Dear CII-22,
First and foremost, congratulations once again on making it through Pre-Service Training. I hope the next two years of service become some of the most rewarding, challenging, and unforgettable years of your life. I already find myself missing the small moments that made our group feel like a family. The last three months have been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. I want to take a moment to remember the twists and turns of that journey, and the memories that made it so special.
We first met on a Sunday afternoon in Latin America’s unofficial capital, Miami, where we all (somewhat painfully) introduced ourselves by sharing our names, hometowns, and one item from our luggage. After an early morning departure, we arrived in Barranquilla and were greeted by incredible staff who welcomed us to our new home, Colombia. I hope none of us ever forget that our very first meal in this country was, quite fittingly, Colombian Chipotle.
Our first week in Barranquilla brought us closer together, whether during training sessions, card games by the pool, food runs to the mall, or while waiting in line for what felt like an endless number of vaccines. We also celebrated two surprise birthdays for some truly amazing girls, Irene and Sofia. As the week came to an end, it was finally time for our training town reveals. I distinctly remember the anticipation of where we’d spend the next three months, what our host families would be like, and which familiar faces we’d find nearby.
The next stage of PST took place in our training towns, where adversity met determination. This was the phase that truly tested us. Maybe your host family’s diet was nothing like what you were used to. Maybe the power went out on a hot Caribbean night. Maybe your morning showers involved nothing but a bucket and a strong will. But no matter the challenge, we made it through. It was truly special to watch each of us grow, adapt, and slowly weave ourselves into the rhythm of our new communities.
And of course, we can’t forget our second home, SENA Baranoa. Who could ever forget the day we all dressed like Miguel, the moment we first met SuperMauricio, or the legendary paper plane contest? I know I’m not the only one who will miss those SENA days and the feeling of being together as one big, chaotic, family.
Villa Zunilda was the place where we received our permanent sites. We had some amazing presentations and performances by our amazing Language and Culture Facilitators, who we hopefully impressed during our own presentations at swearing-in. Allow me to also remind you of the little envelope with a colored sticker, representing our departments: Sucre, Magdalena, Bolívar, Atlántico, Cundinamarca, and Boyacá. One by one, we placed our faces on the map, and for the first time, we could truly picture what awaited us beyond PST.
By now, you’ve likely dipped your toes into your new community and started to see what life at site will look like. As you move forward, remember this: the next two years are yours to shape. There will be challenges, moments of doubt, and days that test your patience and resolve — but never forget you are the author of your own story, and how it unfolds is entirely in your hands.
As we begin this next chapter, let’s also not forget that we are guests in this country, invited here to serve. Let’s carry ourselves with humility and respect, remembering the trust our communities have placed in us. Parents are trusting us with their children, and entrepreneurs with their businesses. Let’s rise to the moment and honor that trust with our best effort.
I would also like to encourage you to believe in what you’ve already accomplished. We made it through PST together, and we now have the knowledge, the tools, and the resilience to thrive. The past three months have prepared us for what’s ahead. I have no doubt that each of you has exactly what it takes to succeed.
I hope you’ve all taken the time to truly cherish these past months we’ve shared together. I want to leave you with one final message. We are CII-22, and we will always be CII-22. Let’s continue to look out for one another — lend a helping hand, check in on each other’s well-being, stay in touch, and let bygones be bygones. At the end of the day, we are a family, maybe a slightly dysfunctional one, but a family nonetheless.
Here’s to the journey ahead, may we all make it one worth remembering.
Best,
Martin Ochoa
Disclaimer: The content of this publication is generated by individual volunteers. The opinions and thoughts expressed here do not reflect any position of the United States government or the Peace Corps