Life in the village

So, life in the village is nothing like life in the Serena Hotel but at least I'm comfortable. Things at the organization have been a little quiet but that's mostly because we can't test people for HIV right now because we don't have any test kits (the entire district is without). January to March we tested a village testing outreach project that was overwhelmingly successful in the villages. My organization has submitted some proposals in an effort to raise money for transport and for allowances for people who provide the services. I hope that we have a chance to implement the project because we tested so many people just by going to them. I assume most people are like me and you know a service is good and you should use it but it's just that much sweeter when that service is delivered to you (it's like on-line shopping)!!
When I returned from the Serena I had to readjust to life with a lantern and a pit latrine but it didn't take long to get used to village life again. April flew by with the drama group coming to practice and the board of directors being redesigned. In May, the drama group performed for local officials at the Labour Day celebration. I hope to have pictures of that on flickr in about a month. And Carrie and I started a collaboration. She goes to villages to train Community Resource Persons (CRPs) about HIV and how to help encourage their community members to go for HIV testing without freaking them out and my organization's drama group goes to present a play, songs, and traditional dances for the CRPs. So far, they have performed at 3 of her trainings and have done a great job!
I continue to present with Stephen on the radio program that we have once a month. And help with the health talk we give to the Post Test Club.
As always, I miss the food from home but I'm beginning to get used to cooking the local food. Mpora mpora (slowly by slowly), I am making my way to preparing things on the local charcoal stove. Haven't quite given up my gas cooker, though!
Evenings are still uneventful. Most of the time I am in my home by 730 pm (that's when it gets dark) and I stay there until the morning! Which means I have a lot of time to read books. I think this is the most I have ever read in my life! But I must be learning a lot...somehow.