eekin' by

Yup, I have to do the whole background check again. Yay. However! After getting the notarized letter from my mother (today, hopefully) and getting my fingerprints taken tomorrow, I can send the pack out on Friday. woo hoo! I filled out the addenda about my education experience in as much detail as I could without seeming ridiculous. I'm still hoping they see potential in me for a different assignment, but even if I spent my time teaching over there, I'd still feel I was making a difference.
I read in a couple of Kenya PCV blogs that they feel like they're unnecessary - they say that any KENYAN could be teaching these students English or Kenyan Sign Language or Math. That's true, but Kenya's teacher shortage is well known as corruption and graft steadily drain the government coffers. At least a PCV is a steady presence for two years, and will more than likely be replaced with another steady presence when they depart. Giving these kids, so many of whom are orphans or in otherwise challenging home situations, a trustworthy adult is important in and of itself. It's also useful to educate them in the PCV role of ambassador - they need to know that America is not the land of milk and honey, that they will not be instantly rich if they make it over here, and that they may just be best off staying in country and improving their own Nation. Too many educated people focus on getting out of their country, out of Africa, and the brain drain that results is yet another ingredient in the toxic stew of heart breaking circumstances for the continent. *deep breath* Anyway. There probably won't be another reason to post until after I send in the packet and get a response from my recruiter in New York City.