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.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

On Life and Living

"Never let the fear of strking out keep you from playing the game."

Sometimes in life the most rewarding opportunities we have are also the most difficult challenges we face. I know that most of you think I'm insane for even coming here to begin with... but you stood by me and supported my choice to leave. Now that I'm here, many of you want me to come home. Understandably, you are worried about my safety. Please let work things out here. I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm smart enough to make decisions for myself... please just trust me one more time. I am working with peace corps to increase my safety and my wellbeing at site. I love you all, and I will keep you posted once I know what's going on.
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3 comments:

  1. I support you and the choice that you've made. I do pray for your safety and hope that everything works out for you. I love you! :D

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  2. I will say it again... whatever decisions you make, know that we are so proud of who you are as an individual and the life choices you have made. I just read the follwing comment on a different blog... "I met a wise, wonderful woman in her mid-70's who described her battle with cancer as 'just a bump on the road of my life'". I liked that description... Whether we believe that all things happen for a reason has been a subject long debated. However, your character and how you choose to use those things that happen in your life ~ the good and the bad ~ are what mold and make us. Do we give them over to Him and trust that he will provide and take care of us? Or do we choose to hold on to them and grow bitter? The choice, as always, is ours alone.

    I love you!
    Auntie

    "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
    -William Jennings Bryan

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  3. You are an amazing woman. I'm praying that the One who crafted the mountains, created all people and animals, and paints every sunset will grant you megadoses of wisdom and strength. You are loved!!

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