the other half...

as i failed to mention in the last post, brian is doing well. besides hating my newly acquired accent, he's enjoying himself and keeping busy with his projects and his burned hair is growing in. He is teaching business classes at the prison (thanks to the lambido for the funding) and is trying to start a project at the local high schools. with the addition of an art club, the students will be able to use their creative skills to start an anti HIV/AIDS mural on the wall, all while getting health related education. he also just started a peer education group with young men who want to learn about HIV. after the sessions, the men can go out into the community and teach others.


we were told that our first three months here would be slow and difficult. they were in fact slow, and it was sometimes challenging to find ways to be useful. but since we've been back from our in service training, things have really picked up for the both of us. french improves a little each day and fulfulde, while not difficult, continues to elude us for the moment. i can tell someone that i am leaving, but not where i am going, i can say that i'm tired, hungry, or scared, but not why. i can tell them i want to buy peanuts or beans, but not tomatoes, bread, peppers or pasta. i can tell a woman that her baby is gaining weight or losing weight, and ask if it has been eating well, but i can't explain the importance of this. Clearly, i need to expand my vocabulary.

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many thanks to everyone who sent packages or letters-everything is much appreciated, especially the parmesan cheese and the audio messages. I've sent out lots of letters and i know people are finally starting to get them. If i havent sent you one, its probably because i don't have your addres. So, if you get that to me, I can write. Better yet, if you write to me, I promise to write you back. There is nothing like getting to the city and finding a letter in your mail box.


In other news, the Hillery clan is coming to visit. Yes, all of them. Even little Thommy. Then we're off to France where the Warnings will be waiting to spoil us with gifts. Very excited. (tip: the phrase 'je suis excite'- I am excited - means sexually excited. I've made that mistake more than once).