IST. Iringa. Orion.

Hello Everyone.
I haven't updated in a while, and I have quite a bit to talk about, I guess. Nothing exciting, just a lot of little stuff.

First of all, my IST started last week in Iringa and goes until this Saturday. IST is in-service training which includes more technical training and also PEPFAR training: that is, HIV/AIDS training. You have to bring a "counterpart" - Tanzanian buddy- to IST. I, at first, asked the English teacher at my school. She said yes, which was super exciting because we get along great and she is super active in the school. It was great until I saw that her name was on the "invigilating schedule for midterm exams, which was happening the second week of my IST. So, I just checked her travel plans last Friday, the day I had to leave, and she told me that she couldn't go anymore. 2 hours before I needed to leave. Oh great... Everything worked out fine in the long run, I ended up inviting a woman who I don't talk to that much: but I realize that she's just really shy. And it's been very nice getting to know her this last week. I'm not upset at all that the first woman didn't work out.

But the real reason I told you this story is to highlight a huge difference between Tanzanian and American culture. The first woman obviously knew that she wasn't going to be able to come for about 3 days before I needed to leave, because that is when the invigilating schedule was written. But she didn't tell me. She never actual told me. I needed to ASK her about it. At first I was furious. Absolutely irate. And I'm still annoyed when I think about it. But that's just one cultural difference I need to get used to. Tanzanians aren't the most direct people in the world. It's OK. I just need to watch for the subtle signs that say "hey, I don't think I can go" instead of the big signs. Tanzania: the place where common courtesy means something entirely different.

So, IST has been very beneficial thus far in many ways. First of all, all the sessions have been really helpful. In a mixed group of Tanzanian/Americans we've been able to talk about corporate punishment (the pros and cons...it was a pretty even debate: the Tanzanians supported it, the Americans didn't) and alternatives to corporal punishment (since almost anything is legal here, there were some interesting suggestings: embarass the kids in class, throw their notebooks out the window if the aren't taking notes, make them chote-haul- water or do a lot of farm-work if they're caught cheating on an exam, etc. The tried and true method of sending kids to the principal is counterproductive here because then the headmaster will just hit them...and we're trying to avoid hitting.), we've also started talking a lot about HIV and AIDS, which is really interesting. The infection rate in Mbeya is about 12%, and the national rate is about 6%. Which means, in my area, 12% of the population has a debilitating, deadly disease which is preventable. That is sad. But it is also encouraging. I work with highschoolers. Most of the are uninfected. Which means that if I can give them information and skills that allow them to stay uninfected then the next generation will have a lower infection rate. And then lower during the next. That's the plan at least. And to help implement this plan, my counterpart and I want to start a "health club". Which would just be me and here talking about any health issues that the students may need to know about: malaria, nutrition, gender equality, relationship skills, and of course safe-sex and HIV and AIDS. I think since I'm a female and their all females, it will a great chance for the students to ask me questions that they aren't necessarily comfortable asking other Tanzanians. There will also be an anonymous Q & A box. Then the best 5 girls from the club will be invited to the conference.

The second exciting part of the conference is that I met up with one of the other volunteers who is going home. She has 3 dogs. I am getting one of them! His name is Orion. I know nothing about him. But I am super excited.

It's very nice to be around Americans, eat American food (I had a salad and icecream bar tonight!), go to bars, and speak some English, but to be honest I am very much look forward to going back to site- despite the stack of 150 physics and maths midterms that will be waiting for me! It's nice to get out, but I do miss everyone. I miss the students. I miss the teachers. I miss my own house and eating ugali and greeting everyone in the morning. And being around Americans is a little exhausting. American culture is a little exhausting. I like washing my feet, reading a book for an hour, and then going to bed at 9:30 pm. Trying to keep up with Americans who like to go to bars, is tiring. It's fun, once in a while. But I am definitely looking forward to returning to site, and returning to the calmness of my school and my routine. Especially now that I have a dog. maybe I can add a 5am run to my routine! We'll see.

Anyways, thats what's happening in Africa. I hape everyone at home is doing well and enjoying the beginning of spring. Happy late birthday Mommy, happy early birthday Danny, and Happy Easter to all! Eat an extra cadbury egg, drink some water straight from the faucet without boiling and filtering, speaking extra-fast English, watch some Family Guy and other incredibly American shows , and wear shorts that show your knees for me and remember that I miss you all and will be thinking about everyone!

Heri ya Pasaka kwa wote. Mungu akubariki!