I've been at my site for almost 3 months now! Yay! Very soon I will be reporting for my second part of training which will take place right before Christmas. Here's a quick overview of what my life has been like the last 3 months:
-I photographed my family slaughtering a goat for Tobaski, then enjoyed its meat for the next 2 days.
-I prayed with my community on Tobaski and wore a traditional outfit including a shawl over my head, much to everyone's delight.
-We had a drum and dance circle at my compound one day, and the next several days was complimented by countless people on my "dancing" ...haha. Alison, I need you to help me figure out how they move that way! I know I looked like an idiot but I'm glad they appreciate that I'm trying.
-Helped my wife/partner in crime/neighbor Rachel with a portion of Peace Corps' HIV/AIDS bike trek that took place in her village. So happy that kids are being educated on this sensitive but important issue.
-Started working at my little school, which has an Early Childhood Development program, very much in the works at this point, and grades 1-6. There's a lot of work to be done, starting with getting a teacher for each class to be posted at our school. Still waiting for a grade 5 teacher.
-Informally started teaching some gymnastics to kids in my village. One kid already beat me in a handwalking contest and can do a running front flip. (scared me half to death when he showed me!)
-Went to a friend's naming ceremony for his newborn baby girl, got to hold her for a little bit. So sweet!
-I've made friends with the rat and lizards that live in my house, but have also decided to adopt a kitten which I will have in late December and will be a huge help getting rid of those other creatures, who of course I will miss dearly.
-Started reading to a little girl in my compound who's in ECD. She asks me every day to read to her now.
-Started organizing the very small library of books at my school with one of the teachers.
-Watched a goat give birth right outside my window.
-Successfully baked my famous chocolate chip cookies here for Thanksgiving! And they tasted pretty damn good.
Those are some of the highlights. Thanks so much for all the kind words of encouragement and support in all the ways it's given! I'm loving life in the African bush. Every time I leave my site I can't wait to get back to my school and family. I've fallen in love with this little part of the world that I now like to call home.
Love and peace and Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. Shout out to my big sister who's getting ready to have her 2nd daughter. I wish you all the best. Keep me updated!
-I photographed my family slaughtering a goat for Tobaski, then enjoyed its meat for the next 2 days.
-I prayed with my community on Tobaski and wore a traditional outfit including a shawl over my head, much to everyone's delight.
-We had a drum and dance circle at my compound one day, and the next several days was complimented by countless people on my "dancing" ...haha. Alison, I need you to help me figure out how they move that way! I know I looked like an idiot but I'm glad they appreciate that I'm trying.
-Helped my wife/partner in crime/neighbor Rachel with a portion of Peace Corps' HIV/AIDS bike trek that took place in her village. So happy that kids are being educated on this sensitive but important issue.
-Started working at my little school, which has an Early Childhood Development program, very much in the works at this point, and grades 1-6. There's a lot of work to be done, starting with getting a teacher for each class to be posted at our school. Still waiting for a grade 5 teacher.
-Informally started teaching some gymnastics to kids in my village. One kid already beat me in a handwalking contest and can do a running front flip. (scared me half to death when he showed me!)
-Went to a friend's naming ceremony for his newborn baby girl, got to hold her for a little bit. So sweet!
-I've made friends with the rat and lizards that live in my house, but have also decided to adopt a kitten which I will have in late December and will be a huge help getting rid of those other creatures, who of course I will miss dearly.
-Started reading to a little girl in my compound who's in ECD. She asks me every day to read to her now.
-Started organizing the very small library of books at my school with one of the teachers.
-Watched a goat give birth right outside my window.
-Successfully baked my famous chocolate chip cookies here for Thanksgiving! And they tasted pretty damn good.
Those are some of the highlights. Thanks so much for all the kind words of encouragement and support in all the ways it's given! I'm loving life in the African bush. Every time I leave my site I can't wait to get back to my school and family. I've fallen in love with this little part of the world that I now like to call home.
Love and peace and Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. Shout out to my big sister who's getting ready to have her 2nd daughter. I wish you all the best. Keep me updated!
