In-Service Training (IST)

We just finished our IST. This is a two-week training Peace Corps gives us after the first three months at our respective sites. So, we haven’t seen anyone else in our class since we left for site. It was great to be reunited with everyone once again. It got a bit overwhelming at times. When I’m used to being alone in my village with Tanzanians, it’s a bit different when you put 41 Americans in one place for two full weeks. There were places we could get “real” food at too. I’ve had a couple “beef burgers with cheese”, some pizza, and some mac n cheese!  It was great to eat something other than rice and beans. But that can get expensive. Good thing I’m great at being thrifty.

The training was more worth it than not. Hah. The information was helpful and we got a lot of great resources, but there was one thing I would definitely change. No one was held accountable for coming to classes. Sometimes only half our class would be at sessions. It’s just disrespectful and irresponsible. And I would have liked to sleep in more too, but I got out of bed. But, at least I went to classes and paid attention; all I can be accountable for is myself. We got a crap ton of books and manuals to schlep back to our sites too. I, however, had heard we accumulate a bunch of things, so I packed light in the first place.

It’s been difficult to say goodbye to people again. It doesn’t help that all the people I’m close to are in the furthest regions. We just never know when we’ll see our close friends again. But, the Mtwara crew (me and three others) took some vacation days to travel around in Iringa a bit before going back down to Mtwara. We figured we’d get the most out of our journey to the Dar area before going back down for who knows how long.

After talking with my fellow PCVs, I’ve learned that each and every site is completely different. I found out that Mtwara (my region) has the highest food prices. Even the tomatoes are more expensive down here. Also, the availability of food in Mtwara proves difficult. Other regions are rich in avocadoes, and certain other fruits and vegetables that are either absent or really expensive in Mtwara. It made me a little discouraged, but that just means I have to be that much more conscious of what I spend my money on and which food I buy.

I was talking with a guy Andrew in my class, and after we got done comparing our sites he said he thinks Peace Corps puts the strongest volunteers in Mtwara. It was a little pick-me-up moment. I’m not sure why they pick people to go to certain regions, but a lot of things about Mtwara seem a bit more difficult than other regions. Don’t get me wrong, all the roads in Tanzania need work, and food is a problem for everyone here in one way or another. We’re all managing with what we’ve got, which is all we can do.