Pictures of the Trainees!

So, every Thursday, the trainees take a break from village life in class and with their homestay families to go to the college of forestry. Its everyones favorite day because not only are they re-united weekly with their entire group (instead of broken up into four homestay villages) but they get a break from the usual schedule. They meet with he medical staff, get more shots, administrative staff, and do anything necesary to do with the entire group.

This is all the pictures I have, so I hope I got everyone!


Elizabeth is from Seattle! West Coast (Pacific Northwest-more specifically) love! Mary likes bugs.

This is Trason (trainee) talking to Lauren (PCV) outside of the dining hall at the college of forestry.

Hanging out after snack. Behind them is one of the two dorms they stayed in their first week in country.

Justin-PCV of the week and one of my sitemates.

Right after lunch. Don't worry, they're eating well.

Lots of eating pictures here.

Sorry its blurry, they were just so excited to say hi to America.

Hungry trainees.
Sitting in class, learning about cultural excepctatons and gender rolls. I guess I distracted half of them when I took this picture.

Music Videos!

Ok, Since I've found myself in Lilongwe for a semi-long period of time with endless access to free internet, I've decided I am going to share with you some of my favorite Malawian songs/videos. These are songs I hear anytime I go go ANYWHERE. I love them. Ok,so they're not neccesarily Malawian but Malawian's LOVE them.

"Bwanzi Langa" by Kapirintiya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2l4pDHOHyo&NR=1

"Mphete" or "Tuphe Lonse" by Dan Lufani (this is my favorite but I can't find the video)

"Dalo" by The Black Missionaries (sorry the videos bad and partial)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee4hB9vg3PM


"Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston (I think this guy's South African)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrTz5xjmso4

There are more but I'll save those for when there are no other people trying to use the internet.

Note on the new trainees: They're doinggreat and loving Malawi. When I was at their training for a week I offered to translate anything they needed me to to their hostfamilies....it was mostly to tell their host parents that they're really happy. They're adjusting to the culture well, learning the language quickly, and enjoying themselves and each other. If you are friends or related to any of the new trainees, you should be proud, they're great. I have pictures and I will post them...they're just stuck on my camera until I can remove them. No one seems to have the right size camera cord. You will see them this week, though. Don't worry. If you have anyone in particular you want a story about (especially environment volunteers), give me their name (I check comments) and I can tell you, more specifically how they're doing! I'm happy to help! I know its stressful not knowing how your loved ones are for 2 months. Stick in there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrTz5xjmso4

Off to See the New Trainees We Go

I just purchased toilet paper. What's left? Go to Dedza (for which transport leaves sometime in the next sometime) and gently guide and nurture the new trainees into an existance that will define the most spectacular experience of their lives. I bought soap too.

I'll be in Dedza Sunday till Sunday. That means no internet, and no updates until next Sunday. I'll try to take pictures of the trainees in my village for anyone who might be hoping to see proof of their existance from back home.