Update

So this past month, I have been working on language a lot. After my first two months at site and then IST, I felt as though my Wolof skills were not where they needed to be to start working. So I had a nice meeting with my supervisor and counterpart after IST, telling them that I needed to be more independent and work on Wolof for another month or so. I can tell that this "break" has really helped. I still don't enderstand everything, but I'm able to have more conversations and understand more of what people are saying to me. This coming month, I still plan on focusing a lot on Wolof, but I feel confortable to start work too. I'm not sure how quickly I can start projects in Dahra, but I'm going to try to start planning some things and meeting with a few of the women's groups and associations in town.

Here are a few projects that I hope to start working on within the next two months:

• waste management project (hopefully city-wide with the support of the mayor's office)
• IT training
• help out with the English club at the local high school
• planning for teaching Junior Achievement next school year
• start gardens and/or tree nurseries at local schools.

Some cross-sectoral work projects include:

•  HIV/AIDS tournee
• Moringa tournee
• Girls' Leadership Camp  
• Field Days in nearby villages.

I have also been appoved for my Capstone proposal, so I will begin working on that too. My research question is "How does social capital affect local economic development?" I will be focusing my research on my work in Dahra and throughout Senegal. I plan to graduate with my M.A. in December of 2011.

So that's what's been going on here in Dahra :) The weather has been somewhat cooler (upper 80s and lower 90s throughout the day), but we've had a lot of issues with power and water cuts. I'm still adjusting to everything, but I am enjoying my time here. Thank you to everyone for the prayers, words of encouragement, packages, and cards. I appreciate them all!

Christmas Happiness

As I am writing this, I am listening to Christmas music, compliments of my parents. That’s right, it is now January 6, 2011 and I am still celebrating Christmas. Why, you might ask? Because Christmas just wasn’t the same this year without my family, or when the average daily temperature is 100 degrees; besides, Christmas is really about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, not about presents.  I did celebrate Christmas at its’ appointed time, but decided that I would continue for another month or so, as I knew that I had a few packages on the way and several Christmas cards. Today I received 3 packages, one from my parents and one from each of my grandmothers. I am so blessed to have family that wants to make me feel as home as much as possible in a country so far away. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and who have sent me cards…I appreciate your thoughts more than I can express.

American goodies :)