Q: Where is your assigned country?
A good question to start with. I will be in Peru. Peru is located south of Ecuador, west of Brazil in South America.
Q: Where will you be posted in Peru?
I have been assigned to El Milagro, a site just outside the city of Trujillo. El Milagro is home to the regional land fill and prison.
Q: How long will you be there?
Two years, three months. Perhaps more, perhaps less.
Q: What dates specifically?
March 16, 2004 – June 4, 2006
Q: Can I send you a care package?
But of course! You should not send any packages/boxes if at all possible. You may send padded envelopes. On the envelope and mailing labels, you should not put a value of more than ninety dollars and always write REGALO (gift). There are significant charges requested from customs, if not.
Q: Do you have access to telephones/internet?
Phone service is quite accessible. I have a pay phone right outside my current home. Host families during training might very well have a phone, although it would not always be available for Volunteer use. In larger cities, internet cafes are widely available.
Q: How often will you be able to come home?
Volunteers cannot come home for the first 6 months (mostly, to ensure integration into the community). Volunteers get 2 vacation days a month to use for travel home. Realistically, I should be able to come one 2-3 times during my two and half years in Peru. In the event of a family emergency, I could receive special permission to come home for up to two weeks.
Q: How much is a round trip ticket to Peru?
Depends on the season, but usually around 800 dollars. So if you want to visit... remember you'll have a free place to stay and a personal tour guide!
Q: Will you have TV?
They told me not to count on it, but I have cable TV in my room.
Q: What made you decide you wanted to be a Peace Corps Volunteer?
It's something I've dreamed of doing since I was in college at NGCSU. One of my professors (Dr. Gessell) was a volunteer in Fiji... I was inspired by her stories. So I applied (a loooong application process) and now live, work, serve in Peru.
Q: Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
Q: What language will you be speaking in Peru?
Spanish
Q: What will you eat?
I’m able to prepare all my meals, so I eat lots of fruits, veggies, and chicken. When I eat with friends, its lots of rice, potatoes, and guinea pig.
Q: Do you shave your legs?
No. Well... maybe for special occasions.
Q: By what means will you have to live off of?
I will be supplied with a living allowance, just enough to live comfortably. Anything extra is on my own.
Q: How will you get around?
Walking, by bike, or public transportation
Q: What do you have planned for after your service in the Peace Corps?
Europe and/or graduate school
Q: What healthcare services are provided?
As stated in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook --
...your medical needs are covered by the Peace Corps from the time you leave home to travel directly to your Staging event until the end of your service, regardless of whether you are in your assigned country, the U.S., or another country.
But, it also states the following --
The range of health services at your post's health unit is limited. If need be, I'll see an in-country physician.
Q: If an emergency were to arrive back home, who would I contact?
Notify the Office of Special Services if an emergency were to arise. That phone number is 1-800-424-8580 ext. 1470. After normal business hours, on weekends, or holidays call 202-638-2574.
Q: In times of crisis, how do you know what to do?
Quoting the handbook --
The Peace Corps address larger security concerns through country-specific emergency action plans. These plans, developed to address natural disasters, political unrest, serious accidents, and the like, set fourth the strategies developed by each country to prepare for, respond to, and recover from such crises.
