News!

Most of you have already heard (especially now that this is no longer a public blog) about everything that has gone down at my site. Somebody tried getting into my room while I was alone and sleeping a couple weeks ago. No use getting into the details of what happened, but the important thing is that he never got in and that I'm ok! It was a very scary and surprisingly traumatic experience. It was the first time I've ever really understood what it feels like to be victimized, and feeling like such a target was not an easy thing to go through.

Anyways, the good news is that Peace Corps has been taking the situation very seriously. I had a similar situation happen last September (there must be something about Sept. and drunk men trying to get me...) and because I have reported the incident twice to Peace Corps they are going to move me to another village. The decision to move was partly mine, but if I had chosen to stay in my village the PC would have required to do a polce investigation into who was trying to get in and find me a new place to live within the same village. I felt this would cause many more problems than it would solve, especially because I'm 99% sure it was an uncle in my family. Luckily I have been with my fellow PCVs at mid-service training in Pretoria, many of whom helped me realize how moving is really going to be a necessary step for me to feel safe and productive for the next year of my service. I also did not feel like my counterparts and supervisor in my village were advocating for my personal safety, rendering the decision to move easier. It's unfortunate and I'm not happy about moving, but I know that it's what I have to do for my own personal well-being.

I'll probably be in pretoria until the 6th to finish up my mid-service medical appointments, after which I will head to Kuruman to stay with someone in the area while PC staff figures out my site change. If everything goes perfectly I could be moving by next friday or saturday, so I'm hoping for the best and I'll keep you all posted on where my new home will be!!! Thanks to everyone for being so supportive!!!