Swearing-In

Finally! Training was super rigorous and seemed super long at times! However, it was all totally worth it. I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer now.

The swearing-in ceremony and additional activities lasted about three days. The day before the ceremony we went to the embassy to learn about all the sorts of things they do there, receive a presentation about the USAID projects in Nica and last but not least we got a rather candid chat from the US Ambassador, Robert Callahan. He’s from Chicago, well Oak Park to be exact (that’s right John!) and he talked with us for about an hour and answered questions too. He was a really nice man and said wonderful things about the Peace Corps. In fact, during the ceremony the next day he called us the pride of America.

The day of the ceremony was a lot of fun and felt incredibly rewarding for everyone. It was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Managua on April 1^st. In the beginning we each had the opportunity to stand and say our name and home state. I proudly represented Louisiana! Later on after a few speeches we raised our right hand and took the same oath that all those who enter into government service take, even military service. I was definitely a bit moved thinking about my dad and grandfathers taking the same oath. After reciting the oath in English and Spanish, each of our names were called and we shook a line of hands and then were officially pinned with a Peace Corps pin. It was really special. It was funny though as I was shaking Mr. Callahan’s hand, he asked me, “So, are you a Cajun?”

Before the actual swearing in ceremony, we had an appreciation ceremony for all the host families. My host mom Reyna came! And she’s in the picture with me above. Also in the pictures above are Rita’s host mother and almost all of Lenka’s host family in the picture with Mr. Callahan. In the photo with Liz is Ximena Matamoros, our “boss” throughout our service. We love her! In the picture in front of the flags is the Country Director, Carol. She’s in charge Peace Corps for all of Nicaragua. The tall guy in the black shirt and red tie was my tech trainer, Donald. He was great! Also there was cake and a marimba band. As you can see, Lenka had a bit of a shoe problem…that’s what 80 cordobas (like $3) buys you at the market in Jinotepe. That night, Carol hosted all the new volunteers and the Peace Corps staff at her house for dinner.

The next day some volunteers stayed an extra night in Managua and others started off for their sites. This was the last time I saw anyone from training and I’m definitely missing my El Rosario Krewe!