Home Sweet Home

So, after a 15 hour bus ride on Thanksgiving, I have arrived safely at my site. I live within the school compound, at my all-girls boarding school. Everyone, so far, has been super nice. They've fed me when I've had no food (or when I've been too incompetent to light my charcoal jiko- you'll be glad to know that i've bought hot plates), they've given me gifts of a plunger and a trash basket (very important household items), and they've really just been super nice. My house is cute: three rooms and an outside kitchen, and has electricity and running water most of the time. Within the school grounds are tons of banana and mango trees, cows, chickens, pigs, pumpkins. I also live in the mountains, so the view from my house is amazing. I look out and see green farm land that eventually becomes green mountains and when a storms coming, I can watch it travel over the mountains. It's really very quaint. And, for those who worry, it's very safe. I have lots of neighbors, a big wall around the school, and a night watchman.

Last Friday, was my first day at the school, and the last day that the students were at the school before their break. It was nice because I got to briefly meet the students and introduce myself at the morning assembly. Some of the students showed me around the compound after classes and then at night, there was a talent show. That was really fun to watch. Students dance, sang, prayed. All sorts of things. Then they invited me to give a speech. AHH. PS- the English proficiency at my school is pretty low from what I've gathered. So this speech was in Kiswahili. My speech went something like this : "I am very happy to be here. You have welcomed me nicely. I hope you have a good rest time. And I will be happy to teach you when you come back" But imagine that with tons of grammatical mistakes. Nice Katie, great first impression! That's ok, I tried. I am going to learn Swahili very quickly, because no one speaks English. Which is good.

So, I've already gotten my assignment for next year. I will be teach form 3 (junior) physics and math. I will be the headmistress of form 1B and the headmistress of one of the dorms. I have no idea what those responsibilities entail. I guess, I'll find out. Right now, since classes don't start again until January, I am just hanging out, getting to know the other teachers, making my house a home, trying to learn how to cook, and playing games with the little kids around the school.

That's about all that has been on. I still do not have my mailing address, but email me if you want it: catherineannmartin1@gmail.com. I am not going to post it publicly on here, under the advice of the Peace Corps. But I'd be more than happy to send it to people. Miss you all!