On November 29th we officially swore in as peace corps volunteers!

This was the speech that was read:

“Thank you very much for having us here today. We stand and sit before you now humbled and excited for the opportunity to be hosted by such a beautiful country and to spend the next two years of our lives here in The Gambia. We are here as a collection of many decisions, challenges, breakthroughs and determinations.

Many of us quit jobs that we loved, broke leases on homes that we loved and most importantly said goodbye to people that we loved. The decision to “seize the moment” was not made in a single moment. However, being here today is gratifying as we walk through the first of many milestones. 

Pre-Service Training was nothing we could have prepared for: canceled flights, falling into toilets, cockroach wars, occasional breakdowns, and discomfort becoming our new normal. But we made it through successfully; leaning on each other and trusting in the process set in place by Peace Corps. 

To all that came today: host families, Peace Corps staff, dignitaries, friends and loved ones, we all want to say thank you for the grace, hospitality and support you all have shown us. Thank you for the opportunity to do the hardest job that we will ever love. 

To Peace corps the gamba cohort 46: Cheers to 2 years, slowly slowly.”

 (The content of this website is mine alone and does not reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Gambian Government.)