The first question I get when people find out I'm moving back to Africa is - what will you be doing there?  Well, let me tell you! I'm going to be serving the crew of the Africa Mercy in the Human Resources department on board.  I'll be doing new crew on-boarding, as we have new crew coming on every week it's a big job! I'll also be working with internal transfers, disembarkation (people leaving), the loads of paperwork that are involved in international development work, and whatever else comes up.  Quite honestly, I'm not entirely sure they ever know exactly what you are doing until you're there! I think I'll be doing some of the work with day workers in Guinea, as I speak African French so fluently.

Outside of my day job, which will be a standard 9-5ish type day, I'll get to volunteer with other off-ships programs, like the Cheshire House home for kids with polio I worked at in Sierra Leone.  I'll be able to visit with and play with patients and have some time to explore the country we are in! I am already looking forward to the Friday night ultimate frisbee games as I've been playing in a formal league here in Seattle this spring and must say my skills have improved dramatically!  I also look forward to spending time in community and building relationships with the other families and crew members.  It's just overall extremely exciting.

Less than four months until I begin training in Texas - Wahoo! The time will fly, I am sure!

Until next time - K