From Country Director to Trainees

Last week was a busy one for us. On Wednesday the 18th our Country Director Meredith Dalton visited us. She is a very caring person who has committed much of her life to the Peace Corps. Her father is a surgeon in Oklahoma City. Meredith’s goal is to visit every Volunteer at least once a year.
Linda does not teach on Wednesdays and was able to prepare fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans for lunch. That knocked the socks off of her! We deeply appreciate her concern for every Volunteer, but shared with her that we have a wonderful support system in the United States. Both Linda and I are fortunate to have excellent counterparts who work with us.
The counterpart can be the most important person in regards to a successful and rewarding Peace Corps experience. Linda has described Matanat, and I have shared a little about Alma in the past. Alma helped us get our apartment, works to get students for conversation clubs, and spends a lot of time with me talking about Azerbaijan culture and traditions.
Basically, we shared with Meredith, don’t worry about us, and thank you for all your support, and the support of the staff. Pictured with Meredith and Linda is one of the Peace Corps Drivers. These men are responsible for the safe transportation of the staff. They also inspect potential housing for Volunteers, and act in behalf of the Volunteers with landlords. They must speak Azerbaijani and English, and are quite educated. They must be able to navigate the roads between and within each city and village. It is a very difficult job.

On Sunday afternoon two AZ7 Trainees came to spend 2 full days with us. Connie Hayes who is about 50 and Sarah Ferguson a recent university graduate arrived about 1:00 p.m. We settled them into our apartment and had lunch at a local Turkish café where men and women are accepted to eat together. Another Trainee, Derek, stayed with Jesse, our site-mate, and we all got together for supper at our home Sunday night.
On Monday, Connie went with Linda to school to observe an Azerbaijani classroom firsthand and observe what a Teaching English as a Foreign Language volunteer does. Sarah went to the Library with me to observe and interact. Unfortunately, halfway through the first conversation club the Library Director invited us to a ceremony for the “Picture Gallery”. We locked up the library and everyone went to see local artwork.
In the afternoon Connie and Sarah went to the library with me for a couple of conversation clubs. Linda again prepared a wonderful supper, and we spent the evening answering questions about life in Azerbaijan.
On Tuesday Sarah went with Linda, and Connie went with me. In the afternoon Connie, Sarah, and Linda went shopping and Linda answered practical living questions.
Sarah and Connie made very good impressions on us. Connie will be a valued member of the “Mature Women Volunteers Fellowship.” Connie is especially enthusiastic. Connie was an editor at a local newspaper in Arizona. As the paper needed to downsize she applied for the Peace Corps. She had wanted to serve in the Peace Corps since college days. Now was a good time for her to serve, then she will return and seek another career until retirement.
Sarah has a degree in Business Management and wants to do consulting work. She went to school in Rhode Island and her family is from the Boston area. I am sure she will be an asset for the Youth Development Program.
Early Wednesday morning they left to return to training. The last two pictures are of how PCVs travel and the taxi drivers discussing who will take them to Baku.

On Saturday we are going to Baku to meet with Volunteers with whom we shared a Bible study. Then on Sunday we will all go to church at the Baku International Fellowship. After church Linda will travel to the village of Saray where she will spend five days observing Trainees teaching. She will be mentoring them in preparation for their service. I will return to Shirvan and conduct conversation clubs on Monday.
On Tuesday I will travel to the village of Teqiyev. Wednesday I will assist my Program Manager in a presentation about teaching computer skills in Azerbaijan. Thursday I travel back to Shirvan and await Linda’s Friday or Saturday arrival. I am not sure which day Linda will return. This Sunday is the end of Daylight Savings Time, and we are not allowed to travel after dark between cities. The roads are very dangerous after dark due to animals potentially on the road, and poor lighting in cars and trucks.
Hopefully we will have much to share after the experiences.