The end is fastly approaching.

It has been too long since I last wrote something like 5 months. So sorry for all who look to this as away to stay connected to me. So I have less then a year to go and wow I am going to busy in these next 10 months. A trip to America which I am excited and slightly nervous about. But it will be good to help me know what to expect when finally coming back to the states.

So what has happened in the last 4 months.
New volunteers came into country. 20 environmental volunteers and 20 health volunteers. I applied and was selected to help for a week train the new volunteers. I had to go to training to know how to train the new volunteers and what topics I would cover. I am not a teacher and not a public speaker but thought what they heck no better way to get better or be more okay with public speaking then to do it. I taught creating tree nurseries, Global and Malawi Environmental issues, and helped out with others. I stayed in the home stay village with the Env. technical trainer Cathrine she was amazing and now a good friend. All in all I think the training went pretty well. It was fun to see how far our group has come in a year. Also they all asked the same questions and had the same concerns as we did.  The week was exhausting and fun, glad to be part of the new volunteers training experience.

Vince came to visit which was a lot of fun. We went to Zambia on a safari which was amazing look at the pictures on facebook if you want to see how amazing it really was. It was quite the adventure to get there because I thought no big deal we will just drive a rental car across borders. But it all worked out just a little stressful. Then we headed down to my place, we rented a car which made transport much easier. He drove the whole time while I navigated these roles seem to work well for us. We went to lunch at my friend and counterparts house, Andrew. Where his mom and sisters made us lunch. They barley said hello to us which is odd but I guess with a white man there they tried to stay behind the scenes. Vince was able to eat a traditional malawian meal containing nsiama, beans, eggs, and greens. We were also given a ton of fruit. Andrew as always is amazing to me and my guests. Then we headed to the lake for a Vince's birthday and some relaxing. It was really winding and kind of cold but we still had a great time. Then Vince left I was pretty sad to see him go kind of made me home sick. Plus I was living the life of an American visiting since Vince financed the trip. Reality was tough :)

But only a week at site then I headed back up to lilongwe for Mid Service Training. I thought it would be not that helpful but it turned out to be pretty useful. It was also nice to talk projects and site experiences with other volunteers. It was our small env. group for 3 days it was really nice. Also it was good because they had some sessions on plans after peace corps. So I will take the GRE again 5 years have passed since I last took it, damn I am old. I will take it in Oct then apply to grad schools in International Environmental Policy. I hope to one day be the one on the ground who evaluates how policies are implemented and how effective they actually are as well as what can be done to change how it works on the ground. So that the policy and what actually happens are more in line.  We will see it might all just be pipe dreams.

Now I am back at site and hitting the ground running because before I know it I will be leaving for a visit to America. Been pretty busy and feeling the pressure of time. Hopefully next week the bee keeping group will be harvesting honey. Then the next week I am having a nutrition day for the HIV/Aids support group I work with. I am also editing the grant I submitted, it needs some work. I have also started studying for the GRE. I am trying to garden once again, I planted some seedlings and weeded my old garden. So needless to say I am keeping busy and enjoying life.

I will be in America(Chicago, area) from Aug. 20th to Sept. 11th, hopefully will see all who I can. Thanks for listening to me ramble and hopefully this helps you understand what I am doing here.
Miss ya all and love ya
Essie/Esther

Almost a year! I can't believe it can you?

Hello All

So it has been a little while since I last posted something but I haven't had a lot to talk about I guess.I will almost have been here a year. The new volunteers come in March like I did and the cycle starts again. I am hoping to go help out with the new volunteers training which I am excited about.  I went to Likoma Island, an island on the lake and then spent New Years at Nkhata Bay, a lake town known for its new years eve parties. It was great I had a relaxing time on the island went snorkeling, walked around on the island, and took a boat ride to another lodge for Christmas dinner. New Years was fun but for me it isn't a big deal. It was nice to hang out and have some drinks with other Americans.

It is now rainy season till March or April. So it has made things more interesting like slipping and sliding on the muddy dirt roads. The electricity going out every time we have a storm. As well as reading a bit more. I don't mind the rain most days because I know it will bring food. The chimanga(corn/maize) is tall and growing cobs and the pineapple and avocados have started coming in. To say the least I have been enjoying some salads ie cut up vegetables mixed together sometimes with vinegar. No lettuce here just greens which are not too great as salad. But I am growing some lettuce so hopefully I will have a lettuce salad soon.

Okay in terms of work. I have been going once a week to meet with the HIV/Aids support group and teach them about natural medicine. We cover a few plants a week and how to use them or what needs to be done to them to treat a certain problem. Both of the tree nurseries that I have helped set up are doing well and soon should be able to be planted in the ground and maybe we will start some more. Next week the Bee Keeping group will have a business management training from a women at a local NGO. Also the women's group that I work with wants to start a project where they make clay pots and raise chickens to help their children and local orphans go to school. So I am working on a grant that will allow them to build a shelter. So hopefully it all works out, I am at the beginning stages of it.  So things are moving along a little slower then the usual slow because of the rains people don't really do much when it rains just stay in and do the basics. But I have also been working on some personal goals so that allows time for that.

Vince has bought his ticket to come out at the end of April. I am looking forward to laughing at him a lot and showing him a good time. I will be coming back to the states at the end of August early Sept for Kally and Andrew's wedding. I am also looking forward to see all the family and being part of an awesome occasion. I am still looking at tickets so when I buy one I will let all know so we can plan to meet up.

I am enjoying life here but now also thinking about what I will do when this is over in terms of work. I am not sure yet a few things have crossed my mind like going to graduate school or continuing working abroad. I am really not sure yet I guess I have a year but as I know that goes by quicker then you realize. Like I said I didn't have much to say so sorry for the lack of exciting news.

Hope all are well in 2013
Love and Miss you All
Essie/Esther

life at 9 months in

So its been awhile, sorry for all of you loyal followers. Like everyone out their I got busy and posting on my blog wasn't a priority. Okay so last I wrote I was off to the game count, which I helped out at one of the camps with logistics and saw ANIMALS! All and all a good time if you are on facebook you saw the pictures if not ask and I can send to you or maybe someone else can help you out since my internet is slow and for some reason will not load pictures on the blog. But at least I have internet access on a regular basis, can't complain.

Okay since I last wrote Obama has been reelected! People here are pretty happy about it they see him as an African since is father was from Kenya and he is "friends" with the former presidents brother, Peter Mutharika who will most likely be running for office in 2014. Not sure how close of friends they actually are but people always mention it to me. Malawians just love Obama, they have Obama t-shirts, chechenjes, candy, umbrellas, and even an Obama roll (just a malawian scone with sugar on top). So after he won people here were excited, it was interesting to talk American politics with some of my Malawian friends. Okay enough about politics I know not everyone agrees on these issues so I will keep it short.

Okay so Halloween and Thanksgiving have passed since I last wrote. Other volunteers got together for halloween in Blantyre but I didn't got not a holiday that means all that much to me. I think the last few I have been working or haven't done much even while living in the states. Thanksgiving on the other had is my favorite holiday because in American it spans religion and politics and is just a day to be thankful and eat. So that is what I did, A few of my friends and I cooked a thanksgiving meal for about 30 people at the golf club in town. Some people from the UK, Canada, Malawi, Amsterdam, and America. We had chicken instead of turkey but had mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, pumpkin pie and apple pie. People seemed to enjoy the food and the atmoshpere all and all a good time.

I have had a few intestinal bacteria infections which I have just taken antibiotics for a few days and then started feeling better. One time was during some training on teaching HIV/Aids education and gender empowerment. A bunch of people at the training got sick, something in the food or water made us all sick. The training was just okay got a few new resources but other then that was ready to get home and feel better. Next week I am going to training on natural medicine gardens and how to implement them in our communities I hope it is helpful.

My fence is complete and I have cleaned up my yard some and made one bed and planted some seedlings. Some have germinated while others have not done so well. I am excited to be able to produce some of my own veggies. It is now mango season so I am having my fill of mango's which is awesome but I have to be careful cause when I eat too many I get a rash on my face from them. They are in the same family as poison ivy and the skins have an allergen in them that I guess I am allergic to slightly.

I set up a training with the bee keeping group I am working with so they could know how to manage their colonies. I was at training when they were being trained but apparently it went well. They guy putting on the training let me know that they were motivated and enthusiastic, so that is good. I acquired some tree seedlings and tubes to plant the trees in so a community tree nursery has been established they have about 5,000 tree seedlings. They would have about 6,000 but the group village headman decided he should have a 1,000. I guess you get the good with the bad. I am not going to change a world of corruption but I can do my best to avoid and make sure the community are getting what they need. On another note I gave tree seeds and tubes to the HIV/Aids support group and they are also starting a tree nursery and working very hard to make it happen. I wanted someone from that group to come with me to this natural medicine training I am going to but it is mostly women and they said that they could not leave for a week. So my counterpart and friend Andrew is coming with me and then we will come back and do a training day with the support group and the women's group that we work with. So it will be nice to go with someone I am already used to working with but was hoping to give a women a chance to do something outside the village but I guess the life they live just makes it impossible. I have also met with an organization that is going to help me implement a management plan for the forest here at Tea Research Foundation.  All and all good things are happening just at a pretty slow pace but I enjoy the slow pace most of the time except when I am in a hurry :)

I am looking forward to the Holidays here I know I will miss my family and friends and life of luxury at times but I am planning on going up to the lake to visit with friends so it should be nice. Very simple but relaxing and enjoyable just what I want in life. Well I don't think I will get another post up before the holidays seeing that tomorrow is December first, oh wow how time flies. I hope everyone has a great holiday and enjoys time with friends and family. Just know I think of everyone often.
Lots of Love,
Essie/Esther

Training and a visit to the lake

I have been away from home for a little over 3 weeks and wow did I miss it. I knew I would but not this much. I came back and everyone was so happy to see me even the things that would usually get to me made me smile. When I returned home a fence was being built around my house and it is still in the process of getting done. Once it is complete I will be able to start my garden and lay around in my yard and not be stared at. So I am pretty excited about that.

At last I got to see the lake that most people talk about when discussing Malawi. It was very pretty and really hot. I stayed with my friend who lives by the lake it was really nice. We went swimming and laid out by the lake away from the village so we wouldn't be bothered. We kayaked to lizard island and saw cichild fish which was really cool. I have to say thank you to Genna for being patient with me because I was fearful of tipping my kayak. We made it back with no tips, mostly dry, and some awesome sunburn lines. It was also great to see what kind of work she was doing. She is health volunteer so her work is much different then mine plus she loves kids also much different then me. As volunteers we are often told how different everyone service is going to be but I don't think I really realized that until I saw a volunteer's site and day to day life that started the same time as I did. The experience was eye opening and a lot of fun it was good to bounce ideas and problems off another volunteer.

After the lake I went to In service Training also known as IST. The first day we went to the Nordin's former Peace Corps volunteers who have been living in Malawi for 15 years. We went to check out their permagardening that they have going on at their house. The whole set up they have is really cool. Then we headed to Dedza where our counterparts met us there. The college of Forestry in Dedza was our first taste of Malawi so it has this comfort factor to a lot of volunteers. We had a lot of good technical training and some fun exercises in trusting our counterparts and them trusting us. On Saturday our counterparts left and we went to a cultural center. It had some really interesting stuff in the center and a really cool and reasonable gift shop. Then on Sunday we went back to see our home stay families. Mine was really excited to see me and I got nervous and couldn't speak much Chichewa plus I am not that good. So it was still kind of awkward. I gave them some gifts and they gave me a bag of potatoes. They now have a pig and a TV that they run off a car battery so doing well I guess. The kids had gotten bigger and had new clothes so that was nice to see. In the afternoon on Sunday all the Health volunteers came so it was great to see them all. We had a week of training together on administrative stuff so not super interesting.

The following Saturday all the Env. volunteers left most of us went up to Lilongwe to hangout for a day to get some stuff done at the office. I stayed around to go to the dentist and do somethings at the office. We went one night and saw The Black Missionaries a Malawian Reggae band, it was a good time. On Monday I went to the dentist and my long term plan is to get two root canals in my front two teeth so that should be interesting. I will most likely have to go to South Africa to get that done. My Ipod is MIA I am hoping it is at the office otherwise I think I have insurance on it and can get another one I hope. An Ipod makes traveling here so much more relaxing so it is a must have.

All in all a good trip but glad to be back home and hit the ground running on projects. I am going next week to liwonde national park to help out with a game count so hoping to see some animals then.
Hope everyone is doing well.
Essie

A cat who thinks we are friends and a friend who is really a friend

Okay so I have a cat friend well it thinks we are friends but I have different thoughts on that. This grey cat sneaks into my backyard area threw the drain area where I dump my water a pretty small hole that this cat manages to enter. It eats from my compost pile and has now decided it wants to be in my house. I leave my back door open when I am home and it has just started walking in like no big deal I chase it out but it always seems to come back. I guess because I don't hit it or throw things at like most Malawian would do it seems to take that as oh I like it. Well it is a nice looking cat but I am just not a cat person or looking for a pet while in Malawi. So hopefully we can come to an understanding at some point.

My friend and village counterpart Andrew has been helping me out a lot as of lately. So my well project got prefunded so I got the money even though not enough has been donated yet. So check it out if you haven't yet. Andrew and I went to get the supplies on Wednesday and early Thursday morning I get a knock on my door. It is Andrew and the builder they want to get supplies so he can get to work. The builder also came by today for more supplies so he is working fast I am very happy and surprised. Last week I went to meeting with this group called BRIDGE they work with communities on HIV/Aids testing and getting out information about the issues. It was good I think I probably only understood a third of it. On the way home Andrew and I took a shortcut home that I have never taken and probably wouldn't have had I known that there were not 1 but 2 ridiculous bridges to cross. If you don't know already I have a fear of sketchy looking bridges completely rational I might add. So the first one I am pretty nervous that it can even hold my weight so I keep asking Andrew if he thinks it will hold me and I guess he thinks I say hold me because he holds my hand while we cross. All the while the women washing their clothes and getting water in the stream laughed and talked about me. The second one not as bad plus I saw a man with a bike and heavy load cross before us. I made it home eventually and I am completely grateful for Andrew in so many ways from helping be get stuff done to holding my had to cross a bridge.

Did I mention I met Hilary Clinton? Okay so when I say met she came to the ambassador’s house gave a short speech on how she is hopeful about the future of Malawi and she sees it going good places. As well as proud of the work that is occurring now. Then she shook a bunch of people’s hands mine being one of them. That is me meeting Hilary Clinton.

My electricity has been out for the last few days a transformer blew is what is said the problem. Luckily they run a generator so the office can still run but not to the houses. So I have been cooking on a charcoal stove called a mbaula not too bad I am pretty good at lighting it and I prepare the food I am going to cook while it gets going.

Things are going well I have talked to friends and family on skype a few times. I have also received letters and packages so feeling loved and not missing home. Have had a cold and bit of a stomach problem this last week but I seem to be feeling better. So my health is good.

Well until next time.

Wells

Hey all I am working on a project repairing wells in the village. The explanation of the project and if you would like to donate is located here: http://appropriateprojects.com/node/1257 Thanks for all the love and support. I am doing well and trying to stay busy.

Post Malawi Birthday, Age: 29

Okay so I didn't post as soon as I promised but well I have been busy I guess well busy in Malawi standards. My birthday was nice nothing too crazy just the way I like it. There was a race up the Mountain that weekend so was able to visit with a few volunteers so that was nice. My one friend said she wasn't coming then surprised me so that was nice to see her.  I made myself a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and yes I ate the whole thing over a course of a few days and was glad when it was finished. I got an awesome drunk call from Michigan so it was 9 am here so it was 1am there so that was entertaining and fun to hear every one's voice so thanks to all I talked to it made me smile and laugh some.

I have applied to a appropriate projects to help get some funding to repair some of the wells in the village. I have to wait 3 weeks to hear back they are back logged but when I find out what is going on people will be able to donate money to help complete the project. I will let you all know when that occurs. I have taken some pictures and talked to Andrew about what needs to be done to make these wells more functional. We will see what happens.

I went hiking on Mt. Mulanje this weekend I crossed some shady looking bridges and pipes that carry water which make me super anxious ( I am afraid of heights and shady bridges. Completely logical but the fear overcomes me and I often can't breath or cross the bridge without freaking out.) but I did it and only needed a little help. I also hung out with some other Americans so that was nice but I am glad to have a pretty low key week. Friday is World Environment Day so events are occurring here at TRF which should be fun and interesting. It has been cool and overcast the last few days I am going to try to enjoy the cool weather because in few months when it is hot season I will be wishing for 70 degree days.

My bananas finally ripened so I have been eating a lot of bananas for free I have been enjoying them with peanut butter and honey and just by themselves as well. I am eating what I think will be the last avocados of the season so I  am enjoying those. The monkeys have been leaving me alone guess I showed them whose boss :) I better be careful what I say they could be reading this or maybe karma will bite me in the ass.

I will try to post pictures sometime soon but does take some time. I am getting ready for training in the early part of Sept. I am excited to see all the other volunteers who I started with and see how they are doing. As well as obtain some more knowledge and skills. I am really trying to learn the language but I am struggling with it but it will come in due time. All I can do is keep trying to learn something new everyday. Other than that things are going well I am enjoying myself and learning some new things along the way. Hope this finds all well.