As an experienced teacher, Jay worked with Mauritania's Ministry of Education as a curriculum development specialist. He worked on the design and production of a national English syllabus, revising and rewriting existing textbooks, producing English textbooks, teaching English to adults, and teacher training.

       After his first year in Mauritania, Jay was asked by the Peace Corps to revise the existing written materials about Mauritanian culture, so that the new manual could be used for the 2004 training class. You can learn a lot about Mauritanian culture by reading this Cross-Culture Manual.

       After Saidou's wedding (post of 09.13.2004, below) Jay got to thinking about the phenomenon of cousins marrying, which is more the rule than the exception in Mauritania. He wrote an e-mail to Cecil Adams, author of The Straight Dope, and his question was answered in the column a few weeks later.

      In October, 2004 Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez addressed a National Press Club luncheon and announced that Muslim countries were increasingly asking for volunteers. A United Press International reporter interviewed Jay for an article about this topic.

     Many Peace Corps volunteers have stayed with Jay in his apartment in Nouakchott. They have enjoyed his regal surroundings and have named it Chateau Jay. If you would like to take a brief video tour of his apartment, click on Chateau Jay

      Jay wrote about his experiences and posted here. All reports reflect Jay's activities. Opinions are his own and do not represent Peace Corps policy.