The End of an Era: Education 1 COS
By Avery Miles
On August 24, 2011 seventeen Education volunteers congregated in the conference room at the Dian Fossey Hotel in Gisenyi for what would likely be the last time we would all be together. The experience of trying to navigate our way
to the hotel, tripping slightly over the rock-strewn roads, and wondering where we were summoned a distinct reminder of our own experience here as PCVs in Rwanda these past couple of years. With-out much to guide us, it has been a somewhat turbulent journey and definitely a learning experi-ence. And now we are about to finish our service!
After filling up on omelets and toast for breakfast, we talked about our various accomplish-ments, most embarrassing moments, and the big-gest challenges we‘ve faced, among other topics. We wandered around writing our own individual tales on the flip chart papers taped to the wall, running the gamut from sliding down mud hills in front of hordes of people to getting yelled at by a boss to encouraging a young boy from the vil-lage to attend school. This share-and-tell was accompanied by a discussion of where we thought we were in the three-stage process of moving: disengagement, in limbo, and re-engagement. (Most said they were still in the first stage but after the conference some had changed to in limbo). Later, there was a session on identifying and using active words to describe our accomplishments in an exercise aimed at preparing us for our future destinations, whether it is a job or graduate school.
Kevin Novotny, the acting Country Director in Mary Abrams‘ absence, handed us an RPCV handbook and explained the many possibilities we will have as RPCVs: a non-competitive status working in the government; the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program; Peace Corps Response; access to Returned Volunteer Services. PCMO Dr. Laurent Clerc, Safety and Security Officer Gloriosa Uwimpuhwe, and DMO Brooke Hopper also visited and gave us logistical information we need to address before our official close of service.
On the following day we covered the issue of saying goodbye. It has been almost 23 months in country and about 20 months at our sites. Soon we will depart for our homes, not knowing if or when we will return to Rwanda (except for those who will be extending). Kevin led us through some brainstorming about the changes that lay ahead of us. We mused over the four components of reentry: losses; employment; cross-cultural adaptation; and changes in our relation-ships, ideas, and views.
Deliberating on what aspects of reentry will be easy, we mentioned anonymity, technical issues like transportation, access to resources, and of course our excitement for American FOOD!! Ruminating over what will be difficult, we discovered some anxieties about finding work or apply-ing to school, along with emotional adjustments in our personal relationships and friendships.
After exhausting our list of ideas, we lis-tened to an RPCV panel with Brooke (Gabon), Kevin (Togo) and a woman who served in Guinea. They explained their experiences with transitioning back into the American culture and the challenges they faced in the workplace. Fi-nally, we tossed around possible suggestions for carrying out the third goal of Peace Corps: shar-ing the host country‘s culture with Americans back at home. Our ideas consisted of writing for a local newsletter, having a photo album that guests can peruse at leisure, teaching interested friends or family members any new dance tech-niques, and showcasing igitenge designs either sewn into clothing or covering pillows on couches.
On the last day we gave feedback to Kevin, who was responsive and reassuring. As the first education group and one of the very first PC groups to arrive back in Rwanda after 15 years, our service has been rife with trials. As the ―first pancake, ‖ we had some lumps where it should have been smooth and burnt patches where it should have been soft and fluffy. However, through this two-year roller coaster ride we have had each other to lean on and look to for guidance and strength.
Things became emotional as we sat in a circle and received a piece of paper with a name of somebody in our tiny group. Regardless of the relationship to that person we were instructed to say a word or two about him or her. A couple of tears were shed as people stood behind the chair of their designated subject and gave an account, some citing one particular instance that they fondly remembered while others warmly de-scribed the person‘s presence in their life. Both genuinely sad and nostalgic, we recognized each other‘s contribution to this program and honored those who have left us early.
After nearly two years in Peace Corps Rwanda I think that we can all say it has definitely affected us and will always remain a part of who we are. It was with a sense of pride, albeit corny, that I stepped forth and took my Certificate of Appreciation from Peace Corps and smiled for the camera.
And me, I will miss all of you very much. Think you teachers!!
to the hotel, tripping slightly over the rock-strewn roads, and wondering where we were summoned a distinct reminder of our own experience here as PCVs in Rwanda these past couple of years. With-out much to guide us, it has been a somewhat turbulent journey and definitely a learning experi-ence. And now we are about to finish our service!
After filling up on omelets and toast for breakfast, we talked about our various accomplish-ments, most embarrassing moments, and the big-gest challenges we‘ve faced, among other topics. We wandered around writing our own individual tales on the flip chart papers taped to the wall, running the gamut from sliding down mud hills in front of hordes of people to getting yelled at by a boss to encouraging a young boy from the vil-lage to attend school. This share-and-tell was accompanied by a discussion of where we thought we were in the three-stage process of moving: disengagement, in limbo, and re-engagement. (Most said they were still in the first stage but after the conference some had changed to in limbo). Later, there was a session on identifying and using active words to describe our accomplishments in an exercise aimed at preparing us for our future destinations, whether it is a job or graduate school.
Kevin Novotny, the acting Country Director in Mary Abrams‘ absence, handed us an RPCV handbook and explained the many possibilities we will have as RPCVs: a non-competitive status working in the government; the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program; Peace Corps Response; access to Returned Volunteer Services. PCMO Dr. Laurent Clerc, Safety and Security Officer Gloriosa Uwimpuhwe, and DMO Brooke Hopper also visited and gave us logistical information we need to address before our official close of service.
On the following day we covered the issue of saying goodbye. It has been almost 23 months in country and about 20 months at our sites. Soon we will depart for our homes, not knowing if or when we will return to Rwanda (except for those who will be extending). Kevin led us through some brainstorming about the changes that lay ahead of us. We mused over the four components of reentry: losses; employment; cross-cultural adaptation; and changes in our relation-ships, ideas, and views.
Deliberating on what aspects of reentry will be easy, we mentioned anonymity, technical issues like transportation, access to resources, and of course our excitement for American FOOD!! Ruminating over what will be difficult, we discovered some anxieties about finding work or apply-ing to school, along with emotional adjustments in our personal relationships and friendships.
After exhausting our list of ideas, we lis-tened to an RPCV panel with Brooke (Gabon), Kevin (Togo) and a woman who served in Guinea. They explained their experiences with transitioning back into the American culture and the challenges they faced in the workplace. Fi-nally, we tossed around possible suggestions for carrying out the third goal of Peace Corps: shar-ing the host country‘s culture with Americans back at home. Our ideas consisted of writing for a local newsletter, having a photo album that guests can peruse at leisure, teaching interested friends or family members any new dance tech-niques, and showcasing igitenge designs either sewn into clothing or covering pillows on couches.
On the last day we gave feedback to Kevin, who was responsive and reassuring. As the first education group and one of the very first PC groups to arrive back in Rwanda after 15 years, our service has been rife with trials. As the ―first pancake, ‖ we had some lumps where it should have been smooth and burnt patches where it should have been soft and fluffy. However, through this two-year roller coaster ride we have had each other to lean on and look to for guidance and strength.
Things became emotional as we sat in a circle and received a piece of paper with a name of somebody in our tiny group. Regardless of the relationship to that person we were instructed to say a word or two about him or her. A couple of tears were shed as people stood behind the chair of their designated subject and gave an account, some citing one particular instance that they fondly remembered while others warmly de-scribed the person‘s presence in their life. Both genuinely sad and nostalgic, we recognized each other‘s contribution to this program and honored those who have left us early.
After nearly two years in Peace Corps Rwanda I think that we can all say it has definitely affected us and will always remain a part of who we are. It was with a sense of pride, albeit corny, that I stepped forth and took my Certificate of Appreciation from Peace Corps and smiled for the camera.
And me, I will miss all of you very much. Think you teachers!!