New Info

So, I'm finally getting around to posting a little more about what I'll be doing in Ghana. Before I leave I'll be meeting with other volunteers for a couple days in Philly where we'll get shots and stuff like that. Once we get to Ghana, we will live with a host family during our 10 weeks of training. We will learn about the Ghanaian culture, language(s), safety, etc. That's where we'll find out where exactly we'll be living for the next two years. I don't know too much about what I'll be doing, only that I'll be teaching science, and probably a little english too. The ages of my students could vary anywhere between 12 and 23.
Once I'm done with training I'll move to my assigned city/village, most likely by myself. Although it's possible, I don't expect to have running water or electricity. I'll be able to get mail there, and the address for now is:

Liz Strohecker PCT
Peace Corps/Ghana
P.O. Box 5796
Accra-North, Ghana
West Africa

I'm allowed to have visitors, just not during training, the first three months on site, or the last three months on site.
I know I didn't post a whole lot of info, but there's only so much you can prepare for by reading about it. I'm trying not to expect anything because there are still so many different possibilities. June is going to get here really soon. I'm excited now, but I know I'll be nervous once it gets closer to my departure.

Ghana

I got my letter/package yesterday! I'm being offered a position in Ghana, and I would be leaving in early June. I'm really happy about it. There's a lot of stuff for me to read, like how I will probably have to wear dresses and skirts! (yeah yeah, laugh it up everyone) I'll try to condense it all and post some stuff on here later. I could hardly sleep last night, my mind was racing. They gave me some names of books to get if I want to start learning one of the languages, Twi (I think I'll be learning two). I can't believe I finally have some information. I can stop being annoyed when people ask me where and when I'm going. I can finally provide a real answer :)

Invitation

I just got an update in my application status, it says I've been sent an invitation. So that means that it's my official assignment if I want it! I'm excited about getting it, and a little nervous too. I hope it gets here soon. After it gets here I have ten days to decide and respond, yikes.

Still waiting

I know that I haven't done a very good job of keeping this updated (as Mary so kindly reminded me :-D ), but there really isn't any news to post. I'm still just waiting. I haven't heard anything and my status online says my medical papers are under review. If anything changes I'll be sure to post it here and everywhere else. Until then I'll be hanging out in fabulous Williamsburg, VA. And despite their persistent effort, I'm trying not to let the Richmond ruggers get me into too much trouble ;-)

New Info

I got an email last week about a spot that might be available in early November in Africa. Nothing is set though, but I am getting my shots on Tuesday, which are the last of the requirements for my medical papers (I think). Once that stuff clears they'll be able to give me an assignment, hopefully the one in early November. If not it will just be more waiting, but I'll keep this thing updated.

I posted some info because I know a lot of people have a lot of questions. The things below are from the friends and family section on the Peace Corps website, www.peacecorps.gov. If you click on them they should get bigger. I hope they help answer some general questions. I don't know too many specifics about exactly what I'll be doing or where I'll go yet. I know that I'll be teaching science, which could mean teaching kids, teaching teachers, or something else in the field of teaching. I'm also hoping to do some work with HIV/AIDs as a side project. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

info