much anticipated february update

After IST I was stuck in the transit house for over a week because I ran out of money and I had to wait until my account was filled to get on back to village. In the meantime I was taking care of my new kitten whose primary function is to kill rats and keep them out of our house and discussing my interest in getting a site change.

I met with my APCD and we worked it out. I went back to my village for a few days and then she called and told me I was getting a site change. The way it's going to work is that I get to keep my house at my site and I will still be doing small projects there but living most of the time in Kayes. I will be living at the transit house which has it's perks, however it's essentially a place where any volunteers can stay whenever they want for how long they want, so there's a lot of traffic, but it comes with electricity, running water, a fan in every room, full kitchen with a refridgerator, tv and dvd player and TWO toilets. City life is a little different from village life and there are many things I'll miss about being there. But I can pretty much go back whenever I want and we already have some ideas for small projects. We're working on a garden project for the pre-school and CSCOM and doing hearths at the CSCOM.

In Kayes, I'll be working with Developpement Sociale, a Malian organization directed at running the boards of directors for the CSCOMs in the Kayes region. We've started working on a project that will train matrones (midwives) on different topics such as female circumcision, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and pre-natal consultations. We're hoping to make it a 3-part training program that will last a year. Meanwhile, Alana Hagney is working on getting a fellowship to come to Mali to do a dental hygiene education campaign. We have a lot of activities going and meanwhile I'm studying French for an hour everyday.

Maybe that doesn't sound like much but trust me, it's hard to learn another language while still trying to figure out another one. When my tutor, who is amazing, has me translate something I think in Bambara first then I can put it into French. One of the problems with Bambara, however, is that it is insufficient for making detailed descriptions, so at the level where I am, I'm not capable of saying certain things. Having some French will help me to describe things. I'm picking up French pretty quickly, it's really wonderful learning a language and being able to walk outside and hear people speaking it.

I want to give a little shout-out to Uncle Art and Aunt Sharon for sending me the most amazing packages!!!

If you want to send things I'm thinking beef jerky and dog treats!

BTW, I have the same mailbox number as before.