Swearing In as an Official PCV

On September 1, 2010, 34 health and education trainees were officially sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers while standing next to both the American and Malawian national flags. The event was held at the US Ambassador's estate (currently, Malawi is sans Ambassador) in Lilongwe. The estate was breathtakingly beautiful including a tennis court, swimming pool, and well manicured garden.

Red, White and Blue-tonniere

The Oath

I was impressed with how great everyone looked, we cleaned up well! You'd never guess we were learning how to shower via a bucket bath, use the pit latrine without falling in and avoiding the spiders, and carry water on our heads without completely soaking ourselves.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the new PCVs and PC staff enjoyed delicious appetizers and desserts. We even had pseudo-chocolate cake. I'm not sure real chocolate cake exists in Eastern Africa...even in Ethiopia, the cakes would look delicious with what appeared to be mouth watering chocolate icing and cake; but alas, just kidding, not really chocolate. So I'm now on a mission to find real chocolate cake in Malawi ;)

Pseudo-Chocolate Cake

And of course, we all posed with the cakes before devouring. This was our last day together as a combined group of health and education volunteers. The following day, we each set off to each of our new sites. Bon voyage!!

The New PCVs of Malawi :)