Village Feast and Swearing-In: A Journey of Celebration and New Beginnings

December 7 – Village Feast

Today was a scorcher, with temperatures soaring into the upper 90s, but the heat couldn’t dim the excitement of our village feast. It was a day of cultural celebration and community bonding, marked by the vibrant colors and rich traditions of Lesotho.

Our cohort wore Seshoeshoe, the traditional Basotho formal attire, lovingly crafted by the seamstresses in our training village—some of whom were our own host mothers. The women donned beautiful dresses, while the men wore long-sleeved shirts paired with trousers. Each garment was uniquely tailored, reflecting individual styles while staying true to the colors of the districts we were heading to serve. My district, Qacha’s Nek, was represented by maroon and white. 

The feast took place on the village soccer pitch. Four massive tents were arranged in a square, with tables and chairs set up underneath, all facing a podium at one end. The day began with heartfelt speeches from our village chief, Masoupa; our country director; the Pre-Service Training (PST) director; a host family representative; and two volunteers, Jackson (Health) and Rachel (Education). Jackson and Rachel delivered their speeches entirely in Sesotho, showcasing their impressive language skills—our cohort couldn’t have been prouder!

Between speeches, local dance troupes performed, recreating the traditional dances we had seen upon our arrival in the community. It felt like a poetic full-circle moment, bringing our journey in the village to a celebratory close.

Our cohort also contributed to the festivities, performing two songs we had practiced over the past three weeks: the Sesotho song “Ke Rona Baithaopi” and John Denver’s “Country Roads.” The crowd's smiles and applause made every practice session worth it.

As a token of appreciation, the Peace Corps staff presented us with traditional Basotho straw hats. Then came the feast—a spread lovingly prepared by our host families and community members. There was beef, sheep, rice, Stampo, coleslaw, potato salad, and more. Knowing the effort that went into this meal made it all the more touching.

The feast was a celebration of how far we had come, shared with the families and community members who had welcomed us with open arms and supported us through our training.

December 10 – Swearing-In Ceremony

After three months of intensive training, the day we had been waiting for finally arrived: Swearing-In Day.

The ceremony took place at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Maseru. Under white tents set up on the lawn, we sat facing a podium and a long table reserved for distinguished guests. The dignitaries in attendance included King Letsie III, Queen ’Masenate Mohato Seeiso, the Prime Minister, and various ministers and parliament members. It felt surreal to be part of such a significant event.

One representative from each host family was invited to the ceremony, sitting together as we, the trainees, sat beside them. Speeches by government officials and Peace Corps leaders highlighted the long-standing partnership between Lesotho and the Peace Corps, dating back to 1967.

Our country director led us in the Peace Corps oath, which we repeated back with our right hands raised. Then, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Tom Haines, administered our swearing-in oath. In that moment, we were no longer trainees—we were official Peace Corps Volunteers.

I had the honor of giving a speech on behalf of the Health sector, alongside Dan from Education. Speaking in Sesotho, we expressed gratitude to Peace Corps staff, government officials, our host families, and fellow volunteers. It was an emotional and humbling experience to stand before the King and Queen and share our collective hopes for the journey ahead.

King Letsie III’s speech was the highlight of the day—his humor and wit left everyone smiling, but his words of inspiration resonated deeply, reminding us of the importance of the work we were about to undertake.

After a cake-cutting photo moment with the King, Queen, and our country director, we enjoyed a lovely meal and took countless photos in front of the Peace Corps banner.

The Journey Ahead

That evening, as we returned to the village, the mood was bittersweet. We were thrilled to be sworn in but heavy-hearted at the thought of saying goodbye. The next morning, we packed our belongings, said tearful farewells to our host families and fellow volunteers, and departed for our respective sites.

My supervisor picked me up, and we crammed his car with everything I’d need for the next two years. Leaving the village was tough, but the excitement of starting this new chapter softened the goodbyes.

The drive to Qacha’s Nek was long—eight hours winding through mountain roads. But as we ascended, the air grew cooler, and the wind provided relief from the heat. My new home is perched high in the mountains, a stark contrast to the lowland heat of training. I’m eager to begin my work at the clinic and see where this adventure takes me.

Here’s to the next two years—serving, learning, and growing in the heart of Lesotho.