Almost 1 year… February 23, 2009

February 23, 2009

Two days before one year…this weekend I am in the Capital City Lilongwe both welcoming the new environment volunteers and writing a VAST proposal in order to run a HIV/AIDS prevention training, 3 awareness rallies, and an open VCT-testing day. I am working with my Community Based Organization on this program and also starting an income generating activity baking bread and scones to be sold in the villages. I also work with a women’s group who has started baking scones in a tray in the ground but they are very successful in selling nonetheless. I am in the process of helping them build an oven made of a 50-gallon drum and bricks. I will also hold a business training next week to teach them how to maximize their profit. This is also the time I can find material to make charcoal from agricultural waste such as maize or sugar cane. This is very important where I am located because I have Liwonde National Park just north of me and Liwonde Forest Reserve south of me. Deforestation is a major issue here in Malawi but instead of cutting people off of what they know we want to provide them with a different option. Those are my major projects, but I also work with 3 different wildlife clubs and a boys football club who meets once a week to talk about HIV/AIDS prevention. As for work that is about it, well there are always those random meetings in different villages to explain what I am doing here and what I can help them with if they want me to.

On a personal note, I am very happy here in Malawi just as I have told you all last year. There are defiantly difficult times but nothing I can’t handle. I have been lucky and not gotten too sick, had too much stolen, or too many lies. Favorite motto here is “such is life” because this is just how life is here and you can’t live in a different culture, country, area and expect the same life. My favorite thing to do here in Malawi is just talking to people in the local language. I played softball and volleyball in Lilongwe last Friday and Saturday, it was such an amazing feeling. It has really been a long time since I got to play sports and I realized how much I miss it. I am still sore although and moving any part of my body hurts but it was well worth it. I just bough a net ball and volleyball today so when I get back I want to start a net ball (like basketball without dribbling) and volleyball team. I think this year I can finally focus on what works for me and what I want to do for work. Last year it was mostly trying out everything and I really felt scatter brained but now I am focused on a few key projects, which makes me so much more motivated and happy. I have to get going to pick up my clothes I had sewn. Thank you all who have helped my projects and I out. I will try to write again soon.

Loves
me