Swearing-In

I am Peace Corps.

Monday, 15 May 2023 (91)

I was at the Peace Corps HQ office before 10am as asked. It is only a 10 minute walk from the medical hub. Brett and about 20 of the staff turned up for my individual swearing in. I did the US government swear-in:

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

and the Peace Corps one:

I promise to serve alongside the people of Madagascar. I promise to share my culture with an open heart and open mind. I promise to foster an understanding of the people of Madagascar, with creativity, cultural sensitivity, and respect. I will face the challenges of service with patience, humility, and determination. I will embrace the mission of world peace and friendship for as long as I serve and beyond. In the proud tradition of Peace Corps’ legacy, and in the spirit of the Peace Corps family past, present, and future - I am a Peace Corps Volunteer. 

Fortunately, I was not asked to do the Peace Corps swearing-in in Malagasy as my cohort had. And of course I captured it all on two cameras.

Afterwards Arsen and I discussed my installation. We'll be going to Antsirabe for a couple of days. I had hoped it would just be one but they have to introduce me to the local police as well as the pharmacy and hospital people. I guess I'll get a chance to purchase even more stuff.

As we had so much time today, I took a taxi well into the shopping district of Tana. Stopped in at the largest store where everyone on three floors are selling computers, computer parts and tech in one building. The plan is to build an editing computer here having some parts brought from the united states and some of the larger parts bought here (like the computer case and power supply. This all to happen at the end of June when Natalie comes out.

Back at the hub, I helped Arsen and our driver load the vehicle with my stuff. There's a lot of it. I came with 100lbs or stuff and heading to site with 300 or 400lbs. By the time the bike and furniture gets added we'll be close to 500 or 600lbs.

So my last night at the hub. I put a couple posts online to Facebook and LinkedIn to let everyone know I am official. That's actually a part of the job, interestingly. To share with the world my role in fostering friendship and understand between our two countries. To wage peace.