Our fellow volunteers are an extremely diverse group. They come from all parts of the country, their ages ranging from 23 to 84. Most are fresh out of college on the young side but there is a good representation of volunteers over 50. Despite the youth of most of the volunteers, their education and experience was impressive, most had recently received their bachelor’s degrees, and many had graduate degrees. There was at least one PHD in the group. Also, there is one other married couple in the group.
A word about the 84 year old volunteer: A few days before we left Atlanta I saw a link to a TV story from Portland Oregon about him, in which he talked about how he had wanted to join the Peace Corps in 1961 when it first began but circumstances would not allow it. 50 years later he was doing it. I couldn’t wait to meet him and wondered how someone that old expected to lug 80+ lbs of luggage around, much less endure the conditions to be found in Botswana. His name is Jim, and to my surprise he looks 20 years younger than his 84 years. He is tall, fit, and had no problem doing anything we were doing. He had been retired from work for 23 years, but since then had been very active sailing, hiking, doing volunteer work and many other things. I hope I have his vitality when I am that age.
As we got to know the volunteers we would usually ask where they were from, what led them to join, and what the reaction from their families had been. We have heard some great stories. It is not often you meet young people who have such a desire to help people that they would give up two years of their life. Many had already visited sub-Saharan Africa to do research for school or work for some other organization there to assist with the HIV/AIDS problem. These are all very confident, fun, brave, intelligent people. Tish and I feel honored to be part of this group. We are told that serving in the Peace Corps creates a tight bond almost like family. We have left a family behind, but we have a new one here.
Perhaps it’s due to my own imminent departure (Rwanda in 27 days) or perhaps it is because I have bonded (as much as you can online) with a couple ladies from the Bots 10 group, but reading these entries made me tear up a little.
I wish you all the best as you encounter the challenges of training and settling in at site. I am so excited for you and continue to keep you in my thoughts.