Becoming Less Anxious

Our only daughter, and youngest of 3 children, decided to join the Peace Corps , to our dismay at first. The more I learned about the Peace Corps, the prouder I became to think that my daughter would become a part of it. She left on June 7 to go to Philadelphia for her Staging event, then flew to Burkina Faso, a country I had never heard of, until they offered my daughter an assignment as a teacher there. Ashley did not go to college to be a teacher, but majored in Biology, with plans to continue to med school or grad school. She happily accepted the assignment, with her main concern being that her 3 semesters of French in college had taught her too little. She worked many hours with the Rosetta Stone program, and ended up in the Novice High group, which she is pleased to be placed in. There are only 3 PCV in this group, and Ashley says they have the best French instructor.

My husband and I have been very apprehensive about Ashley's decision to join the Peace Corps. We especially have concerns for her physical safety and for her health. I have been supportive for many months, but Joe has only recently showed his support, as he kept hoping that our daughter would change her mind if discouraged. It is very difficult to think that your child will be going so far away, with possibly no means of communication for over 2 years!!

We spoke with Ashley on Tuesday, and she was very upbeat about everything. Her adoptive family is wonderful, and are very patient with her French learning. They have a 3 year old son, that reminds Ashley of her 2 and 4 year old nephews here at home, whom she misses terribly. Ashley also has an 18 month old niece here at home, and wonders if Isabella will remember her at all when she sees her again. She enjoys interacting with the children in Ouahigouya, and doesn't even mind that they greet her by throwing rocks at her as she rides her bicycle past them.

Ashley does feel like she is learning life skills over again...everything from the languages, to learning how to use the bathroom. But, she is learning to deal well with the environment, and with the changes in her life.

We are happy for her, and for all of the PCV who are giving their time, and the comforts they left at home, to make a difference in the lives of those in need.