It's Official...

Yesterday afternoon, Jess and I received our Invitation Kit from Peace Corps and, FINALLY, it's official! We will leave for 27 months of service in South Africa on January 28, 2010!!!!!!!!

SOME RANDOM SERVICE DETAILS (because we know you'll ask)...

• We will be stationed in one of the following provinces: 1. KwaZulu Natal (province on the eastern Indian ocean seaboard, bordering Mozambique & Swaziland), 2. Limpopo (northeastern province, home of Kruger National Park, bordering Mozambique, Zimbabwe & Botswana), Mpumalanga (between the previous two, bordering Mozambique only), or the Northwest Province (fittingly, in the northwestern region, bordering Botswana only).
• We will be working in the HIV/AIDS sector, doing outreach with our assigned communities. More specifically, we will be focusing on work with youth, CBOs (Community Based Organizations), and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations).
• Important dates (locations):
  Staging Dates: Jan. 28th-29th, 2010 (Washington, D.C... we think)
  Training Dates: Jan. 30th-March 29th, 2010 (Pretoria area)
  Service Dates: March 30th, 2010-March 29th, 2012 (To be determined during Training)

SOUTH AFRICA DETAILS (because you might be interested)...

• South Africa is 1,233,404 sq. km, slightly larger than California & Texas combined (Lonely Planet, Africa Edition)
• South Africa is home to "one of the most magnificent groupings of wildlife anywhere on the planet" (Lonely Planet, Africa Edition), including over 800 types of birds. More specifically, South Africa is best known for "The Big 5", which are: 1. Black Rhino, 2. Cape Buffalo, 3. African Elephant, 4. Leopard, 5. Lion. As well as some other favorites - the Hippo, the Giraffe, the White Rhino, and the Cheetah. In addition, South Africa is less famous for another animal grouping, "The Little 5", which are: 1. Rhinoceros Beatle, 2. Buffalo Weaver, 3. Elephant Shrew, 4. Leopard Tortoise, 5. Ant Lion. (He he he!!! We like those!)
• Unfortunately, South Africa also plays host to the world's worst HIV/AIDS pandemic. South Africa is ranked #12 (out of 222) for countries with the highest death rates, with HIV/AIDS as the #1 cause of death in the entire country (CIA World Factbook).

SOME RANDOM RELATED LINKS (because you'll be bored at work sometime)...

• Lonely Planet (South Africa Page): http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa
• CIA World Factbook (South Africa Page): https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sf.html
• Peace Corps (South Africa Page): http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.wherepc.africa.southafrica
• Peace Corps Wiki (South Africa Page): http://www.peacecorpswiki.com/South_Africa
• Peace Corps Journals (South African Volunteers): http://www.peacecorpsjournals.com/?showcountry,sf@blog

Well that should keep everyone busy for a while, but we'll be sure to blog again soon! Keep in touch and don't hesitate to comment or email before the departure!!