Tonight marks the 15th day since my arrival in Namanjalala. Yeah ! Time to go out, get crazy, and... by that I mean crack open a box of chicken rice and finish the scrapbook I'm making for my dad's 50th birthday (yowza!) of our trip to France. Nothing fights loneliness like looking at pictures of excellent cheese and bikeriding through the vineyards... I guess really being in Kenya it just makes me appreciate the trip even more than I already did!
But my house is now finished! I tried to upload the pictures onto here but it didn't work so you'll just have to look at it on Facebook. If you can, no your eyes did not deceive you. I did in fact install brand new hardwood floors. I'll be hosting dinner parties every 2 months, please await your invitation. I also bought a little shelving unit thing which I am lovinnnn. I'm slightly obsessed with keeping my house clean and organized.
Otherwise at work I've pretty much met everyone and started working. I think I'm pretty much a Community Health Worker. I met the Chief, Assistant Chief, the nurses at my dispensary, both of the Public Health Officers and all of the Community Health Workers for my organization. This past week has consisted of going door to door explaining to people why it is important to know your HIV status and asking people if they will get tested. We went to probably 100 households. Most of the people speak Ki-Swahili but a lot speak Ki-Bukusu too so I've been learning that language as well, it's really pretty. Anyway, today we started the VCT side of it- Voluntary Testing and Counseling. We tested around 20 people and have 2 more full days of testing. It went well, but it still surprises me how freaked out people can get over it when they probably don't even understand why they're so scared. We've had two men tell us that we would have to pay them to get tested. I saw what looked like a 15 year old boy run away from his friends when they suggested he get tested too. I think it's because it is seen more as a work of God then of science, and the community isn't knowledgeable enough of the subject to know the difference.
Anyway, what else is new? I have a puppy and a baby cow. They are technically my family's but I pet them and we hang out all the time. I usually feed the puppy too, he's less than a month old. My mama here just told me that she thinks he is lonely so we should get another one so he has a friend. So that will be my job this weekend! Hehe. His name is Simba, obviously. Peter, my brother, named him. He's hilarious. We've also named the cows. The mama is Mama Doa because MaDoa is many spots in Bukusu and she is white with black spots (or vice versa, whatever), and the baby is Moyo, which means heart in Bukusu, because she is caramel colored with a white heart on her head. She is precious. I'm still looking for a kitten. Who knew they were so rare! I just want a tiny one so I can raise it to be awesome. Oh well, someday my kitten will come right?
Well I guess that's pretty much it for now... but I want to say a general thankyou to everyone that loves me in America. I hope that everyone knows how much I miss them and how much I appreciate their love from so far away. I got to spend a lot of time with everyone before I left (for the most part) and I'm very lucky to have such a close bond with my family; every single one of them. My parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have all spent a lot of time and money on letters and packages for me, and I savor every single piece of mail I get. It's not easy being away from home, especially with such an amazing family. And my friends... well, I miss midnight yoga, closet sessions, wine and puzzle nights... I can't wait to spend time with everyone when my job here is done- but until then pleeeeaassee know that I love and miss you all!
And here are a few things I can never get enough of if anyone is looking to send me a package ;)
Rosemary and Olive Oil Triscuits, Skittles, Canned/packaged Chicken, Cheezits, Aldi's strawberry licorice, Crystal Light Peach Tea, Starbursts, Love, Love notes, yourselves... I think that's about it!
Until next time :)
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