Yesterday, June 19th, the new group of PC
Trainees (PCTs) arrived in Liberia. I know I speak for most―if not all―of us
who are a part of the PC Liberia family when I say that we are so happy and
excited they are finally here! We have all been counting down their arrival for
months and are looking forward to train them with the skills and resources they
need so they can help us continue to improve the education sector of this
country.
I was at Robertsfield International Airport yesterday, along
with 7 other PCVs and some PC Staff, to welcome the new group, LR-4, as they
came walked out the large iron gate into the parking lot. Luckily for them, it
was overcast and slightly breezy. (When my group, LR-3, arrived, it was sunny,
hot, and not windy at all. We were not a pretty sight after that long flight
and the circus that was baggage claim for 36 people with 1 carousel in a
crowded room. Can you say, “sweat-y!” Anyway,
I digress….) It was so nice to see all 39 of their faces light up as we shouted
“Peace Corps” and “Welcome” to them to get their attention. Us PCVs held up
welcome posters and helped shuttle people to the buses so they could be on
their way to Kakata to start their PST. While some of them admittedly looked
tired from the long flight, the feeling of enthusiasm was there, as thick as
the humid Liberian air. They boarded the bus and had a nice welcome ceremony at
Kakata, complete with kola nuts and coconuts. I hope they enjoyed their first
night in Africa!
~~~~~
June 8th was the 1 year mark of my LR-3’s arrival
in country. It’s a bit strange to think we’ve been here that long and to think
we’re at the halfway mark. While the days do seem to pass slowly, the weeks just
fly by. While year 1 wasn’t always a piece of cake, I’d say it was a great year
overall. Now I know what I want (and do not want) to do in year 2, and I have a
much better idea of how things will go in the classroom here. Now that we’ve
all got a year of teaching under our belts, we have the confidence to make the
necessary changes to enhance our effectiveness with our students. While I am
looking forward to having a break during the summer vacation, I am anxious to
see how things will improve in the classroom next school year. I believe things
can and will only get better. :-)
