All You Need is Love

Hey all!

Nope, this isn't quite the goodbye post. I'm going to save that one for a little later, when I feel like I'm reaaaaally leaving (less than 48 hours to departure at this point)!

I just wanted to make sure and update about my English room renovation project and thank everyone who donated to help make it happen. Unfortunately, it's not finished yet, so I couldn't get pictures before I had to leave site, but I promise to get them when it's finished!

Just as a recap, a while back I applied for a Peace Corps Partnership Program grant in order to renovate a room in my school for a much-needed space for kids to learn English. Before the grant, the intended room for use had broken floors, holes in the walls, no electricity, and a broken door. Needless to say, it was a mess.

However, in the nick of time, my wonderful friends, family and church community from back home were able to help raise money to breathe new life into the school.

The donors probably don't know this, but I got a list of names and some really sweet messages from people who donated. I was so grateful and humbled by the sacrifices of some of the incredible people back home. Some donors were family, others childhood friends, some college friends, some significant others of friends, and then a big fat donation from St. Mark's United Methodist Women. Either way, I know that most of the donors my age are/were completing degrees, in between jobs, having new babies!, and/or strapped for cash in general, as people our age in this economy tend to be.

So I can't thank you enough for your sacrifice and your support. I know sometimes people think that Peace Corps Volunteers are these totally selfless people who give up a lot to help, but the truth is that I often feel unworthy of the praise from back home, though it makes me strive to do better, and be better--to make you proud of me and what I can accomplish.

So, to my family Mom, Charlsey, Aunt Thebe and Maman; my college friends Carl K. (BPPFL!), Tom B. (OA 05 and TFA badass), Katie M (my PC inspiration), and Joel (best friend's bf for the win!), Alan (un persona generosa); my Fulbright friend Chase (seriously? You're awesome); and my hometown friends Miles (dude...thank you!), Kendall (just had a baby!), Andrew, Jamie, Rachel, Nathan (BFFs and professionals now, all out of school!):

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Love you and can't wait to see you soon!

All the best,
Lauren