So I don't have all that much to say, but I wanted to get this up and running before I get to Guinea where the internet will undoubtedly be slower. So to get this ball rolling...some frequently asked questions.
What will you be doing?
I am a community economic development volunteer which means that my primary focus will be develop business and business skills in Guinea. I could be doing any combination of teaching business skills to artisans and youth, working with micro-finance organizations to provide access to credit, helping small business grow, ect. I will also have the opportunity to take on projects outside of my area of expertise and to collaborate with other volunteers who are working in agro-forestry and education. When I get to the country, I will be partnered with an organization already in the country to also help support their projects.
Where is New Guinea?
New Guinea is a pacific island. Guinea, or more specifically Guinea-Conakry, where I will be going is in Sub-Saharan West Africa. It borders Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, & Cote D'Ivoire. It is home to 10 million people and 24 ethnic groups.
Are you bringing Toilet paper?
This is not so much a frequently asked question, but a question frequently asked by Kelsey. The answer is yes.
Will you have electricity and internet?
I do not know if I will have it daily, but I will have it at least once every 3 months so that is when I will update this blog. During training (my first 3 months) I will have it everyday!
If you don't have internet, how can we communicate?
I can send and receive mail. My address is:
Meghan McCormick
Corps de la Paix
BP 1927 Conakry
République de Guinée (West Africa)
Why is that address in French?
Guinea is a French speaking country. While there, I will do most of my work in French and most of my communication is a local language.
That's it for now!
A bientot,
Meghan
