The new group of education trainees arrived on July 3rd. I spent one hectic week in Kombo with them, running from one session to the next, spending time with them between and after their training sessions, and trying to sqeeze in my own meetings and work on secondary projects on the side. I've enjoyed getting to know the trainees and being a part of the training process so far, despite the long hours. They are so full of energy and motivation. In some ways, it has re-charged me a little too. I'm excited for them and all of the things they hope to achieve! I've especially gotten to know the fou
r trainees that are learning to speak Pulaar, which is the language I learned (am still learning, actually). On Thursday, the trainees left for their training villages, and I went went them. I spent 3 days in a village called Fula Kunda, which was only 4km from my old training village, Jiroff, so I was able to go back and visit my old family for a few hours. It was nice to be back in my old training village when I could actually have converstations with people! The rest of the time, I spent with the trainees. In the beginning, I helped them set up things like their water filters and bed-nets, but I basically just answered a lot of their questions and provided a little emotional support. They seem to be going through the usual things that happen on your first move to village. Stomach issue, language communication problems, getting used to eating the food, missing family and friends, etc. A few of them had leaky houses or insect issues. In the beginning, these things can be overwhelming, but I think they're doing great despite it all. After only two days, they already started working together in the garden. A nice thing for me was that the four of them gave me thank-you letters and a little gift bag filled with treats they brought from the states to say thanks!
r trainees that are learning to speak Pulaar, which is the language I learned (am still learning, actually). On Thursday, the trainees left for their training villages, and I went went them. I spent 3 days in a village called Fula Kunda, which was only 4km from my old training village, Jiroff, so I was able to go back and visit my old family for a few hours. It was nice to be back in my old training village when I could actually have converstations with people! The rest of the time, I spent with the trainees. In the beginning, I helped them set up things like their water filters and bed-nets, but I basically just answered a lot of their questions and provided a little emotional support. They seem to be going through the usual things that happen on your first move to village. Stomach issue, language communication problems, getting used to eating the food, missing family and friends, etc. A few of them had leaky houses or insect issues. In the beginning, these things can be overwhelming, but I think they're doing great despite it all. After only two days, they already started working together in the garden. A nice thing for me was that the four of them gave me thank-you letters and a little gift bag filled with treats they brought from the states to say thanks!Tomorrow, I will be traveling back upcountry. I have been gone for over three weeks now. I miss Fatoto and I miss my family. I'm looking forward to getting back. It will only be a short trip though, because I will be meeting the trainees in Tendaba in less than two weeks! This summer will involve a lot of traveling for me, but I'm looking foward to some of the work I'll be doing. I'm sure September will come again before I know it....
