First few days

I arrived in Nairobi Wednesday evening with 27 other volunteers. We were greeted by current volunteers at the airport.We all loaded a bus and were taken to our hostel for our initial training, overall rules and expectations for PCV’s (Peace Corps Volunteers. Living and spending time with this many people 24 seven, you get close really fast. I was surprised and still am of how well we all get along. We are from all over the US. I guess it could consist of how we al want to help and serve the common man.

Our group consist of teachers: deaf education, math and science. Starting today Sunday, we will begin our official Pre-service training. This will consist of our language, culture and everything we need to know to be successful in our service. We are going on a 7 hour bus ride to the side which is roughly 150 miles (of which I have been told). I guess that only means the roads are not that great.

Yesterday I had my interview regarding where and what I wanted to teach at my school. I said I wanted to teach PE, math and Religion. I chose to be in a Christian community rather than Muslim or other. There is a curriculum that we go by, because the standardized test are based off of what is in the curriculum. From what I understand we can interject our opinion and thoughts and subjects. Of course the placement solely depends on PC. There were also choices for Isolated, rural, peri urban and urban. I chose peri urban and urban, with the hopes I get urban. Most if not all deaf schools are in either of those two areas. We also got to chose the climate. Hot/humid, cool/cold, wet/dry. I chose cool/cold and wet/dry.

I will post again on my mailing address if so incline to send something. Letters would be wonderful.

All of the deaf ed volunteers will be will do their training together. We have up to 9 weeks to take and complete the sign language proficiency test. We can take the test as early as after the first two weeks. If that happens then we can learn our local dialect and or Kiswalli. My goal is to pass the test at the first two week mark.