Packing and repacking and packing and repacking in Baton Rouge.

Our group of 30 prospective volunteers met in Philadelphia September 13th for a few days of preparation for our trip overseas and the next two months of training.

(Sept->Nov 2004)
Before being sworn in as PCVs, we must complete two months of intensive language and technical training in Senegal.

Twenty-seven out of our original thirty PCTs become PCVs in Dakar on November 17th, 2004.

The new PCVs head out to our regional capitals to buy lots of buckets and be installed in our sites.

(Nov/Dec 2004)
My first month in-village. Fire! Goats! Puppy!

PCVs gather at the regional house to celebrate the holidays, Africa style.

(Dec 2004/Jan 2005)
Village, month two: batiment construction and Bandi Bah.

My first big excursion: spending time with Cory and Josh in their village, then painting animals on school buildings with Jessica.

Juulde/Tabaski, the Islamic "Feast of the Sacrifice," is celebrated in my village. People dress up, a ram gets it, macaroni is eaten.

(Jan/Feb 2005)
Yep, I'm still here: cooking in Tamba and beadwork in the village.

The fearless 26 of the original 30 reconvene in Thiès for three weeks of technical training at IST (that's "In-Service Training" for all you acronym illiterati out there).

(Feb/Mar 2005)
Returning to the village for the start of the hot season: Ami's wedding, Josh's birthday...

(Mar/Apr 2005)
Now with more sodium! Dan & Mary's site, Pulaar class, Volney's visit, the Missirah market.