one year!

I can’t believe it’s already been a year…it does not feel that long.
I just got back from a trip to the 2 central provinces of Mozambique, Manica and Sofala. In Manica I got to see Catindica where my friend Kendra lives as well as the capital of Chimoio. It was so interesting to see a site so completely different from mine. The entire central area that I visited was mountainous and the “Africa idea” (what I thought Africa would look like before coming). I was also able to go to Gorongoza.
Before my trip I had given permaculture training. Permaculture is a type of a garden that uses specific techniques that anyone can do to increase the yield. It is especially helpful for people living with HIV/AIDS because it is close to the house and after the initial work is very minimal. I had created a permagarden in my yard to test it out and I now have tomatoes, lettuce and squash growing as well as just having planted watermelon, zucchini, cucumber and lemon grass.
After getting back I had a lot of work. In the past few weeks I’ve been making better connections with local organizations and have even set up permaculture trainings with them. In addition to that I have been trying to visit all of the peer educators that I work with. Emilia lives close to the turn off for one of my favorite beaches. It was great to see her everyday life as well as the permagarden she had created. One of my greatest succeses as a Peace Corps Volunteer is that after she had created her own permagarden her brother and sister liked the idea so much that they created their own.
After the initial tour she took me to meet the rest of her family. I met her brother, sister, neices, nephews and aunts. They were all making tapioca to sell later that week in Inharrime. To make tapioca you take the cassava root shave it and then in a big pan sauté it (without butter or oil or anything). They were such interesting people who had great stories to tell. I was so lucky to meet them. I can’t wait to see the rest of my peer educators home lives!
It’s starting to get hot again which means more beach time! I have decided that in the coming year my sitemate Scooter and I are going to try and go to all of the beaches. (not all but quite a few!) we have made a list and are doing pretty well so far!
Love,
Ann