Becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer

5/21/2014

Well everyone, for the first time since starting this blog I can say, officially, that I am now a United States Peace Corps Volunteer. The first two months of training have flown by, and while I will miss my new friends as much as I miss my dear friends and loved ones back home, I can honestly say that I am happy to be starting my new life and work in Luderitz.

But first, I must say that the swearing in ceremony was among the happiest moments in my life. It was incredibly surreal – we were surrounded by incredible Namibian and American people, all of whom were there to celebrate our work and our futures. All of whom were and are pulling for us to succeed, and all of whom are ready to put everything they are on the line to work with us toward a better future for the world. I have never been more proud to be an American or to be a human being than in that moment. The atmosphere held within it a different spirit – a spirit of togetherness, of love, of hope, comparable to few things I have seen before.

I must also say how truly blessed I feel to be a part of Peace Corps Namibia Group 39. We have spent almost every waking hour of the past 2 and a half months together, and I say with sincerity that they are not my friends but my family. We have seen each other in every state of emotion, in every state of energy, restlessness, or exhaustion, and we have worked together and trained together on a range of topics. But most importantly, we have learned together. We have played together. We have laughed together. And now, though we will be separated by hundreds of miles, we will work together also. And I know that we are working in the same heart and mind, and that together we will accomplish incredible things.

I don’t know what more to say at the moment other than that I am happy. Luderitz is home. Namibia is home. And I hope to share my home with each and every one of you.

Khalil Gibran has said that “Work is love made visible.” I am ready now for my work.

K Wolf

5/21/2014 12:32:38 pm

I'm excited to be reading this, and seeing your pictures, Zach.
What was it like, the training part? I was wondering what the emotional journey was like--what made you exhausted, what made you cry, how did you get through it? Long way from home and in such completely alien settings at first, I would like to hear how you made it through that part.

Zachary Stickney

5/27/2014 10:58:50 am

Training was difficult in some respects - long days, often sitting and soaking in so much information that you can hardly remember what's going on, and so forth, but ultimately it was pretty fun. Part of that is because we have had a really amazing group that has bonded together really well. Since there were only 19 of us, we had many opportunities to grow pretty close. Other groups are as many as 50 or so, so they don't always build the same friendships. Probably the most difficult thing to cope with though is the idea that we are technically on the job 24/7, so we really have to be careful what kind of image we're showing people. That, and since I'm a fairly solitary person most of the time, it was difficult finding personal space to reflect and be alone. That being said, though, it was ultimately an extremely positive experience. I was very fortunate to have great and supportive trainers, staff, and friends who really made the whole experience quite fun. Though honestly if I never see a Power Point again in my life I won't be even the least bit sad!

Kathlean Wolf

5/31/2014 02:47:47 pm

Sounds neat, Zach. That lack of personal space/time is challenging indeed. And really, if I never have to make another PowerPoint in my life, I guess I won't mind it that much. :) What sort of things were they trying to get through that goofy skull of yours? Language, culture, procedures, health knowledge?

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Becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer