Well I’ll just come out with the big news – after two years
in Senegal I’ve decided to extend and stay on as a Peace Corps volunteer for a
third year! The seed was planted
in my head a few months back by my program manager, but I was very torn on what
to do. I had a lot of conversations with my family, and ultimately just had to
follow my heart.
My life will be much different this 3rd year than
what I experienced the last 2 years. I will move to the capital city of Dakar
and live in an apartment there – electricity, running water, the ability to
cook my own meals, etc. I’m pretty excited about all of that! I also have a new
job – I will now be the Peace Corps Volunteer Leader for the Health program,
meaning I am the lead Health volunteer. I will assist in the training for all
new health volunteers and then continue to provide them with programmatic
support throughout the year. There are some great opportunities for personal
& professional growth for me over this year. Staying was a scary decision
to make, but if it turns out half as good as the scary decision to quit my job &
come to Senegal, I have nothing to worry about.
For the next 2 months I will be living between our training
center and my village in Tamba (about 8 hours apart) to help facilitate the
training for our new health volunteers that come on Monday! Once that’s over I
will officially move out of my village and into Dakar.
I will be HOME in June for a month of home leave and hope to
see as many people as possible, so more details to come on this once I have
specific dates.
Thanks as always for the continued support and words of
encouragement that you all send me! And a special thanks to my parents – I know
choosing to stay was a selfish decision, but you’ve always supported me even
when you’re not super excited about my choice. You’re the best.
One housekeeping note – NEW ADDRESS!
PCVL Lindsay Swisher
Peace Corps Senegal
B.P. 2534
Dakar, Senegal
West Africa
Thanks for reading. Peace & love,
Lindsay
