I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!!! I didn’t do much on the actual day, had dinner with my post mate, vegetable and tofu stirfry and a tomato and cucumber salad, it was quite delicious. But today 15 other volunteers and I are getting together and having a potluck style Thanksgiving lunch, which I am really excited about. Today I am also going to teach English at an ONG for refugees of other Sub-Saharan African
countries, I’m a little nervous, but hey I would say I know English pretty well, haha!
The past month has really flown by. I had a good post visit with my APCD, but nothing really exceptional to report. I helped with two eye screenings one here in Zinvie and the other in Houegbo where a married couple is posted and a friend from my training class, Satin, is also nearby. Her village is gorgeous! I am taking anyone that comes to visit to see it, it was breathtaking. I think she is at one of the most rural posts in Benin. We tested over 300 children between the two screenings, so I would say it was a success. The next thing is working with an eye doctor in Cotonou and a really neat organization called Mercy Ships to get them a professional screening and glasses. Mercy Ships is basically 
a hospital on a boat that ports at developing countries for around 10-12 months and performs a variety of medical treatment from dental care to orthopedic surgery. They will be in Benin starting next March I think and I am planning on sending an email to see if I can volunteer for a week or so.
Last weekend there were a couple of days of voodoo festivals in my village. I went with my family to watch and it was amazing. The costumes were gorgeous and the music and dancing were spectacular, I had such a great time. I am sad because one of the big Muslim celebrations will be when I am in Porto Novo for my in-service training so I will miss it. 2 weeks of training—Dec. 7th
to Dec. 21st—that’s a long time! On the plus side I get to see all the other Health and Environment volunteers, my host family, and stay in a hotel. We are staying at the Songhai Center which is a really interesting self-sustaining agricultural thing. I don’t know that much about it at this point, but I’m sure I will by the end of two weeks.
All my love and Happy Holidays! Go Tarheel Basketball and Football!!!
4 comments:
Beautiful posting!
Have anice weekend!!!
GOD BLESS
Great update. Hope training goes well. I am headed down to NC on Wednesday for Heatons' Christmas party...long ride for a party, but it won't be the first or last time I do that. Our family split for the holday - some in Westerly RI and half in Brooklyn NY. I did Westerly on Thursday, then went to NYC on Friday. Crazy day to visit New York, but fun. We saw Beckham and Posh from our restaurant window as they took their kids to Dylan's Candy Store at 60th and 3rd! I had never seen a real paparazzi "attack" before. Pretty strange. Met Chris and his lady friend at my sister's in Brooklyn to end the day. Good holiday break, but I am off to work today (yes, Sunday) to make sure all is on track for me being gone a few days come Wednesday.
Have a good training break, enjoy the other volunteers (PC is pretty good about planning your training at the right times so go with it). I could not be happier to see you enjoying village level living!
Late Happy Thanksgiving and Early Merry Christmas to you! Love, Anne
Hey Sweetheart,
Great pictures, your blog is really looking good. I am so happy that things are going so well, you seem to be really well adjusted.
That would be great is you get to volunteer on the ship, sounds pretty amazing. That would be a great experience.
Have a great time at the trainings for two weeks that will be fun with your other associates.
You would not believe them HEELS boy they look good, too much hype from the media. I think this may be their year again.
Happy belated TG and HO HO HO
Love,
Dad
You look so beautiful. I miss you!
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