alas, my work has come to a close! Being a coordinator for the volunteers was great---it tested my patience more than once, and i have come to realize that i would prefer not working with American volunteers in the future (yes, specifically American- we as a group generally lack cultural sensitivity--case in point being the American girl tourists mobbing around in short shorts and skirts--cant you see that no one else in this entire city is dressed like that?! put on some damn clothes!) Working as a coordinator also made me realize how needy of a group we tend to be--but perhaps this was only because my job required overseeing a group of 32, sometimes with demands coming all at once.

Anyways in all I had an amazing time--the SIC staff is awesome--everyone from the drivers to the testing staff are honest, hard working people, and the organization itself is transparent and very efficient. This isnt my idealism speaking either, its true! Our program was able to reach 2766 community members through teachings, and our staff tested 450 people.

Leaving Ilkiding'a village was not easy- our homestay brother and the family he worked for were so nice, and i had made little friends that i didnt want to leave. One of the last nights before leaving I sat with little dada (who by the way is the most mature 12 yr old i have ever met, cooking for her entire family between studying for school) in the jiko/kitchen and "helped" her cook, which just ended in me accidentally blowing out her fire pit instead of maintaining it.

Tomorrow Erika and I peace out for the coast! A long awaited trip, I cannot wait. After Pangani beach and a night in Peponi (where for $17 a night you get a beautiful beach bungalow on the water!!) we head to Zanzibar.

usiku mwema (good night my friends!)

I spent the weekend in Babati ( the town I lived in last summer ) to visit my homestay family. What originally was supposed to be a one day trip turned into a four day stay. All of my efforts in eating well while being here went down the drain in one weekend, hahah-they fed me so well. Watching the World Cup in their house with 18 other people (I counted!) was great---such a huge bummer that Ghana lost. Seeing other friends in Babati was so neat! The town is such a different feel than the village; I dont feel rude if I fail to greet every single person I pass in town, which is really nice.

--I bought a course of cipro, a common traveler's antibiotic, in Babati for about $1.25. Amazing!

-- Coffee flavored gum? I dont get it

We have one more week in Ilkiding'a ward before the program is over--a week consisting mostly of free testing days. We rent a dj and have mamas groups come dance for Community day, which usually is our last day in the village. I think our program has reached about 3,000 community members so far. neat!

time is out! love
emmanuelle