Switching Sites

So my original site changed due to Cyclone Pam. On Nguna, many houses were destroyed, three classrooms plus the library was destroyed at the school, and all of the gardens are gone. My house was fine. Mama and Papa lost their front porch and their bush kitchen but the house itself had very little damaged. Since the school building was destroyed and teachers were staying in the classrooms that were not destroyed, they were not sure when school would resume. Due to the lack of food and school not starting, PC decided that I needed to change sites. Out of 29 of us, 13 of us lost our sites. It was very hard for us to learn that we lost our sites. Even though I only spent one week there during walk about, I knew it was the place to be. Some things were not in place but it seemed that there was a lot I could do there. It was an emotional roller coaster. PC did a lot of work trying to get us all new sites by the time we sworn in.

My new site would be on another small island named Uripiv. I went there on Wednesday, April 22. I was ready for a place to call home. This island reminded me a lot of Nguna. Everyone was so nice and friendly. My host papa was also my headmaster. My host mama was a teacher at the school.  It was a great school with many needs as well. I was ready to start working. On Monday, I walked the whole island with a couple from the village. We were able to walk the whole island in about 2 hours. It was beautiful. After that, everything changed and it was so fast. After some phone calls late afternoon on Monday with Peace Corps, I was told about an opportunity to return to Nguna. School had started back and the headmaster and school counsil were really fighting for Peace Corps to send me back. Some other circumstances played a part too and it was agreed upon the office of Peace Corps and myself that I should return to Nguna. It was a very hard decision and I struggled for a few days about it. I really just want to be where God wants me. With everything going on, I left Uripiv on Tuesday, April 28^th and went and stayed with another Peace Corps volunteer on Malakula. I stayed with her for two nights and it was refreshing and just what I needed to process this move. Then on Thursday, April 30^th I flew back to Vila with a Peace Corps Staff. I stayed in Vila for the weekend. It was a nice time to get my mind back on Nguna. Since, I have arrived in Vanuatu in January, this will be my 9^th move. It really becomes exhausting. Lucky for me, one of my bestest friends here is close to Vila, so he came and hung out with me all weekend. It was nice to be able to relax.

Finally, Monday, May 4^th I set out to my new/old site. I arrived in the afternoon and the school had a small ceremony for me. My mama and papa welcomed me with open arms and were so excited that I returned. It really felt right. I am so happy to be back. The last two weeks have been great. It rained all last week, so I did not do much. I went to school and observed classes. Then on Thursday, the teachers and I had a meeting about what they would like me to work on. All the teachers from Class 2-8 want me to help with English literacy. They were using words like guided reading, independent reading, shared reading, phonics, etc. I was so excited that they all wanted this. So I told them I would essentially be a Reading Coach, which is something, I have thought about doing in the states. The great thing about it here though is that I get to make it my own. I can’t wait to really get started. I have a lot of knowledge in this area because I had an amazing Reading Coach that I have worked with for the past 6 years.  My second project will be teaching computers but the school is still waiting for their computer lab. So we are hoping it will come soon. This will be great because a lot of the community members want to learn computer skills as well. So I will be able to help the community along with the school. Everything seems to be coming together. Life here takes a while to get used to. Time goes by slow and no one really pays attention to time. Half the time I do not know what day it is. Life here is simple. It really makes me appreciate the small things and not focus on big things. I am trying to learn to live in the moment and not think about what is next. For the first time in my life, I do not know what is next and I think I like it. I also have a dog. His name is JuJu! He follows me to school. He is so cute. I now want a cat to keep the cats away!

I am having a hard time sleeping. I have not had a good night sleep in almost three weeks. I know what’s going on but not really sure how to cope with it. So if you could just keep that in your prayers.

Mother’s Day was great here. The church did an amazing job with honoring the mothers. The kids were so cute with the signs that they made and the cards they made for the mothers. The men did a couple of songs for the mothers. They also had refreshments after church. It was really special. Then on Monday my time and Sunday your time, I called my mom and was able to talk to all of my family. It was amazing. I miss them so much!

Thanks for reading! Miss you all! Please send me letters!!!!! I want updates on your life.

I will be posting a blog with pictures nomo! And my top 10 favorite and least favorite things so far.