December 1, 2016
Today marks day 1 as an official Peace Corps Volunteer. Up until this point, I’ve grown. I’ve faced challenges. I’ve established some new support systems. I’ve learned some Portuguese. But, I accomplished all of these things as a Peace Corps Trainee… Until now, I was more or less like the guy that went to Harvard law school… the guy that didn’t graduate Harvard… just attended… like its cool and all that you went there and I’m sure it was an accomplishment, but at the end of the day he wasn’t actually a lawyer… similarly, I wasn’t actually a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Yesterday, I swore an oath to protect our U.S. constitution and to uphold its values. I promised to be a representative of the diversity of the American people. I pledged to put forth my best efforts in both the Mozambican classroom and the country at large. After that, my cohort (MOZ27) and I officially shed our T’s in lieu of our V’s.
One of the coolest parts of the whole ceremony for me was getting to step there. (shoutout to Theta Crew, Rangeela, and a few OL teams whose choreography I may or may not have adapted for this occasion.)
Who would have thought that a little ol’ small town boy from Alabama would be in Mozambique, but, even yet, who would have thought he would have helped orchestrate a dance to be performed for the Mozambican Ministry of Education, the U.S. Ambassador, and all of Peace Corps Mozambique staff. Well let me tell you it was a surprise and an honor. It goes to show how Peace Corps really encourages each member to utilize his or her individual strengths and talents.
Thank you so much Peace Corps for providing me with these opportunities! A very big thank you to Moz27 for not only being by my side throughout this training experience, but also for dancing our way through it with me.
MOZ likely to sunburn 