Email Sent Announcing PC Invitation

Greetings family and friends from around the world and around the corner!

Some of you I talk to every day...others I have not spoken with in months. Regardless, you are receiving this email because you are very important to me and I want to share with you what is going on in my life.

Over the past year, while completing my single subject teaching credential at Cal Poly, I have been going through the grueling process of applying to the Peace Corps.

Fast forward to yesterday...I FINALLY received my assignment!

On November 6th (yes, about 5 weeks from now) I will be sitting in the first of a three day orientation somewhere in the states...DC, Chicago, Miami...I don't know yet. At the end of that three days I will be boarding a plane with a group of others...all equally as anxious, excited, and committed as I am to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Once on board, my fellow adventurers and I will be at the will of the pilot as we soar through the sky for hours...and hours....and hours...where will we land?

NAMIBIA!!!!!!

Namibia is a sparsely populated country on the South Atlantic coast of Africa. It was previously known as South West Africa and is about the size of Nevada. It shares borders with Angola to the North, Zambia to the North East, Botswana to the East, and South Africa to the South. The Namib desert (oldest desert in the world) stretches along the whole west coast of the country, while the Kalahari Desert runs along its southeastern border.

Once I arrive, I will begin in-country training until January. During this time I will be living with a host family. I will then be placed somewhere in the northern region of Namibia. I have been assigned to teach upper primary and/or secondary science. That is not all I will be doing however. I will likely do many of the following as well: HIV/AIDS education/awareness, teach English, teach computer "science," tutor co-teachers (Namibian teachers) as they strive to further their education, train co-teachers in more learner-centered approaches to teaching, work with co-teachers and head masters in developing teaching and learning resources, run an after school club or sports team such as a boys and girls club, kick ball, or net ball. The list clearly goes on and on stretching only as far as my creativity, patience, imagination, and perseverance...so only time will tell.

I've been told that my living situation will be one of the following: cinderblock home with family without electricity or running water, flat or house with another volunteer that is teaching or a Namibian teacher, or government housing with one or two volunteers from countries around the world doing who knows what.

I am not sure yet if I will be placed in a very rural area or a more developed town. I have simply been told to be prepared to accept either situation...okidokie.

Okay, so this email seems to keep going and going. Before I forget, I must tell you...I plan on including this email address of yours on a permanent list. This means that you will be ever so lucky to receive occasional updates (when I have internet access). I will also be setting up a blog very soon and I would love to include your email on the list so that you are notified when the blog has been updated.

That said, please be sure to email me back and let me know one of the following:
1. I'm sorry but I don't have the time or the inbox space to receive your crazy Africa stories
2. I don't even know who you are!
3. I would love to get your emails but please email me at this address instead: __________________ (<-- insert email address there)
4. Yes! keep the emails coming
5. Yes! Keep the emails coming but send them only to this email address ____________ (for many of you I have multiple addresses and I have no clue which one you check)

Of course if you don't write back, I'll just assume you want to hear from me, no big deal. Oh, also, PLEASE email me your street address. There is a chance that email will not be an option. If that is the case I would love to be able to send letters via postal mail (I know..."what does 'postal mail' mean?"). Just send me an address and you'll find out!

Okay enough babble for now. Can't wait to hear from you soon. Oh yeah, if I haven't talked to you in awhile please fill me in on what's new! I hope this email reaches you all happy and healthy.
Love, Ali

Check out these links:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1063245.stm
http://www.grnnet.gov.na/intro.htm
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/namibia/