A little bit about me...

Hi my name is Raechelle, and I lived in the secular Muslim country of Azerbaijan as a Youth Development Volunteer for the Peace Corps for three years and three months. I am now the Administrator of the official Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Friends of Azerbaijan group. As such, I am working to promote Peace Corps third goal of helping promote a better understanding of Azerbaijani people to Americans.

I created this blog as a way for future Peace Corps Volunteers, my friends and family, and Americans in general to understand what life as a Peace Corps Volunteer is like. As part of the pilot program for Youth Development in Azerbaijan, my work in Azerbaijan was diverse to say the least. I took on a role as youth educator, mentor and promoter. I helped with academic advising, established informal youth service clubs, encouraged youth to be proactive in their communities, promoted volunteer-ism and making a positive contribution to their communities.

I served as an extended volunteer, meaning that I served a third year instead of the traditional two year and three month service. During that time, I got married to my community counterpart and embraced many parts of the Azerbaijani culture. It is my hope to provide you a sense of understanding of life as a Peace Corps volunteer, life in Azerbaijan, and a bit about Azerbaijani culture through my experiences. Please feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions or suggestions for topics you'd like to hear more about.

Friday, July 6, 2007

Azerbaijan!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to write a quick note from the internet cafe letting you all know I am safe. I can't disclose the location of my site for safety reasons, but I am able to tell you I am in the East at the moment. We've been busy with training for the last 10 days, and I am finally at my host family site, and doing well enough to tell my family "I like fruit." They think I'm funny, which helps. I have a host mom and dad, and two sisters about 13 and 14 years old. I also have a host aunt that is 22 and is able to communicate in a little english to help me say important information. I have some letters to send out, but the post office here doesn't have envelopes or stamps currently and it will take a week for them to get supplies. I got your package marie! Thanks for making me the first one to get one, it makes you special when you get them. I love mail days. Everyone please write me letters! I also have a cell phone, but I can't call the US with it because it is so expsensive. I'm 12 hours ahead of washington state, so if anyone wants to pay the 3 bucks a min to call me (or buy a calling card) my phone number is 011-994-50-753-8426. I will answer if you call regardless of time. I can also receive texts from all networks besides verizon. I will write you all soon when I am in town again! I am safe, and well, and living it up!
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