So I moved into my new house in the District of Mopeia in Zambezia Province. My house is bigger than I expected- 2 bedrooms, an indoor “kitchen” (empty room), and a living room. The house is concrete painted light yellow and it’s really empty so I need to start decorating. The bathroom is outside unfortunately but there’s a big whole in the tin roof so I can see the stars when I’m taking my bucket bath. So my first impressions- it’s extremely hot, there are a lot of bugs everywhere, especially at night, but the town is beautiful with mango trees and goat babies and it seems like a nice, quiet little place. It is definitely rural but has the added comforts of electricity, a small hospital, a little shop that sometimes has bread, and supposedly mango and avocado seasons are coming up.
The adjustment from having 70 volunteers together to being completely alone in a site that has never had a volunteer living there before is pretty intense. I think the town just doesn’t really know what to make of me right now, and I don’t blame them! But I’ve been practicing my Portuguese with my neighbor and he has been extremely helpful. Now I just need to build up the courage to venture into the market so I can start cooking! (Yes I’ve been living off of pasta, peanut butter, and a pineapple for a week- not necessarily together). This is all a learning experience and it’s so much harder than I was anticipating, but I feel so much more accomplished. I’m just taking it one day at a time and celebrating the small victories (something that was really emphasized in training). Everyone at the office seems nice and they’ve been extremely helpful so I’m so appreciative! I’m really amazed at the work they’re doing in the community so I’m excited to join Save the Children.
Other than that- the food is still good but cooking for myself is going to be a challenge! There aren’t a lot of different vegetables available at my site so I think I’ll be eating a lot of beans once I figure out how to actually make them. But it’s beautiful here, I’m in good health, and so thankful for all the encouragement from home! I miss everyone very much and I wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year! And I can read emails, comments, and get texts so keep in touch in 2010!
Aren't they cute?
Jordan Rief's Blog 
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December 18, 2009 at 9:51 am
Averill Strasser
Jordan:
I am COO of Water Charity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that does water, sanitation, and public health projects worldwide. We recently started a new initiative, Appropriate Projects, to fund small water and sanitation projects very quickly.
I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Bolivia ’66-’68), and am well aware of the difficulties Volunteers face in the field. Appropriate Projects is an addition to our regular Water Charity model that is allowing us to provide project resources to PCVs in the field immediately.
Often there is that little project that must be done now (before the rains start, before school begins, or in response to a critical need), but there are no funds available. Traditional funding sources are cumbersome, and there are long forms, detailed requirements, limited resources, and long delays.
PCVs working in water and sanitation usually have potential projects lined up. For those working in other program areas, there may be water components to their projects, or improvements needed where they work or teach.
Sample projects may be: a rainwater catchment, handwashing stations for a school, water for a clinic, piping, tanks, pumps, sinks, latrines, wells, etc.
We like to “finish” projects that have been started, and “fix” things that have ceased to function.
We encourage follow-up projects that expand upon the successful completion of the first small project.
If you have a project in mind, please fill out the application form. We want this to be easy for you, so we have developed a simple form that you can fill out in one sitting.
If you have any questions about the appropriateness of your project, or you need some time to get it together, just let us know.
We pre-fund projects, so you don’t have to wait around for donations to roll in.
If you do not have a project that qualifies, please pass this message on to your fellow Volunteers who may have an interest. Finally, if this initiative resonates with you, please let others know what we are doing through your social networks, websites, and blogs.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Averill Strasser
Appropriate Projects
http://appropriateprojects.com
Water Charity
http://watercharity.org