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!)