Sunday, September 23, 2018

Home Sweet Home

As I already posted on Facebook, I am currently home in Memphis for the time being. I have technically been medically separated from the Peace Corps with the intention to reinstate. The reason it's a medical separation, not the less permanent sounding medical evacuation, is because medical evacuations have time limits of 45 days. And, well, I already spent three weeks at the infirmary in Kigali.

Because it is technically a separation, there was the issue of my grant. Since we hadn't had the chance to really get started and it appeared (on paper) that I wasn't coming back, there was the possibility of Peace Corps taking the money I had raised. However, after clarifying the situation, the funds are now just on hold. I hope to be back before national exams in November, and the plan is to get the project underway when the new school year starts.

Throughout everything, the Peace Corps Rwanda Medical staff, and the drivers, guards, and cleaning staff who work at the compound, have been amazing. They helped me get food, they did my laundry for me, and made sure I was taken care of. I was going a bit stir crazy, but they made the whole experience much better.

The people in my village have also been awesome. My headmaster, co-teachers, site mate, and the nuns I live with have constantly checked up on me, helped me keep my house clean, and helped me manage classes and the grant from Kigali. I cannot express my gratitude enough.

All that aside though, I am very excited to be home and to heal. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and various appointments with Chick-fil-a, Cheesecake Factory, and other lovely restaurants during my stay here. I don't have specifics as to how long I will be here, but I am happy to spend some time with my family and friends while I can.

The second stop after Wal-Mart.