Stay in touch with Annie
Another batch of new volunteers arrive
Published on July 22, 2006 By Beninian Annie In Misc
MY NEW ADDRESS IS AS FOLLOWS:
Annie Reifsnyder
B.P. 359
Parakou, Benin

I NOW HAVE A NUMBER AS WELL:
23-61-21-14 Benin's Country Code is 229

Well...well...

It has been a long time and I again have no excuses to give. I really haven't had that much to do in the work rhelm, but I have been going through a bit of a normal mental roller coaster. As it stands now I have four days left at post. For the last three weeks I have been just trying to say goodbye savoring each moment. I absolutely loved the World Cup, especially being so near to Togo who was playing, because it gave me an automatic invitation to dine and watch at my collegues and friends houses. I know I will stay in touch, but it still will never be the same.

Perhaps the hardest goodbye and most anticlimatic was seeing my students for the last time. A lot of them just picked up and left, because they go back to their small villages for the vacation period. They waved with their sack on the back of their bicycle and that was it. Maybe we both are too used to things like this happening. Saying hello and goodbye has almost become too easy for me. I guess I have learned to be thankful for what each of them has taught me about myself and how they will always play such a huge part in the potential turns my life could take. Surprisingly...I really don't mind not knowing what will happen to them. It would be wonderful to have a little magic ball to keep watch, but this is never fair. I feel content that I was a good role model and teacher for them and that has to be it. Perhaps the largest lesson I've learned about Peace Corps and development, you can't make a difference in a society, you have to educate the youth to create change themselves. I feel like I've added a small drop to this large ocean and as much as it saddens me that it is over, I'm happily ready to move on.

Now in happier news. I HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY MEDICALLY CLEARED. Yippeee! This also means that Peace Corps is in the process of booking my free flight home as we speak for December 4th. This will get me home in time for Dad's birthday on the 9th. Then, I am going to travel throughout Illinois and Indiana from the 10th to 18th. Coming home to Wisconsin for Chrsitmas and New Years. My flight will leave Milwaukee the 3rd of January.

So, what am I doing now..... The latest and brightest batch of new volunteers just arrived. It definately makes me feel older and not necessarily wiser. They seemed excited and their ears were just sucking up any and all information we could give them. It reminded me again what I have to look forward to in the States, they new types of clothing - TV shows, etc. And to be honest the things that still scare me for coming back. But, in general I had very favorable impressions of the newbies I met and think they will be do fine.

Alrighty, I have one more week in Cotonou, for two training sessions. Peer Support Network and then PCV Leader Training. On the 30th of July, I will go back up to Badjoude and the morning of the 5th of August will be my moving date to Parakou. AHHHH!!!! No, I'm ready and excited.

Okay, bye for now. I can't promise to write soon, because I am being way to lazy as of late. Much love to all. You are always in my thoughts.

Comments
on Jul 22, 2006
This post should be required reading for every new teacher! Such an incredible insight for such a young woman. Yes, that last day of classes when students handed me their final and I knew I would never see them again was in many cases heart wrenching, but my cause was much less noble than yours! I remain an incredibly proud papa.