Peace Corps gave me a week to accept or decline. I contacted every person I knew that might have known anything about the Peace Corps, talking to professors, mentors, bosses, family friends, and making pro and con lists about it all. Honestly, before applying, I had not done my homework and knew very little about what the Peace Corps entailed, which led me to discover its wonders all within a week. When people ask me the infamous question, “Why did you join Peace Corps”, I tell them that I eventually came to the conclusion, “Why not do Peace Corps?” Sure, you can come up with numerous reasons, but none that I could conceive good enough to not become a Peace Corps Volunteer. My friends? Yes, weddings, babies, engagements are going to happen, and I am going to miss them BUT my true friends will understand that distance does not change anything and my support is always with them. My family? Their love pushed me to go, knowing that this would be an incredible opportunity for me to grow, explore my passions, and gain an understanding of the world few people are offered. Traveling? Sure, there were a milling places I wanted to go and guess what? They would still be there when I got done. And so would the cheese. So, ‘Why not?’
I accepted my invitation the seventh day, still not being completely convinced, but knowing it was too good to say no for now.
Now I wish I could tell myself SO many things at this stage. The main thing being, “Don’t even hesitate-go! In hindsight, how long did four years of high school, four years of college seem? They FLEW by. Just as your Peace Corps service will.” One day became one week became one month and before I knew it one year. Now my 27-month commitment is over, half of my group has already left the country, and here I am still not quite ready to leave.
A few months ago, I applied for a three-month in site extension, knowing I might not be ready to end my service as fast as it was approaching. I am ready for many things: my family, my friends, going to bed without scorpion checks, sweet tea, and cheese. But, I am not ready for so many more things. I am not ready to leave the kids that have kept me sane and made me insane, the families that I joke with until night falls, and the Peace Corps friendships that will forever have a special bond. As Panama prevails, some of our work has been slightly delayed and I am not ready to leave it unfinished, wanting to finish what ideas I was so fortunate to be able to begin with motivated community members anxious to improve their living conditions and expand their knowledge.
So, once again, elated, torn, but this time not so confused, I accepted my three-month extension and, while the next half of my group prepares to leave, I am preparing for the last three months of my Peace Corps Service that will end sometime mid-November/December. I promise, I’ll make it back sometime before the year is over but can’t promise how long I’ll stay! 😊
As a young girl Yasmileth, now a young woman in Alto Estrella, taught herself to play guitar so she could play for the church. We now have a weekly exchange where I teach her some English and she gives me guitar lessons. We are working on a duo for my going away party!