I was on the inside When they pulled the four walls down. I was looking through the window, I was lost, I am found

July 31, 2008
(Volunteer culture)
From the Journal of Derek Rury

These past couple of days have been very unique, and I feel they are a window into how life will be for the next two years. I am currently aboard an airplane that is about to take off for Fort Dauphin, my banking town for the next two years. It's strange knowing that no one from my stage is around. Not only are they not around, but we are all dispersed around the country on site visit. it is the first time we have been away from each other since we all met. It's certainly not the end of the world, but it does feel strange. Saying goodbye to people before they left for Site Visit seemed like something nobody wanted to do, because it felt so odd. Also, I think we all got the feeling that this was the beginning of the end of our training together, which is in all ways but one an amazing thing. But we all know that our days together are numbered. There are people in my stage that I will only maybe three times a year. Like I said before, not the end of the world, but it will take some getting used to, especially since we have all had to band together through training. But now, our two years of service are about to begin, and that means a host of changes in what life will present. But since I was the last person to leave for site visit in our group, I feel that I have already had a taste. Another volunteer from our stage and myself had to stay another night at the Meva because our flights didn't leave until the next day so we were able to experience the separation anxiety together. But there were some other PCVs from other stages, even other sectors, staying at the Meva, for various reasons. So even though all of our stage-mates were already away on site visit, we weren't technically alone. There is an interesting volunteer culture that us trainees have seen flashes of, but have yet to fully experience for ourselves. Since the Meva is a transit house for all PCVs from all sectors, people from any part of the country could be staying there at any given time. Sometimes the PCVs know each other. Sometimes they don't. but the resulting interaction is very unique. It wouldn't be just to call the Peace Corps volunteer community a fraternity, because like I said, not everyone knows each other, and I am pretty sure that not everyone gets along. But there is a palpable sense of togetherness and respect between PCVs. Staying that extra night at the Meva gave the two of us a glimpse into that culture, and we felt for the first time that we were finally a part of it.
It was also cool just hanging out at the Meva with the PCVs. It was interesting to see the interaction between PCVs from different areas, stages and sectors. I didn't even know this really existed. But now I know it does, and it is very refreshing. Education volunteers aren't limited to befriending other Ed volunteers, and the same goes for the Health Environment and Small Enterprise sectors. This new perspective makes me excited to go down to site. There are about 12 volunteers who bank in Fort Dauphin (no one from my stage) and I anticipate that the next two years will bring me closer to them. Even though I have spent the last seven week with my stage-mates and it feels a bit strange to be away from them, I have a new community waiting for me down South. But I still know that all 26 of us are part of the much larger Madagascar PCV culture, and we're all in this together. All 140 or so of us. I can't wait to meet them all.

I Will Follow - U2