I am a Peace Corps Volunteer

On December 18^th, after 10 weeks of intensive language and technical training, after staying at various accommodations in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Koforidua and at our homestay village, 31 trainees from all over the U.S. and all walks of life became Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Ghana’s agriculture sector.

We were greeted by the U.S. Ambassador, our PC acting directors and an official representative from Eastern Region. We were given certificates and seeds to plant in our future gardens. We took the oath and danced the traditional dance which we practiced for weeks. We celebrated with our homestay families, who not only made us matching outfits and fed us joloff rice and red-red, but were our families away from home. We also celebrated within our own circles and said goodbyes as we all left for our sites scattered all over Ghana.

I must say that the induction ceremony and even the good-byes were not the most emotional moments for me. The moment where I teared up and really felt the importance of my decision to become a PC volunteer was the day before the ceremony where we read and acknowledged the 10 Core Expectations.  I would like to post them here, and I would like to follow them throughout my service:

Core Expectations For Peace Corps Volunteers

In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps Mission of promoting world peace

and friendship, as a trainee and Volunteer, you are expected to:

1. Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment

to serve abroad for a full term of 27 months

2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom

you live and work; and, in doing so, share your skills, adapt them,

and learn new skills as needed

3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of

hardship, if necessary, and with the flexibility needed for effective

service

4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work

is based on the local trust and confidence you build by living in,

and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community

and culture

5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

for your personal conduct and professional performance

6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual

learning, and respect

7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local

and national laws of the country where you serve

8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health,

safety, and well-being and that of others

9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and

community, as a representative of the people, cultures, values, and

traditions of the United States of America

10. Represent responsibly the people, cultures, values, and traditions of

your host country and community to people in the United States both 

during and following your service

On another note, I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year! С Новым Годом! Efishya paa!