Questions and Answers

A lot of people have been asking me questions and in this section I will try to answer some of those questions. If you have any questions that aren't found in this section please e-mail me and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.

What is the application process like and what does it entail?

The application process is long, arduous, and tedious. It has many many many steps that sometimes seem pointless and confusing. I think this is because they try to weed out people because they don't like the monotony and the waiting. I felt a lot of the time that I was holding up my own process by not getting things back quickly enough. I actually started the process in October 2000 and didn't finish until May 2001. From May to Sept for my departure date is a lot of waiting.

I found that I was on the phone constantly with my recruiter and medical staff to get things pushed through and done on schedule. The medical package was the hardest to get done in a timely fashion. I actually came home for Easter weekend to get it all done and had five doctors appointments in three days. I don't think I would have had as many problems if my doctors' office didn't have moronic staff and couldn't fill out a form if it hit them in the face. An example was that they were told they could not write negative for the TB test because it would actually mean I did have TB, and what did they put....negative. Finally, the nurse got tired of me calling and telling her how moronic this office staff was, that she accepted it and didn't make me have them change it for a fifth time.

The application process mainly entails patience. Do your part as quickly as possible and wait to hear the outcome. This can be difficult when you are anxious to hear the answer and get onto the next stage in the process. I think I had another hard time because I moved three times during the process and had to make adjustments and wait even longer. PATIENCE is the key though.

How did they decide what job you will have and where you will go?

Well in the first steps of the process they ask you what you would like to do and where you would like to go. They also ask you for your resume and transcripts. This is so they can try and match you with what you want and what you are qualified for. I also put down that I had no geographic preference, so this made my process a little easier because I was willing to go anywhere.

The next step is that they match what you want with your qualifications and send you about three possible jobs. You have to further fill out your qualifications for both. Then you have an interview with a recruiter and they will try and help match you as well. It should probably be important to talk to your recruiter, they will help match what you want with what you can do and what they need and where they need you.

Can you choose where you want to go or what you want to do?

I believe you can ask to do something or ask to go somewhere particular. This could slow down the process because if they don't need you somewhere, they won't be able to place you there until there is a space for you. You can always request it though, and it is a possibility.

How long will you be in Kenya?

I will serve for 27 months. Three months will be for training where I will have"

* 140 hours Language Training

* 100 hours Technical Training

* 27 hours Medical Training

* 30 hours Administrative & Support

* 23 hours Intercultural Program

* 16 hours Development Studies

* 15 hours Peace Corps Sessions

* 5 days Future Site Visit

Then I will have two years of actual service.

Will you have to go there alone and will you live alone?

At my Staging event, which is yet to be determined, I will meet about 20 people who will be going to do the same job that I am and other jobs to Kenya. I will live with a host family during the initial three months of service and training. Other Volunteers may or may not be placed in the same home that I will. After the initial three months I will be sent to my post. At that time it will be determined whether I will have another Volunteer with me or not. It is always a possibility that I will be in an area without any volunteers with me, and it is also a possibility that I will actually room with another volunteer. It is anyone's guess how it will go from here.

Will you make any money? How will you live?

This is a volunteer organization, but they do not expect you to pay your own way. They will give you a general allotment every month that will take care of basic living expenses as well as money for entertainment and other necessary items. It is enough to live with, but not above the level of living of the area that you will live. It is not good to look and be above the people you are trying to help.

This could mean that the place that you live is 10 miles from where you work and that it would have to be either walked every day or a bicycle will be provided by the Peace Corps.

They also understand that you have left a life in the United States for two years. They will put a certain amount away for you for every month of service, not counting training. At the end of your service you can receive 1/3 of that to do with as you please before you leave to go home. A lot of people use this to travel and see the area. The rest is for a "cushion" and startup costs when you come back to the US.

What will be your housing situation?

The housing could be different depending on where you live. If you live in a rural setting it is possible that you will not have running water or electricity, but on average most volunteers have one or the other. Amazingly, 72% of volunteers have access to computers, which is more than have running water.

If you don't like it, can you leave early?

YES! They are not completely cruel. If you do not like the Peace Corps they are not going to make you stay. They did put a lot of money into you and your training, but if you have a really good reason and are completely miserable they will let you leave.

Will you take any extra money with you?

They don't advise you to take any money with you, but I plan to take a little bit. This will help me adjust until my first allotment comes in and can be used for personal stuff while I am in country, including traveling.

What should you pack or take with you?

Okay... the time is getting near, and I have comprised tentative packing list. It has what I have and what I still need to get. With only a few weeks away, it is getting more important that I decide what is coming and going.

Check out my list: packing list (it is an excel file)

Is it hot in Kenya because it is on the equator?

In this case, it actually depends on where you are located. Some places, like near Mt. Kenya are actually pretty cool. Nairobi, the capital, is actually fairly temperate and doesn't get too hot or too cold. Other places in Kenya do get hot though.

What happens if you get injured or sick?

They do have a medical staff in the country of service, and can help you when you need help or medical attention. I will add more to this section when I get some of my medical training to give more advice.

But, Peace Corps/Kenya maintains its own in-country Medical Office staffed with two fill time Medical Officers (PCMOs). The PCMOs are responsible for the medical needs of the Peace Corps Volunteers, both in Nairobi and the field. An American board certified physician serves as an Area Peace Corps Medical Officer (APCMO) based in Nairobi. There are also limited consultative medical services available in Nairobi. In addition, the Peace Corps has a well-organized system of moving seriously ill Volunteers to either American-quality, South African-based medical facilities or to the continental United States.

Will you be exposed to HIV/AIDS?

With one in every four people in Africa having HIV/AIDS I can bet that I will. But the Peace Corps practices preventative approach rather than curative. It will be necessary to be aware of the situation at all times and take preventative methods of avoiding a potentially dangerous situation.

How do they deal with your safety?

Because you are a volunteer, you stand out and can actually expose you to a greater risk of harassment. It is necessary for you to exercise caution in larger cities, such as Nairobi. It is reasonable to expect that you will experience some form of unwanted, unsolicited, attention during your tour.

The Pre-Service Training will focus on developing strategies for reducing risk of sexual and physical assault, harassment, and rape. During your training you will receive information on safety issues specific to home, community and travel with more details on large cities. In addition Peace Corps Kenya Volunteers have developed a Volunteer safety manual. Although there are no guarantees of complete safety in any country or city in the world, we feel that the more one is alerted, the greater the likelihood that one will be able to avoid unpleasant situations.

As a Volunteer, you will be expected to take responsibility for your safety and security through exercising sound judgment and caution.

Can you come home while you are there in service?

For every month of service, not counting the three months of training, you receive 2 days of vacation. So that amounts to 24 vacation days a year. The Peace Corps does not advise you to go home during service, but if you do they prefer that you wait a year before going home. This will be at your expense. You can use the vacation days to go traveling in this area of the world that you have never been before as well.

(This one is for Laura) Are there going to be any "icky icky freaky freaky" bugs?

As in any place in the world, and like my backyard, this is a possibility. It would also have to depend on where I was posted. Near any major source of water, i.e. rivers, lakes, ocean, this becomes a greater possibility.