A Message To Soon-To-Be-Volunteers: The Peace Corps Tale

A brilliant poem that shares the tale of a Peace Corps Volunteer perfectly. And, with that, I bid my Peace Corps service adieu.

The Final Photo: Month 39 (June 2014)

On the 26th of June 2014, after 1,182 days as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I closed my service. This was a day full of intense emotions. It was a time to reflect and rejoice over these last three years. It was a time to be proud. Because, as our Country Director pointed out, we were now part of an elite group - RPCVs - and there are less of us than there are Fulbright Scholars.

At our COS ceremony, staff said words of thanks and encouragement to myself and the two other Bots 10s that ended their service alongside me. As the last three of our group to COS, it was a special time for us all. I was moved by the kind words that the staff shared but one staffer's words will stay with me as the most profound. He said:

"Tija, I want to thank you for showing the staff here the value of working with Peace Corps Volunteers. Before you, it was just something we said was important but now, because of the good work you have done and how much you have helped us grow and get stronger as a team, we look to volunteers in everything we do. You had a way of coming in with your positive attitude and good humor - we would laugh and that would break the ice - and then we could accomplish so much more. Thank you for showing us the great value you all have. You made that possible for us."

Wow.

So, with that, I present the final photo in this photo reflection series, taken just after we rang the bell and closed our service. The final three Bots 10s alongside the staff of Peace Corps Botswana.

The End

I will forever cherish this team and my entire service. Thank you.

Photo Reflections: Month 38 (May 2014)

As a lover of live music, I was very excited to learn
of an international music festival in nearby Swaziland.
And, what's more, it was also a nonprofit fundraiser to
help at-risk youth. Bonus. So we traveled there (and
to Durban, SA) on what I called my "birthday trip"
to hear some of the best artists from France, Spain,
Zimbabwe, South Africa, and beyond. How amazing.
"Hello Bushfire! Bring your fire!"

The traveling companions for birthday trip 2014!
(L to R, me, Dinah, Jess, Danielle, and Hobie)

Photo Reflections: Month 37 (April 2014)

Tuan had his wisdom teeth taken out in April and, due to some
complications with the surgery, was out of it for over a week.
At the same time, I was house sitting for a wonderful family and their
adorable English Bulldog named Otis. Here I captured a moment
between the two, who are truly madly and deeply in love. 

Photo Reflections: Month 36 (March 2014)

My mom came back to Botswana!
We revisited the ladies at my previous NGO (pictured here),
as well as traversing across Botswana, South Africa, and Mozambique!
(This was also the trip when Tuan asked my mom's blessing to marry me!)

Photo Reflections: Month 35 (February 2014)

As a PCVL, I helped plan and execute Peace Corps Botswana's
very first All Volunteer Conference. This was such a fun event
and the only training that was unanimously voted as beneficial and fun.
I was very proud to have been a part of making this happen.

Photo Reflections: Month 34 (January 2014)

In  January 2014, my dear friend and
fellow (COS'd) Bots 10 sent me some loot!
It was an absolutely amazing package
and my first one in nearly two years!
HAPPY DAY!

Photo Reflections: Month 33 (December 2013)

In true Botswana fashion, six months after I closed out my two years of service
in Gabane and moved to the capital, my NGO held a going away party for me.
This photo is of the support group's chairperson singing me a farewell song.
Moments later, the rest of the guests joined her and their words filled the room.
... I cried.

Photo Reflections: Month 32 (November 2013)

Movember arrived in Botswana and Tuan participated.
His moustache may go down as one of the creepiest.

I began working with my counterpart in a very meaningful way
to bring IECD programs to most at-risk communities. This is
our first meeting together to discuss scaling up the services at our
"model site" and ways to begin implementing in other rural villages.

Photo Reflections: Month 31 (October 2013)

A Very Thai Vacation - Railay Beach

A Very Thai Vacation -Ayutthaya

A Very Thai Vacation -Chiang Mai

A Very Thai Vacation -Mai Tang Region

Vacation in Thailand with the love of my life and some wonderful PCV friends.

Photo Reflections: Month 29 (August 2013)

Tuan and I flew to Ghoha Hills in Savuti for the weekend.
We spent two days relaxing, eating amazing food, and seeing wildlife.

Photo Reflections: Month 28 (July 2013)

I began my work at Project Concern International as a
Technical Advisor for the Integrated Early Childhood Development
and Life Skills components of a USAID-funded project addressing
the needs of orphans, vulnerable children, adolescent girls, and women.

Photo Reflections: Month 27 (June 2013)

Welcoming committee for my first weekend back in Washington
after 26 months in Botswana!

My 30th birthday with my mama at one of my favorite spots, Zola!

With my sister at the dog beach in Southern California!

Tacos with my bestie in San Diego!

 All that mattered in June 2013?
HOME LEAVE!

Photo Reflections: Month 26 (May 2013)

I hosted a new friend for two weeks and our souls instantly connected.
Brittany came to volunteer with a hospice care center in Gaborone but
when she wasn't being an all-star social worker there, we were together
visiting my NGO, seeing animals at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, cooking,
market shopping, watching Rent, having intense conversations for hours,
laughing uncontrollably, and sharing in this beautiful adventure of life.
Her visit proved, once again, that everyone is a stranger until you open
up to them and then they may just be your very best friend!

Photo Reflections: Month 25 (April 2013)

The first time Tuan took me flying!
QUE FUN!

Photo Reflections: Month 24 (March 2013)

Little Thing ("LT"), the dog that adopted me in Gabane, after nearly a
year together, finally felt comfortable enough to come inside my home.
She came in, plopped down, and didn't leave for many many hours.
Such is the fate of many Peace Corps Volunteers with nearby pooches.

Photo Reflections: Month 23 (February 2013)

A lot happened in February, but nothing more important than our
CLOSE OF SERVICE CONFERENCE

Bots 10
Our final picture together.

Photo Reflections: Month 22 (January 2013)

Overcoming my fear of Tuan's dirty hippy feet because he said
"I love you so much, lets hold feet"
A true sign was something special here...

Photo Reflections: Month 21 (December 2012)

A side of Botswana I had never seen before
The Okavango Delta via a boat cruise and camping trip.
Breathtaking.

My first Christmas with Tuan's family in his home village of Mahalapye.

Photo Reflections: Month 20 (November 2012)

Just before my NGO closed for the holiday season, I brought the
community together for a sort of Christmas party to honor the
orphans and vulnerable children in Gabane. Together with the
Mother Bear Project, we gave teddy bears to 100 OVC at a
ceremony designed specially for them. The ceremony included
songs and speeches made youth that had gone through our program,
popcorn and cake, and individual awards for each kid in attendance.