Thanksgiving

Originally I was only going to send this to my family, but I thought I would share it with whoever reads this.

First, I want to say how hard it is being away this holiday season and that I appreciate all the support from back home. I miss all my family and friends very much, and love all of you dearly. I think about each one of you everyday.

Things I am thankful for-

1. During my site visit to Tete, I visited a PCV who started a day school for young children. This program started when she met a couple who had a similar interest and desire for such a program. They are not getting paid. All the money they have for this program goes strictly to food for the children during the day. The children are being taught English and Portuguese, along with English Christmas songs. The place was not like any day care center in the U.S. The buildings were made of tin and there was a small area with swings. I think the PCV told me they helped build it themselves. If it werent for this couple these children may not have this opportunity.

2. This week I visited an orphanage for girls about just over an hour outside Namaacha. As soon as we arrived, all the girls got in a group and sang to us. This particular orphanage was a place where the girls learned how to cook, work in a garden, clean, and sew and make crafts. They also have a new building for schooling. This orphanage was started and is funded by a Moz woman who is independently wealthy, and was an orphan herself.

Let us all be thankful for people like this in the world.

Yesterday Peace Corps and all its people celebrated Thanksgiving. It was a pretty sweet day. I finally got my site assigment information. Its crazy to think that I JUST found out where exactly Ill be going, and what exactly Ill be doing. But hey, you gotta have a little faith to do this, right?

I will be moving to Xai Xai, which is the provincial capital of Gaza province. It is located right by the beach. Its only 3 to 4 hours north of Maputo. My good friend Emily will be stationed only 10 minutes away from me! I will be working with an organization called ICAP. International Care and Treatment Program.  ICAP is based in the hospital and works on patient treatment adherence and home based care and implements community activities with families led by activistas. In the letter the former PCV sent me, she said theres an orphanage or childrens center, along with offices of World Vision, Save the Children, and FGH (I think) located in Xai Xai. So I am sure my next two years will be a great learning experience. My site description also suggested I learn a local language, which I was already planning. The day before yesterday, I told my host family that I just may end up learning their dialect, Chengana, if Im in the south. And sure enough, I am! They were really excited and tried to already teach me a few phrases, I think that was more for entertainment than anything. Ha. So in about two weeks, Ill be off to Xai Xai.

Stay tuned to se what the next two years has in store for me!