Or help me out and send care packages!Caitie Gibbons, PCV
United States Peace Corps, RW
B.P. 5657
Kigali, Rwanda, Africa
Tips for sending things:
It takes about four weeks to get a package.
Packages with Jesus stickers or Christian phrases usually always make it to the PCV (this is a very religious country).
If you are sending me anything over $20, please disguise it. Things tend to disappear, and the more vague they look the better.
When listing things on the outside of the packages be as general as possible. Ex: Snacks
Don't know what to send me? Here are a few suggestions:
Food Items:
Peanut Butter (crunchy or smooth)
Almonds. Pistachios. Walnuts. Trail Mix.
Granola Bars, especially Luna, and Nature Valley bars.
Fruit Snacks
Tuna Fish
Parmesan Cheese
Cheez-Its
Spices/Sauces:
Sriracha Sauce
Soy Sauce
Candy and Sweets:
Dark chocolate. Milk chocolate. Salted chocolate. Minted chocolate. Chocolate with almonds.... I think you get the point.
Sour patches
Gummy bears
Jelly Beans
Gum
Cake mix. Brownie mix.
Alcohol:
Whiskey
Red Wine - boxed is totally fine.
Things:
Magazines (everything and any magazine is great). Music. Movies. Art supplies, I also love to be kept up on current events, and art related things (being an art major and all).
Don't know what to send me? Here are a few suggestions:
Food Items:
Peanut Butter (crunchy or smooth)
Almonds. Pistachios. Walnuts. Trail Mix.
Granola Bars, especially Luna, and Nature Valley bars.
Fruit Snacks
Tuna Fish
Parmesan Cheese
Cheez-Its
Spices/Sauces:
Sriracha Sauce
Soy Sauce
Candy and Sweets:
Dark chocolate. Milk chocolate. Salted chocolate. Minted chocolate. Chocolate with almonds.... I think you get the point.
Sour patches
Gummy bears
Jelly Beans
Gum
Cake mix. Brownie mix.
Alcohol:
Whiskey
Red Wine - boxed is totally fine.
Things:
Magazines (everything and any magazine is great). Music. Movies. Art supplies, I also love to be kept up on current events, and art related things (being an art major and all).
Toys for the kids are always good too. Bouncy balls. Bubbles. Glow Sticks. Crayons. Markers. Paper. Coloring Books. Yo-Yos.
I also love receiving letters, and pictures.
Thank you for your love and support!
I am excited about your adventure - we had our 9 month adventure and are back in CT. You will be hearing from me and I will be a constant on your blog. Lots of long distance hugs and keep up your pretty smile. Good luck and remember, adventures are exciting ups and downs and we learn from both. Love from TJ's Gramma
ReplyDeleteHi Caitie,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. I think you are doing amazingly well considering. Don't sweat the the little stuff - remember that's what you told Gramma. Well you should heed your own advice! Anyway miss you dearly but love talking with you each week. Have a great week and enjoy your adventure. Love you, Mom
Hi Cait!
ReplyDeleteI'm truly humbled by what you've written. I find it unbelievable that someone who, like you, is doing something so amazing can refer to me? as 'incredible'. You are the amazing one. Keep doing what you are doing. You are making a difference in this world and I'm sure you've changed the world around you in some way - I'm sure for the better! I continue to look forward to our Sunday conversations, though the time seems to slip by so quickly. You sound good. Just like you own self. You could be talking from, say, Brooklyn. Love you from here to the moon & back, Dad.
Hi Cait,
ReplyDeleteMom here again. Hope you are well. Tomorrow is your birthday and I will miss you most this day! I hope you have a great day it was one of the best days of my life. Celebrate and know we are all thinking of you and wishing you a happy birthday. I think it's funny how we are usually on vacation for your birthday, however, this year we are home and you are away. Sending you a big hug from home. Love and miss you lots, Mom
Hey Caitie! It's Mrs. Chetelat with a big hello from Farmington! Love reading your blog and I am so impressed with the things you are doing. You deserve lots of credit. Can't wait to see more pictures. I loved your dress in the photos, what beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteLife here is pretty much the same, getting ready for the girls to return for another year at Porters. I think once your service is done, you would make a wonderful speaker at a Prescott! Everyone in the Porter's community is very proud of you and the work you are doing! Take care of yourself and hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Keep on smiling and shaking hands and meeting people. There really is no other way to accomplish the 'meet and greet' of your community in an effort to win them over - so to speak. Keep on doing what you're doing. It's your strength. Love you to the moon (and back), Dad
ReplyDeleteOh my little girl, you are truly my hero. I'm so very proud of you, and your adventures are amazing. You are doing incredible things and opening my eyes to another way of life. Embarrassed to say I just now figured out how to access your blog. Happy Birthday Baby Girl, two weeks late. You're my favorite artist and now my favorite writer. Love forever Autie Cindy
ReplyDeleteCaitie, This is Jackie Sofia, an ancient of MPS '05. I remember you back in our high school days, and I am so thrilled to be reading about your journey in Rwanda, now! You have certainly gone far and long since the days of Farmington. Tricia Davol gave me your blog address and I will be sure to stay updated as often as possible. You're incredibly brave for what you're embarking upon with Peace Corps. I am living in Jordan right now, and would love to stay in touch as a fellow Ancient and ex-pat :) Feel free to email me: sofia.jacqueline@gmail.com I have been keeping a blog during my time here, as well: http://begintheworld.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThe very best to you! Who knows? Maybe one day in my time overseas I'll make it out to Rwanda and we'll see each other in person...
x
jackie
Dear Caitie,
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon this blog via facebook and am so proud of you! Needless to say, it makes me feel very old that you are now a Peace Corps Volunteer (something I did a year before I taught you, which doesn't seem that long ago). It sounds like you are doing so well, and that you are open to all the new experiences a stint in Peace Corps can produce. Because I know how much care packages are needed in Peace Corps, I'll try to get one in the mail to you one of these days. In the mean time, take care of yourself and keep your head up!
All the best
Bess (Ms. McKinney - former history teacher!)
Sounds like you are learning so much. If there is anything your uncle tom or i could get or send you please let us know. You are doing a wonderful job!!!! I know you are busy but you must miss home so much. We all miss you here too. We are so proud of you!! love, uncle tom and michelle.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, laugh out loud funny. Come on Cait, give Peace a chance. And be careful how you walk up the mountains. Seriously, it's interesting about the Western infuence in the names that you are coming across though I'm not sure about Michael Jackson(s). Keep doing what it is you are doing and keep on with the language. I certain you will get it down. Love you to the moon & back, Dad.
ReplyDelete"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." -Mother Teresa
ReplyDeleteThe above was posted in an email here at Porter's. I immediately thought of you. I think you are making a hugh difference an even though it feels like a slow process, little by little you are improving the lifes of the Rwandan people. Keep creating ripples! Love and Miss You! Mom
hello caitie, yesterday we had our first snow, good old new england and looks like the weekend my be in the upper 60s. We hope all is well with you. Remember gad did not create earth in a day, everything takes time , time is a word we all hate. keep your chin up and keep doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteLove, uncle tom and michelle :)
GOD---- sorry miss spelled, uncle tom and michelle
DeleteI try lol
Hello All! Caitlin is having difficulty with her Laptop Apple Computer (hardware issue). This is why her blog has not been updated lately. Those of you on Face Book are aware of this already, antiquated users like me would be unaware. Cait is fine otherwise and we speak with her about twice a week. Cait is always busing herself with some project, such as classroom instruction of adolescent boys and traveling through the area as needed via Motto (the term used for motorcycle) which Caitlin rides on the back of as a means of getting to a bus station. She will travel by bus to a nearby city to attend meeting, take care of her business needs and complete necessary shopping of goods. Love you to the Moon & back Cait, Dad.
ReplyDeletehello michelle here thank you for the up date dave , was wondering if she was okay. when you talk to her give her uncle tom and michelle's love and support. I am very proud of caitlin this was a big step in her young life. love uncle tom and michelle :)
DeleteWell Caitlin welcome back to the computer world , Hope all is well with you. All is good here.
ReplyDeletelove, uncle Tom & Michelle :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnnie-EmDecember 14, 2012 3:56 AM
ReplyDeleteAwesome Caitie, I was directed to your sight by your mother and am very proud of and humbled by your courage to go the distance here, both physically and emotionally. Can't wait for the next installment. P.s. This American Life is one of my weekly staples and I recall that same episode making me pull over into a parking lot and just LISTEN it was profound! Mom and Dad - Dave and Barb, you have an amazing daughter! Sorry that previous post was not finished before publishing
Hi Catie,
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog and hearing your voice as I read. I hope you received our Christmas Pkg and the love that was sent along with it. We think and speak of you often. Your family is fine and is so very proud of you - as we all are. I wish we could more readily respond to your needs and help those of your community. I'd love to see more photos and maybe you could encourage T.J. and Marissa to follow in your path. They both need to find a cause greater than themselves :)
Best wishes to you and your PC Friends in 2013.
You remain in our thoughts and prayers always,
Uncle Jim
Hey Catie,
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Thinking of YOU all day and hope you had a great one!
You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Best Wishes on Your Birthday and Always,
Uncle Jim and Aunt Lisa
Hi Cait, Glad to see that you're 'back on line'. WOW. You know that you have our never-ending support and love. We love you and wish only the best for you and you're well being. Mom, D and me are up-to-speed on your travels within Rwanda but many may not be aware of all that you've seen while in-country; like the group of baboons you saw just hanging out. So, maybe you could write about those experiences - I also don't book-face (or whatever) - and include some of your photographs. I promise I will try to think outside of the category and keep an open mind. What is that photograph on the September 2nd blog? Keep up the good work! Yes, you may have changed in the time you have been in the Peace Corps, but I am sure you have MADE change as well. Just keep being you! Love you to the moon and back, Dad.
ReplyDelete