August...that happened???

So yes August went by really really fast for me. I worked the second week of training where we focused on introductory technical skills and the basics about how to do an effective formation. We also visited health structures which was much better for me this time because I speak French! There wasn't anything else too noteworthy the second week. To date only 3 of the trainees have quit which is fantastic, I think by this time my group had lost 6. They are on their post visits now so we will see if that changes. I also hosted 3 trainees at my house in Zinvie for 4 days in the middle of August for a technical visit. We worked at my ONG and they sat in on pre-natal consultations and re-touched my mural. The next day we measured and weighed children at the nutritional recuperation center in my village. They really enjoyed that, especially the question and answer session I set up with the nurse. We also watched a formation in local language which will help them develop facilitation skills and skills needed to work with translators. Then the last day we went to Ganvie! Ganvie is one of the largest tourist attractions in Benin. It is a stilt village, meaning everyone gets around on boats...talk about a malaria risk factor. The picture is actually a school but, unbelievable huh? Anyway it was really fun!

This week I helped the PC staff interview for open positions in the office. It was interesting to see the other side of the process, but tiring to keep asking the same questions and sit for blocks of 3 hours. It is a good way to develop my interviewing skills and something cool to have on my resume! I had a meeting with my "boss" in village today where we did price checks for new equipment at the ONG. I am working on a grant to get supplies for our new building. We are moving towards general medicine and there are some things we really need to function. It went well, I just need to buckle down and start working on the request and the budget. Then like I have mentioned, I am working on starting a Care Group in Yevie and lesson planning for the next school year.

The next two weeks I will be in Porto Novo to work the last 2 weeks of training through swear-in. One of the other health PCVs left in August so I replaced her for one of the weeks. It should be fun to work, there's an excursion to Ouidah, another popular tourist site, plus the trainees will be excited to finish training and become PCVs! A fellow PCV is getting married next Saturday too and he invited me to go to the wedding. I will finally have an occasion to wear my fancy tissue outfit! There isn't anything else new or exciting going on. This Monday marked a year in my village, so happy anniversary to me...that was a weird realization. I think I have made strides with many aspects of my life in village, but there is always room for improvement...again strange to think I have been in my house for a year, but it's a good thing for sure.

I hope you all had a nice Labor Day! And football season is underway, sorry I have to miss yet another one...Go HEELS! Have a great weekend!