It's a trip Christmas!

I can tell Africa is getting a little closer now, everything under the tree was meant to be small and easy to carry around!  A little Galaxy tablet, a teeny keyboard, Off repellent, moist wipes, tiny packs of Kleenex...everything!  Now I just have to see if everything will fit in the new backpack!  I know there are some of the coaches who already are packing, that might be me in the next day or two. 

Sent my yellow fever certificate and my passport off to CCA on Monday to apply for my Visa to get into Ghana.  It's a strange feeling to mail away your passport, especially when it's the one thing that proves I AM CANADIAN! 

A very Merry Christmas to all my friends, family and followers (that is what you call people who read your blog right?)

I'm going to Africa!

My absolutely awesome husband set this up for me and now I'm going to try to post so that I can get used to it before the adventure really begins.

Got our assignments from CCA today, you don't know how exciting that is!  Well, until I tried to Google the places that I'm going and there really wasn't a lot of info.  I think it's time to just say "going into this with an open mind and ready for anything".  That's going to be my mantra!  There are three places that we will be at in Ghana:

-Nalerigu - Map
-Damongo - Map
-Kete Krachi - Map

Sandy (said awesome husband) did a lot of digging today for me and found some websites that show these towns.  I'll be checking them out in the next few days (along with trying to see if I can post a map on here) and maybe there will be some tidbits that I can give you that will keep you coming back!

Here's one tidbit:  packing for Africa
-toilet paper (some coaches found no bathrooms, and it is fine to just walk around the building and go in the back)
-Immodium (need I say more?)
-handkerchiefs (do they make these anymore??) it's going to be an average of 38 C there.  For those of you who know my love of heat I think this item is a must
-headlamp (if you have to pee after dark)

I know, those are all about bodily functions.  But you want fun facts right?

FAQs:

"When do you leave?"  
I leave Edmonton on January 15.  We spend two days in Ottawa training then will be leaving Canada for "parts unknown" (I love Anthony Bourdain) on the 17th.
"Are you scared?"
Yes, I think I am.  In a way.  Not in a "it's detrimental to my life" way.
"Who else is going from Servus?"
Servus has had several people go on this program in the past, I am the only one this time around.  Servus has created a great CSR policy around this (and other) volunteer opportunities, so perhaps this will open the floodgates!  There are coaches from credit unions across Canada and some coming from the Irish credit union system, it's going to be wonderful!

Let's try a link (bear with me while I figure this blogging thing out!)

www.coopscanada.coop/en/international_dev/get-involved-with-cca/our-programs/coaching