Some Last Minute Changes

Well, it’s the day before the Swearing-In ceremony, and three days before we’re supposed to go to our sites, and I just got some pretty frustrating/stressful/disturbing news. I’ve been pestering Toma, (the Safety and Security officer) who has done site visits to ensure that our homes are up to PC standards, for the past few weeks after hearing a rumor that my house was not finished, but he seemed confident it would be done in time. Because of everything that happened last year, PC mandated that the town could not use the house the other volunteer lived in, which is actually in the next town, Holopeka, on a family compound, and the school said they would build a new house right next to the school (and airport). However, the house is not finished, and Viliami just pulled the plug so to speak on Koulo. Apparently there has been fighting between the principle and the PTA over who would finish the house and how much they would spend, and as a result, it’s not ready. Also, Viliami told me the principle has not been getting back to him for a few weeks, and between their lack of communication, inability to finish the house, and the past history with this village he does not want another volunteer to ever be in that village. Awesome. Viliami told me he’s looking at some sites that were developed but not selected this time around, and hopes to have a new site for me tomorrow. I’m pretty stressed out and a little frustrated that there have been problems for so long that are just being dealt with now, but am trying to remain flexible and open. This week has been crazy enough, but it looks like it’s just going to get a bit more interesting.