November in Ghana

Hi Everyone,
I am presently visiting "WA" the new community in the Upper West that I will be living and working for 2 years. I am writing this from the internet cafe right below my 1 room office. All is well, I graduate in about 3 weeks and then permanently move to WA beginning of December. I am busy studying for my language test and still getting used to the food and the incredible heat, very hot and I sweat alot. My new home has electricity and indoor toilet (I have to occassionaly fill the toilet with water though), The woman I am living with works for the local radio station for a young girls rights program very interesting. I will be working with several women's groups, with Shea Butter, Micro financing, Widows and the youth.
Amazing I am learning so much, I hope I can give as much as I am receiving to the people of Ghana. I love you all keep writing me, I love letters, we look for them every Thursday.
Love Joy and Blessings.

Joy Young
Peace Corps Volunteer
P.O. Box 5796
Accra, Ghana

Send mail to Joy! She says everyone else is getting mail, but she has not gotten any yet! oh no! We have to show our support and encouragement!

(please do not send anything too big since she will be moving in a few weeks again and is living out of a suitcase!)

Thanks everyone!

(update by Rachel) Here is a picture of Joy and Rachel at the airport when Joy left California! This is before both of us started crying! :-) I really miss her! But I know she is having a great time and fulfilling dreams. She has requested people send her mail. Look below for the mailing address in Ghana! I love you mom!

Map of Ghana

(update by Rachel) This is a map of Ghana! Joy is toward the south of the country right now in training until mid November, but she found out last week that she will be stationed in the city of Wa in the North Western part of Ghana for her two years of service. She is in training right now for the business development work she will be doing in Wa and learning the language of the people in that region.

Ghana

Hi Everyone,
Well I made it safely to Ghana and mentally and physically adjusting to life in West Africa. I got sick a few days ago, could be the water or food, but all is great again. Getting used to taking showers outside (cold) and using a latrene (basically a hole in the ground) for the toilet. The people are wonderful and kind, I spent 6 hrs. today riding from one part of the country.
Ghana is awesome, this coming next ten weeks we are on our way to start our training and will soon know what part of the country I will be posted in. Love you all. Take care and many blessings.
Joyous

Leaving for Ghana

Well guys, the time is here we had 2 days of orientation in Philadelphia, very good. I am leaving for Ghana tomorrow, Monday 17th from JFK to Germany and will arrive in Ghana at 6pm local time. I am told that I will not be able to communicate with family and friends for at least one week, because of our schedules.
Blessings and thank you very much for your support.

My address to write: This is temporary, and will update as the address changes.

Joy Young
Peace Corps Volunteer
P.O. Box 5796
Accra, Ghana

Love

Finals & Philadelphia

Hi All,
I received the grades for my two classes and I got two A's-how awesome, I am so very proud that I did so well. Thanks to guys at Habitat and Rachel that listened to me talk & talk about school.
Well, I am getting a bit anxious about my trip, this coming Saturday I leave for Philadelphia for 3 day orientation, then fly out on the 18th to Ghana. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers for good health. I am busy getting personal paperwork in order and packing, don't know quite how to pack for 27 months with 2 duffle bags and a backpack.
Love and Thanks to each one of you that helped me along this joyous journey.
Joyous

Leave California

Good Day,
Well I left California and arrived in Maryland early on Thursday, September 5th. It still feels very strange to leave California and especially leave Rachel, she just started her 2nd year of Law School, we really miss each other. But, we had the best time together last year, an experience we will never forget and both cherish forever. I am staying in Maryland with my niece and enjoying seeing family and friends, as well as preparing to leave for the Peace Corps. I will be in Maryland until September 15th, then leave for Philadelphia for orientation for 3 days. Love and take care everyone. Blessings.

Finals & California

Hi, Today I finished my papers and finals for both classes, how hapy I am. I am very proud of myself I should get A's or B's for this quarter. Everything at one time, I will be leaving California for good on Wednesday afternoon for Maryland. I will spend about 9 days in Maryland and then travel by train to Philladelphia for the Peace Corps orientation from September 15 - 18th.
I will miss you all in California, and so glad that we became friends and an important part of my life's journey. Love.

Lake Tahoe

Rachel and I visited Lake Tahoe for a 3 day vacation, this past weekend, it was so amazinginly beautiful. Outside of Hawaii it was the most beautiful place I have ever seen, we went hiking, horse backing riding, ate at some delicious restaurants, went on a boat cruise to Emerald Bay and checked out a Casino-spent $5 (big spenders). I recommend Lake Tahoe to everyone sometime in their life. We took this trip to celebrate Rachel's completion of her 1st year of law school and two summer interships, and my completion of the 1-year VISTA program with Habitat for Humanity and also my next adventure with the Peace Corps for 27 months in Ghana, West Africa.
Keep us in your prayers for my good health and Rachel's completion of Law School. Love Joyous

Peace Corps

One week ago I accepted an invitation with the Peace Corps to Ghana, how excited I am, it was a long application process but worth it. I am in the final stage of writing my Aspiration Statement and Resume. I sent in my application for my Visa and Passport. Wow two years-27 months.

End of Service

Wow, today I finished my year of VISTA service at Habitat for Humanity in California, what a year. It had many ups and downs, I learned alot about myself and through some tough times I never gave up, I gained alot of inner-strength and experience that will help me as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana this fall. Joyous