First full week COMPLETE!

So, our first full week of work went well. We were split up into different groups for clinic—some of us do language activities, others do feeding and development activities. I have been in the language group this week and we have been introducing them to body parts using the song “Head, shoulders, knees, and toes” and some visual prompts. We have also been trying to elicit speech from them using songs with gestures as well as play. A few have opened up over the course of our time with them so far, so I am looking forward to seeing what they are doing when our time here comes to an end.

So, what is a “typical week” for us? Well, now that I have experienced ONE, I will tell you.  On Sundays, we go to church in the morning and evening. This past Sunday we attended at the church here in Namwianga, but I missed evening service because I was sick L  I think we will continue going there, but may visit another church while we are here. During the week, we have breakfast together at 8:30, then head out to the Havens to work until about 12:30. Lunch is at 1, and it has always been great! After lunch, we nap and/or chill out until about 2, then we are back at the Havens from 2:30 to around 4:30. We go to our assigned Havens with our assigned groups. I usually walk with everyone in the morning, but ride back in the afternoons to catch a quick solar shower before dinner at 5. After dinner, most of us will gather into the Mann house (where I am staying) common room and hang out or play games. We have had the power go out a couple of times while we are there and we just sit around with our head lamps and enjoy each other’s company. Occasionally, a small group of us goes outside to chat, and stargaze on top of Khaki Jackie. It is nice. This Saturday we will go in to Choma, a town about an hour away, to shop and go to a museum. That is all I know about being in Africa for now!!!

The weather has been nice. It is cool in the mornings, but it is nice enough to walk. In the afternoons, it is warm but not too warm. It is pretty dry here—no humidity! I like it, but my allergies do not. Some people have been burning things outside, and the smoke has really gotten the best of my passages. But it is all good. I am just glad to be here and to be over the other stuff I had earlier this week. Yuck! Thank goodness pharmacy traveled with us!

I hope all is well with you all J Love.