“Lovin' Ghana: finished student teaching, now learning my local community's language, getting ready to spend the next 4 weeks on the road doing on-site language study, school/counterpart orientation, HIV/AIDS project prep, and moving into my new house!!!”
This was my FB status update just now, let me take a minute to expand on it. (Lesson to be learned: pre-prepare posts before coming to the internet café!!!) So I think I was successful in posting a reflection about my time at practicum so you’ve got an idea of how that went. The intensive language study hasn’t been very intensive because I’ve been sick. I’ve been sick for 6 days with on and off a high fever and headache that goes all the way into my neck. Today is a good day however and I think I might be over the hump. I know I don’t have malaria because we did a test for that. Maybe it was stress/heat/environmentally related, I don’t know. Hopefully its over though because it’s going to make the next 4 weeks of travel crazy difficult if it isn’t.
So besides language school we’ve still been doing some seminar days and teacher prep. We work on Saturdays too and that leaves Sunday for church and laundry. This coming Sunday we’ll be traveling to another site to do immersion language training. I’m really looking forward to this because I can use all the intensity and help I can get. Even though I’ll be able to teach in English, it is quite clear that outside of school – or even in the teacher’s lounge – the local language reigns, as it should. After a week of language study then we meet with and do a school/counterpart orientation with the actual headmaster (principal) and coteacher from the school we’re going to. After a week of formalities together then I get to go visit my site! I get to move into my house and see my school. I’m so lucky that I’ll be replacing a current PCV because he’ll be able to show me the ropes before he leaves at the end of July. He’s leaving me a sweet house and bikes. I’m really looking forward to being able to get a taste of the real thing. After that in the fourth week of travel we attend a special HIV/AIDS project training that US AID is sponsoring called PEPFAR. I don’t know what will be expected of me but I’ll be glad to participate. After four weeks of travel we return “home” to Kukurantumi and our homestay for three weeks and then we’re sworn in on August 30th!!! It’ll happen that fast! If the last month is telling, time will fly and days will feel like weeks and weeks like months.
My time is up at the café right now so I must run. You can see pictures from the last few weeks here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150717347680495.720815.705840494&l=658be84149
Godspeed. -Zachar
I can't believe the first month is already over! You've accomplished so much and it's a blessing to be able to hear about it here in the States. Thanks so much for sharing!
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