Countdown To Freedom

One of the most difficult challenges for me in the Peace Corps is learning to live with discomfort and do it anyway. Every day, I am faced with the urge to just hide out in my house and avoid people. At least in my home, I don't have to worry about not being able to communicate, or risking people staring or laughing at me.  I have worked myself into low-level anxiety over taking a chapa to town. I have mentally stubbornly refused to stand up in front of people for a palestra (health demonstration). I have mentally rebelled 100 times from a task, simply because I know it is new for me, and I will be stretching my abilities to try it. The thing is...it always works out. It is never as bad as I feared, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment afterward. Case in point, yesterday, I was sitting in my room and sewing. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do for the day, and wondering when and how I would meet children and start a youth group. I have been very conc

View this post on Instagram Love this lady! I'm so happy to call her my sister! #peacecorpsmozambique #PeaceCorps #peacecorpshealth #peacecorpsafrica #PeaceCorpsVolunteer A post shared by Kandace Blevin (@kandaceblevin) on Aug 17, 2019 at 2:51pm PDT View this post on Instagram Fun with my irmã! A post shared by Kandace Blevin (@kandaceblevin) on Aug 18, 2019 at 7:08am PDT View this post on Instagram I forgot to get hangers for my clothes yesterday, so I had one thing to accomplish in town. By the time we got there, though, #Shoprite was closed. Instead, we had a #festa and practiced #Portuguese English and #Changana #semproblema #peacecorpsmozambique #PeaceCorps #peacecorpshealth #peacecorpsafrica #PeaceCorpsVolunteer A post shared by Kandace Blevin (@kandaceblevin) on Aug 18, 2019 at 6:52pm PD

I have been in Mozambique for three months now. I just finished my training and have sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer. I have been keeping a journal since I arrived, but I have yet to blog about my experiences. When asked, I have had difficulty articulating my reasons. To start, how does one honor a place like this? I want to convey the beauty and splendor of Mozambique, but I am here because there are very real challenges as well. I want to discuss the poverty here, but I do not want to engage in " poor-nography " and typecast a people who are so much more than Americans realize. I want to be cognizant of the dangers inherent in Africa, but I do not want to dishonor the incredible friends and families that have opened their arms and homes to me. I walk around, a sole white person, an American, and realize the awesome responsibility that I have. I may well be the only experience they may have with an American, and I must be respectful. People stare at me as I walk

More on My Peace Corps Adventures Sewing Classes at SAAJ Routines and Chores But We're Safe, Right? Unexpected Success Estamos Juntos Conquering Bad Habits Peace Corps Application My Peace Corps Interview Mozambique Bound In The Peace Corps Peace Corps Prep Never Enough Time 81 Days Til Mozambique What Is Left Last 30 Days  

View this post on Instagram It is our #Homestay celebration and goodbye to the families that have hosted us during our training in #Namaacha #peacecorpsmozambique #PeaceCorps #peacecorpshealth #peacecorpsafrica #PeaceCorpsVolunteer #Mozambique #Africa #minhafamilia A post shared by Kandace Blevin (@kandaceblevin) on Aug 10, 2019 at 7:37am PDT View this post on Instagram Me and my Mãe from yesterday's #homestay celebration. #peacecorpsmozambique #PeaceCorps #peacecorpshealth #peacecorpsafrica #PeaceCorpsVolunteer #Africa #Mozambique A post shared by Kandace Blevin (@kandaceblevin) on Aug 11, 2019 at 6:39am PDT View this post on Instagram Mãe aprendendo a jogar Twister ontem! 😁 #PeaceCorps #peacecorpsmozambique #PeaceCorpsAfrica #Namaacha #NgomaTime A post shared by Kandace Blevin (@kandaceblevi