Who Says Saying Goodbye Can't Be Fun?

Thanks to my dear friend Kate, I had a fabulous going away party last night. As you can see from the pictures, I think everyone had a great time. Thank you to everyone who came. It was really important to me to have everyone together, and I really had an amazing time. I love you all!

Gettin' To Be About That Time...

A crappy week last week convinced me that I was ready to leave Boston. A great week this week has me torn in half. As the weather gets nicer, Boston comes alive. There's softball and Frisbee and whiffle ball in the park across from our apartment. My room is sunny. My cat is happy in the open window. I have a slight sunburn from lying out in the park with some great roommates. It's hard to imagine leaving it all behind. I'm in the middle of packing up my office since Friday is my last day at the Joslin. Saturday is my going away party, and the realization that I'm leaving has hit me like a Mac truck. Friday I'll say goodbye to coworkers who have become friends over the last two years. I know I've made the right decision. I am excited, nervous, scared, happy...but above all I know I'm doing the right thing, despite the moments when it's hard to breathe. Today it's a little harder to breathe.

Assignment

I thought you all might like to know what I'm supposed to be doing in Togo. Below is my assignment as the PC describes it. I've heard from many PCV and RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) that the original description doesn't necessarily match what you actually do. But this will give everyone a little more of an idea. This material is all property of the Peace Corps.
Program: Community Health Expansion and AIDS Prevention (CHAP)
Job Title: Heath and AIDS Prevention Extension Agent (imagine that)
Primary Duties:

• Heath services management improvement
• Community health promotion
• Health education
• Youth education on population issues and HIV/AIDS/STI prevention
• Community development

Here's an idea about where I will probably be living:

• Based in a village or small town. Villages general range from 500-3,000 people and are often only accessible by dirt road. There will most likely be a small clinic and perhaps a primary school

Cool, huh? There is a lot more information that goes into greater depth, so if you want to know more, just ask. I'm going to add some links for people who want to read more about Togo and/or the PC.