February 26, 2007 (written by Jason)
So I know we don't normally post this often but I had the chance to come back into the city to send a letter to Peace Corps that will be going out to the new trainees. I am going to include it because it is kinda funny and you can see what kind of sense of humor we are developing here. All the best,

Jason
Dear New Trainees,

Greetings from the Mountain Kingdom! We would like to wish you the warmest of welcomes as you will soon be our new neighbors in the small country of Lesotho. Congratulations on getting through the arduous and sometimes monotonous application process. We know that you must be nervous now that things are finally starting to materialize into reality and you will begin selling or consolidating your possessions. Enjoy this time while you are at home. It may be for most of you the only time that you will see your favorite restaurants, television shows and most importantly friends and family for quite some time.

But that is not the purpose of why we are writing. We don’t want you to have any apprehension of coming to this lovely country. Lesotho as I am sure that you have read by now is one of the highest countries in the world. This gives us the distinct advantage over other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa of having seasonal weather. That means you will get 4 distinct and very different seasons.

As we write this letter, we are on the tale end of a very hot summer. Not to worry for those people who sweat buckets because it is a very dry heat and the summer is typically the rainy season though this one has been rather dry. The season that you will probably need to worry about most is the winter. We have heard that it can get down to below zero (in centigrade) and is commonly this way in the mountains. So pack warm clothes if you were not planning on it. However be warned because we have heard that it heats up during the day, sometimes even up to 60º so be sure to pack clothes that layer.

Other than the weather, things here are as normal as can be expected. Some volunteers have access to modern conveniences like running water, electricity and even modern super markets. This is not always the case though so it still might be a good idea to pack that solar powered i-pod charger just in case. Also if you are thinking of bringing a computer, you can, it just might only get charged every once in a while or you might have to by a solar charger and car battery (what can we say, Peace Corps Volunteers are rather industrious and we steal a lot of ideas from the Basotho).

Other “luxury” items that we would say are a must pack item:
Solar Shower (such a nice break from bucket baths), I-pod or other mp3 musiDear New Trainees,

Greetings from the Mountain Kingdom! We would like to wish you the warmest of welcomes as you will soon be our new neighbors in the small country of Lesotho. Congratulations on getting through the arduous and sometimes monotonous application process. We know that you must be nervous now that things are finally starting to materialize into reality and you will begin selling or consolidating your possessions. Enjoy this time while you are at home. It may be for most of you the only time that you will see your favorite restaurants, television shows and most importantly friends and family for quite some time.

But that is not the purpose of why we are writing. We don’t want you to have any apprehension of coming to this lovely country. Lesotho as I am sure that you have read by now is one of the highest countries in the world. This gives us the distinct advantage over other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa of having seasonal weather. That means you will get 4 distinct and very different seasons.

As we write this letter, we are on the tale end of a very hot summer. Not to worry for those people who sweat buckets because it is a very dry heat and the summer is typically the rainy season though this one has been rather dry. The season that you will probably need to worry about most is the winter. We have heard that it can get down to below zero (in centigrade) and is commonly this way in the mountains. So pack warm clothes if you were not planning on it. However be warned because we have heard that it heats up during the day, sometimes even up to 60º so be sure to pack clothes that layer.

Other than the weather, things here are as normal as can be expected. Some volunteers have access to modern conveniences like running water, electricity and even modern super markets. This is not always the case though so it still might be a good idea to pack that solar powered i-pod charger just in case. Also if you are thinking of bringing a computer, you can, it just might only get charged every once in a while or you might have to by a solar charger and car battery (what can we say, Peace Corps Volunteers are rather industrious and we steal a lot of ideas from the Basotho).

Other “luxury” items that we would say are a must pack item:
Solar Shower (such a nice break from bucket baths), I-pod or other mp3 c device (however many of the taxis down here do have CD players and yes, even tape decks so if you want to have American music in the taxi, bring those if you want), cards, gold-bond or baby powder (if you are a moist character) ear plugs (you’ll see!), those favorite pair of jeans or t-shirt that makes you feel good just wearing it, patience (make sure you pack lots of this as many times you will want to pull your hair out because the pace of life moves much different here), some kind of sport sandal ( I recommend Chaco’s and I heard that they even give a Peace Corps discount), pictures of family (you will want them and your Basotho family and counterparts love seeing pictures of your life back home), a pack-able sleeping bag (we bought synthetic and it was good as I got rained on, on a hike, and my bag stayed warm even wet. However down is lighter and can be just as good!), coffee and a non-breakable French press (for you caffeine addicts), a sense of humor (sometimes you just gotta laugh), a small backpack or day bag for traveling, a sleeping pad (I once again recommend Therm-a-rest), perhaps a few DVD’s (the Transit House for Volunteers does have a DVD player!), maybe and this is a big maybe a GSM SIM Card ready cell phone (we do have cell phone service here and the phones are pretty cheap, in fact most volunteers have purchased a cell phone… it’s a good way to keep in touch with fellow volunteers as well as your family), anything that makes you feel good after a long day, a journal or some way to record what you are going through, lots of energy and ideas and an authentic desire to meet some of the best people you will ever meet!

Things that you should leave at home:
Bowling Ball (not really needed here, though it could be an income generating project), bad attitude or inflexibility (go with the flow man!), pets (I know we had to leave our little girl Bella at home too), too many clothes (girls and guys can buy clothes here if you really need them), too many books (there are all kinds of books here but a few more paperbacks to keep the flow going would probably be enough) and any doubt that you aren’t ready! You will be great!!

We have separate jobs here in Lesotho. Janeen is teaching English at a high school where we also live and Jason is working at 2 elementary schools as a Primary Resource Teacher. Our jobs are distinctly different primarily in the amount of structure that they have. Janeen’s job is very organized and structured as to when she will have classes and how long they are. Jason has a little bit looser makeup of how his job works. He is currently observing his schools to assess for needs and in the future will hold workshops, coaching sessions, and model teaching lessons in hopes that it will improve the overall achievement of the school. Topics that we will work on will range from classroom management to how to teach conceptualized math. This and everything in between will be the topics that he will hopefully address over the next two years.

As secondary projects (which almost everyone here does) we are planning to do many things. Youth groups that hold discussions on life skills, being responsible in an HIV/AIDS environment, and about life in general have been very popular with PCVs here. Others have done fund raising and building projects in the community as well as many more exciting things that are too numerous to mention here. Though remember, one of the best resources for projects or help in any area (travel advice, information on writing grants, etc.) are your fellow volunteers.

To summarize, we are here to help the Basotho people, who are very welcoming and friendly. You will be in good hands when you enter this community! The biggest part of your service is just by being here and having and open perspective. So come, bring that big, friendly smile and that attitude that you can change the world (a positive attitude here will take you long way), and we will see you on the ground.

All the Best,
Jason and Janeen Samuelian (2007-2009 ED PCV’s)

P.S. You can check out our website and blog if you want to find out a little bit more of the inside scoop on us and Lesotho @ www.jasonandjaneensam.com
Peace Corps OUT!!