FAQ

When do you leave?
     I leave for Arlington, Virginia, at 6:10am from Oakland on January 10^th.  I will stay for two nights in a Holiday Inn (paid for by the Peace Corps) and receive a very brief orientation where I will be able to meet the other 44 volunteers in my field in Nicaragua.  Very early in the morning on the 12^th we will fly down to Managua, Nicaragua via Miami, Florida.


Where will you be?
     For the first five days I will be with the other volunteers in Granada.  On Saturday the 15^th, we will be assigned to our training sites.  After that, I have absolutely no idea where I will be. . .

What can you bring?
     I was allotted 80 pounds and 107 inches of checked bags and one carry-on.  I don’t want to bore anyone with my packing list, but thank you to those who did help me pack last night!  I almost had a breakdown trying to make it all fit.  How do you pack for a two year journey?!?

Do you know anyone else who is going?
   No.  But I will.

What will you do?
     My official title is Maternal and Child Health Promoter.  The Peace Corps is partnered with a Nicaraguan NGO called MINSA who works with this population.  So far that is all I know. . .

Where will you live?
     I will be living with a host family during the three month training period and the first three months of service.  After that I will be on my own. 

Can you visit the US during your service?
     Yes.  Volunteers receive two days of vacation for every month of service.  I plan to fly home around December 2011 once I accrue some vacation days.

How will you be able to communicate?
     I will have access to phones, the internet, and mail.  The real question is how often.  My mailing address in Nicaragua is currently:

PCT   Elizabeth Malenk

Cuerpo de Paz ~ Nicaragua

Apartado Postal # 3256

Managua, Nicaragua, Centro América

Are you nervous or excited?
     I am only excited.  This is the chance of a lifetime and I am taking it!