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Thank you for visiting my blog. It captures the story of my service as a volunteer in Zambia but represents only my views--not that of Peace Corps.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Close of Service Schedule

It is official:  Our country director has called the close of service (COS) on September 2nd for my intake.  This is 3 weeks early to clear out the COS folks from Lusaka during elections.
I, on the other hand, am committed to training the newbees from Sept 12-Oct 9th in Chongwe (outside of Lusaka) so my schedule will not change.  (Famous last words)
Peace Corps will "pull" me (a well chosen phrase) from my village on August 25th.  We will say our goodbyes to Northern Province on Aug 26th and head down to Lusaka on Aug 27th.  This will be the hard part and conclusion of the two years in Mpepo serving as a health volunteer.
Hopefully, my airline ticket has already been purchased to bring me to my family, friends, and classmates in Chicago and Granada areas flying out to America  on Oct 9th.
After that, I am expecting to return to Lusaka as an PC extension volunteer for one year (to Sept 2, 20112?)  The detail of this extension are not clear, but it will be with the National Food and Nutrition Commission.  They are affiliated with the Ministry of Health and have produced the "Food composition tables" and "Improved Complementary Foods brochure for Breastfed babies."
I am very interested in helping with their training and publishing programs country-wide and even interfacing with their partners.  Working for them at the national level is exciting and familiar to me.  I will of course be posting the activities after I return in November.

2 comments:

  1. That makes 3 of us who will be traveling on August 25. Antonio and I will also be ¨pulled¨ from Bali and will be heading to Bangkok. I will be thinking of you during your last few weeks in the village and for your safe travels. love you

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  2. Mary Ellen, wonderful and sad. I know some tears will be shed as you pull out of your new home. But new adventures await, as you will always have in your life. We look forward to your visit to the U.S. and our get together in October in Chicago. Thinking of you during these days of change. Your new "tentative" position sounds ideal for you. Anita

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