Greetings from Quelimane!!
I don't even know where to start with updating you all about
what’s been going on in my life; truth be told its been a whirlwind of awesome
adventures, meeting a ton of new people, and great new work opportunities.
The last time we talked I was in Maputo, having just
finished my week in Namaacha with the new volunteer group. Since then, they
have all taken their oath at the ambassador’s house, and were sent off to their
respective sites! There is a fantastic woman living in my old house, and she
seems to love the little grass hut, and town as much as I did (do).
After the swear-in ceremony a fellow 18er extendee and I
took the new volunteers out for a night on the town, cheap beers, karaoke – the
works. It was a great night, and a much needed opportunity to let off some
steam. Unfortunately the next morning was a bit rough for some, as some had to
travel north to Nampula for the Supervisor’s conference there. We were put up
in a very lovely hotel, right in the center of town, and while Nampula isn’t
the safest place in Moz, it does offer a lot of opportunities to buy things for
volunteer’s homes (stoves, small refigerators etc) for cheaper prices. I bought
a two-burner gas stove, and am keeping it with me until I move into my house in
September.
The conference itself went extremely well, I just finished
writing up a report consolidating the feedback from everyone about it- most, if
not all responses were positive ones. It was an introduction for many
supervisors/counterparts to what peace corps is, the role of volunteers in the
community, and how we work for our two (or three years). I facilitated a few
sessions about relationships with supervisors/counterparts, what its like to
integrate in a community, conflict resolution etc, and even with my Portugues da Rua (Portuguese from the
street) people understood the message, and the sessions went well.
One of the nights we were there, I decided to take myself
out for a cold beer at this cool balcony bar that I remembered from a year ago
(when I did a big northern travel with my friend Olivia) – so I’m sitting there
casually sipping, and suddenly I hear “hey, are you peace corps?” haha! I turn
around, and there is an RPCV (Moz 15er) who happens to be doing the same exact
thing! We ended up chatting and just having a great time catching up. That's
the beauty of this country; you never know whom you are going to meet, or where
the day is going to take you.
After a few long, but productive days in Nampula, I traveled
south with my supervisor Lucio to Quelimane, to facilitate the same conference
for the volunteers working with ICAP in Zambezia province. There was the same
feedback given, productive, positive etc. Which is always a heartwarming and
hopeful thing. Since then I have moved my things into the FGH guest house,
where I will be staying for my time here in Quelimane (before retuning to
Maputo for a week). This brings
the number of places I’ve moved/stayed at since leaving my home to 5. Fortunately
I am able to carry all that I own on my back (2 big bags, a black trunk, and a
backpack).
I have been able to explore the city of Quelimane a bit, and
am quickly falling in love with it. There are so many things to see and do, and
while it is a big city, it has such a chill and comfortable feel to it. I feel
safe enough walking around alone, there are bike taxi’s everywhere (literally a
bike, with a small cushion to sit on above the back tire) that will take you
anywhere in the city for 5 mets. It takes a bit of practice to balance properly-
but I think I’ve gotten the hang of it.
I am working with ICAP this week, in the office doing a
bunch of administrative things, and working on my other projects. I was
formally presented to the Provincial Department of Health (where I will also be
working this year), and am working out a time to go and meet the Hospital Staff
here in Quelimane. Lots of new faces, new names, and lots of work – which is
making the time FLY by. I cannot believe that it is already Mid-August?!?! What
is that?
Anywayy…. That's all for now. Send me some emails, or hit me
up on whatsapp- I have a working phone again! Phone number is +258 84 398 5044
xo
-t
