Lesotho June 2008
December 1st, 2007 by thomas77.I just got my invitation to serve in Lesotho in June, and was wondering if anyone else may be headed to this region, or if there are any past volunteers who could share some of their experiences in Lesotho.
December 1st, 2007 at 11:33 am
[...] Lesotho June 2008By thomas77I just got my invitation to serve in Lesoto in June, and was wondering if anyone else may be headed to this region, or if there are any past volunteers who could share some of their experiences in Lesotho.Third Goal - http://www.thirdgoal.com/ [...]
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Hi, You’ll love it. I served from 2001-2003. I live in Rochester, NY, so if you live around here I’d be happy to meet with you to go over what you should bring. I’m returning this Jan to visit and will stay about a month. Ronna
December 7th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Ronna,
Thank you for the reply. I do not live in New York, but could I send you an email with any questions that I may have? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Hope all is well, and thanks again for the reply.
December 9th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
hi-
i was nominated for africa in june, but am still doing med clearance….what program are you working in?
December 11th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I will be working in Community Health/Economic Development.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Thomas - you may or may not love it all of it. It is a tough experience that has its rewards. A great deal depends on who your country director is. When I was there 2000-2002 it was forbidden to go to the capital (Maseru) and that made some of my assignments very difficult to complete. Let me know how it is going. I am interested in all things Lesotho and am currently working to get one of my host family into the states to go to college. Thanks for your service and enthusiasm - jan
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Jan,
I have read that travelling to the capital city alone is not a good idea. I can defnitely see how that could make some projects difficult. What were some of the projects that you worked on while in Lesotho? What were your living conditions like? Thank you for your response, and I look forward to hearing more about your time in Lesotho.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:16 am
I too am going to Lesotho in June 2008 in Community health, education development. I would love to talk and find out if you have found much info on what to take, etc…
January 30th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Hello, served in Lesotho 2001-2003..my husband and i were there with ronna. we served in thaba Tseka at a technical school. I would not trade anything for the experience. We are still in touch with our host family. We recieve letters and emails as well as pictures. would love to share our stories with you.
January 30th, 2008 at 2:32 am
what was something that the peace corps told you to bring that you wish you had left at home, and what was something you wish you had brought with you? Also, what do you think about bringing laptops?
January 31st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Merrill,
On top of reading the information packet I was given, I have just been reading as many personal stories I can find on Peace Corps life. The one item everyone I have spoken to stresses is a zero degree bag. Since we are going in the middle of their winter, that will be the first thing I pack.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Hi! I just got my invite today and I’m serving in Lesotho in June 2008 as well. I’m in the community health and economic development program. Have you connected with anyone else that will be in the group?
February 8th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Not outside of this thread. I would like to set up something where all the new PCV’s for Lesotho can go to communicate with each other. You have any suggestions?
February 8th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Hmmm. Some type of message board would be good but I’m not sure where we could set one up? My email’s kfern_62@hotmail.com. Shoot me a message and we can talk about it more!
February 11th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
There is a group called : lesothorpcvs… it’s a free yahoo group that we could probably all connect on. My email is cubbiesrock2003@yahoo.com
February 28th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Hello!
I’m headed to Lesotho in June also! (Hi Kelly, Merrill and Thomas!)
February 29th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Congrats Rachel. Where are you from, and how is your planning going thus far?
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Thomas,
Thank you! Congratulations to you too! As far as planning goes…I think it’s going well. Though, it really just depends on what day you happen to catch me!
I’m from West Virginia. Where are you from?
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I am from Indiana, so I have been enjoying the rain we have been getting the last couple of days. Maybe this is good practice for the always mentioned rainy season. Hope all is well.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I’m a PCV in Lesotho right now. I was in the CHED group that arrived last year. If you have any specific questions feel free to send me an email at ponderosapam@gmail.com. I have a remote site and limited access to the computers in Maseru, but will try to help as much as I can.
A lot of us in country have blogs where you can read about our experiences. As you read, keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different (and so is the way people deal with challenges). I’m sure all your experiences will also be amazing. Here is a link to my blog if your interested: http://ponderosapam.blogspot.com/
Merrill - a lot of people do bring lap tops. You can usually find a solar/car battery charger in any village (even in the most remote villages). I didn’t bring one, and I’m happy I didn’t. Most people in remote sites find it a pain to lug around and a few people have had their computers stolen on vacation in S.Africa, picked up viruses or broken it. PC Lesotho has a computer lab in Maseru we can use whenever we are in town and many of the remote districts have a computer (remote volunteer resource centers) where we can at least type documents. Some actually have internet available also.
One thing I wish I would’nt have brought is first aid supplies. I brought a bunch to country, but PC provides you literally with a briefcase of first aid supplies - anything you’ll need really. We all get issued a big first aid kit, so don’t worry about any of that kind of stuff.
I found most things I’d forgotten or needed here in Lesotho, or across the border in S.Africa. You will arrive in the winter, and it is very cold. It’s different, because it’s cold everywhere - even inside buildings (many have tin roofs). I’m so glad I brought my down vest, down coat and lots of layering clothes like fleece, capilene etc. Also, a coffee thermos with a lid (the car rides are really, really bumpy and it’s nice to have hot tea or coffee and not spill it all over you when the car hits a pothole). For the gals - you will have to wear skirts in the training villages so I’d recommend bringing a few pairs of long underwear pants/thick tights ~ since it will be winter. Don’t worry, after training, you can wear whatever you want when you get to your “permanent” home. I teach kids how to garden in my chacos and carhartts. :)
Thomas… A warm sleeping bag is essential, but make sure it compresses small. You’ll be traveling all over the country to visit other volunteers and will want everything to fit in a small backpack. You’ll be sleeping on floors a lot. I brought a really thin bag liner too, I use it as my sleeping bag in the hot summer as its way to warm to use any sleeping bag.
Let me know if you have any questions. Best of luck to you as you pack your bags, and finalize things in the states in the coming months.
Pam
March 12th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Pam,
Thank you so much for all the great advice!
March 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Pam,
Thank you very much for your help. Your blog is very interesting, and the scenery looks beautiful. Thank you again for your help.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
June 2! (: I’ll see all those leaving in June sooner than I thought!
March 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am
We should be getting our staging kits in the next couple of weeks (I would hope). I know we do not get to choose, but I would love to go back to Boston. One of my favorite cities, and I have not been there for a couple of years. Hope your preparations are going well.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Hey Guys!
Some of you I’ve “spoken” with and others I haven’t. Thanks to Rachel for linking me to this site :-)
I will also be a CHED volunteer and can’t wait to meet everyone on June 2nd. It’s seriously just around the corner. There’s so much left to prepare for….but I guess I’m never really going to be prepared for everything. One day at a time! See yall soon.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Boston eh? Wow, there are a lot of possibilities… I hadn’t even considered there! I was thinking we would most certainly leave from the east coast, but I heard that one PC Lesotho group left from Seattle.
I have a feeling that many people leaving with us have yet to be invited. I’m starting to feel a little pressed for time and I’ve known for a month and a half. Crazy!
Has anyone found any gear, electronics, books, etc that they are planning to take and would recommend?
Also…sorry, this is my final comment/question…Has anyone started to learn Sesotho? I now know how to say hello and peace, but that’s the extent of it.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I bought a Sesotho cd-rom. It’s called “Learn Sesotho” and it’s made by EuroTalk interactive (I think?). It’s pretty pricey on their site, but I got it for like 10-15 bucks on ebay new. I’ve also learned “hello”….maybe I should practice more! :-)
http://eurotalk.com/en/products/sesotho
March 29th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Megan,
Thanks so much for the suggestion!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I bought the same CD. I have been trying to study whenever I get the chance. I keep practicing the “first words” section. I have just been looking for gear online until I have a chance to go up to my parents house. There are a lot of good wilderness stores up there, so I will buy most of my stuff when I get up there.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:10 am
I ordered the CD so hopefully it will be here in a few days. (: Good job practicing Thomas!
Future volunteers…Does anyone run on a regular basis and hope to continue running in Lesotho? Current and returned volunteers…what are your thoughts?
April 1st, 2008 at 9:14 am
about running* (:
April 9th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Hi Guys,
I’m an Australian and it looks like I’m going to be arriving in Lesotho in June 2008 to volunteer as well - I just stumbled across this blog (with the help of google!) and am already feeling better that there are going to be a few of us figuring everything out at the same time!!
I’m going over to be a lawyer with the Dept of Social Welfare and will be based in Maseru, really excited and scared about it at the same time!!
Thanks for all the tips Pam - already researching sleeping bags!
hopefully ‘talk’ to all of you again soon, Kate
April 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Welcome to the group Kate. Less than two months away now!
April 10th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Hello Kate! :-)
April 13th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Kate, very exciting!
Thomas, I just started a facebook group for all future Lesotho PCVs. I don’t know how helpful it will be or if anyone will even use it, but I invited the 7 or so other volunteers I am aware of that are going with us. Hopefully there will be some good discussion. We’ll see! I just wanted to let you know so that you can be a part of it if you want (:
April 14th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Thank you for the heads up Rachel. I just added a quick message on the group page. I know I still have a lot of stuff to get done before I go, but I wish we were starting tomorrow. I am getting very anxious to get started.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
sounds great - I studied in the States for a while and got addicted to Facebook- it took a year but now its everywhere here too! will try and find the group now!
Quick Question - do you guys go on 2 year postings as well?
April 15th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Hi Kate! The facebook group is called PC Lesotho June 2008. Oh, and we serve for 2 years with 3 months of pre-service training.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Kate, I wanted to add that I’m glad you mentioned how long you’ll be in Lesotho…I meant to ask earlier. Will you be arriving in Lesotho with a group?
April 17th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Nothing can be as important as knowing first aid in a time of need. It truly can be a lifesaver.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hi Rachel.
I’m working with an organisation called Australian Volunteers International which is funded through our international aid agency - AusAID. I think there is one other person arriving with me- but to do a different role.
Three months training is great - I think we get a few weeks! haha
May 21st, 2008 at 1:45 am
I wish you all a happy and fruitful time in Lesotho. Take a thick sweater with you!
Khotso,
Rethabile