Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MAURITANIA
A P E A C E C O R P S P U B L I C ATI O N
FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS
March 200 9
A W E L C O M E L E T TE R
Dear Future Volunteers,
Obie E. Shaw
Country Director
RPVC, Central African Republic (199093) and
Tunisia (199395)
TA B L E O F C O NTE NTS
Map of Mauritania
A Welcome Letter 1
Packing List 93
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 7
communication technologies, and girls' education and
empowerment. Each of these projects was chosen based on
needs expressed by both the government of Mauritania and
local communities.
8 PEACE CORPS
of the Volunteers work is the transfer of technical expertise to
Mauritanian farmers and villagers.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 9
The AIDS pandemic strikes across all social strata in many
Peace Corps countries. The loss of teachers has crippled
education systems, while illness and disability drains family
income and forces governments and donors to redirect limited
resources from other priorities. The fear and uncertainty AIDS
causes has led to increased domestic violence and stigmatizing
of people living with HIV/AIDS, isolating them from friends and
family and cutting them off from economic opportunities. As
a Volunteer, you will confront these issues on a very personal
level. It is important to be aware of the high emotional toll
that disease, death, and violence can have on Volunteers. As
you strive to integrate into your community, you will develop
relationships with local people who might die during your
service. Because of the AIDS pandemic, some Volunteers will
be regularly meeting with HIV-positive people and working
with training staff, office staff, and host family members
living with AIDS. Volunteers need to prepare themselves to
embrace these relationships in a sensitive and positive manner.
Likewise, malaria and malnutrition, motor vehicle accidents and
other unintentional injuries, domestic violence, and corporal
punishment are problems a Volunteer may confront. You will
need to anticipate these situations and utilize supportive
resources available throughout your training and service to
maintain your own emotional strength so you can continue to
be of service to your community.
10 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 11
C O U N T RY O V E R V I E W :
M A U R I TA N I A AT A G L A N C E
History and Government
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 13
own currency. Ould Daddah fell from power in 1978 when
his agreement to involve Mauritania in the partition of the
former Spanish Sahara led to military defeat in the conflict.
His government was succeeded by a number of military
governments.
14 PEACE CORPS
himself president of the Higher State Council on August 6,
2008, after ousting President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in a
military coup.
Economy
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 15
and herding, remains the main livelihood of Mauritanians.
Since Mauritania is a net importer of food, the steady rise
in the price of oil and its effect on global food commodities
has sharply raised the local price of food staples, negatively
impacting the diet of the majority of Mauritanians.
The severity of the food crisis has not yet elicited local
demonstrations like other parts of Africa.
16 PEACE CORPS
Environment
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 17
stretches south to the marshy areas around the mouth of
the Senegal River. Here, the ocean breezes provide periodic
relief from the heat, although desert winds also bring flies and
sandstorms.
18 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 19
R E S O U R C E L I ST F O R
F U RT H E R I N F O R M ATI O N
Following is a list of websites for additional information
about the Peace Corps and Mauritania, or to connect you to
returned Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind
that although we try to make sure all these links are active
and current, we cannot guarantee it.
www.countrywatch.com
On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in
Nouakchott to information about converting currency from
the dollar to the ouguiya. Just click on Mauritania and go from
there.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Visit this site to learn all you need to know about any country
in the world.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 21
www.state.gov
The U.S. State Departments website issues background
notes periodically about countries around the world. Find
Mauritania and learn more about its social and political
history.
www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm
This site includes links to all the official sites for governments
of countries around the world.
www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical
information about countries around the world. Each country
page contains links to other sites, such as the Library of
Congress, that contain comprehensive historical, social,
and political background.
http://www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/index.asp
This United Nations site allows searches for statistical
information on member states.
www.worldinformation.com
This site provides an additional source of current and
historical information about countries worldwide.
http://www.geocities.com/pcmauritania
This website, created by a Peace Corps/Mauritania Volunteer,
provides basic information about Mauritania and Peace
Corps activities.
http://mr.pcvs.org
This site is maintained by Volunteers currently serving in
Mauritania, who invite you to join them to gather information,
ask questions, and meet your fellow invitees.
22 PEACE CORPS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/peacecorps2
This site hosts a bulletin board where prospective Volunteers
and returned Volunteers can come together.
www.rpcv.org
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made
up of returned Volunteers. On this site you can find links to
all the Web pages of the friends of groups for most countries
of service, made up of former Volunteers who served in those
countries. There are also regional groups who frequently get
together for social events and local Volunteer activities. Or
go straight to the Friends of Mauritania (FORIM) site: www.
forim.org.
www.peacecorpswriters.org
This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers.
It is a monthly online publication of essays and Volunteer
accounts from countries around the world.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 23
International Development Sites About Mauritania
1. United Nations Development Programme in Mauritania
in French: www.undp.mr
Recommended Books
Specific to Mauritania and West Africa:
24 PEACE CORPS
Useful cultural anthropology books
1 Hall, Edward T. The Dance of Life. New York, NY:
Anchor Books/Random House, 1983.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 25
Books on the Volunteer Experience
26 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 27
L I V I N G C O N D I TI O N S A N D
V O L U N T E E R L I F E ST YL E
Communications
Mail
Few countries in the world offer the level of mail service
we consider normal in the United States. If you come here
expecting U.S. standards, you will be in for a lot of frustration.
Mail takes a minimum of two weeks to arrive in Mauritania.
Some mail may simply not arrive, and some letters may arrive
pre-opened or with clipped edges because someone may have
tried to see if any money was inside (this is rare, but it does
happen). Although we do not want to sound too discouraging,
communication can become a very sensitive issue when one is
thousands of miles from family and friends. We think it is best
to forewarn you about the reality of mail service in this part
of the world. Advise your family and friends to number their
letters and to write West Africa, Airmail, and Par Avion
on the envelopes.
People visiting in the U.S. can carry mail back and put it in a
mailbox when they arrive. This is usually quicker and more
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 29
secure than relying on MauriPost. If you want to send mail
this way, bring plenty of U.S. postage stamps with you so
letters are ready to mail upon arrival in the U.S.
Telephones
While local telephone service is becoming more widely available
inside Mauritania, it is still a bit unreliable. Generally, long-
distance service to Europe and North America is good but
expensive. You, your family, and friends should be prepared
to rely mostly on letters and email for communication.
30 PEACE CORPS
Computer, Internet, and E-mail Access
E-mail is available in Nouakchott and in all regional capitals.
Because you will probably have limited access (Volunteers
average a visit to the capital once every month), one option is
to arrange for Volunteer friends posted in sites with Internet
access to print out and send you your email. Most Volunteers
set up a Yahoo, Gmail, or Hotmail account before leaving
home, giving the email address to friends and family. There
is access to the Internet in Mauritania through commercial
outlets in Nouakchott and most regional capitals. Some
governmental organizations in the regional capitals may also
have Internet access and usually are willing to let Volunteers
check their email. DSL (or CDMA wireless) Internet service is
currently available in all but one of Peace Corps/Mauritanias
12 regional satellite offices. It is expected that high-speed
Internet service will continue to expand to larger towns in the
regions.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 31
Unless you are posted to a regional capital, you will most
likely not have running water or electricity. This means you
may collect your water from a well or a borehole and spend
your evenings reading by candle, lantern, or flashlight. You
will need to be very flexible in your housing expectations
as there are no guarantees of available (or continuous)
electricity or water.
32 PEACE CORPS
Most Volunteers find they can live comfortably in Mauritania
with these four allowances, although many Volunteers bring
money (cash or travelers checks) for out-of-country travel.
All Volunteers are strongly discouraged from supplementing
their income with money brought from home. The living
allowance is adequate, and Volunteers are expected to live at
the economic level of their neighbors and colleagues.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 33
sources of protein. However, meeting dietary challenges
is almost always possible if Volunteers are willing to be
resourceful and flexible. Cooking for yourself is always an
option, but will cause you to miss out on the Mauritanian
family experience. In the case of being invited to share a meal
with a Mauritanian family, you will find that your host can be
very accommodating if you explain any restrictions when you
are invited to their home.
Transportation
34 PEACE CORPS
Polisario, supported principally by Algeria. The northern five-
sixths of Mauritania is desertfor the most part uninhabited
(the region known as El Majabaat Koubra). The majority of
Mauritanias interior population lives in the narrow strip of
Sahel and savanna that sits between the Senegal River and
the Sahara Desert. This area of the country generally gets
more rain and is a bit cooler, if more humid. A narrow strip
of savanna near the Senegal River that is used for the majority
of Mauritanias agricultural initiatives quickly gives way to
the more sparsely vegetated Sahel. Farther north is the
Sahara Desert, which stretches to Mauritanias northern
and eastern borders.
Mauritania has three main seasons: the hot season from April
to July, the rainy season from August to November, and the
cold season from December to March. Keep in mind that hot,
cold, and rainy are relative terms and that seasons probably
do not vary as much as the ones you are used to in the United
States.
Social Activities
Social activities will vary depending on where you are located
and may include taking part in local ceremonies like weddings
or baptisms, storytelling, and parties and dances. Some
Volunteers visit nearby Volunteers during the weekends or
make an occasional trip to the capital, although it is expected
that Volunteers will remain at their sites to accomplish the
second Peace Corps goal of cultural exchange.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 35
will be assigned to a Mauritanian government ministry, and
you are expected to dress and behave as your colleagues do.
While some of your counterparts may dress in seemingly worn
or shabby clothes, this is because of economics rather than
choice. The likelihood is that they are wearing their best.
Personal Safety
36 PEACE CORPS
having a limited understanding of local language and culture,
and being perceived as well-off are some of the factors that
can put a Volunteer at risk. Many Volunteers experience
varying degrees of unwanted attention and harassment.
Petty thefts and burglaries are not uncommon, and incidents
of physical and sexual assault do occur, although most
Volunteers complete their two years of service without
personal security incidents. The Peace Corps has established
procedures and policies designed to help Volunteers reduce
their risks and enhance their safety and security. These
procedures and policies, in addition to safety training, will
be provided once you arrive in Mauritania. At the same time,
you are expected to take responsibility for your safety and
well-being.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 37
have a hand, even if just a small one, in shaping how some
of the worlds neediest people live. At the same time, the
world has been given a personal view of individual Americans
putting their ideals to work.
38 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 39
PEACE CORPS
TRAI N I N G
Overview of Pre-Service Training
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 41
scheduled intervals. This training approach allows you to
experience the realities of living and working in Mauritania
while still in training.
Technical Training
Technical training prepares you to work in Mauritania by
building on the skills you already have and by helping you to
develop new skills in a manner appropriate to the needs of
the country. The Peace Corps staff, Mauritanian experts, and
current Volunteers conduct the training program. Training
places great emphasis on learning how to transfer the skills
you currently have to the community in which you will serve
as a Volunteer.
Language Training
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that language skills
are the key to personal and professional satisfaction during
42 PEACE CORPS
your service. These skills are critical to your job performance,
they help you integrate into your community, and they can
ease your personal adaptation to the new surroundings.
Therefore, language instruction is at the heart of the training
program, and you must successfully meet minimum language
requirements to complete training and be invited to become
a Volunteer. Experienced Mauritanian language instructors
teach formal language classes six days a week in small classes
of three to five people. The Mauritanian languages are also
introduced in the health, culture, and technical components
of training.
Cross-Cultural Training
As part of your pre-service training, you will live with a
Mauritanian host family. This experience is designed to ease
your transition to life at your site. Families have gone through
an orientation conducted by the Peace Corps staff to explain
the purpose of the pre-service training program and to assist
them in helping you adapt to living in Mauritania. Many
Volunteers form strong and lasting friendships with their host
families.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 43
Cross-cultural and community development also will be
covered in your pre-service training to help improve your skills
of perception, communication, and facilitation. Topics such
as community mobilization, conflict resolution, gender and
development, and traditional and political structures are also
addressed.
Health Training
During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical
training and information. You are expected to practice
preventive health care and to take responsibility for your
own health by adhering to all medical policies. As a trainee,
you are required to attend all medical sessions. The topics
include preventive health measures and minor and major
medical issues that you might encounter while in Mauritania.
Nutrition, mental health, safety and security, setting up a
safe living compound, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS and other
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are also covered.
Safety Training
During the required safety training sessions, you will learn
how to adopt a lifestyle that reduces risk in your home, at
work, and during your travels. You will also learn appropriate,
effective strategies for coping with unwanted attention and
about your individual responsibility for promoting safety
throughout your service.
44 PEACE CORPS
During your service, there are usually three training events.
The titles and objectives for those trainings are as follows:
In-service training: Provides an opportunity for
Volunteers to upgrade their technical, language,
and project development skills while sharing their
experiences and reaffirming their commitment after
having served for three to six months.
Early Term Reconnect and Midterm Reconnect (done
in conjunction with the technical sector in-service
training): Helps Volunteers review their first quarter
and first year. These sessions also help Volunteers
reassess their personal and project objectives and plan
for their second year of service.
Close-of-service conference: Prepares Volunteers for
their future after Peace Corps service and reviews their
respective projects and personal experiences.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 45
Y O U R H E A LTH C A R E A N D
S A F E T Y I N M A U R ITA N I A
The Peace Corps highest priority is maintaining the good
health and safety of each Volunteer. Peace Corps medical
programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative,
approach to illness. The Peace Corps in Mauritania maintains
a clinic with two full-time and one part-time Peace Corps
medical officers (PCMOs), who take care of Volunteers
primary health care needs. Additional medical services,
such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in
Mauritania at local hospitals. If you become seriously ill, you
will be transported either to an American standard medical
facility in the region or to the United States.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 47
tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid, and rabies. Amoebic dysentery
and giardia can be avoided by thoroughly washing fruits and
vegetables and either boiling your drinking water, using a
water filter or using chlorine to treat your water. Additionally,
by not swimming or bathing in freshwater lakes, ponds, and
rivers, you can avoid contracting schistosomiasis.
48 PEACE CORPS
Maintaining Your Health
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 49
you will be sent home; there is no appeal. Volunteers are not
permitted to operate or ride on motorcycles as a passenger.
50 PEACE CORPS
Womens Health Information
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 51
Aqua tabs (water disinfectant)
Band-Aids
Betadine wound/skin disinfectant
Butterfly closures
Condoms
Cough drops
Dental floss
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Eye wash or eye drops
Gauze pads (sterile)
Gloves
Hydrocortisone cream 1%
Ibuprofen, 400 mg. tablets
Insect repellent
Lip balm
Malaria smear kit
Mefloquine or Doxycycline
MIF stool sample kit
Multivitamin
Oral rehydration salts
Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Scissors
Throat lozenges
Tweezers
Whistle
52 PEACE CORPS
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your
physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office
of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update
your records.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 53
might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about
carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with youa pair and
a spare, both with your current prescription. If a pair breaks,
the Peace Corps will replace it, using the information your
doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form
during your examination. To reduce your risk of developing a
serious infection or other eye disease, we discourage you from
using contact lenses during your Peace Corps service. Most
Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and
sanitation to support eye care with the use of contact lenses.
The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or
associated solutions unless their use has been recommended
by an ophthalmologist for a specific medical condition and the
Peace Corps Office of Medical Services has given approval.
54 PEACE CORPS
environment, a limited understanding of the local language
and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American
are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk.
Property theft and burglaries are not uncommon. Incidents
of physical and sexual assault do occur, although almost all
Volunteers complete their two years of service without serious
personal safety problems. In addition, more than 83 percent
of Volunteers surveyed in the 2008 Peace Corps Volunteer
Survey say they would join the Peace Corps again.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 55
for crimes against Volunteers, many of which can be avoided
with appropriate actions. Assaults consist of physical and
sexual assaults committed against Volunteers; property crimes
include robbery, burglary, theft, and vandalism.
Location: Most assaults (53 percent) occurred when
Volunteers were in public areas (e.g., street, park, beach,
public buildings). Specifically, 36 percent of assaults took
place when Volunteers were away from their sites. Most
property crimes occurred in the Volunteers residence or
another Volunteers residence, followed closely by public
areas. Forty-eight percent of property crimes occurred
when Volunteers were away from their sites
Time: Assaults usually took place during the evening,
between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. though the single hour with
the largest percentage of assaults was 1:00 a.m.(8 percent)
Property crimes were more common in the middle of the
day, from noon to 9 p.m.
Day: Assaults and property crimes were more commonly
reported on weekends (48 percent and 49 percent,
respectively).
Absence of others: Assaults and property crimes (64
percent and 53 percent, respectively) occured more
frequently when the Volunteer was alone.
Relationship to assailant: In most assaults and property
crimes (64 percent and 85 percent), the Volunteer did not
know or could not identify the assailant.
Consumption of alcohol: 23 percent of all assaults and 4
percent of all property crimes involved alcohol consumption
by Volunteers and/or assailants.
Risk factors can vary within countries throughout the world
that are served by the Peace Corps. A Volunteer in Mauritania
may face risks specific to this country in addition to risks
associated with living in a developing country.
56 PEACE CORPS
Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
Before and during service, your training will address these
areas of concern so that you can reduce the risks you face.
For example, here are some strategies Volunteers employ:
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 57
Support from Staff
In March 2003, the Peace Corps created the Office of
Safety and Security with its mission to foster improved
communication, coordination, oversight, and accountability of
all Peace Corps safety and security efforts. This office is led
by an associate director for safety and security who reports to
the Peace Corps Director and includes divisions which focus
on Volunteer safety and overseas security and crime statistics
and analysis.
If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident,
Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace
Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents
of crime committed against Volunteers. The first priority
for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure
the Volunteer is safe and receiving medical treatment as
needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace
Corps staff members provide support by reassessing the
Volunteers worksite and housing arrangements and making
any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the
incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace
Corps staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their
rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the
crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as
they occur, not only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also
to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers
decide later in the process that they want to proceed with the
prosecution of their assailant, this option may no longer exist
if the evidence of the event has not been preserved at the
time of the incident.
58 PEACE CORPS
of safety incidents reported by Peace Corps Volunteers/
trainees in Mauritania as compared to all other Africa
programs as a whole, from 20022006. It is presented to you
in a somewhat technical manner for statistical accuracy.
To fully appreciate the collected data below, an explanation of
the graph is provided as follows:
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of
crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee population.
It is expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer
and trainee years (or V/T years, which is a measure of 12 full
months of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to
compare crime data across countries. An incident is a
1The average numbers of incidents are in parenthesis and equal the average
reported assaults for each year between 20032007.
2Incident rates equal the number of assaults per 100 Volunteers and trainees
per year (V/T years). Since most sexual assaults occur against females, only
female V/Ts are calculated in rapes and other sexual assaults. Numbers of
incidents are approximate due to rounding.
3Data collection for MAURITANIA began as of 2003; due to the small number
of V/T years, incidence rates should be interpreted with caution.
Prior to CIRF and prior to 2006, Other Sexual Assaults were termed Minor
Sexual Assault. and Other Physical Assaults were termed Minor Physical
Assault per ANSS definitions.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 59
specific offense, per Peace Corps' classification of offenses,
and may involve one or more Volunteer/trainee victims. For
example, if two Volunteers are robbed at the same time and
place, this is classified as one robbery incident.
60 PEACE CORPS
to coordinate with local police and prosecutors. One of our
tasks is to ensure you are fully informed of your options and
understand how the local legal process works. We are here to
provide support and assistance every step of the way. Peace
Corps will help you ensure your rights are protected to the
fullest extent possible under the laws of the country.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 61
even adults can be troublesome. Volunteers are sometimes
subjected to overt sexual comments, persistent demands
for money or a visa for the United States, intense pressure
to convert to Islam, being called derogatory names, or
harassment based on race or nationality. This tends to happen
more often in larger cities where the Volunteer is not as well-
known. Strategies for dealing and coping with harassment are
covered during pre-service training.
62 PEACE CORPS
procedures. Serving safely and effectively in Mauritania
may require that you accept some restrictions on your current
lifestyle.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 63
capacity of Peace Corps to keep you informed is your buy-in
to the partnership concept with the Peace Corps staff. It is
expected that you will do your part in ensuring that Peace
Corps staff members are kept apprised of your movements
in-country so that they are capable of informing you.
64 PEACE CORPS
and submit a site locator form with your address, contact
information, and a map to your house. If there is a security
threat, Volunteers in Mauritania will gather at predetermined
locations until the situation resolves itself or the Peace Corps
decides to evacuate.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 65
D I V E R S IT Y A N D C R O S S-
C U LT U R A L I S S U E S
In fulfilling the Peace Corps mandate to share the face of
America with our host countries, we are making special
efforts to see that all of Americas richness is reflected in
the Volunteer corps. More Americans of color are serving
in todays Peace Corps than at any time in recent years.
Differences in race, ethnic background, age, religion, and
sexual orientation are expected and welcomed among our
Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps mission is to help dispel
any notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and
to establish that each of us is as thoroughly American as the
other despite our many differences. Our diversity helps us
accomplish that goal.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 67
In order to ease the transition and adapt to life in Mauritania,
you may need to make some temporary, yet fundamental
compromises in how you present yourself as an American and
as an individual. For example, female trainees and Volunteers
may not be able to exercise the independence available to
them in the United States; political discussions need to be
handled with great care; and some of your personal beliefs
may best remain undisclosed. You need to develop techniques
and personal strategies for coping with these and other
limitations. The Peace Corps staff will lead diversity and
sensitivity discussions during your pre-service training and
will be on call to provide support, but the challenge ultimately
will be your own.
68 PEACE CORPS
Mauritanian women have held ministerial positions and
other influential roles in the national government. However,
Mauritanian society is still very much male dominated. Female
Volunteers will find that many men (for cultural reasons)
refuse to shake their hands. They might also find that they
need to work harder than male Volunteers to get respect from
counterparts and other community members. In addition, as a
result of stereotypes perpetuated by Western movies and the
inferences made about women living alone, female Volunteers
may find themselves the regular target of overt sexual
advances and marriage proposals.
Volunteer Comments
Being a woman in Mauritania has its advantages and
disadvantages. In Moorish culture, women are taken care
of. Theyre helped a lot more than men are. They are highly
valued by men and treated with respect. Female Volunteers
are given certain privileges that male Volunteers arent. I
wouldnt have to do anything if I didnt want to. Theres
always a guy in my family or circle of friends ready to help
me out. At the same time, I can do any of those things if I so
choose. The biggest disadvantage for me is the dress code.
I dont like wearing skirts, and I dont like putting things
on my head. But the advantages definitely outweigh the
disadvantages. Wearing a skirt and covering my head are
small sacrifices to make.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 69
ethnic groups), and host country nationals are often shocked
when the Volunteer does not speak their language.
70 PEACE CORPS
Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers
As homosexuality is forbidden in the Koran, most
Mauritanians believe that same-sex relationships are wrong.
While this may not be surprising, what is confusing is the
fact that Mauritanian men and women tend to be more
physically affectionate with members of their own gender
than with the opposite sex. This should not be taken as a sign
that homosexual relationships are accepted. Even the most
open-minded Mauritanians judge gays and lesbians rather
harshly. Many even refuse to admit that homosexuality exists
in this country. While this is certainly not the case, most gay
and lesbian Volunteers have found that they are not able to
be open about their sexual orientation. Another challenge
is finding peer support. While Peace Corps/Mauritania is
committed to supporting diversity, it is a relatively small
program, and gay, lesbian, and bisexual Volunteers may serve
for two years without meeting other openly gay Volunteers.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 71
Volunteer Comments
Every time I go to the boutique near my house, I run
into my landlords son. Hes a friendly enough guy, but Im
starting to dread encountering him. Whenever I see him,
he keeps trying to engage me in long, tiresome discussions
about Islam versus Christianity. He always asks me if
Ive read the Koran yet, because I made the mistake of
promising once to read it. I know that he means well, and
hes certainly not overly pushy about trying to convert me,
but frankly, I feel like my religion is my own business. Im
not religious at all, although my family is Christian. Given
that Im not practicing, I dont like feeling that I have to
defend a religion that I dont really even believe in.
72 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 73
FR E Q U E NTLY AS KE D Q U E STI O N S
How much luggage will I be allowed to bring to Mauritania?
Most airlines have baggage size and weight limits and assess
charges for transport of baggage that exceeds this allowance.
The Peace Corps has its own size and weight limits and will
not pay the cost of transport for baggage that exceeds these
limits. The authorized baggage allowance is two checked
pieces of luggage with combined dimensions of both pieces
not to exceed 107 inches (length + width + height) and a
carry-on bag with dimensions of no more than 45 inches.
Checked baggage should not exceed 80 pounds total, with a
maximum weight allowance of 50 pounds for any one bag.
Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets,
weapons, explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios
are permitted), automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas
assignments. Do not pack flammable materials or liquids
such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol
containers. This is an important safety precaution.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 75
When can I take vacation and have people visit me?
Each Volunteer accrues two vacation days per month of
service (excluding training). Leave may not be taken during
training, the first three months of service, or the last three
months of service, except in conjunction with an authorized
emergency leave. Family and friends are welcome to visit
you after pre-service training and the first three months of
service as long as their stay does not interfere with your work.
Extended stays at your site are not encouraged and may
require permission from your country director. The Peace
Corps is not able to provide your visitors with visa or
travel assistance.
76 PEACE CORPS
What should I bring as gifts for Mauritania friends and my
host family?
This is not a requirement. A token of friendship is sufficient.
Some gift suggestions include knickknacks for the house;
pictures, books, or calendars of American scenes; small
flashlights, frames, or photo albums; souvenirs from your
area; or photos to give away.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 77
Can I call home from Mauritania?
Yes. It is usually possible to call family and friends in the
United States from telephone boutiques or cellphones in
larger towns, regional capitals, or Nouakchott. When calling
home, dial 001 before dialing the area code and the phone
number. Instruct your family and friends to dial 011-222 and
then your local phone number when calling Mauritania.
78 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 79
W E L C O M E L E T TE R S
F R O M M A U R ITA N I A
V O LU NTE E R S
Dear New Volunteers,
Working as an agroforestry Volunteer in Mauritania has
involved just as much learning as teaching. Among an
endless list, I have especially learned about my strengths,
my weaknesses, my tolerance, my patience, my humorand
I have learned there is much I do not know, much I do not
understand, and still much I have to discover. I have also
managed to do some agricultural work. I served for two years
in a small Wolof community near the Senegal River, under a
new aliasand living an almost completely different life than
the one that now seems so distant from the land of tea and
tents and dunes and donkeys.
I have struggled with language, with understanding cultural
norms, and with feelings of alienation. I have laughed at
myself and been laughed at. Through observation, I have
come to understand the intricate workings of my village, the
politics, and the family dynamics. Most days I spend working
alongside the women in the community garden, helping them
complete their daily chores before a nice long afternoon
siesta. During this time, we hide from the sun in the shade
to talk, laugh, eat, drink, and nap. Sometimes I have the
opportunity to teach them something for their benefitabout
the Moringa tree, nutrition, food preservation, or hand
washingand sometimes they take this opportunity to teach
me a thing or two.
Ninety percent of my community has not received an
education past ninth grade, but they know more about life and
living and this land than one can ever discover in a textbook. I
admire and respect those with whom I work and live for their
courage, perseverance, and optimism. We have learned a lot
from each other and have had some invaluable exchanges.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 81
No words or books will prepare you adequately for the two
years you are about to spend in Mauritania. A Volunteers
job description varies for everyone, factoring in geographic
location, ethnic group, sex, etc. Your experience will be
unique, and I hope you embrace it with both arms and all your
heart. I wish you the best of luck!
Amy Helmick
82 PEACE CORPS
So, be prepared for some extraordinary discoveries...and
bring good music.
Bonne Chance!
Robyn Fink
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 83
here are so great that you can find a niche for any of your
interests, hobbies, or skills. There is a lot of freedom in the
program, allowing you to develop and use your imagination
and creativity. The Peace Corps is very supportive and
encourages new approaches. So dont be discouraged by all
of the information in print. Come to see for yourselves. Its
a truly wonderful place to be a part of, and I cant think of a
better way to spend two years.
Anne Dolan
Dear Trainees,
I remember all too easily the excitement and anxiety of
preparing for unknown adventures in a far-off land. As I am
now in my second year of service, I can attest that the tedious
application process, the difficulty of leaving home, and the
challenges of establishing yourself in a foreign country are
worth it. The rewards are too numerous to count.
Those challenges in adjusting are not to be disregarded; if
ever the old adage about challenges building character were
applicable, it is here. Dealing with the initial overwhelming
differences between Mauritania and home can cause sensory
overload. Youll be surprised to find that a day spent sipping
tea and conversing in your newly adopted language
leaves you wiped out! Adaptation is a slow process and very
demanding of your enthusiasm and flexibility. Have patience
it all comes together when you least expect it. Unwittingly,
you will be pushing your own limits and breaking out of your
comfort zone; in retrospect, youll be amazed at how much
youve grown and learned.
By the time you are reading this, I will have wrapped up
my service as a water sanitation Volunteer in a Soninke
village and as a cross-cultural trainer. It feels like yesterday
that I was dropped off in my village and apprehensive about
my immediate future as a Volunteer. Yet somewhere along
the way, Mauritania became my home away from home,
and the Volunteers and Mauritanians with whom I live and
84 PEACE CORPS
work became my extended family. There is so much that I
will miss: my host mom making sure that Ive had more than
enough to eat, joking around with my host brother, group
meals and holidays with other Volunteers, being trapped in
my house during a thunderstorm, sleeping under the stars
on clear nights, rambling off extensive greetings in Soninke,
midday naps during the hot season, and the excited look
on my villagers faces as the concepts Ive been explaining
finally click. Given time, Im sure youll have equally fulfilling
experiences.
In the meantime, dont stress about packingeverybody
always overpacks. (But as seasoned Volunteers, were not
kidding about the Kool-Aidits a valuable commodity over
here!). For a little more insight (into the Mauritanian culture),
I would recommend reading Dancing Skeletons by Katherine
A. Dettwyler. Its a short book of about 150 pages that I just
finished reading myself. The author, in writing about her work
in rural Mali, gives an accurate description of her environment
and an honest account of a well-adjusted American living in
West Africa. If I substitute Mauritania for Mali, Nouakchott for
Bamako, and any local language for Bambara, I would swear
she was writing about Mauritania!
Most importantly, come with an open mind, a positive
attitude, and an extra supply of patience. You wont regret it!
Amy Schoeffield
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 85
work in even the most remote places. I had the luck to assist
two health tours recently. My village, Aoujeft, which I once
considered small, now seems like a metropolis after spending
time in many settlements of maybe two or three families.
The work possibilities in the Adrar are endless. There
are ongoing health projects that concern basic health care,
endemic maladies (e.g., cholera and Guinea worm), and
training of health personnel. Some exciting projects going on
include the agricultural extension program under the Ministry
of Rural Development and Environment, dune stabilization
efforts, date palm management, irrigation experimentation,
and biological controls. For those interested in enterprise
activities, there are various small credit projects and
marketing ventures throughout the area.
The Moors are renowned for their hospitality. Any time
one stops to visit, the guest gets the best the host has to
offercool zriig (a drink made of fermented goat milk and
sugar), the traditional tea, and depending on the time of day,
a share in a steaming platter of rice or couscous. Spending
time chatting with the locals, stretched out on a matlastea
glass in handis one of my favorite pastimes. Most folks are
friendly, curious about things, and often big jokesters. Some
evenings, when I partake in the nightly couscous bowl with
my Aoujeft family, we play endless pranks on each other and
end up laughing the evening away. Its a lifestyle I admire
greatly here, and that, I suppose, is the key to me ensuring
a good Peace Corps experience in Mauritania. Integration is
wonderful!
Often in the evenings, I rest in the doorway of my rock
house that is perched on the western slope of an escarpment
and gaze at the surrounding terrain in the purple-orange light
of dusk. First there are the dunes (some over 100 feet high)
that surround Aoujeft, then there are the winding networks
of palmeries and gardens, and in the distance, the comforting
presence of mountains and mesas. The silence is pervasive
sand muffles noisethe landscape is unforgettable. The
86 PEACE CORPS
people are robust. The dates are plentiful. The mutton is
succulent. The incense is exotic and marvelous. The music
hypnotizing. The night sky brilliant Hope to see you soon.
Elizabeth Desser
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 87
something. I am currently working on tree-planting projects
with a local primary school and a womens cooperative, and I
give technical advice to a number of area growers.
Additionally, an Internet cafe just opened in Rosso, so I
find myself giving Internet courses some evenings, or as is
sometimes the case, lessons on how to use a mouse. Volunteer
service can take on an immense variety of shapes and forms,
each contributing in different ways both to the community
and to the Volunteer.
You are probably wondering what to pack. On some days,
it feels warmer than warm, so a refrigerator would be nice,
or a swimming pool. Seriously, though, the packing list the
Peace Corps provided was good. I havent used the hiking
boots I brought yet, but Ive worn through my second pair
of Birkenstock sandals. A pair of both Birks and Tevas or
other slip-ons might not be excessive. I would recommend
durable work clothes of in-between colors (darker to hide
stains, lighter to reflect sun). I suggest, in addition to the
dressy Nouakchott duds, that you also bring some shirts
with collars or other clothes, as Mauritanians pay a good
deal of attention to dress, means permitting, and you will
be expected to dress more professionally in your regional
capitals and in Nouakchott. You can find relaxed clothes here
in-country, so take out a T-shirt and throw in a wrinkle-free
collared shirt. Bring favorite (or new) movies on videocassette
for times spent in Nouakchott. Think some about flexibility of
expectations and of belongings! My pullover fleece has done
double duty as both a pillow and in keeping me warm (and it
does get cold here sometimes). And while packing, be sure
to dust off your sense of humor and adventure, and toss em
in the bag. They are bound to be among the best things you
bring, though they may get a bit dirty or worn as a result of
your experiences here. Maybe relax about the whole packing
thing now, and instead use your time and/or any handy
implements to extract promises from your family and friends
88 PEACE CORPS
to send you what you need as each of you individually figures
that out.
Again, welcome and peace,
Eric Burlingame
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 89
My home is an ethnically-mixed community situated across
an oasis from a semiurban center. I speak the Moor language
but live with a Pulaar family. I live in the middle of the desert
but my family fishes in the oasis. The day-to-day interactions
can be exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. The
cultural differences are my desert of frustration, as well as
my well of inspiration. Life here is a paradox, an exercise in
contrast.
The transition from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle is the
overarching challenge facing Mauritanians. Volunteers perform
a wide variety of tasks to overcome some of these obstacles.
As an agroforestry Volunteer, I work to improve nutrition
through the promotion of gardening and the introduction of
beneficial trees; I help to protect and restore the declining
environment, and to encourage self-reliance through capacity
building and community development.
I am also a Master's International (MI) Volunteer through
Cornell University. My focus is to help document local history
to develop a case study on the success and failure of specific
development projects. I spend a lot of time in my community
discussing health and environmental issues. In everything I
do, I attempt to foster self-confidence and trust among the
different tribes with the hope of diminishing their reliance on
foreign aid.
Two years may seem daunting; no books or previous life
experiences can prepare you for service. Simply taking
each day, one day at a time is the best mantra. Peace Corps
provided me with a chance to see the world and to be apart of
a community experiencing a very unique version of life, a life I
would have otherwise never known. A life I will never forget.
Best of luck in setting out on your new adventure!
Ginger Tissier
90 PEACE CORPS
NOTES
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 91
P A C K I N G L I ST
This list has been compiled by Volunteers
serving in Mauritania and is based on their experience (the
items with an asterisk, in particular, were recommended by
Volunteers as sanity savers during training). Use it as an
informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that
each experience is individual. There is no perfect list! You can
always have things sent to you later. You obviously cannot
bring everything we mention, so consider those items that
make the most sense to you personally and professionally.
As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have an
80-pound weight restriction on baggage. And remember, you
can get almost everything you need in Mauritania.
General Clothing
Three to five cotton T-shirts with sleeves
Two to three nice-looking dress shirts (for men,
with a collar)
One to two pairs of shorts (to sleep in or to wear
during organized sporting events; note that shorts
are not worn by men or women in public)
One pair utility/work pants or jeans
One to two sweaters or sweatshirts/polar fleece
for the cold season
Bathing suit
One or two sets of dress clothes and nice shoes
(e.g., good-looking dress or pair of pants, a collared
shirt, and optional tie) for swearing-in ceremony,
embassy, other official functions and holidays. Do not
bring a sports coat or anything that needs dry cleaning.
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 93
One or two hats/baseball caps (also a popular gift
item for men!)
Three or four cotton bandannas or other cotton
scarves (very handy for all sorts of things)*
Extra cotton underwear (boxer shorts and bras)
For Men:
One extremely adjustable belt (Volunteers typically
lose weight)
Four to five pairs of neat lightweight cotton pants
(khakis, Dockers, not jeans)
For Women:
Five to six long (ankle-length), full skirts and one or
two cotton slips (full-length skirts with pockets are
the best). Do not bring skirts that are see-through if
you hate wearing a slip. Also, test run the skirt: See
if you can sit comfortably cross-legged on the floor
while wearing it.
One to two full-length dresses with sleeves that at least
reach mid-arm. Bring a style that you really like as
tailors here can make duplicates. Again, test run the
dress to make sure you can sit comfortably on the floor
cross-legged. Note that Mauritanian women rarely
wear pants
Three month-supply of sanitary pads/tampons, beauty
products that make you feel good such as moisturizer,
makeup, hair conditioner, antiperspirant, jewelry (that
you will not mind losing or giving away)
94 PEACE CORPS
Sports bras (for running and bumpy car rides), scarves
(to keep your hair out of the dust)
Shoes
Sturdy sandals that offer support for your feet (e.g.,
Tevas or Birkenstocks).* Note: every time you enter a
room, you must take off your shoes. This will probably
happen several times a day, so we recommend that you
bring sandals or slip-on/backless shoes (Rubber flip-
flops can be bought here for about $1.)
One pair of quality work shoes or cross-trainer shoes,
particularly for health and agriculture Volunteers.
One pair of athletic shoes (for recreational purposes);
avoid sneakers with air bubble support systems; they
will be punctured easily on this terrain.
Two to three pairs of cotton socks (most time is spent
in sandals)
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 95
Kitchen
Instant drink mixes *(Kool-Aid, Crystal Lite, Gatorade;
similar local variations are available in Mauritania)
Spices (cinnamon, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, bouillon
cubes, and curry are easy to find here; combination
Indian, Mexican, or Chinese spices and things like
lemon pepper, seasoned salts [e.g., garlic salt], cilantro,
dill, and rosemary are not available)
Powdered sauce packets for pasta, salad dressings, etc.,
instant flavored oatmeal packets, pancake mix, soup
mixes, cake/Jell-O/pudding, hot cocoa mix (in short,
anything that only requires added water/milk/oil)
A good sharp cooking knife
Small plastic containers to store food (hard to find
here), measuring spoons, spatula, good vegetable
peeler, coffee press or gold filter
Big plastic bags (i.e., zip-closed or press-closed) are
useful for keeping out dust and sand; they are not
available here
Clif, Luna or other protein bars*
Miscellaneous
Internal frame backpack (for travel within country and
after service)
Day pack/small backpack/canvas bag/sack. Note: zippers
can break quickly because of the sand.
Summer sleeping bag (rated 20-25 degrees Farenheit;
very compactit does get cold at night during half the
year, plus a sleeping bag is handy for travel)
Free-standing mosquito net/tent with a floor and zipper
entry (e.g., Epco Tropic Screen II* (This can be found
at www.campmor.com; alternatives can be found at
www.LongRoad.com.
96 PEACE CORPS
Lightweight stadium or camp chair
10 ID photos (You are required to to have four photos
upon arrival in Mauritania)
One to two pairs dark sunglasses (sturdy and cheap),
prescription if necessary
Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool*
Money belt or other way of carrying valuables safely
American stamps for mailing letters (they can be hand
carried back to the United States by various travelers)
Address book and backup copy (do not forget e-mail
addresses)
Two sturdy water bottles (e.g., Nalgene); a wide-mouth
one liter and another big model. Note that you can
expect to drink 4-8 liters of water each day
Cross-stitch, knitting needles, or some other kind of
craft for downtime (if this a hobby for you)
Extra batteries (solar battery recharger and
rechargeable batteries).* Note that C batteries are
hard to find; A, AA, and D are available
Games: chess, checkers, Othello, Frisbee, backgammon,
hackeysack, jump rope, baseball and glove, Uno, LAX
stick and ball (good sports equipment and hobby
supplies are hard to come by)
Photos of family, friends, baby pictures, and scenery of
America and home (check for cultural appropriateness:
avoid bathing suits, alcohol, etc.)
Calendar, Christmas cards, thank-you notes, and nice
stationery (airmail envelopes and graph paper are
readily available, but airmail and lined paper are not)
Journals and good writing pens, pencils, and permanent
marker* (e.g., Sharpie)
Padded envelopes for sending stuff home, like film
Good pair of scissors (small pair included in medical
kit); hair-cutting scissors are a plus!
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 97
Pillow*(especially the small, camping-type pillow)
and good-quality cotton bedsheets or towels; they
are available here (and you get some from the Peace
Corps) but are expensive and not good quality
Combination lock* (key locks are available in-country),
at least two for better security
Duct tape or strong clear tape*
Sewing kit
Cheap toys for kidsballoons, crayons, coloring books,
stickers, yo-yos, bubbles (but giving too many gifts may
cause problems)
MapsUnited States, North/West Africa, world, star
chart
Posters for room dcor
Paperbacksbut do not overload; there is an extensive
library here
Musical instruments (highly encouraged, but will take a
beating from sand and dust; if taking a guitar, be sure to
bring it in a hard case and buy extra strings)
Checkbookcan be helpful if you want to mail-order
things from the United States
Datebook/planner
Small, inexpensive personal items that make you feel at
home (photos, picture frames, etc.)
Catalog of American clothes to show tailors for clothing
designs
Lightweight, water-resistant windbreaker
Seeds for your personal garden
West Africa travel guide
Scented candles/incense
Two pairs of sunglasses you can afford to lose*
98 PEACE CORPS
Electronic Gadgets
Your favorite music on CD (CDs will get scratched from
the sand, so make copies and leave the originals at home)
or MP3 player/iPod (West African music is available, but
is not of the same quality you get in the United States)
MP3 player/iPod/Cassette recorder/CD player*
(waterproof is good)
Satellite or shortwave radio (for listening to BBC and
Voice of America)*
One to two headlamps or flashlights with replacement
bulbs and extra batteries (see note above).
One to two sturdy but inexpensive watches
(waterproof; leather or nylon bands last longer
than plastic)
Digital Camerawith a dustproof case and backup
batteries
Laptop computermany Volunteers have found having
a personal laptop beneficial to their work.
USB flash drive/ memory stick for storing electronic
documents (CDs and floppy disks are not a practical
means of data storage in Mauritanian conditions)
A WE LC O M E B O O K MAU R ITAN IA 99
Community health/water and sanitation Volunteers might
consider bringing:
Sturdy boots for work (leather is advisable, not canvas)
Leather gloves for working with mud
Work trousers (jeans or duck cloth)
Family
Notify family that they can call Peace Corps Office of
Special Services at any time if there is a critical illness
or death of a family member (telephone number:
800.424.8580, extension 1470.
Give the Peace Corps On the Home Front booklet to
family and friends.
Passport/Travel
Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork
for the Peace Corps passport and visas.
Verify that luggage meets the size and weight limits for
international travel.
Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after
your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will
expire three months after you finish your service, so
if you plan to travel longer, you will need a regular
passport.)
Health Insurance
Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage.
Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage
while away. (Even though the Peace Corps is
responsible for your health care during Peace Corps
service overseas, it is advisable for people who have
pre-existing conditions to arrange for the continuation
of their supplemental health coverage. If there is a
lapse in supplemental health coverage it is difficult
and expensive to be reinstated for insurance. This is
especially true when insurance companies know you
have predictable expenses and are in an upper age
bracket.)
Arrange to continue Medicare coverage if applicable.
Personal Papers
Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.
Personal Effects
Purchase personal property insurance for the time you
leave your home for service overseas until the time you
complete your service and return to the United States.
Financial Management
Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender
or loan service.
Execute a power of attorney for the management of
your property and business.
Arrange for deductions from your readjustment
allowance to pay alimony, child support, and other
debts through the Office of Volunteer Financial
Operations at 800.424.8580, extension 1770.
Place all important papersmortgages, deeds, stocks,
and bondsin a safe deposit box or with an attorney
or other caretaker.
For Direct/
Questions Toll-free Local
About: Staff Extension Number
Responding to Office of
an Invitation Placement
Africa
Region Ext. 1850 202.692.1850
Medical Handled by a
Reimbursements Subcontractor 800.818.8772