MY NEW HOME away from HOME: Peace Corps Service; ***** Starz

Where: Northern Province City: Confidential (according to PC safety and security policy) Population: 350,000 (500 people/sq Km) Most prominent residents: the Mountain Gorillas (700) Attractions: the Virunga Mountains and the Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) Health Services: 1 District Hospital and 11 Health Centers (Centre de Santes) I recently relocate to this new site within the same organization (the Access Project). And although I dreaded the move my new accommodations are nothing but humble!! After a long day of travelling to remote villages and health centers off the beaten track assessing the current (or lack of) and empowering HC directors (titulaires) with effective management practices, I return to my 4bd /2 bath house to relax and unwind in my garden of banana trees, green beans, and white eggplant!! (and soon I'll be growing tomatoes, cilantro, and basil courtesy of my amazing family and the amazing care package they sent to me in the mail). Although I still to endure with my cold morning showers, the rest of my accommodations provide all levels of comfort. and in the age of technology and communication I have to get back to my blogging...

President Kagame commenting on Peace Corps

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, from what I was told, first came to learn about Peace Corps as a child as he had an English teacher in Uganda that was a PCV. Common story here from prominent people in the Rwandan society, such as the country director at Access Project, is that they were inspired by PCVs growing up.

President Kagame's support to the return of PC to Rwanda stems from his experience. You can read his latest inspiring comments in the Huffington Post at the link below. Such support resonates in the community and certainly gives us a positive push when the rough gets going and the going gets tough!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20090609/cm_huffpost/213370