Reflections

Reflections. I feel like I might have stated all of this before, but looking back now at how far I have come and what I am looking to accomplish, I feel it is a necessity.
I joined Peace Corps because for the whole four years of college, that is all I dreamed about. The first semester I was at Virginia Tech, I went to a career fair just for fun. Walking up to the Peace Corps desk, I was curious right away when I heard travel, help, and pay. Yes, my whole life would revolve around those three things; which I find very common among ALL of the other volunteers. There is something about this generation that just yearns to get out there… I think. Anyways, it was difficult to leave that table because I felt I had a million questions for the recruiter. But, like many of the volunteers, I kept it in my mind and did research throughout the four years.
Finally, I graduated and was terrified to apply in fear of not getting accepted. I waited a whole year to “get the balls” to attempt my dream. After applying, I went for the interview. The interview. It went really well, I thought. We talked as if we were old friend who were disconnected; and yet I still balled my eyes out in fear of not getting accepted.
Alas, I got my invitation to Ghana almost two years after applying. The buildup was enormous. What the heck are you supposed to do when you achieve your dream?! That was more frightening than actually leaving my family. Through all the fright and excitement, I finally made it to Ghana. To the training. To my site.
Okay. So my first site, which most of you know, was terrible. Right off the bat, they told me, “I don’t want you here.” What am I supposed to do with that? I am here to help, you don’t want the help. Okay. Let me stick it out. Why?
It was one of the hardest things I had to do. Stick out a place that clearly does not want you and wonders why the heck you are there. For what? What will I bring someone who doesn’t want me? Nothing. Okay, so you get nothing. What is the point of my service? There is none. But I stuck it out, because it was my dream to be in the Peace Corps. I sacrificed so much to be here. My family helped me to be here. I chose selfishly to be here. There was no other option.
Finally, they moved me. The new site… I can’t explain how AMAZING it is. Techiman, first off all, is the largest market in West Africa. WOW. I get people from other countries coming here three days a week! My counterpart, the person who was assigned to me to work with, is an ambitious young man (even for American standards- which is saying A LOT).
This is what I signed up for. Now I am finally seeing the truth. Just because you accomplish your dream, doesn’t mean you are finished; maybe you weren’t reaching your full potential. Okay. So, next: nursing school? Sure. Again, my real dream is to travel and help people. I can’t afford it, I’m not a Hilton (not that they have ANY morals- just money), but I could eventually feel accomplished.