Sunday, July 27, 2008

Can't wait to come home!!

So I'm coming home September 16th and I am so excited to see everyone!! The thorn is out of my foot and I went to the dentist and I'm all better. I'll be home for 3 weeks, and I don't know if I will have a cell phone or not, so everyone send me a message on Facebook or my blog and let me know if you'll be around Glenwood/Omaha/Iowa City at that time! Can't wait to see you all!!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Update from the States-Katie's Mom

Katie is planning a visit home in September! We're all very anxious to see her. Her 1st anniversary in Niger is upcoming, which is also exciting.
In notes home recently she mentioned that she is suffering from TMJ and has stepped on a thorn bush that will probably need medical attention.
The Chateau project still needs funding which is discouraging for her, but we have some great news too that Katie is unaware of...........
She mentioned that the villagers suffer from cataracts at young ages and would like to take sunglasses back with her when she returns to Niger after her visit. She has asked me to collect discarded sunglasses from our friends. I just spoke with the manufacturers of Edge eye wear and they are generously donating 4 dozen sunglasses for Katie to distribute to her villagers! I've added a link to their site to Katie's blog. Thanks for your support and prayers. Katie's MOM

July 27, 2007-1st letter home

I just got to Africa today and its very different. It doesn't feel like I'm across the ocean or on another continent, more like the begining of camp. We met some PCV's that have been here for a year andthy are all happy & love being here.
We are all staying at the Peace Corps camp tonight & tomorrow night and then Sunday we move in with our adoptive families who we'll be living with for all 3 months of training.
I don't know how much I'll like the training, but I'm excited to be sworn in and move to my village.
There are 3 groups of volunteers; the ed, municipal and health.
I'm sleeping under a mosquito net outside right now & its not too hot. We have showers & flush toilets here but won't when we move on Sunday.
We passed a bunch of villages on our way to Hamdallay for training & there are tons of cute little babies, so I'm really excited to get language over so we can actually do our jobs.
Some things I could use that I didn't bring are
coloring books, Chaco sandals
colored pencils/sharpeners
soccer balls
a head lamp
Some earings w/studs (b/c I found out we can wear them)
rubber bands-caus I lose them a lot

Traditional Costumes

Traditional Costumes
Our Adoptive mom dressed us

Me and Erin

Me and Kellie at Training facility

Pond that forms during Rainy Season

The Village