Just had crazy talent show yesterday with all volunteers. We made fools of ourselves in front of our families, and partners we'd coordinated with in kilosa. Our group did a song about ugali, the corn starchy food that most everyone eats for lunch or dinner everyday...and to the tune of Baby Got Back - pretty funny. We needed a good laugh after all our final exams and intensely long days prior to leaving for our sites!
We're currently being oversaturated with safety and security, medical, and activities upon arrival-to-site information. Only 2 more days of training until swearing in ceremony on Wednesday to become true volunteers!!! I'm excited to address everyone (Mabwana na Mabibi!) with a introductary welcome message in Swahili (have a lot to work on with my language teacher, but looking forward to it).
In addition to the stressful days of late, we've been a bit down this week b/c we've lost our first volunteer. Our oldest volunteer, Ed, had to return back to jis home state of Maine for ankle surgery :(. I'm especially sad b/c he was like a mentor to me....such a wise, solid man - an inspiration to us all. He left his wife back home, so I'm sure she's relieved, but little does she know, he's already planning his return to Tanzania! He hopes to go through surgery and recover with physical therapy as quickly as possible to join the next training group. He will be missed...
Other news - recently requested with the leadership of a current volunteer, Stefanie, the opportunity to attend and participate in the Nairobi Marathon on October 23. I would participate with 5 other current volunteers (including my friend Thais -- http://thaisinafrica.blogspot.com -- together as a "PCV Health Team." Our aim is two-fold: to promote AIDS awareness and girls’ empowerment. To accomplish our first goal we plan to wear team t-shirts with health messages, place signs up at the event, and talk to participants and fans during the marathon. In addition we will be discussing AIDS and general health issues with our students and communities, along with demonstrating a positive way to promote health through physical activity.
For the second objective, we hope to encourage women and girls to exercise and showing that women are able to complete in a difficult event like a marathon. By observing our example, we hope to begin to eliminate the gender bias regarding exercise and physical activity in Tanzanian rural communities. Both sexes need to understand the importance of overall health and women need the confidence and motivation to exercise—physical activity through sport should not be just a male hobby.
This is right on with ALL I feel passionate about (i.e. girls' empowerment, using sports as a tool for cultural exchange in order to share HIV/AIDS information and life skills - similar to Grassroots' Soccer Mission), but it's going to take quite a coup to get approval since we'll (Thais and I) just be moving into our new sites! Hope at least the other 3 current volunteers will get approval.
*Nice - friend Ali, current volunteer in Njombe, just texted me yesterday to inform me she found brownie mix and frosted flakes near my bus stop! Sweet, huh? It's the little things in Peace Corps!!!
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I had diner with your Dad the other night, and as usual, he spent a great deal of time barging about his wonderful daughter and the great work that she is doing in Africa. It is hard to disagree with him. You are doing incredible things. If you are going to be training for a Marathon, however, you will need a couple of pairs of good running shoes as well as various other running supplies. As a runner, presently training for a Marathon as well, it would be my pleasure to send you a care package. I would consider it my small contribution towards your admirable goals. Please let your Dad know what you will need.
Sincerely,
Richard J Martin
RJM70501@AOL.COM
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