Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Communication and such

In order to forewarn friends and family of the reality of Third World mail, Peace Corps would like us to emphasize the following points:

1. Volunteers, friends and family must realize that communication will be through international mail. Although very slow, it is the most reliable. Mailed letters take about three weeks to arrive in Benin. It takes $00.94 to mail something to Benin, so please put four stamps on your letter!

2. Packages- Packages should be sent via airmail. Theft of packages is not only a problem on the Beninese side, but on the US side as well. Packages may take months or get "lost" along the way. Do not send valuables. Packages take about 3 months minimum to arrive.

3. Packages- Bubble envelopes are the best way and seem to work better than big boxes. The sender should clearly and honestly mark the contents on the outside of the package. A general description is sufficient: "clothes and candy" vs. "2 lbs of Godiva chocolate and Nike sneakers"

4. Volunteers must pay a tax on all packages before they can retrieve them from the post office, up to $10.

5. Packages are kept in the Cotonou Peace Corps Office until the volunteer can pick it up or friend can deliver it.

6. Telephones- it is not uncommon to be cut off mid-sentence due to a lacking infrastructure. The majority of Benin Peace Corps volunteers get a cell phone during their service.

7. Internet- The technology is just beginning to spread in Benin. Internet cafes are found in major towns and cities, and can cost from $0.75-2.00/hr. However, the technology can be slow and unreliable. However, the Peace Corps office in Cotonou has three computers available for volunteers, and one computer is available at each of the Peace Corps "workstations" throughout the country.

8. Visiting- The Peace Corps encourages friends and family to visit.

9. Generally, communication in Benin is very good.

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