I started my application for the Peace Corps 1 1/2 years ago. Literally. But I didn't click the submit button until the end of October. Mid-January, I was nominated for an agricultural program in Mauritania. Normally, specific information re: the country is not given to the applicant at this time. I don't know why I was so lucky. But it gave me a TON of time to adjust to the thought of Mauritania. I was officially invited in April and I fly out of Seattle for orientation (aka: "stage") on the 15th.
Really, I have always wanted to travel. And I enjoy helping people. I have always felt drawn to international outreach. And I finally got to the point in my life where it seemed stupid that I wasn't joining the Peace Corps. I couldn't come up with any good reason why I wasn't volunteering. So, I am saying good-bye to my student loans, family, friends, most of my possessions, my horses, running water, electricity, showers, and comfort food for a couple of years. Don't worry, I'll be back (and those student loans aren't ever going away!)
2) Mauritania:
Is a real country (I know, I almost didn't believe it either!)
Located in North West Africa. South of Morocco and next door to Mali (home of Timbuktu).
Is big. Almost 420,000 square miles.
Has approximately 3 million residents.
Approximately 2,988,00 of those residents are Muslim.
Oh, the official title for Mauritania is "Islamic Republic of Mauritania"
It is truly (confirmed by most every site I've read) one of the most under-developed countries in the world.
4/5 of Mauritania is the Sahara Desert.
Is currently under a military junta. Democratic elections were scheduled for June 6, however, they have been postponed until August.
3) Agroforesty Agent:
I will be trying to help grow more sustainable, nutritious, and plentiful crops. While decreasing erosion (ie: sand storms) and desertification (the Sahara has been expanding due to severe drought since the 1960s) by using conservation agriculture methods like no-till farming and planting trees.
4) Details:
This is a 2 year commitment. I have 2-3 months of training in country (Rosso, Mauritania it is in the south, along the border of Senegal) followed by placement somewhere. Where I may or may not have another white person in my village and I may or may not live with a host family. I also may or may not have electricity, running water, or internet. I may live in a mud hut. I will have a cell phone. :) And I will have internet access at least once a month when I have to report in to the regional capital.
5) Contact:
I will have a cell phone. So, depending on how expensive it is to use for international calls, I may be able to actually talk to people!!
I will have internet access intermittently. I will try to keep this blog updated, update my Facebook, etc and send out personal and mass emails.
I have a sneaking suspicion that I will LOVE getting real mail. Especially if there is some kind of goody tucked in there. :)
My address (for the first few months, anyway):
Teresa Schnur, PCT
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 222
Nouakchott, Mauritania
West Africa
One needs to write "Par avion" on the envelope. Apparently mail does still travel by boat. Mail that is delivered via boat takes months. Versus the weeks via plane. Also, please number your letters to me. I hear that I may miss some, or get many at the same time. I would like to know what order to read them in. (And I'll number my letters to you!).
6) To answer all those other questions:
What will I eat?
Rice and lamb. Couscous and lamb. Rice and fish. Couscous and fish. With some random vegetables thrown in. I will drink lots of mint tea. I will eat my meals out of a communal dish. Using my right hand rather than cutlery. Being in a Muslim country, I will not be eating pork. :'( Due to lack of refrigeration, I will also not be eating the cheese I am used to. :'(
What will I wear?
Ankle length skirts. Legs are super-sexy. They must not be seen. I should also keep my shoulders covered. And my head, depending on how conservative of a region I am in. I will be wearing sandals (I bought 2 pairs of Chacos which I love), as shoes must be taken off before entering a house...and shoes and socks would be quite hot.
Diseases?
Malaria is endemic. I will be on anti-malarial drugs, which I hear produce some very colorful dreams. I will be vaccinated for Yellow Fever. HIV/AIDS is not nearly so predominant as it is in many other areas of SubSaharan Africa. There is a nasty parasite in fresh water, called schistosomiasis...therefore I must avoid swimming/bathing/wading in lakes and rivers. Most illnesses are parasitic or related to poor food quality (ie: lack of refrigeration). Diarrhea is one of the main killers of children.
Well, that about covers everything for now.
Especially since I mostly posted all of this in order to procrastinate studying French and packing. Now it is 11 and I have to pack...or else sleep on the floor.
Mauritania in 15 days!
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