clarification, how long?

I usually refer to length as PC volunteer as 2 years because it is 2 years of PC volunteer service I must complete, once orientation(D.C.) and training are complete
2 years.. is an easy reference..but if you want to get technical..there are details in an earlier blog (see dates below).

I am not a volunteer until I am sworn in, which isn't until a 3 month training period is complete.
Training usually takes place not in my final community setting, rather a central location that all volunteers from the country(about 30) can meet at.

Once training is complete, I will complete 24 months of service in a village by myself.

Making this a total of 27 months inwhich I am out of the country, estimated return: September 11, 2010.

and I have accepted

I called for acceptance today. I was required to share with the placement assistant what my service work actually consisted of. Once I summarized my duties, I was told about my coming deadlines concerning filing for passport and visa and writing an aspiration statement.
Blog
Since I only began blogging a year ago, my proof-reading, writing and formating may not be up to par until post graduation..as I am busy with school and this PC preparation and don't have the time to reread some of my postings. I have been basically copy and pasting emails I have been sending out to friends.

From this point on, I will be simply referring people to my blog for answers, as I don't have a great deal of time to chit-chat, however am interested in sharing my fabulous news!!

So please, take the time to read provided details, and check out links prescribed as they will give you clarification to answers I am only beginning to receive through my own research.

This is a completely new place to me-that is "my purpose for blogging" "place for which I am blogging about".
I have some prior knowledge about Africa-due to my own travels to Ghana in Fall 2006, but this experience can not begin to generalize what is to come of serving in Peace Corps.

What I am realizing now, is that it is unfortunate although I attended grade and middle-school through an era of South Africa's rebirth-I was educated very little about the apartheid activities that didn't finally cease until 1997. This is in a culture where educating its youth is absolutely required and promoted..so unfortunate,

And after a bit of discussion with art and Africa extraordinare Jessa, I realize what I do remember from 1997.
1997 is the same time: many Americans were more consumed with Pop culture and downfall of rockstar Curt Kilbane , and the unusual assault of ice-skater Nancy Kerrigan.
How many of you can remember these commercial events going down in history? Beyond these wonders little is known about worldly events of the time.

and so I ask myself...what am I thinking encountering this truly, unexposed place-South Africa.
I have faith my placement has been thoroughly thought out,
What I know is I am ready to provide all the knowledge that I have to offer, and take in all that this experience has to give.
best, xox

at a glance

Some details on my coming travels (then I must get back to work)-
West Africa (because of my previous travels to Ghana and French language background) had been my initial area of interest but placement is according to a need basis and at this time...

-I am an excellent candidate for work in a rural, often impoverished village in the country of South Africa. There are a few provinces that I may be assigned but I don't know specifics except that these are rural/ farm communities that were systematically ignored or under-served during the apartheid era.

I will be serving a total of 27 months and my assignment consists of
assisting teachers in improving classroom practices, including observations and feedback, demonstration lessons, team teaching and workshops on classroom management, lesson planning, creating learning aids with available resources, develop teacher critical thinking skills,
and some opportunities to teach Math.
I will also assist teachers with strategies for teaching life skills- HIV/AIDS, and emphasis on phasing in English.

I am aware there is a great deal to prepare-but this be mainly purchasing necessities for traveling(post graduation), completing travel documents(currently), completing class work(prior to graduation), completing MasterResearchPaper(prior to graduation).

news and information

• Currently, Volunteers are working in
• Provinces located in NE of country, view below for details
  
• the Limpopo,Mpumalanga, North West, and Kwa Zulu Natal provinces.
  
• in 1997 Volunteers began serving in Republic of South Africa
• Volunteers work with clusters of 3 to 4 schools
• HIV/AIDS outreach projects began in 2001 and play a significant role in a Volunteers service
• Projects involve community, school, and government advising concerning to their effectiveness in school instruction and the inclusion of the English language, and HIV/AIDS outreach project developments offering suggestions for potential improvement.
  

Your Assignment

Country: Republic of South Africa

Program: Schools and Community Resource Project

Job Title: Resource Specialist

Orientation (in Washington D.C.): July15,2008-July 17, 2008

Pre-Service Training (in South Africa): July 18-September 11, 2008

Dates of Service(in particular province not yet determined):
September 12, 2008-September 11, 2010

I suggest you check out the below for greater specifics:
BOOK of Information

My invite arrived

I was astonished to receive word from PC about an update at my PC online account. When I visited PC online I navigated my way through password changing and the new front.
Finally, I found it the sentence that confirmed this was so happen..you have been sent an invitation on May 22. And where does that take me next, after just enough barriers..I finally received the FedEx express and since it contained the offer I had not been anticipating, I quickly ran through the literature describing the job assignment I had been offered.