"A two year journey with strangers” – Staging

My stage – hmmm…what can I say about my stage. These people are such an incredible group of people. We all have so much in common, but differ on many levels. Most of the individuals are in their early twenties and just out of college, and come from all different backgrounds from all over the states. The one commonality among the entire group is that we are all crazy enough to disconnect ourselves from our lives in the states, and push ourselves far beyond any comfort zone we ever had. We have just thrown ourselves into the complete opposite lifestyle than any of us has ever experienced. The language, culture, norms, technology, food, religion, sense of humor, weather, relationships, and way of life are unlike anything we’ve ever encountered. In fact, many Peace Corps volunteers often refer to Niger as the “Hard Corps” not the “Peace Corps.” Niger is apparently considered one of the top three hardest posts, along with Mongolia (for the cold), and Mauritania (for the different ethnic groups that don’t get along). We were placed in uber-conservative, poverty stricken, Niger, in the middle of the Sahara Desert with highest birthrate in the world and a food crisis. We have to be a little off our rockers to willingly step into this role. So in many ways, these people are my soulmates. It’s comforting to finally meet other people who understand what I’m going through – what it’s like to tell friends and family that you want to move to Africa, how difficult it is to leave everyone and everything behind, and how frightening it is to adjust to this foreign place.

We also share so many differences and talents. It’s incredible to meet such amazing people. After two days in Philadelphia, we had all connected so much that we agreed it was much more difficult to get on the flight to Philly than it was to get on the flight to Niger.