Getting Sworn In as a Peace Corps Volunteer!

Ryan's Mom again . . . I talked with Ryan today - his 25th Birthday. The trainees had their final language test (LPI) this morning!! What a relief for everyone. There was a party to celebrate - which included the host families. The trainees leave Monday for the Embassy in Antananarivo (known as Tana to the locals) to be sworn in on Tuesday, January 26th. There will be another party after the swear-in ceremony and then off to their assigned posts on Wednesday, January 27th. Ryan still can't believe how lucky is to have been assigned to the coast! He has been texting a "seasoned" volunteer living in the same village - she told him that it gets down to 80 degrees at night, its hotter during the day, and that the ocean water is warm! He can't wait. CONGRATULATIONS RYAN!!!

Ryan will have a new address soon.

Happy New Year from Madagascar!

(Ryan's mom again) Talked with Ryan the afternoon of New Years Eve. They had their language tests and he was waiting for the results. He feels better about his progress with Malagasy than he did about Hausa (the language he was learning in Niger). He is now learning the specific dialect of the village he will move to after being sworn in on January 26th. He moves in with his host family home on January 4th - this is where he will spend the next 3 weeks before moving to his post on the east, central coast. His host family has 3 children ages 19, 14 and 3. The house does not have electricity - and he will have his own room. This will be quite different from the "resort" atmosphere of the training compound - where they had a cook preparing fabulous meals, someone to do their laundry, electricity, soft beds, bath tubs and showers. After spending the past 2 1/2 months with the other trainees, I'm sure living without them will also be an adjustment for everyone.

Ryan's brother Rog spoke with him on New Years Eve - 2:00 am Ryan's time which was 3 in the afternoon for us. Sounds like they rang in the New Year pretty much the same way as we do in the states. Quite a party!