At last an invitation

When my medical clearance came through it was conditional that I go somewhere I can get a yearly mammogram. I don’t even get one here at home because I don’t feel like I am at risk for Breast Cancer. But over the year plus of the application process I have learned not to argue with the Peace Corps.

Just before my medical clearance came through one person called asking about my medical clearance and said I could be leaving in February 2007. Unfortunately that can not happen now because of my medical restriction. At the time my medical clearance came through I was told if I was willing to take a French class I could leave in July if not September was a sure thing. So twice a week I leave my island and ferry over to French class. Everyday I study French for at least an hour. The internet has great language recourses.

I have accepted an invitation to Mali scheduled to leave July 6, 2007. Hard to believe that Mali has the medical infrastructure to be able to offer mammograms.

The African placement desk told me the invitation was conditional on passing my French class. I had a melt down this last Friday thinking I was not doing that well in the French class. I called the Mali Peace Corps contact in Washington D.C. I said that it would not benefit either me nor the Peace Corps if I went to Mali for three months and had to come home. She assured me that once I was in Mali they would do anything they could to make me successful in the language classes.

In the invitation packet for Mali the Peace Corps addresses the issues of diversity including female, gay, and senior volunteers all of which include me. Other diversities they address are religious, people of color and disability issues for volunteers serving in Mali.

My sector will be the Business and Community Development. What that looks like in Mali I have not idea, but it will be important to think outside the box to be successful.

This will be a dream come true. Years ago I looked at traveling in West Africa. In my spare time I plan trips this year I have planned a bicycle trip to India, and South America. Now my sites are on West Africa.