Amber's Adventures in the Mountain Kingdom of Africa

Vacay with Mom & Dad

2009-03-29T01:52:00.000-07:00

So...I posted new pictures from vacation with Mom & Dad in southern Africa. We spent a quality 3 weeks together and it was fantastic. I'm hoping the pictures will speak for themselves, as I stink at blog writing. It's just too much technology at once!!
<3 Am

I don't think I'll ever be a professional blogger...

2009-01-31T01:50:00.000-08:00

I know I'm horrible at updating this silly thing, but I do make sure to update my pictures. I just never feel like using precious computer time to type up thoughts about my Peace Corps emotional roller coaster when I'm in Maseru... Just talk to me when I come home. In 6 months.

Anyway, LOOK AT MY PICASA PICTURES> I made a new album especially for pictures of Ryan & Krista's trip to visit me here in Lesotho and South AFrica!

Khotso,
<3 Am

BBC Story: In Lesotho

2008-11-11T08:27:00.000-08:00

BBC AIDS diary, following the lives of seven Basotho affected by HIV for the next six months:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7697831.stm

A blog that's actually updated would be nice, hey?

2008-11-08T03:52:00.000-08:00

The latest and greatest:

After I set my alarm clock for 530am, then 630am and STILL NO ELECTION RESULTS on the BBC, I set it once more for 8am and that's when I officially found out that Mr. Obama will be our next president starting in January 2009!!! I was so excited that people in my village probably thought I was crazy. (As if they don't already...) Anyway, I had no idea how close the race was actually going to be, seeing as I don't have live 24-hour TV coverage and only very in-and-out BBC stations. All in all, I was proud to hear the results and proud of young, American voters. Well, proud of ALL voters actually. And thank goodness for BBC. (Just ask my Mom how much I refer to comments or book reviews or World HAve your Say talk shows that are featured on BBC. Yes, it's my only REGULAR source of news.)

On another note, the playground has begun. I bought half of the materials and decided to take on Miss Carpenter Professional role. So, I've rolled up my sleeves: cut a tire in half with both a handsaw and a hacksaw, cut mapalanka (2x4's) and hammered a few nails. So, check out what we came up with as our first playground piece. Balance boards. A bunch of new pics are posted my Picasa Web Album page, which I think there is a link for on this blog...somewhere. Anyhow, check them out and tell me what you think so far...

Also, does anyone have any information or suggestions for A) treating wood, B) covering logs with tar? before burying them underground (think swingset poles), C) using a hand drill, and D) what material besides Sand, Woodchips or Rubber that I could use as a shock absorber fior protection purposes underneath the equipment.

THANK YOU to ALL the DONORS!!! This wouldn't have been possible without you!

Stay in touch in whatever way possible (I still love snailmail the best). Or email, phone call, skype text, or FB.

Stay well "sala hantle"

<3>

Looking more like spring time every day...

2008-08-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

So, I must say that I have read Casey's blog and she goes into much more detail than I do about our Moz trip. She does history and background and personal reflection. I didn't do that. I was (and maybe still am) on a vacation high and felt the need to recap every single moment of every single day while on vacay. But I tried to break it up with random pictures....???

Anyway, I am doing well. I am finished training trainees. Wow, they swear in next week already. Time really does fly here. I just finished another training workshop for myself. PSN = Peer Support Network. Which means I'm a good listener for others who need it. I've never had formal active listening training -- there's much more to it than I every thought. I could never be a psychologist or psychiatrist. Sometimes I can't seem to filter the sarcastic comments. ?? Don't know where that comes from.

So I'm headed back to site tomorrow. Hopefully the kids will all be back again. It's so weird and quiet without them. Oh so I FINALLY turned in the grant application for the playground. Hopefully things will move quicker versus slower. I already got two swings from my dad. He and mom mailed them with a bunch of Blowpops. Loved it all!! I realized i'm just not much of a grant-applying person. It's sort of an internal struggle, when considering the foundation and ideals of PEACE CORPS as a whole. So I kept putting it off and off and off...Anyhow, go to this website and search "Lesotho" or my name to see if anything's posted yet (I just assume my country director and D.C. will approve it...?):

https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.donatenow&#

I'm also excited that Abigail has returned too. My partner in crime in Ha Makhata. If that's even possible in a village. Really though, I always feel more motivated when she's around.

It's official. The length of daylight is getting longer every day now in Lesotho. We have made it past the long day of darkness/middle of winter hump. Thank goodness. Don't get me wrong. Late at night and early in the morning the temperature is still NOT acceptable. But, the fact that springtime is coming means rainshowers and greener Lesotho. And wife beaters and sunscreen and my Keens sans wool socks. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT WILL OFFICIALLY BE ONE YEAR that I am a PCV in 2 weeks??!!!?? I can't. I can but I can't. It's the weirdest thing in the world. Well, the whole concept of time is different and that's what makes it so weird. Makes me scared to think about home and what I'll do when I return. Had a few people COS (finish) the same time I was in Moz. People I actually worked with and got kinda close to. There's no reality like saying goodbye to someone you may never see again in your life, but always have this bond that nobody else understands. Ahhhhh, I can tell already I'll be a sappy RPCV.

Okay, congratulations to everyone who has gotten engaged that I know. I feel like it's....mmm...ohh....50% of EVERYONE i'm friends with... Changes. 25-30 must be the ideal 'changes in your life' time. Ahhh you really wouldn't understand what I'm referring to unless you've ridden in a Lesotho taxi with that particular song blaring...Anyway, i'm happy for you all!

Love the fam and close friends! I think of you often.

Ryan&Krista&Mom&Dad: In 4-6 months, I'll be seeing you all.
John and Yoli and Blake - In March/April??? We'll talk and figure it out, John.

<3 Am

Mozambique Vacay

2008-07-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Maybe-not-so-brief synopsis of Lesotho 2007 Permaculture crew’s vacation to Mozambique:

July 16: Maseru Bridge Border crossing Detainment! Thank goodness for Ted, Rich and Lereko. Pam is, wait WAS, an illegal foreigner in South Africa. R1500 charge. Rich was TOO NICE and drove us to Bloem. Drove (well i RODE) all the way to Nelspruit, amid all the construction stops on the back way, when Casey freaked out KJ with children of the corn scares every time. OH and by the way, ROCKS are equivalent to orange construction cones in Africa. Just BTW. 2 twin beds in a small room with an open shower + 6'0 girl with 5'1" girl spooning in same bed + hotel man calling at 1am (me being unable to produce a LIE) and saying he'd "carry this burden" = very laughable situation!

July 17: From Nelspruit, we drove to the Mozambique border. On the way, Pam spotted a giraffe, so we got out and took pictures for FREE!!! We met Jose, who helped us across the border, although when he used the word 'baby', we were highly skeptical. We got to Maputo after a few wrong turns, found NO working Standard Banks and then made our way on the long drive to Tofo. Viv (the name of our rental car) found a great parking spot deep in the sand just inside the back entrance at Fatima's Nest (which by the way was the only reservation we actually kept -- well 75% -- the entire trip) in the middle of the camping area. She stayed there for the night. After that, we had dinner and much-needed wine.

July 18: Tofo Beach, swimming in the Indian Ocean, walked into town to check out the food and craft market, Dinner at Fatima's, wine by Fire, no s'mores =( So, what exactly is the difference between "now now", "right now" and "now"?

July 19: Tofo Walked to Tofinho (break point) beach early in morning. Saw weird blue sea creature washed up on shore with transparent wing/fin -- some kind of jellyfish?; Amazed by the blowholes on the reef. Had 5 guard dogs on beach all day long. "Chunky TrampStamp" We saw a Ring of Fire and then Pam, KJ and I tried to push Viv up the main entrance (deep sand) to Turtle Cove along with small children and a woman with baby on back, but no cigar! We had to find the back way. Dinner - the OH SO GOOD King Mackerel! Within 5 minutes, we all started wondering how we could switch backpacker places that VERY NIGHT!! (And of course we could have made that happen because as American we are * EFFICIENT!) These are all the things that wooed us: Party Size Family Room, Mint Chocolate Dessert, Pancakes as dessert, little (maybe deaf) weiner dog and old dog on dog bed, hammocks and chill feel to the place. Later: Missing Tooth Construction Guy who was adamant that "Darby" ? is a U.S. state and his big WhiSTLE WHISTLE drunk old man friend that fell off the bench and then kept calling me Santa Maria. (?) Can't forget the piece of door lock on our little bungalow that ended up causing me and KJ to head butt just once.

July 20: Tofo Relocated to the Family Room in Turtle Cove; Drove to Inhambane town for Chelete (money in Sesotho) there are pin numbers for VISA cards???!!! Real coffee at the Surf Rental place; the four of us plus KJ's surfboard inside Viv (VW CitiGolf) = interesting sight; Chilled on beach; Yellowy toxic-looking foam at high tide, but I wasn't too alarmed because I've been exposed to brown toxicity my whole life on Sagnasty River; yummy pasta dinner with wine; WE NEEDED marshmallows but could find them NOWHERE!!

July 21: Tofo OBRIGADA = female Thank you in Portuguese by the way. Long walk (9 miles?) to a really cheap lighthouse in Barra. Yummy schwarmas for lunch at Dino's. Quick swim/bath(?) at high tide; Bartered for custom-made wooden fish at craft market; Barracuda kabobs + Drostdy-Hof wine == Mmmmmmmmm

July 22: TofoàVilankulo Driving/Riding + potholes galore + 2 flat tires + speeding ticket (flats & ticket happened in same sixty minutes) + man named Usted taking us to town to fix tires (tube and patch) to not get ripped off; Bought Much needed man cans of Beer in Bulk; Dolphin Dhow; Bedbugs?; Euchre; Lecture from Junior to Casey about NO FLUSH T.P.!

July 23: Vilankulo Snorkel trip to Magaruque Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago with three South African men, MeTu and other Mozambiquan. (Bartrem, MeTu is jailbait!) Wonderful lunch of grilled Barracuda, crabs, fresh fruit, salad. Saw a mini octopus(?), eel, pretty angelfish; Started out battling the current, then completely calm on Round #2. One Really low HAHAHA laugh started us all on a laughing spiff, which caused Pam to choke on snorkel and saltwater and just the sight of me smiling in my mask (pushing my cheeks and lips funny) caused Casey to nonstop laugh and almost choke!!! Checked out seine-fishing and put up sail and shut off engine on way home; had braai dinner with RSA men. Malawi snake eyes talk.

July 24: VilankuloàTofo Long, bumpy drive, but Viv handled better (Pam drove). Wheel started to shake A LOT after 90 kmh though. ?? Crossed the Tropic of Capricorn. Took dirt road shortcut. Nick let us Move into three person room at TC for VERY CHEAP RATE. Two lunches = Dino’s + bunny chow + donut + samoas. Manica ManCans and being buttholes playing Euchre. Good reminiscing with Bartrem. HAHA

July 25: Tofo Last day in Tofo. Watched blowholes, surfers, dolphins, KJ fall in hole in reef; Nick apology (ManCans); Last delectable dinner at TurtleCove; dancing at Bamboozi after live Spanish singer music (Turtle Cove took over!); Accidentally encouraged boy to talk to me while making faces at Casey when she was being hit on by ganja/dread man; Pierre doesn’t discriminate, except with women’s smells; Pam forgot to put in gear, so pushing car with other helpers completely unnecessary!; hitching in back of truck because dogs had front seats for ride home – barely avoided tree trunk collisions; Tipo Tinto too much??!!

July 26: TofoàMaputo First thing in morning: Almost ran over Pam’s foot & broke car door off, Casey oblivious to it all!!; my puking on side of road; all four of us peeing on roadside; waiting 2 hours to check in at Maputo backpackers; Ugly Fatima dogs; Floating buttcrack & BobMarley paintings while eating fresh Stonefish dinner!!; Hot Mosa man; Paying 100 Mtc to fake? cop for doing illegal U-turn; showering under strobe lights in flooded WaterCloset; Viv’s endless car alarm sounds.

July 27: MaputoàNelspruitàJoburg Being blocked in front of driveway for one hour, waking everyone up at 6am, hating orange Kia owners, moving under Chach’s bad English/Portuguese macho directions; “We are all strong. We just pick up the car and move it over. Maximum!” Took five minutes to do Entire Border crossing (May have failed to notice the MoAgric sign though); Flat tire #3; Pam & Casey should be employed by Nascar and have overalls and earmuffs they move so fast! Got lost with all the “robot” directions. Blinker stopped bwinking. Rental Car #2 (Sylvester) at airport from really nice agency lady. Made American “efficient” timing while shopping at Nelspruit mall. Took scenic route (near “Vaterfall”) because horrific accident. Got lost outside Joburg looking for Gladiator street near ABSA?? Wonderful dorms, but OH SO COLD compared to Moz!! Casey did amazing driving IN Joburg because of backpacker owner’s amazing highway directions; Smog near Soweto! McDonald’s lunch and breaking car key before returning Sylvester and being undercharged?; One Hitch all the way to Lesotho border – all four of us got picked up within 20 minutes!

I must have gotten half of a dozen concussions throughout the whole trip – I hit my head on things THAT much!! Coming soon: “12 days of Moz” song

……And we’re all still laughing about everything...and like each other!! HA I love Peace Corps!!!

<3>

Hmmm...10 Facts to Ponder...

2008-06-17T05:16:00.000-07:00

The World Health Organization recently issued a list of 10 facts about the global health workforce, tocoincide with the First Global Forum on Human Resources for Health, held this month, 2-7 March, inKampala, Uganda.

What do you think of these facts? What would you change or add to these facts?

Here are the 10 Facts:

Fact 1 - Health workers work
Health workers are people whose main activities enhance health. They include health care providers and people who manage and support delivery systems. Worldwide, there are 59.8 million health workers. Without them, prevention and treatment of disease and advances in health care would not reach those in need.

Fact 2 - Shortage of health workers
In 2006, WHO stated that a country with less than 2.3 doctors, nurses and midwives per 100 000 people is undergoing a critical health worker shortage. This is the case in 57 countries (36 of which are in sub-Saharan Africa).

Fact 3 - One million health workers missing in Africa
The global health worker shortfall is over 4.2 million, with 1 million health workers needed for Africa alone.

Fact 4 - Sub-Saharan Africa has 25% of the global disease burden
Sub-Saharan Africa faces the greatest challenges. It has 11% of the world's population and carries 25% of the global disease burden. Yet the region has only 3% of the global health workforce and accounts for less than 1% of health expenditures worldwide.

Fact 5 - Americas have 10% of the global disease burden
In comparison, North America and South America, which together have 14% of the world's population but only 10% of the global disease burden, employ 37% of the global health workforce and are responsible for over 50% of the global health expenditure.

Fact 6 - Pandemics
Many factors have led to the health workforce crisis, including growing economic disparities between countries and upsurges in new and old pandemics. Such pandemics pose special challenges to workers; for example, HIV/AIDS is a 'triple threat' to health workers, causing far bigger workloads, psychological stress, and the daily risk of HIV infection.

Fact 7 - Innovative trainings
Training a nurse takes at least three years; training a doctor can take more than six. If action to expand the health workforce is taken now, effects will only begin to be felt years later. Innovative methods (distance learning, task shifting or community health worker programmes) can shorten this delay effect, but there is no "quick fix" to this problem.

Fact 8 - Migration
Health worker migration is increasing due to disparities in working conditions, wages and career opportunities. One in four doctors and one in 20 nurses trained in Africa later migrate to work in more developed countries. In Africa and some Asian countries, a public sector physician's monthly wage can be less than US$ 100; in higher resource countries, monthly salaries can exceed US$ 14 000.

Fact 9 - Funding
WHO estimates that a rapid health workforce scale-up by 2015 would cost US$ 447 million on average per country per year. WHO advocates for 25% of the US$ 12 billion (2004 figure) devoted to international health aid to be spent on the health workforce.

Fact 10 - Global Health Workforce Alliance
The health workforce issue crosses many sectors – no single entity can successfully address it on its own. The Global Health Workforce Alliance has brought together a coalition of health leaders, civil society and workers to explore solutions to this crisis at the first Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Kampala, Uganda in March 2008.

I made it back!!

2008-05-22T11:10:00.001-07:00

So I made it backn to Lesotho alive. Don't ever fly internationally on United if you are over 5'5". Forreal. The seatback of the chair ahead of me was permanently part of both my kneecaps for 8 hours. So after arriving in London and getting to spend an 8 hour layover there, I found a very comfortable looking row of four chairs and slept on and off for a good portion of that time. It was no pillow-top mattress though!

London to Joburg was fantastic on South AFrican Air. No. Really. There is so much more room! [Ryan and Krista: Avoid United. Find SAA.] I think I watched a total of 5 new movies. Weird how I can never sleep on long flights, but on the short 45 minute ones, I fall asleep before we even get to the runway...

I came back to a warm greeting at the office in Maseru. And then got bombarded with questions about looms to sell, meetings to have in my district, HIV questionnaires, training materials...and emails from people who I work with at my center -- WHERE ARE YOU??? I NEED YOU BACK FOR MY OWN SANITY!!!

And then Casey treated me to a cup of freshly made Ricoffy (yeah i'm pretty sure it wasn't real coffee). Thanks buddy =) You're welcome for the Cafe Verona.

I've been working on playground grant stuff all day today...just a couple more trips to CashBuild and price quotes and conversations with my supervisor and a signature from my country director! I slept for about 12 hours, but I'm still off. It feels like it should be mid-day right now. Instead it's 830pm and I haven't eaten dinner yet.

Hope everything's still well at home. "Be safe. Be vigilant." (That's the Peace Corps SEcurity mantra here...)

Deb, I can't search the WantAds in the Bay City Times for that perfect dancing job for you anymore! It's up to you now. Hmp. Thanks for actually saving popcorn balls for me. They were ALL GONE by the time I landed in Joburg!

Oh and thanks for the American Idol update this morning, Mom. =)

Dad, did you take the 55 for another test run this week yet? Without all four brakes locking up???

<3
Am

Kea Leboha! (Thank you)

2008-05-19T09:21:00.001-07:00

I just want to thank all the people that were there for me when I came home for Gram's funeral. I actually came home for my Dad and family, but it was nice to have other people to lean on too. Face time is so important. I don't know how many times I told Kim, but that's one of the biggest things I've learned while in Lesotho. There's a difference between knowing friends and family will always be there -- and when they are ACTUALLY there (in person) to show that they care. It wasn't an easy visit back to the States, but just BEing with family and friends made it so worth it. I'm no poet, so it's hard for me to capture this all in words.

Please just know that I appreciate everyone that I saw and got to talk to while I was home. As my mom would say, I'm a 'lucky duck' for being blessed so richly.

See you in 15-ish months!

<3 Am

2008-05-19T09:19:00.001-07:00

Goll, I'll never live down the Ashlee Simpson CD night. Especially now with a video revolving all around that! =) Thanks Billiam!

<3 Am

A couple pics

2008-04-21T10:04:00.001-07:00

My donkey for the day, Hlanya, and I in Semonkong

Some of the Standard 5 class at Phelisanong

Please check my facebook site for more updated pictures -- its too much time to upload pics twice!!! Love and miss you all!

P.S. Video due to reach the States soon, including my center and me talking about some of what I've been doing the past 10 months...Talk to Gary and Joyce...

Love you with all my hearts mom and dad

<3 Am

3.26

2008-03-25T23:28:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter! Posted a few more pics.

<3 and miss you all

Am

Mid March

2008-03-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

So, the past few days have been pretty fabulous. We had a permie re-unite down in Quthing, at KJ's ridiculously too big and too nice house. We met her students, bought some solar-baked bread (delectable!) ate good food (after hours of trying to 'grill' hamburgers), discussed Lizzie's recipe book, went for a hike, saw cave paintings, developed cosmos predictions, at even MORE good KJ-made food, shared ideas for future nutrition booklets, boated it back across the river, and then spent quality time with Miss Drunk M'e on the sprinter the whole 3 hours from Mohale's Hoek... Oh Lesotho!!

I have been trying to compile a Nutrition booklet for my center's cooking staff. I'm gathering info on food groups, dehydration, vitamins, recipes (in both English and Sesotho), and (protein and carb-added diets for HIV positive people. We'll see how it goes... Might need some help, Lizzie. =)

Again, everybody, thanks for all the packages and mail. (I have two more in Pitseng and it kills me when I get the slips in the P.O. box and I have to wait until the actual office is open to find out what they are!!) By the way, I binge-wrote some letters last weekend. So be on the lookout for a Lesotho-stamped envelope coming your way. I'm trying to improve with my replies to people...

I'm really REALLY glad my parents FINALLY received the box I mailed from Ficksburg!! I know the elephant is kinda hippyish looking Gram & Deb & Mandi & Chris, but it's funky and it's from Swaziland =) Hope everyone else likes their small, VERY delayed Christmas surprises.

I don't really know how to react to hearing about deaths from home. I mean, I cannot actually do anything to alter life's course if I were home. But it's just DIFFERENT to be so far away and hear about it. Maybe it's because I am so far away that it all doesn't really ring true in my mind. It doesn't hit close to home, because I'm not at home? I just accept it now. Life and death happen. It could be that I've been in Lesotho long enough and so I have become a little more insensitive, and I probably sound very selfish. But, I can't really stop living my life to make sure I'm home for everything. Yes, I guess I have gotten to be a bit more insensitive. Sorry. It's the truth about how I feel though. Really, Dickie is better off. Much better off. And that's what I focus on. I feel weird mentioning the more recent one because I haven't spoken to my Mom yet. She was the one who knew him best. But it does make me think of Grandma Lila. <3 Anyway, know that I do love you Mom & Dad & Ryan and I do wish that I was home sometimes, just to BE there.

Okay, serious moment just passed.

I'm very suprised by how many people read this, and how many letters and cards I get that say people read about my adventures. It's amazing. Really.

Salang hantle

<3 Am

I wonder if that worked...

2008-02-28T06:47:00.000-08:00

So I don't know how these pictures will post -- I wanted to fit in text by each individual one, but I stink when it comes to figuring things out computer-related when I am on a time limit...Sorry! Anyway, the first one goes out to my mom and dad -- Thanks for the bday present!!! They fit TOO nice huh?? Numero dos: Mother and daughter volunteer duo and me in my hut after their going away dinner & caramel corn gift 3: Me & my new purchase for myself 4: the national (or should be) flower of Lesotho
<3 Am

Jan/Feb. Update

2008-02-09T23:47:00.000-08:00

So just a few recent happenings in my village:

I organized an HIV testing day at my center for last week. That one, along with another unplanned visit by a clinic and its testers, allowed for some relief. There were 75 people in total tested, and 73 were NEGATIVE!!! Huge. And so relieving. For real. I was brainstorming with my supervisor and other volunteers how we would be working out an ARV schedule and education and ARV buddies and clinic transport for visits...Now it's only two people, which is plenty do-able.

I miss Ausi Tsepiso. That brat left Lesotho to go travel around South Africa's coast and now she's in Ethiopia (I think). Then India. Then she will end up home in Israel around June. I'm jealous, but not, because I'm sure she's spending a boat load of money...and that's something I can't do. But either way, I still wish she was here some days. To say funny things and laugh and complain together.

My parents are coming to visit!!!! March of 2009!!! I'm excited. It will be a very touristy visit, but that's okay. They will be coming to southern Africa, a place I'm sure they will not visit twice in their lives! They're the best.

Thanks for the birthday boxes, Judy, Ashley, and Mom & Dad & Obi!! Judy, all the Snickers are now gone, as well as the pretzels. I only shared with two other people. (I'm quite the stingy one when it comes to Snickers...) I even remember the secret candy drawer where you ALWAYS had a stash of them in your kitchen... =) Ash, like I said in my text, my fingertips were throbbing one night. I'll have to start putting tape on them or something. The smelly reeds and pic are cool too. My house smells good and the pic is magnetically sticking on my heater -- I don't exactly have a frig to stick it on...! =) Mom & Dad: You know I brought my pink blanket here, but didn't have room for my pillow when I was packing way back in June. And now I have them both here!!! Thanks!! The M&M's were enjoyed by many other volunteers, as I set them in the middle of the four computers when we were here ALL DAY, and later we all had the worst stomach aches!!! And the speakers and book and little slipper/booties/moo-moo boots? Thanks for thinking of me!!

Pevel, I love the pictures of Leila and the letter, and especially the hair bands and BubbleYum! I hope you got my text. And yeah, don't try to text back. It only worked with one person in the past. And he had Nextel. And I think it was a fluke anyway. But now, you can only text me with Skype. Which is awesome, but I don't know how much it is. No worries. I <3 snail mail the best!!!

Anyway, I must khotso out! Stay well and Happy New Year's and Happy MArdi Gras &...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM AND SARA MELICK!!!!!!!! Ha ha you're both older than me!! =)

<3 Am

My latest news...

2008-01-20T01:18:00.000-08:00

So, it's been a while since I've said anything of substance. I only come into Maseru for short amounts of time, and chances are when I'm here, many other volunteers are here for the same reason...and we ALL want to use the internet...and we only have 4 computers! So, that means my time is limited!

Anyhow, the whole past 6 weeks (or more) have been holiday time in Lesotho. All of the kids at my center left back in the beginning of December and they are returning tomorrow -- thank goodness!! I didn't realize how much I miss them!! Also, school starts back up on Tuesday (or Wednesday?), so there will be the daily buzz of students and teachers and parents meetings. Of course the garden workers are there every day, and there is a group of men at the project right now finishing up the other school building. We also have a rotation of men building a pig house, as well as re-modeling the kitchen so some of the older disabled youth have a larger area to live in. My latest activities have involved planning a CPA visit (and possible employment opportunity for the project), setting up an HIV testing day for all the residents of my center, still thinking about that playground, and (on a personal note) teaching myself to play my newly purchased guitar. Pretty soon, thanks to CF Kidd and my mother, I will have MCAT study books and materials, so they will occupy some of my down time as well...I've thought A LOT about my future in the recent past. So just thought I'd update you all. I'll try to do it more often. If anyone would be interested in donating to my playground project for my disabled center, let me know! I know many of you have asked about ways to contribute while I'm here...just an idea...

I think of home quite often, but I am truly having a satisfying experience here in Lesotho. The other day another PCV told me that she could tell my work is satisfying here, and I never verbalized that to her. So it's obviously the truth. But I'll never forget my roots! =)

<3 Am

2008 Already??

2008-01-03T01:40:00.000-08:00

So holidays in Lesotho are a bit slow, as far as work goes. Only because EVERYONE'S family comes back to their home villages to hang out and have family time. Therefore, not much work is done. Simply lot of food-making, eating, and merry drinking. Being that I wasn't going to miss much at my work site and most other volunteers are in the same boat, we decided to skip our host country's holiday celebration by visiting neighboring RSA...

After being in landlocked Lesotho, the ocean and its waves and the sandy beach were an extremely refreshing site to see (even causing tears for some...KJ). We all took turns getting burnt, NOT SO MUCH trying to surf because A) it was WAY too expensive & B) it was WAY too windy, walking into the little town of Cintsa, drinking chocolate milkshakes that taste like ColdStone Cake Batter, hanging out with Tom our roommate and his random witch cackle laugh, playing bartender -- which meant 200 Rand (accidentally) worth of drinks being given away..., DANCING, volleyball with wine breaks, getting LOST on the way to East London, taking FOREVER to find a place to eat at 4pm on NYE -- ending up at Guido's -- with incredible service and Pensioner's special (Jen), doing the fake puke, or REAL puke for that matter (out of windows, on feet), having a very DELECTABLE curry dinner our last night, enjoying the Afrikaans language and road signs, laughing at Akoua and Liz getting half-buried in the sand because they passed out and it was like a sandstorm on the windy beach, being wary of the BATHROOM BED and the night sounds that come from within, attempting to fix the ONLY safari tent that daily fell apart -- yes the one that me and KJ stayed in, making friends with all the crazy staff...so in a nutshell, one could say we enjoyed our time together HAHOLO over the holidays!!!

NYE: eight of us PCV's along with many random backpackers from all sorts of countries rang in the new year South Africa at an awesome little (well not so LITTLE) backpacker's place called Buccaneer's. There was a big party down by the pool with lots of wine, lots of whiskey shots, horrible music, a bit of sickness BEFORE 11pm and sharing a sunrise moment on the beach with a naked Big Foot/Sasquach! Hmp!

That's sort of the short version of our week-long stay.

I miss everyone and hope you all had just as fabulous of a 2007-2008 celebration as I did. Which, I'm sure you all did.

<3 Am

Feliz Navidad

2007-12-27T04:46:00.000-08:00

So Christmas in Lesotho. Hmmm. VERY loud Basotho music all day long and random children (and adults) coming up to me and saying, "Ke kopa Christmas." (I want Christmas.) I don't really know what that means so I just replied with, "YES MERRY CHRISTMAS to you too!!" Anyway, getting ready for an adventure on the Wild Coast of South Africa. Hmmp! I even bought a zebra-looking dress for NYE! Let you know how it goes...

<3 Am

P.S. Posted more pics

A couple links...

2007-12-08T22:32:00.000-08:00

Check these out! Hmm hm!!
http://www.peacecorps.gov/multimediapages/photos/index.cfm?gallery=worldaidsday

If you want to see my pictures...but bigger
http://picasaweb.google.com/amsber

Alright...need your opinions

2007-11-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

So I uploaded a picture slideshow on the blog. I know it's incredibly small, but I had to resize the pics in order to upload them in a semi-reasonable amount of time. Are they too small?? Let me know what you think!!

I'm doing very well. Lockdown ended about 10 days ago. I went to the CherryFest in Ficksburg that first FREE weekend. Then five of us RENTED a car (a very tiny VW Chico by the way!) in South Africa and vacayed in Swaziland for a few days! WOW WOW WOW!!! If you ever get the chance, go there! Some of the animal pictures at the end are from there -- Pevel: I saw baby zebras!!! Anyhow, it was a much needed change of scenery. Now, I'll be in Maseru for the next 10 days for my last phase of training. A new group of trainees has already arrived in Lesotho since I came, which means I'm not a "Newbie" anymore!!!

P.S. Thanks for the random texts --I was pleasantly surprised when I got them-- and taking a lifesize replica of me to my parents' house on Turkey Day -- Don't put anything past Bill Bergen! <3 you guys lots!!!

<3
Am

2007-11-03T03:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry to be a tease...I can't really figure out pictures yet

2007-11-03T03:13:00.000-07:00

So yeah like I said I can't figure out pictures yet. (Casey thanks for waiting for about forever for me to come to no avail!!!) Anyway, wanted to say that things have been much better lately in my Lesotho life. and Yes, I call my little rectangovel my "home" now!!! So, no worries!! Things are going as fantastic as can be in a developing country!!! I'll try to figure out pics in a few weeks!

<3 (LOTS) Am

OMG PICTURES....FINALLY!!!!

2007-11-03T02:41:00.000-07:00

So, how about you check out the last FIVE (!?!?!) months of my life...

<3 Am

Its been a while huh???

2007-09-14T03:07:00.000-07:00

So i just thought about it and last time i posted anything was about a month ago...jees. Well I am an official Volunteer now and I have my own home and my own assignment. It's in the northern part of Lesotho, in the Leribe district. It's at a center that was originally started for disabled adults and then it has slowly evolved into a center that houses disabled adults and children, orphans, has a primary school, an agriculture group, hat weaving group, Warrior Women and a sports group...oh and a youth group. SO! I will have my hands full for the next 24 months...that's a guarantee!

The previous volunteer at first was going to extend for a year and then changed his mind because he missed his mommy and daddy too much! Anyway, he did extend for a month which means that he and I overlapped for 4-5 weeks. Which is very much awesome, except that we have gotten to know each other so much we can pick on one another like brother and sister. But he just had his going away party yesterday and let me tell you...every single person in the project had fallen in LOVE with him...which means I have huge shoes to fill!!![I keep forgetting how to spell words in English..its the most peculiar thing...]

Anyhow, too bad I can't post pictures for a while. Actually I probably could sooner but i dont want viruses on my camera!! and I just haven't figured it out! The peach trees started to bloom about 2 weeks ago and believe me they are all over Pitseng (where I live)!!! They are beautiful pink and purple! Oh and Ntate Moshe is leaving a dog for me to take care of -- I have no objections whatsoever. Although Seshlana will never replace my OBI!!

I have had to some harsh realizations too, while I'm here. No not everything is honky dorey in these parts. Ask my mom. She knows. I've already called her (in the middle of her work day at that!) and started sobbing. It's kinda like I've read about all kinds of things -- conditions, diseases, hardships and then I've discusses in theory how would be the best to solve some of these issues, but its much MUCH MUCH different when you see it up close and personal! This little 5 yr old single orphaned girl was left all by herself and given food only once a week. Nobody visited (except the father who dropped off a single bowl of food once a week) because they were all scared of her or what diseases she might give them... Just think about that.
WELL. I met this little girl. She did not laugh or make sounds or even smile when she first moved into our center. But now she has been here and around other kids and having people CARE for and about her and she smiles and laughs and plays and makes sounds. ALMOST TALKING!! Luckily, she will be starting ARVs soon and who knows after that??!! But just think how it COULD have turned out...hache.

Okay well just so you all know, I love all the letters and I actually received 3 of my packages! THanks mom and dad and Ryan and Krysta! Get ready for fall and winter and cold temperatures everyone back home in MI!!! Muahahahha

<3 Am

REAL quotes/ popular LES catch phrases... =)

2007-08-11T05:11:00.000-07:00

"I'm beginning to feel like I know what menopause is like. Now I can relate to my mom."

"I'm afraid to pick my nose while riding in the car [Ted's driving]. I might poke an eye out or penetrate my brain."

"I'm gonna need a donga REAL soon!"

"Did you hear the dog fight last night?"

"Last night, I woke myself up farting."

"Hona joala."

"Dude, you just fell in a donga!!"

"M'e oa hau"

"Eng.T.F."

"Lebitsa la lehola le Mary Jane."

In a really really low voice..."Ha ha ha, ha ha ha."

"Masepa monna!"

"Libolo li masepa!"

Good Morning Jesus! / Exchoose me!

"Look guys! Bikes!"

Ntate Mokopu =)

So yes, these are all real words that have been spoken by trainees, teachers, trainers, etc during my time here so far. I have left out the names of the speakers simply to spare from embarrassment...but I'm pretty sure we all may or may not have said every single one of these lines! Yes, some are not in English, but ask me some day...and I will explain it all to you!!!

<3 Am

On to the next leg of PC life...

2007-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey hey,

So I thought you all might be interested to know about where exactly i'll be for the next two years...I was certainly excited. I've had about enough of living out of my suitcase with only half of the stuff that I brought to country!!! ANyway, they told us our assignments on Wednesday, a few days ago and we were all happy. (Well, for the most part...)

Anyway, I'll be in Leribe district which is in the northwestern part of Lesotho (very near the South African city of Ficksburg, which is awesome) in a small village just south of the camptown Pitseng. If [and I say IF because it's definitely not an easy task] you find a large map of Lesotho, look it up and check it out. I'll be working with a Disabled group...I have no idea what exactly I'll be doing, but I will find out soon enough! The kid that I'm replacing is actually extending his service for a couple months, so I will overlap with him for one month. This is really beneficial because he has been there for the past two years and he can show me the ropes and tell me where to go and get things and what works and share good ideas and what not... Most volunteers COS (close of service) before the new volunteer takes over their site, which is ridiculous on the PC's part because HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE SURE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS ARE SUSTAINABLE if you don't know what you're walking into??? Like some other trainees won't even MEET the people they're replacing...In other words, I'm lucky!

So we meet our supervisors and possibly counterparts tomorrow morning and shortly after start the chaotic MOVE to our new homes...which let me give you a picture: I have my suitcase and groceries in the kitchen at the training center, my basins and buckets and mop and pots outside on the front porch somewhere, my hiking pack still full of stuff that i haven't used in the past two months in our shared bunk room as well as toothbrushes and shoes and towels and clothes and electronic charger things and chocolate bars in and around my own bunkbed.... and that's just MY stuff. There are 19 other trainees who are in the same boat... Hmmm. Maybe I'll take some pictures to prove this... Forreal chaos that won't be fun. But i'm happy to finally have all my stuff in one place and finally get to do WORK here!!

Let me just tell you. I already have some weird and Only in Africa stories and I only just moved out of the village yesterday, only to move into a new one tomorrow. Stories about dog fights and cows and farts and guard rails (or lack of guard rails) and dongas and bicycles!!! and weird squash-like vegetables called mokopus... These have been our normal topics of conversation for the 5 of us that lived in Mokhethoaneng for the past 6 weeks, so trust me when I get home... I will be overwhelmed by not having these "normal" conversations i'm sure...

Hope you have enjoyed your summer so far...oh that reminds me we had a weird storm last week with really strong gusts of wind and sleet and rain and i honestly was scared for a few minutes that my tin roof was going to fly off my room!!! Over that! Now looking forward to warmer weather!!!

Kbye<3 Am

XOXOX to everyone!

Almost done with training!!!

2007-07-27T02:38:00.000-07:00

So, we have one more week in the village. It's been good this whole time, but SHIT MAN (our language trainer says this all the time!) I am ready to be done with this part and just find out where my site is already... Apparently, they will tell us next Wednesday WHERE we will all be throughout the country and WHAT jobs we will be doing. Everyone's very anxious to find out. It will be way weird for 3 months of lock-down though. But that's all part of survival of the fittest!!

Oh so I definitely thought that winter was over here...definitely not! It got way cold the other night and it just happened to be the same night that my propane tank ran out!!! NO worries. I wore 4 layers to bed and called it good! We are supposed to take another Permy field trip this weekend to Quting. BUT since it's up in the mountains, it may snow and we may have to cancel because PC does not want dangerous driving mixed with field trips. It is sort of nice though being in the group that I am. We have gotten to go to all sorts of places!

Also, I met a girl -- a PCV -- that does pony treks as part of her project...so those of you that come visit...a pony trek may be in the itinerary to experience REAL Lesotho!!

So far I have been on an emotional rollercoaster. Some days it's awesome to be here and I feel like I will have an awesome project and do all these cool things. But other days, it kinda sucks and there's a lot of negativity -- pretty much just looking at the big picture and knowing that as ONE PERSON I cannot change cultural customs and practices and social structure. People here are very "LEsotho-centric". They know one way of doing things and they want to keep it that way! It's very much like a small, small rural USA town. For example, one belief is that ALL AMERICANS are WHITE. What?@!??? Oh and Americans are kind of like gods...we know everything and can fix any type of problem...and we do not use latrines (EVER) and we ALWAYS have candy...so whenever kids see us, they automatically ask for candy...or money. Yeah we're all rich too. So some days it can be kind of overwhelming as far as how closed-minded and homogeneous things are here...

Anyhow, I hope things are going well for everyone else...! Keep the letters coming!! I have been updated on everyone's drama with emails and letters from time to time -- it's funny because I can reply back in letters...ONLY you get them 3 weeks later...and I'm sure all things are the complete other way around by that time.

I miss obi. I actually pet the chief's dog the other day when nobody was looking. If you pet dogs here, it means you love the dogs more than the people. But they're excellent guard dogs.

I will miss parts of my village...like hearing the roosters cock a doodle dooing and the donkeys hee hawing and the taxi honking endlessly and the crazy man yelling the same thing over and over and over every morning starting at 530...this combo is typical every morning BTW. I will also miss my family, although I haven't gotten to meet my father yet...he's been working in the mines somewhere in South Africa this whole past month...and I'll also miss singing every morning...it kinda takes me back to grade school...except I don't always know the meaning of the words in the songs that I sing now. Oh and thanks to Ausi Mosa, our village now knows the Makarena by heart. Yep we performed at a concert and that dance really STUCK with them. It "stuckile". HAHAHA Apparently if you don't know how to say a word in Sesotho, just say it in English and add an "ile" to the end and they will know what you are trying to say...???

Oh BOY!! The life I'm living right now!!! =)

Love you all and I'll do my best to keep this updated...Seriously keep the letters coming. aNd send pictures if you can. Of anything in the USA. Okay well not party or nude pictures...cmon now...like outdoor naturey pictures just to show different parts of our country or action pictures..?? I really don't know what that means...

Ok Kbye
<3 Am

OK SO I accidentally hit return...i wasnt done yet

2007-07-10T01:34:00.000-07:00

So we have continued training while living in our new homes. A typical day consists of waking up, making JUngle Oats for breakfast, taking a bucket bath, having a Sesotho (language) lesson for two hours at the village school with the other four trainees, having another session i.e. culture and perceptions, health, HIV, mapping, singing, economics, marketing, many many different things. THen LUNCH back the the house and then one more two hour session before we head home and do what we need to do before it gets dark out ~ 530/6ish. WE are not supposed to be out after dark, and since it gets so cold so early, I tend to be in bed by like 830 or 9 because i'm awesome like that! =) There's no power or running water...just so you can picture the whole scenario.

Oh and it snowed the other week. It was kind of cool because the kids had only seen snow in the mountains in the distance or on TV. So a few of us built snowmen for them. Loved it!

So we are in town today because we had a long weekend with current volunteers, to meet them and find out more about their sites and living situations and overall experience so far... It was awesome! It's crazy because we are all so different, but you can tell we all share many of the same values and goals and general open-minded and flexible outlook on life. I'm not going to say too much about the beginning of the weekend, except for LOUD music in the kombi (taxi), bar situations, and 20 people sleeping in one rondavel! Overall, it was a trip that we needed to have, to get a feel for life outside of training.

WE will get our assigned sites in the beginning of August, I think. And then there's the 3 month lock-down as it's called. Yeah we can't leave our districts that whole time. But for good reason. To integrate into the new community and become familiar with people. But it will be a long time for limited traveling!

Well i think that's all for now! I'll try to catch up more when i can! I miss you all and hope everything is going good for everyone!

"Salang hantle!" = Remain well!

<3 Am

First IN COUNTRY post!

2007-07-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

So as of this weekend, I will have been here in Lesotho for an entire month. Crazy weird. Because it feels like it has been much longer than that -- mainly because I feel like i have been fast tracked into learning the culture and language and little things that i should and should not be doing. Also, it feels like i've known the other 19 trainees for most of my lifetime...or at least a few years rather than weeks!

Anyway, a little recap:

We arrived in the middle of the night -- and had to get out of the bus and WALK across the border, and then get back on the same bus. None of us knew what was happening really...we were just glad that the bus actually stopped and waited for us on the other side!!

We then spent a week at training center, being slowly introduced to food, language, customs (sweeping everyday?!?), singing ALOT, safety and security, gardening, medical information, getting endless vaccinations, learning how to use gas heaters and stoves, how to take bucket baths, more language...more food. This week was alot like what summer camp is -- or at least what i think it would be, considering i never really did summer camp. OH minus the canoeing and lake swimming seeing as it is WINTER HERE RIGHT NOW!! We trainees did EVERYTHING together! Oh and just so everyone knows, another Michigander trainee and I have a goal of making Euchre a legacy in Lesotho --- we've taught about a good TEN people so far and by the way we've gotten pretty good at spotting Midwesterners that should know how to play!

OKay so the second week, we all split up and moved out to three different villages. Nothing like getting acquainted with culture and customs REAL FAST!!! I moved into a family's house with all these buckets and basins and huge gas tank and heater (all of which i wasn't really sure what to do with by the way) and matches and some of my clothes and stuff. My family is pretty awesome and very welcoming. They have had other trainees live with them before, so they're pretty used to thinking i'm weird and playing a lot of charades to communicate. SLOWLY, we five permies (permaculture and nutrition trainees) have started to grasp the language more. Although it can be frustrating at times. Oh and let me tell you what my current village fashion consists of: long wool underwear with bright green soccer socks and my tennis shoes under my plaid skirt with my lifeguarding hoodie, sunglasses and big red puffy down coat. Seriously, i should be in a magazine centerfold! No but really, all the girls wear skirts in village -- its just what you do. NO matter how silly you look by pairing with other clothes.

First Post Ever

2007-06-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

So I really just wanted to see if this worked. I've never done this before, seeing as I am behind with the times and prefer to stay away from the very addicting (so I hear) blog websites.....

Anyway, since I'll be half way around the world from everyone that I know, I figured this might be a good idea to stay connected with multiple people at once. Or to avoid sending out those nasty MASS EMAILS to everyone whenever I can. And believe me, two years' worth of those emails might get pretty annoying. Can you block email addresses like you can block screen names? (Sorry again, Sara. I still don't know how that happened!)

Ok so btw this is far LESS exciting than what any of the future posts will be. Don't throw the towel in yet!!

<3 Am