I’m sitting in my hotel room now as we just finished grabbing a bite to eat in San Fran!  We ended up going to a Sushi Rock which is ironic since you would think we would eat a traditional N.American cusine.

Staging was great.  I met a lot of great people from all over the country with various backgrounds.  We summed up logistics, mission statement, goals, etc. of the Peace Corps and the influence we will have and the seriousness of what we are are about to embark on.

We are getting ready to embark on a 21 hr flight tmr! 

-Sean

This has been an exciting week getting ready for my departure!  I thought getting ready for a vacation required a lot but getting ready to leave for 27 months is a whole different story:)

I wanted to send everyonn my mailing address in case they wanted to send me some oreo’s or some fresh pair of socks!

Sean F. Crotty

P.O. Box 2453

Phnom Penh

Cambodia

The next couple days consist of me running around making sure I have everything I need.  I hope to chat with most of you before my flight on Friday!

I recieved all of my logistics for my ‘staging’ event for the Peace Corps.  The staging process is described as a ‘short and intense’ orientation process.  We will spend two days in San Francisco finalizing paperwork, meet & greets, and one final night in the United States before we depart for Phnom Penh.  For those of you who are not familiar with the Geography of Asia, Phnom Penh is the Capital of Cambodia.

I officially depart on July 22 on a 6am flight from CVG to San Fran.  It will need to be a quick turnover as our registration and staging begins promptly at Noon in San Fran.  Our flight is 21 hrs and 33 Minutes from San Fran. to Bangkok and an additional 1 hr and 10 min. from Bangkok to Phnom Penh.

The next 30 days will fly by so I would love to get to connect with each and every one of you before I leave.  My cell # is 937.545.9591. 

Until next time:) 

- Sean

I was emotionally prepared to go to Africa although I am happy to go whereever I am needed!

I know that I will make the best of any oppurtunity and I am looking forward to this amazing chapter of my life!

My official Title is Health Education Extension Agent.  For those of you who are not familiar with job roles of the Peace Corps (as i’m sure most of you aren’t) this means that I will be working at a health center at a District or Commune level.  I will also be responsible for developing wellness programs.  This is a loaded statement but since wellness programs are pretty non-existant, this will be a unique undertaking that is essential for the community in which I’ll be placed. 

Development of this program will be a very unique undertaking as the entire Cambodian Health Care system was essentially dismantled by the Khmer Rouge, who targeted anyone with an education for elimination in the period of 1975-79.  Cambodia also has alarmingly high rates of maternal death and infant mortality, as well as the highest prevelance of HIV and tuberculosis in Asia.

The next 60 days will be pretty busy as I will be getting a number of things in order.  This will include getting a jump on learning the Khmer language.  Yes, the Khmer language seems difficult to learn but I openly welcome this challenge.  How many people can say they speak Khmer?  If anyone knows of any good Khmer tutors in the Cincinnati area let me know!  Online courses and books will have to do:) 

If I am missing an e-mail address please let me know!

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