Mid-Service Reconnect

After a lovely visit the United States full of family, friends and dog time, I happily boarded the plane back to Lesotho. The flights were long, the days were tiring and my internal clock is still recovering from the time and season change. No worries though. I immediately arrived at the all volunteer conference held annually in Maseru to be enthusiastically greeted by close friends. Such a treat to see my all my friends and fellow PCVs so soon after arriving.
The conference included sessions about policies, grant opportunities along with volunteer-driven topics. The most moving session was the brave and inspiring story told by the first ever HIV positive Peace Corps volunteer who is currently serving here in Lesotho; we are bursting with pride.
The US Embassy staff was kind enough to bring some softball equipment for an entertaining game in the African summer. PC staff was kind enough to provide a projector and a large sheet for an evening movie under the stars. Not to mention the volunteer talent show which included interpretive dance and a Rubix cube genius.
Because my group is at mid-service, we had a reconnect conference to share the past, appreciate the present and plan for the future. It was wonderful seeing my groupmates and hearing about the wonderful things they have done and plan to do. The second year of service apparently flies by and is much more productive. I'm hoping to complete some of the following things:
- Training teachers in several districts about teaching health to preschool age children
- Bringing in a seasoned preschool teacher to train my teachers in full circle learning
- Applying for a PEPFAR grant to re-print books about HIV/AIDS
- Establishing small libraries in each of my local preschools and possibly primary schools
- Travelling around Southern Africa
So bring it on year #2. I'm ready.