I haven't written in here for a VERY long time, but I'm trying to bring it back as I am about to start a new adventure in Burkina Faso. For now, I'm just posting the recent e-mail I sent to some friends with my news.
So here it is:
It's about that time for an update, and some pretty big news as well. I’ve been living in Chicago for the past several months, but not for much longer. June 8th, I’m heading out and joining the Peace Corps to go to Burkina Faso (West Africa). Pretty crazy!
It all happened very quickly. I was still deciding about the Peace Corps and regardless I wanted to wait until last summer/early fall, however a week ago I got a call from my placement officer and she had this unique opening with the Girls Education and Empowerment program in a French-speaking country. It seemed like there wasn’t going to be anything like it again, and it might have been a while for any French-speaking placement, so I had to go for it even with the inconvenient timing. It really felt like the right decision and is close to what I wanted to do all along.
So, I’ll be in Chicago until mid-May and then will go back to Kansas for a couple weeks then head out. I’m definitely terrified and nervous and anxious, but also really excited about it all. I’ve been reading a little about the country (though there isn’t a whole lot out there on it) and I recently got a packet about my specific placement which is helping me get acquainted and excited. It’s crazy because I actually know 2 people who are already in Burkina Faso with the Peace Corps. As I said, I’m going to be working with the Girls Education and Empowerment program as a community outreach/developer doing various activities, programs and general support for education in the community in which I will live, focusing specifically on girls when possible. It’s going to be a big challenge, especially as the education level is quite low in the country, having the lowest literacy rate in the world. However, I've been hearing wonderful things about the people and culture; and the program has had some significant success in the past few years.
As for my life in the past several months, I’ve been enjoying Chicago overall. It was really difficult to find work but I’ve been doing some substitute teaching, including a long-term assignment as a special ed teacher at a high school fairly close to where I’ve been living. It has definitely been a good learning experience and different then anything I’ve done before. As some of you know, I was supposed to start a new job working with CPS but the start date got pushed back around the time when I heard from the Peace Corps, so I just decided to not do it, as I wouldn’t have been able to complete the project since I’m leaving Chicago so soon. I’ve really enjoyed being close to some friends and seeing so many of you! While definitely hard and challenging at times, overall I’ve really enjoyed my time in Chicago and have found some fantastic ways to get involved, learned a lot and met some really amazing people.
Well, that’s all for now. I’ll probably write you all again in a month letting you know what is going on. If anyone is going to be in Chicago before May 20th, let me know, or around Kansas City before June 8th. I also want to thank you all for all the support you have offered me this past year. Life takes us down unusual paths sometimes and many of you have provided a lot of guidance, strength and inspiration to me, so thank you for everything!
I hope you are well and take care.
peace,
Kim
It all happened very quickly. I was still deciding about the Peace Corps and regardless I wanted to wait until last summer/early fall, however a week ago I got a call from my placement officer and she had this unique opening with the Girls Education and Empowerment program in a French-speaking country. It seemed like there wasn’t going to be anything like it again, and it might have been a while for any French-speaking placement, so I had to go for it even with the inconvenient timing. It really felt like the right decision and is close to what I wanted to do all along.
So, I’ll be in Chicago until mid-May and then will go back to Kansas for a couple weeks then head out. I’m definitely terrified and nervous and anxious, but also really excited about it all. I’ve been reading a little about the country (though there isn’t a whole lot out there on it) and I recently got a packet about my specific placement which is helping me get acquainted and excited. It’s crazy because I actually know 2 people who are already in Burkina Faso with the Peace Corps. As I said, I’m going to be working with the Girls Education and Empowerment program as a community outreach/developer doing various activities, programs and general support for education in the community in which I will live, focusing specifically on girls when possible. It’s going to be a big challenge, especially as the education level is quite low in the country, having the lowest literacy rate in the world. However, I've been hearing wonderful things about the people and culture; and the program has had some significant success in the past few years.
As for my life in the past several months, I’ve been enjoying Chicago overall. It was really difficult to find work but I’ve been doing some substitute teaching, including a long-term assignment as a special ed teacher at a high school fairly close to where I’ve been living. It has definitely been a good learning experience and different then anything I’ve done before. As some of you know, I was supposed to start a new job working with CPS but the start date got pushed back around the time when I heard from the Peace Corps, so I just decided to not do it, as I wouldn’t have been able to complete the project since I’m leaving Chicago so soon. I’ve really enjoyed being close to some friends and seeing so many of you! While definitely hard and challenging at times, overall I’ve really enjoyed my time in Chicago and have found some fantastic ways to get involved, learned a lot and met some really amazing people.
Well, that’s all for now. I’ll probably write you all again in a month letting you know what is going on. If anyone is going to be in Chicago before May 20th, let me know, or around Kansas City before June 8th. I also want to thank you all for all the support you have offered me this past year. Life takes us down unusual paths sometimes and many of you have provided a lot of guidance, strength and inspiration to me, so thank you for everything!
I hope you are well and take care.
peace,
Kim
