Thursday, July 14, 2011

Do it for GAD!

My bad, its been over a month since I posted.  There a few excuses I can make.  Its expensive to travel to Chintheche, and we aren't paid enough where I can routinely get to internet (or the post office).  Also, not too much has been happening. 

BUT, I'm at Gender And Development (GAD) Camp right now.  Basically, the GAD committee (a committee of northern PC Malawi) is hosting a week long summer camp for 25 secondary school students from the northern region, and hosted by the CCAP (type of church) where they provide food and board (paid for by a grant).  The students spend the morning shadowing a professional in the city (lawyers, doctors, nurses, businessmen, radio dj's, hairstylist, and mechanics), getting to see what its like to be a professional, and to have an opportunity to ask specific professionals about their jobs.  They then come back, have lunch, and listen to a guest lecture about professionalism, job skills, and the importance of education.  We then break for dinner, then host a fun activity.  Last night Haak (another PCV) and I hosted bingo.  The kids were really into it, and the winners received glow in the dark bracelets which they thought were awesome. 

The ride up here was typical for Malawi, but unusual for America.  Kathi and I sat at the side of the road waiting for transport for 2 hours (transport is most scarce these days because there is a fuel crisis in Malawi, supposedly caused by a lack of money in the government).  We waved down a small semi and squeezed into the front with two other people.  They were pretty cool and we chatted the whole way up, which took 6 and a half hours (a ride that should only take maybe an hour and a half).  First the truck ran out of gas, so we found a villager with a bike to ride into town and get enough gas to take us into town.  Then, because of the way they poured in the gas, the semi kept stopping due to airlock.  But we eventually arrived north to Mzuzu just in time for dinner at the CCAP, which was essential because we hadn't eaten since 11am. 

Other things that have been happenning: I just shaved my head.  Kathi took pictures, so hopefully she'll post them on fb or something.  Experiencing some vivid dreams as  a side effect of my malaria medication.  The other night I dreamt that I was walking along a sidewalk at night, and two people ran by me (one chasing the other), and they came so close to me that I could actually feel the wind on my arm -- which woke me up.  But the best meflopquin dream I've heard was that someone dreamt they were a gummy bear, trapped inside a skittles wrapper. 

Anyway, I should get back to GAD camp, its almost time for lunch!  Take care!