My first blog...

Well I figured since I am 3 weeks away from my departure, I should try this whole blogging thing. I figured a good way to start would be to give everyone some information on what I will be doing when I get there and some more info on mail and phone calls etc.

First things first. My job title is a Health Promoter focusing on reproductive health and HIV education. My "primary focus is the formation and training of youth programs to promote healthy sexual practices, providing creative non-formal health communication, strengthening the capacities of local health institutions, and generally promoting good health with the community. My role in this capacity:
1.) Direct education to community members (adolescent groups, men groups and school children) about preventative health practices.
2.) Facilitate and organize health groups to facilitate my role in the training of health promoters (for example, health advisory committees, community health assessment teams, and adolescent groups)
3.) Training of youth, volunteer community health promoters, in non-formal education techniques directed towards the reduction of unwanted pregnancies and healthy sexual practices."

When I reach my permanent site, where i will remain for the 2 years, I will conduct a health assessment survey within the community. This will allow me to get an idea of what the community feels the biggest issues are, their priorities and their general attitudes. This survey will help me outline my project for the remainder of my time there.

Typically volunteers in my general assignment will primarily be assigned to small and mid-sized towns and departmental capitals that have limited infrastructure. The sites are typically between 3-8 hours away from the capital.

Now that i have explained my job title, lets go over some information for the family as well as information about what is going to happen between now and being sworn in as a volunteer (the time before i go to my permanent site).

Written mail: The mail service in Nicaragua is not as efficient as the U.S., it can sometimes take up to 4-6 weeks to make it back to the states. They recommend that the first few letters sent be tracked to see just about how long it takes to get to the states. They also recommend numbering the letters to see if one is missed. Also keep in mind that written correspondence sometimes wanes as service progresses. Although i will try to blog as often as possible, and i will keep a journal as well.

Telephone calls: The telephone service in Nicaragua is relatively good and service in and out of Nicaragua to the states is mostly reliable and fairly inexpensive.  During training I may have scarce access to email but some host training families may have phones in their home or in a nearby location. I will let you know what the phone number may be. During my service, access to email should be available but not necessarily all the time. I will also let you know what my phone number will be once I am in my permanent site. I can also get a cell phone, i will touch on that in a moment.

Sending packages: Sending packages can be frustrating due to high incidence of theft and heavy custom taxes. You can try to send inexpensive items through the mail but there is no guarantee that they will arrive. You can use this address to send letters and/or packages until I am done with training:

PCT- Kimberly Norton
Cuerpo de Paz - Nicaragua
Apartado Postal #3256
Managua, Nicaragua, Centro America

It is recommended that packages be send in padded envelopes if possible, boxes tend to be taxed and opened more frequently.


I will be flying from Tampa to D.C. on January 11th for my staging event. I will join about 45 other Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs) who will be going to Nicaragua. There I will be able to get to know my fellow trainees and become familiar with Peace Corps values and expectations. I will also receive my plane tickets and passport for my flight the next morning.

I will depart super early the next morning to fly to Miami (redundant to me), then off to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. Upon arrival I will spend an additional few days in Grenada (where Katie and Liz found a really nice hotel to come visit at!!) at an arrival retreat. In Nicaragua I will participate in 11 weeks of intensive training consisting of language, cross culture, technical and health. Safety and security issues will be integrated throughout. Upon successful completion of pre-service training I will be sworn in as a volunteer. During these 3 months I am not allowed to take any vacations or have any visitors. (as well as the first 3 months at my permanent site and the last 3 months).

During the 3 day retreat in Grenada I will be staying at a hotel and will have access to free wi-fi. It is strongly recommended that I purchase locks for my luggage and keep them locked, even while living with my host family. I will also be receiving the rest of my vaccinations while I am at the retreat… yay! We all know how much i loooove shots! I will receive my first installment of what they refer to as my “walk around” allowance. This is a small amount of cash, given to me in Cordobas, to cover incidentals and personal hygiene items during the pre-service training period. The retreat is also used to gauge our language level and cover some information that will help me prepare for my training and service.

I will not be able to purchase a cell phone until I am at least halfway through my training. On Monday January 17, my 11 week pre-service will begin. The first 3-4 weeks are focused on strengthening my language skills, getting to know my host family, your training town and dealing with the challenging cultural adaptation issues.
Sample Training Schedule:
Monday-Thursday I will attend language classes. I will also carry out technical and cross-cultural tasks in my community during the week. Wednesday afternoons, Friday all day and Saturday mornings or all day my training group will come together for formal technical, cross-cultural, health and/or safety training.

Friday, April 1 will be my swearing in ceremony. I will officially be a Peace Corps Volunteer! After the ceremony we are given our permanent sites (although i believe i will know ahead of time). It is my understanding, through other PCV blogs, that i will have somewhat of a choice in where i will be for my final site.

Thats just a "brief" overview of what i will be doing here shortly, as for now, i am working on shopping, packing and trying not to have a panic attack in the meantime. I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life and all the wonderful people i will meet along the way and all the things i will see. As for now, i am preoccupied with having to say goodbye. I will miss the family and of course my wonderful boyfriend <3 i will enjoy myself but will look forward to seeing everyone soon! Especially the girls trip being planned and the trips Yoise is planning as well! Can't wait to show you guys first hand everything i will be doing!