A little background

I was born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts in a family of 6, one brother and two sisters.  I attended Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts because I have severe learning disabilities.  After graduation I went on to study at Westfield State College, where I graduated with a degree in Regional Planning and Geography. In the early Spring of my Junior year, I started thinking about my possible options for Senior year. I had taken a winter term in Belize studying eco-tourism and knew I wanted something outside the US.  At first glance I thought it might be China but found that they didn't offer a necessary course in order for me to graduate.  That search opened my eyes to the Peace Corps and after some discussions at home, I decided to start the application process.  WOW, what a process, 15 months!  The PC really need to be sure that their candidates are not only qualified but emotionally and physically ready to take on this challenge!  Two weeks before I graduated, I heard from the PC that I was accepted and would be heading off to Zambia two months later.  WOW again, sure I could turn back, it was normal for me to feel like, "what the heck am I doing?"  But I knew in my heart that this was what I wanted to do, so, putting one foot in front of the other I began to assemble the necessary items for my life and the next 27 months. While living in Zambia I will be living in a straw hut with no electricity or running water and biking to work 12 miles each way every day.


On July 20th, 2010 at 6:30 in the morning my flight left for Atlanta, Georgia.  Staging which is meant to make sure every piece of paper has it's I's dotted and T's crossed, in addition to all the necessary shots. I was in Atlanta less than 36 hours. At 7pm on July 21st I left the United States for Zambia.  Our itinerary was to have us land in Johannesburg South Africa and and take another flight on to Lusaka.  Our connection was missed and we spent the night in SA before heading on.  It's been three weeks of whirlwind days starting at 5:30a and ending around 8:30p. This includes classes every day in one of Zambia's most common language Bemba. I am currently living with a host family who have 10 children.  The Zambians I have found are some of the most caring and fun people I have ever met.

I will write more when I have access again to the Internet.  G