Okay, so I am really flying four times, but I really love Ben Harper. Tonight is the last night before the real adventure begins. I fly to Philly tomorrow for training for 3-7, we drive to New York in the middle of the night and leave for South Africa Saturday morning. We have a short layover in Johannesburg Sunday morning and then are on our way to Malawi. Once we are in Malawi we have been told not to expect to use the internet for about eight weeks. That means I would LOVE letters from you! (see previous blog post for mailing directions)
This has been such a long time coming, but I am still beyond nervous. My bags are packed, I have been saying goodbyes since August, and now it is simply time to go. I will try and update as much as possible. Please keep me posted on your life too, I will only be gone 27 months. : ) I can't come back to spouses and babies I don't know about!!
Here goes. I guess I just have to fly one time.
love,
elisabeth
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Warm Heart of Africa
In an effort to answer some common questions, here you go....
Sooo umm where is Malawi?
Malawi is in eastern Africa. It shares borders with Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. Its land area is about the size of Indiana.
What will you be doing?
Lots of things, probably. According to the Peace Corps my title is Teacher Development Facilitator. My primary duties will include:
Improving knowledge skills and attitudes of male secondary school teachers in English, Math and Science through skill transfer and enhancing resource development and availability in cluster schools. The project also seeks to strengthen links between cluster schools and communities.
Teacher development facilitators are expected to: assist the cluster leader head school in the development and functioning of the the cluster working group; act as a resource to teacher undergoing distance learning and to the rest of the teachers in the cluster; submit professional development work schedules to the cluster leader at the beginning of each term; promote mobilization of resources in the cluster; monitor and evaluate the progress of the training sessions; maintain teacher activity and attendance records; visit and assist teachers in schools.
So, that is the plan. Let's see what happens. : )
What is Malawi like? (I am not really sure but this what the Peace Corps training manual has to say):
Economy- Agriculture accounts for half its GDP. Tobacco, tea, and sugar create more than 70% of export earnings.
People and Culture -Malawi has a population of about 12 million people. English and Chichewa are the two official languages, though they are six principal tribes with linguistic differences. Christian is the predominant religion, though there are large Islamic populations throughout the country.
Government -Malawi has a parliamentary style government with the president as the head of state.
Food- Nsima (a thick corn porridge) is the staple food in Malawi. It is often served with vegetables and beans.
dates please!
The Malawi group meets in Philadelphia on September 25. We have a training session from 3-7pm. Then it gets crazy...
September 26, 2009
2:30am check out of hotel
3:00am drive to NY
11:35am flight to South Africa (15 hours...)
the next day...
September 27, 2009
11:40 flight to Lilongwe, Malawi
Can I send a package? (okay, I added this one in case)
OF COURSE! My address is on the blog, it will change once I move to my permanent site.
This is a helpful website with suggestions and mailing tips.
http://www.friendsofmalawi.org/learn_about_malawi/money_and_materials.html
If you send an envelope use a $0.98 stamp. If you send a package use a padded envelope. Make sure to put AIR MAIL (PAR AVION) on everything. When labeling the package you should make it as general as possible (cookies and energy bars = nutritional supplements, books and magazines = educational material, etc)
You could send....
Letters from you!
Powdered drink mixes
Dried fruit
Energy bars (Clif and Luna are my favorite)
Spices
Cookies : )
Gum
Magazines
Books
If you have any more specific questions let me know. Please please keep in touch!
loads of love,
elisabeth
Sooo umm where is Malawi?
Malawi is in eastern Africa. It shares borders with Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. Its land area is about the size of Indiana.
What will you be doing?
Lots of things, probably. According to the Peace Corps my title is Teacher Development Facilitator. My primary duties will include:
Improving knowledge skills and attitudes of male secondary school teachers in English, Math and Science through skill transfer and enhancing resource development and availability in cluster schools. The project also seeks to strengthen links between cluster schools and communities.
Teacher development facilitators are expected to: assist the cluster leader head school in the development and functioning of the the cluster working group; act as a resource to teacher undergoing distance learning and to the rest of the teachers in the cluster; submit professional development work schedules to the cluster leader at the beginning of each term; promote mobilization of resources in the cluster; monitor and evaluate the progress of the training sessions; maintain teacher activity and attendance records; visit and assist teachers in schools.
So, that is the plan. Let's see what happens. : )
What is Malawi like? (I am not really sure but this what the Peace Corps training manual has to say):
Economy- Agriculture accounts for half its GDP. Tobacco, tea, and sugar create more than 70% of export earnings.
People and Culture -Malawi has a population of about 12 million people. English and Chichewa are the two official languages, though they are six principal tribes with linguistic differences. Christian is the predominant religion, though there are large Islamic populations throughout the country.
Government -Malawi has a parliamentary style government with the president as the head of state.
Food- Nsima (a thick corn porridge) is the staple food in Malawi. It is often served with vegetables and beans.
dates please!
The Malawi group meets in Philadelphia on September 25. We have a training session from 3-7pm. Then it gets crazy...
September 26, 2009
2:30am check out of hotel
3:00am drive to NY
11:35am flight to South Africa (15 hours...)
the next day...
September 27, 2009
11:40 flight to Lilongwe, Malawi
Can I send a package? (okay, I added this one in case)
OF COURSE! My address is on the blog, it will change once I move to my permanent site.
This is a helpful website with suggestions and mailing tips.
http://www.friendsofmalawi.org/learn_about_malawi/money_and_materials.html
If you send an envelope use a $0.98 stamp. If you send a package use a padded envelope. Make sure to put AIR MAIL (PAR AVION) on everything. When labeling the package you should make it as general as possible (cookies and energy bars = nutritional supplements, books and magazines = educational material, etc)
You could send....
Letters from you!
Powdered drink mixes
Dried fruit
Energy bars (Clif and Luna are my favorite)
Spices
Cookies : )
Gum
Magazines
Books
If you have any more specific questions let me know. Please please keep in touch!
loads of love,
elisabeth
Puttin' on My Big Girl Pants
Adios Houston. Time for me to put on my brave face and my big girl pants and wave goodbye to Houston. I have tricked myself into believing I am not moving away, I am simply going on vacation. A vacation that deserves a farewell party and lots of hugs. I have tricked myself into believing it is not the last time I will go to Ecclesia, eat at the Spanish Flower, or run around Memorial Park. But, it might be. I have no plans to return to Houston in 27 months apart from a visit and for all the things that frustrated and annoyed me about this city I am fairly confident over 27 months those quirks will turn into nostalgic memories.
I have met some truly extraordinary people in Houston. You are probably one of them. Thanks for everything.
I have met some truly extraordinary people in Houston. You are probably one of them. Thanks for everything.
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