I gave this speech at the Swearing In ceremony on February 8, 2008 (En Francais). My AgFo friend Raven video-taped a small part of it and she said she'll try posting it on YouTube. I was nervous the past couple of days especially when I found out that the American Ambassador was going to be present as well as having the added pressure of being taped for Guinean television. Fortunately, after much thought I decided there was no point in being anxious and I got up there and gave my all. I was relieved to hear laughs, meaning that my French was actually comprehensible. I was also touched to find out that I actually made people cry. There were 3 other volunteers that gave amazing thank you speeches in Susu, Pular, and Malinke to represent the 3 regions of service throughout Guinea. There was more crying during our Country Director's speech, and I'm not going to lie that I was one of many that shed some tears. We were also graced with a beautiful speech from a former volunteer in Ethiopia who served in the first group of Americans sent out ever! I had an awesome time during the ceremony and it made me feel so proud and honored to be a volunteer. Hope you enjoy the English version of my speech!
Mr. Ambassador, Peace Corps Country Director, Assistant Peace Corps Country Directors, Language teachers, Technical trainers, Peace Corps staff, and fellow Peace Corps volunteers:
As we are about to swear in as volunteers I look back and feel very lucky to have been paired with the Haba Family in Maferinyah. Not only did they provide me with the same love and care as my biological family but they also shared the beautiful Guinean culture with a complete stranger. I came to them as a non-French speaking newborn and in just 2 months I'm leaving for another destination as a conversational French speaking adolescent. The Haba family is my family forever and I can't thank them enough for everything they've done for me.
However, I know that I represent all the stagiaires when I say it wasn't just my Guinean family that made stage memorable. It was the first family that welcomed us in Conakry on December 4, 2007. It was you Peace Corps staff. You have taught us to laugh all the time especially when you find a dead rat in your latrine pit, to cry to your nearest English speaking neighbor about the frustrations of adjusting to a new culture, to appreciate drinking a cold coke, and to stay positive even when you have to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes.
My APCD Monsieur Abdoulaye Diallo said it best, " Remember who you are, where you come from, and enjoy this experience to the fullest." Living in Maferinyah has limited my interaction with many of you here in Conakry but I promise that every smile, every "bonjour, ca va?," every kind recognition has made Guinea feel more like a home and less like a foreign country. Without your support , we would never have learned how to be the G15 family we are today. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Now, we are prepared to work throughout three regions of Guinea, and if our new communities welcome us with the same hospitality as our host families and as you Peace Corps staff, then I know that serving for the next 2 years will be a joy.
Thank you very much! Go Guinea! Go Peace Corps! Go the Guinean-American Cooperation!
Mr. Ambassador, Peace Corps Country Director, Assistant Peace Corps Country Directors, Language teachers, Technical trainers, Peace Corps staff, and fellow Peace Corps volunteers:
As we are about to swear in as volunteers I look back and feel very lucky to have been paired with the Haba Family in Maferinyah. Not only did they provide me with the same love and care as my biological family but they also shared the beautiful Guinean culture with a complete stranger. I came to them as a non-French speaking newborn and in just 2 months I'm leaving for another destination as a conversational French speaking adolescent. The Haba family is my family forever and I can't thank them enough for everything they've done for me.
However, I know that I represent all the stagiaires when I say it wasn't just my Guinean family that made stage memorable. It was the first family that welcomed us in Conakry on December 4, 2007. It was you Peace Corps staff. You have taught us to laugh all the time especially when you find a dead rat in your latrine pit, to cry to your nearest English speaking neighbor about the frustrations of adjusting to a new culture, to appreciate drinking a cold coke, and to stay positive even when you have to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes.
My APCD Monsieur Abdoulaye Diallo said it best, " Remember who you are, where you come from, and enjoy this experience to the fullest." Living in Maferinyah has limited my interaction with many of you here in Conakry but I promise that every smile, every "bonjour, ca va?," every kind recognition has made Guinea feel more like a home and less like a foreign country. Without your support , we would never have learned how to be the G15 family we are today. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Now, we are prepared to work throughout three regions of Guinea, and if our new communities welcome us with the same hospitality as our host families and as you Peace Corps staff, then I know that serving for the next 2 years will be a joy.
Thank you very much! Go Guinea! Go Peace Corps! Go the Guinean-American Cooperation!
3 comments:
I, too, just cried.
I so badly want to hear you speak in French. That is super cool! We love you! If I did not have two handsome, amazing little boys, Russ and i would love to visit you in your new home.
I'm glad you liked it. I'll try to get the video on YouTube before I leave Conakry. Love you sisters!
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