September in Siteki

Sanibonani! I figured I'd give Amy, er, Nomsa a break today and update the blog. Things are well here in Swaziland. We have just finished up our 3rd week of our 3 month integration into our new community. Basically for the first 3 months we are supposed to get to know our community and after that intergration period we can then start working on projects. We have settled into our daily routine of waking up, drinking coffee and playing cards with the family and neighbors. :)

Last week we worked with the Bucopho (literal translation is "brain" he is part of the community leadership) to take part in the development of a youth committee that hopefully we can work with on projects. I think we will probably be teaching life skills lessons in both the primary and secondary schools, but would also like to work on other areas of need in the community.

The weather has been a bit strange, we've had rain at least 3 times since we got to Ngcina and for it to rain at all this early is very rare. I hope it is an omen of good things to come. The whole area has been in a drought for many years and water is a huge issue. The community is constantly digging bore-holes, sometimes they find the water but it only lasts for a few weeks.

We have already had some really great conversations with members of our host family (and community) about HIV / AIDS. They are very eager to learn as much as they can, which is a pleasant surprise because stigma is one of the biggest factors facing Swaziland. People just don't want to talk about it. I hope once we get to know our community better we can help break the stigma.

I suppose I should be closing soon as email here is outrageously expensive! I know I've had a couple of requests to post a story I've shared with a few of you regarding the experience I had eating freshly stewed cow brains (lightly sprinkled in manure) from a wheel-barrow. It's a dandly and hopefully I can write more in a couple of weeks. Thanks to everyone for the kind words of support as well as the letters and packages, you're amazing!!!