back to Swaziland looking forward to what 2017 will have in store.  The past year in Swaziland was filled with highs and lows from changing relationships, to transitioning into new work positions, leaving my family here in Swaziland and saying goodbye to volunteers.  It was certainly not the easiest year but without challenges we cannot grow and I know God has a purpose for every person and event in our lives.  This year ahead will be filled with new friendships forged, starting the next chapter of my life come November and completing this life-changing journey with Peace Corps Swaziland.  It is time to let God lead, touch, heal and love us as was spoken at church this last Sunday.

Morning sunrise back in Swaziland


  

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Homeward Bound


          It is just under 2 weeks now until I will be making my way to Johannesburg for the grueling 24 hours on a plane and some 10 hours in airports before I touch ground in Portland, Oregon for the first time since I left on June 24th, 2014.  It will be the first time being back in the United States since I left also that 2 ½ years ago give or take a few weeks.  I am not sure what to expect in these upcoming days and it really hasn’t begun to sink in that I will be traveling home to see friends and family for the first time in a long time.  I have been trying to reflect on how it will be like, how I will feel or act when I am home and how have I changed in my time here in Swaziland and the Peace Corps.  Some of me is nervous for how I will survive, excited to be home with friends and family and all the good food and drinks, how will my stomach survive that change, excited to be able to share Swaziland with everyone, but nervous if they really care and how long I can actually hold their attention before they get bored or sick of me talking about Swaziland.  I know all these things are real life and will happen but I am thankful and grateful for the support of my friends and family in the United States and my ones here in Swaziland.

         Some things I am most looking forward to when getting home is having Mexican food waiting for me at the airport, not that Chipotle want to be Mexican food, but the authentic stuff you find on the West Coast and in Oregon.  I can’t wait to have a beer that does not taste like Keystone or Coors light, but something with that dark rich taste of chocolate and pumpkin spices.  Being able to get in a car and run to the grocery store, not worrying about how you will carry everything home and having the AC going.  Since it will be winter that won’t be happening, so being able to turn the heater on or have a warm fire going while home.  The smell of Thanksgiving food and Christmas food and pumpkin pies and all those holiday smells including the real Christmas tree.  I can’t forget the pumpkin spice lattes and having actual coffee at home or on the run in a cup that is not Styrofoam and spilling all over you.  Being able to use my phone and not worry about how much data I will be slaying by using Instagram and the ability to download and watch all the shows and movies I have missed since being here.  I will be bringing them back to Swaziland so don’t worry about that.  Most of all it will be being home with my family and seeing friends and being together for a full 5-weeks.  It is time for me to recharge and prepare for the last 9 months I will be spending in Swaziland.  Or that is how the plan goes for now.  We all know my 2-years has now turned into 3-years so who knows where the 3-year plan will go.

            What am I nervous about?  One is the fact of being back on the other side of the road and all the traffic that will be happening.  I have gotten used to the slower pace of life here and not having to drive anywhere, or being allowed for that matter in Swaziland to drive.  Good thing I have a younger brother who can drive me everywhere, even pick me up when we are out with friends.  I am nervous about the richness of the food and drinks and my stomach adjusting to that cause I know it will not like it at first.  I am nervous about my patience with people when they complain about something so “First World Problem” and not wanting to jump down their throat.  Life has gone by since I have been here and people have moved, gotten married, had children and started new jobs.  Will it be the same and coming home and expecting everyone to be the same and to pick up where we left off?  We all have our own lives and the World continues to turn no matter what we are off doing.  It will be exciting to hear about all the change but will be difficult at first adjusting and getting back into the life back home.

         Some people ask how has the Peace Corps changed you and it has been difficult for me to answer that sometimes.  I want to say it hasn’t changed me much but I know it has and it can be easier for others to see that but more difficult for the individual to notice their change.  They can be little changes in your mannerism from the way you stand or sit to just little things you say that have picked up from Swaziland.  I do know “Yebo” and “Eish” will be a common phrase my friends will hear when I am home and will give my strange looks.  It can also be the bigger things from my patience to how I can get more frustrated now with the actions and the things other people choose to talk about.  Are you really upset because they put whole milk in your latte instead of non-fat milk?  I can’t tell you all the ways I have changed and how the Peace Corps changes your outlook on life but I can tell you it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made to join the Peace Corps and have been extremely lucky to be blessed with living in a Country like Swaziland.

         My time home will be filled with traveling to Seattle to see a best friend then flying to Colorado to ski and be reunited with my best friend from the Peace Corps to back to Seattle then down to Portland for some Peace Corps events and talks then home for the last few weeks for Christmas.  It makes me tired just reading that sentence.  The time will be great and packed full of adventure and activities but will go by too fast in the end.  It is important to make time to rest and just enjoy the time home and not look forward too much to coming back to Swaziland.  Our time with friends and family must not be taken for granted and we need to enjoy all the time we have with them from the talks that go late into the evening over drinks to speeding down the slopes for the first time in a long time.  I have a life here in Swaziland, I have a life there in the United States, and I am looking forward to sharing all our lives together and hopefully one day bringing them both together.

 
One of the first sunsets in Swaziland

Our first taste of Swaziland




Things I miss from the United States                  Things I will miss from Swaziland



1. Friends and Family                                                1. Friends and new Family

2. Coffee and Beer                                                       2. Chicken Dust and school beans

3. Mexican Food                                                          3. Buying a meal for $1.50

4. Driving in a Car                                                     4. Not worrying about a car

5. Snow and Skiing                                                    5. All the soccer played

6. Football Games                                                      6. The simplicity of life

7. Fast Internet and data                                        7. Not worrying about my phone

8. Snow Storms                                                          8. Thunderstorms

Saturday, October 8, 2016

A Place I Call Home


It has been a little over one month now since I started my new role with Peace Corps Swaziland and Young Heroes.  Almost two months since I left the place I knew as home here in Swaziland and the people I called my family.  It is still home to me though here and they are still my Swazi family.  Life in the capital city of Mbabane has been completely different than the last two years of my time here in Swaziland.  I miss the lazy days of being around the homestead, watching the animals and just staring at the world around me.  The quiet times in the evening where all you hear is the sound of a nearby dog and off in the distance the songs from some church service or all night vigil going on.  I also took pleasure of spending the entire day doing my laundry outside in the warm sun and then waving to the kids as they walk home from school as I hang my laundry to dry.  I think one of the things I miss most though are the times of sitting and talking with my “make”, host mother, and visiting with the teachers from the schools.  The people in my community and my host family are what really made me connect with my community and make it a place to call home.  I remember during the first three months in my community, known as Integration, there was a moment of doubt and thinking “What am I doing here?” and “I don’t know if I can do this.”  I am sure most, if not all Peace Corps Volunteers have a similar thought at some point in their service.  Mine came towards the beginning.  Sitting here now in my 3rd year with Peace Corps Swaziland, after all my fellow volunteers have gone home and completed the “required” two years, I am thinking about what changed.  The people are what changed.  I came to love Swaziland, my family here, and the friends I have made here in Swaziland, and just the culture and way of life of being a Swazi.  My family here is what kept me going and not wanting to give up on my time with Peace Corps Swaziland as well as the connections and relationships I built with the people here.  It wasn’t the projects, or the traveling, being in Africa, or even my fellow Peace Corps volunteers.  It was Swaziland.


Photo of my family during the Braai on my last week

I won’t say though that I am not enjoying what I am doing now in my 3rd year, because I really am.  What I am most looking forward to though is the continued cultivation of the relationships I have currently as well as the new ones that will develop in my workplace and city.  Life is much different as I get up early in the morning, go to either the Peace Corps Office or the NERCHA (National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS) Office where Young Heroes is located, and then get home just before dark every Monday to Friday.  Unless of course there is a Swazi or American national holiday, then I get to celebrate a three, four or five day weekend.  Most of my weekends consist of just being at home and relaxing or spending time with friends.  Sometimes if there is an event going on like a show, festival or concert I will attend, which is another benefit of living in the city now is the access to these things with ease.  The downside though is the limited funds; I after all am still a volunteer.  It has been nice though to wake up and take a warm shower, cook a meal using an oven, keep food in a fridge and be able to walk around barefoot not worrying about what bug you will step on next or washing your feet before getting into bed.  I have learned to appreciate the simple things in life more.  My new home does have a full bathroom now, a bedroom with closet and larger bed, kitchen with a sink, stove and fridge plus living room with couch and a desk to work at.  I feel like I am living in a palace now.  Plus running water and electricity that is constant.  One the sunny days I am able to lie in my hammock on the porch and read a book while gazing at the mountains nearby.  Almost every weekend though lately has been cold and rainy, a change from the hot and hotter weekends in my community.  City life isn’t that half bad after all.  No more 5-hour bus rides on a long, dusty and bumpy road hoping that my bread doesn’t get smashed or eggs break along the way.  No more carrying around a 2-ton backpack with everything I own just to go away for a weekend.  I can actually blend in around town now and not be worrying about how I am going to get this thing on transport, or where will I store this while doing errands in town and then slinging two more bags of groceries on my arms.  I came, I saw, I conquered.

View from my hammock in my new place in Mbabane
 Currently I am a Peace Corps Volunteer Leadership position with Peace Corps Swaziland in the Communications and IT field.  We are working on finding better methods to communicate with volunteers in the field as well as beefing up our public image of Peace Corps Swaziland.  I get to sit in the office most days and play around on social media and our website along with editing photos, movies and other media to showcase all the work the volunteers are doing to the world.  That is what I have been doing as of lately while also assisting with any other projects volunteers may have, finding resources for them and helping staff with trainings and workshops for the volunteers.  My other position is with Young Heroes in the communications and marketing field also.  I work with their marketing officer and we plan strategies to obtain more donors and sponsors for the programs that Young Heroes offers.  A large part of work will be getting ready for Bushfire 2017 since it is one of the largest events and donors to Young Heroes here in Swaziland.  It is a 3-day music festival featuring music from all over the world along with food and arts.  Its theme is centered around creativity and expressing oneself.  Will be the third time attending this year, only this time will be supporting and working with Young Heroes at the festival.  It has been a 360-degree turn from what I was doing in my community but everything that I have been learning while with Peace Corps has been invaluable and I take everything as it comes.  I never would have thought that joining the Peace Corps would bring me to where I am now.

       
I am thrilled to see where this will take me as well as the opportunities that will come from the work and knowledge I have gained.  I would like to continue in this field and working for Non-Profits, specifically here in Swaziland.  I will be taking home leave over the holidays this year and get to spend a Thanksgiving, my 28th birthday and Christmas all stateside back home.  I am looking forward to being home and seeing some snow, eating Mexican food, drinking good beer and catching up on ALL the movies and shows I have missed while being here.  There is such a thing as reverse culture shock and I know after being away for two and a half years that I will experience some of this.  I know that when I step off that plane in Portland I will be filled with a mixture of emotions, but it is like they say, “If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing,” or something along those lines.  I am looking forward to this next opportunity, this next adventure here in Swaziland, and this next “short” chapter in my life.
Umhlanga/Reed Dance 2016