Friday, October 5, 2007

Anna vs. the Ants

Okay, the deal with the ants is off. They've been multiplying rapidly and holding parties when I'm not there. What would the nuns think? I have a reputation to uphold, you know. They've also successfully invaded my last line of defense, my cereal box, and now it's over. I hope they've planned a good exit strategy, because I've invested in "Ant-Go", which admittedly looks a bit suspect (no instructions, expiration date, ingredients, etc), and strangely resembles table salt, but if it delivers what the name suggests, I'll be happy. It's getting a bit crowded in my little room.

Wednesday I went to Kitui. Of course no trip to Kitui would be complete without visiting my host family, and so it was. At their insistence that I not "reduce" (in size. as if there was any chance of that happening) they bought me lunch at one of the local food joints and we had a nice time catching up. They have another new trainee living with them who they called a "blessing", and who I also happened to meet when running errands. Hey, it's a small town.

Also this week the Peer Educators performed their hygiene promotion lesson for some important local officials (nuns included). The lesson includes a skit, visual aids, and a song (dancing is optional but encouraged) in the local language, Kikamba. This was a first run through of the lesson plan that we've been composing and finalizing for the last 2 months, and they've made me quite proud. They're a great bunch. In a few weeks we're taking the show on the road to the primary schools when the first latrines are completed. Brace yourselves, folks.

P.S. I've added some photos of classrooms and latrines from visits to the schools. Now you can see what I see. Enjoy.

6 comments:

Melanie said...

I didn't know you had photos on Flickr! I love them!

I owe you an e-mail, but I was sort of waiting for something funny and/or deep to happen to me. I think I might just give up and write of the mundane.

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna:

I can see why you are awake 5 in the morning with the children running to school and making noise. The ants you will have to try lavender oil when you receive it from Maryland. I guess the ants are enjoying your cereal that is why they have invaded your room.Take care and keep that nice smile.
Love you,
Amina

Anonymous said...

the children are absolutely precious!
mom

Stop Vegetarianism Now said...

oh sp! i love the photos. they are prec! some of the little boys look like the starting children that Oprah tries to save. obviously she has not succeeded but maybe you will! i love the volleyball net and the camel in the street. :)

Anonymous said...

Prachtige foto's die je gemaakt hebt van de kinderen!Maar wat de klaslokalen betreft is het echt behelpen! Laat ik het dan nog maar niet over de toilets hebben!
Voor ons onvoorstelbaar!
Hier gaat alles zijn gangetje, de jongens moeten nog een week naar school en dan hebben ze weer herfstvakantie, een hele week niets doen!
Annemarieke pas goed op je zelf en tot gauw schrijfs.
Maria.

Anonymous said...

You rock so hard! I love reading your stories; keep them coming!!!