Library Grand Opening

The library is now officially open.  On July 26, we had a opening ceremony and the local group village head cut the ribbon on Thunduti CDSS's newest addition.  Thank you again for all the help you provided; this will be a great asset to the education of the students.

Ribbon cutting

Matt and I at the opening

My gift to the school, a bao board

The (Gator) ribbon is cut!

http://determinedtodevelop.org/new-library-thunduti-community-day-secondary-school/

I Have a Guest

Exciting news!  Shannon Duffy, a former college in housing at UF, has flown all the way to Malawi to visit me.  We've done amazing activities, including touring Karonga Boma, visiting Livingstonia, getting a boat out to the island off the end of Chilumba Jetty, held a workshop, visited Mayoka Village in Nkhata Bay, hung out in Mzuzu, and now we're in Lilongwe as I close my service.

Gator Chomps in Malawi

Relaxing at The Mushroom Farm

Machemwe Falls, Livingstonia

My Replacement

I recently had a visit from the trainee that will be replacing me at my site when he came up for his site visit. We managed to meet a lot of important people (Head Teacher, Cluster Head, Dep Head, Matt, and many more) and he got to eat some delicious American-style foods. It's strange closing my service and knowing he will be starting his in my house, with my pets, working at my schools. However, after talking with him and seeing him interacting in the community, I think he'll really be able to help out.

Oh, I forgot the best part: his name is Paul, so my village can continue chanting "Mr Paul" at white people (they pronounce "Parr" as "Paul").

Ed2014 PST Week 4

I was selected to be a resource volunteer again this year.  For some reason beyond my understanding, I accepted.  At training planning (GTOT), I had plenty of opportunities to question my sanity on this decision, however this last week was my week actually working with the PCTs, I remembered just how awesome of an activity this is.  I worked Week 4 with Lea Marano where we co-facilitated six technical sessions (which is the heaviest technical session week), attended four Tumbuka language sessions each, and provided support for the 20 trainees (mostly by giving them candy and coffee).

Instead of boring you with details, here are pictures!

We had several technical sessions facilitated by Dennis (a veteran technical
trainer from as far back as Ed11 and a Malawian Head Teacher), Geoff (who
used to be a language trainer and is a Malawian English Department Head),
Lea, and myself.

Geoff presenting part of a lesson.

Lea leading one of many great discussions during our sessions.

My little house for the week.

A really cool dog that hung out with us
(and looks like Poncho, Aaron's village dog).

Sean, Paul, and Tally in Tumbuka language class. 
Lea and I tried to attend every class.

The health sessions that week was on nutrition, so PCV Kay came and
presented on practical nutrition in Malawi with cooking practice.  Lea
and I were the official tasters.

The giant map of Malawi used for site announcement.

The trainees coming out blind-folded for site announcement.

The new Karonga Brothers waiting while everyone gets into position.
They don't know they're going to be brothers yet.

Remove your blindfolds!

The Week 4 Resource PCVs spending the morning like they did every morning.
I would wake up and start the fire, then Lea would come over as the coffee
was getting ready, and finally we would drink coffee out of our Peace Corps
issued Hanna Montana mugs and use the mbaula for warmth.

The Maru Research Center

A local ex-pat friend (and former PCV), Justin Kraus, runs a dive shop down in Kande Beach, Aquanuts Divers.  It's not too far from Melissa's old site, so I knew the area and knew it was some of the prettiest bit of beach in Malawi.

Kande Beach, Nkhata Bay, Malawi

Well, Justin also operates a research center out of the dive shop, The Maru Research Center.  We had a conversation one night about his work and how he wanted to get his work published.  I offered to help him in the endeavor, and what will hopefully be a lasting business relationship was formed.  He invited me to come down to Kande Beach sometime before I leave, see the research center, and start processing the data.

After leaving GTOT in Lilongwe, I decided to take him up on this invitation.  I spent three days around Kande processing data (staring at a computer monitor), but also watching the occasional World Cup game and going on a couple of dives to see the transect and quadrant methods being used.

I am going to continue working with Justin from the US, to get this initial population study published.  Since this is the exact type of research I want to go into and get a Ph.D. in, I hope to continue working with him on a part-time basis as long as he is willing to keep the research center active and I'm able to provide a second opinion on the results.

Happy Birthday, Freedom!

Marketing Gold

This was a Facebook picture album, but I thought it would be more appropriate as a blog post.

Oh Airtel, what can you tell me about love?

Not sure the translation, but I think that's exactly how HIV is spread.

How do you sew with shower hooks?

No comment.

Even less comment.

Racist? Maybe.

Let's celebrate another countries president with a pastry!

When you want to buy your construction supplies with flair.

POWER CHICKEN FEEDS!!! No weak chickens here!

Yup, if you put this case on your normal phone, it becomes an iPhone.

That is where food goes.