Busy busy busy

Well, I haven't written on here in a while, so I thought I should fill everyone in on what I've been up to for the last month...Well, I spent a few weeks at site doing lots of youth club activities like teaching them about STDs and HIV/AIDS. It has gone really well! I also went to a lot of nutrition outreach clinics with the NGO, InterAide. They are an amazing organization who does more work than the district that I work for! I love helping them out because they are so genuine and really want to help the communities around my area.
At the end of April, I went in to Lilongwe to meet with a bunch of people to discuss my TBA training funding (I need to now try to find 25% community contribution which will be very difficult and more frustrating) and talk about my new involvement with a community based organization (aka a local NGO). They recently asked me to be their "Technical assistant and project advisor." I'm not really sure what all of that will entail, but sounds like they basically want me to re-organize their whole organization, so we'll see what I can help them do! I also went to the new environment volunteers' swearing in at the ambassador's house! It was nice!
I am back in Blantyre this weekend as I was asked to help facilitate a Hope Kit training for the PCVs in the southern region since I went to the Hope Kit training in February and am teaching these activities to the youth clubs at site. It went pretty good. I think I might be asked by the training staff of the new health group that comes in at the end of May to train them on the Hope Kit! I'm excited about that! I also have another Gender and Development meeting this afternoon to discuss our fundraiser of making these really cool handbags that all PCVs eventually get made on their own!
Last weekend, I met with the Sub Traditional Authority and a senior head chief to discuss another exciting project of building a guardian shelter at the health center for the women who take care of the women in the labor ward. As of right now, they cook their meals under a big tree and sleep on a concrete slab in the wind and cold (its fall here now). The chiefs seemed really excited and supportive of this project, so now they will "rally the troops" in their villages, as well as get support from other chiefs in the area! I think it will work out really well!
I guess that's it for now until the end of this month when I'll be in Lilongwe again for meetings and seeing the new health group come in! I hope you are all well! I love and miss you lots!