December 17, 2005
VCT
That is: Voluntary Counselling and Testing. I have been in Lusaka all week getting certified to do peer education and counselling for HIV/AIDS. The training was good, but I am often very overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people I know living with the virus, that I suspect of having the virus, etc. I've been to too many funerals lately and watched too many kids get orphaned. News flash: Zambia has the world's lowest life expectancy (_The Economist_). There is no war here, no violence, but there is AIDS... and it is killing the people that I know and love.
Happier note: Setting out for holiday vacation on Wednesday. Out of communication pretty much. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Posted by ringo at 12:03 PM | Comments (1)
December 6, 2005
It's beginning to look a lot like. . .
CHRISTMAS. Well, okay, it looks nothing like the conventional Bing Crosby version or anything, but it is coming... quickly. I just wanted to make sure that everyone knows my address here, and that your holiday cards (HINT HINT) get to me in my home:
Annie Ringo Vine
PO BOX 630109
Choma
Zambia
Africa
I won't be travelling back to the States, but I might find snow on my Christmas trip; my friend Mathew and I are going to the mountains of Lesotho. Of course more updates on that later!
things I wouldn't mind getting in any small packages you might want to send :) might be:
- those snazzy new zip-locked packages of chunk-light and albacore tuna with Charlie grinning on the package, but the snack packs with crackers and mayo are a bit much to mail and I can get mayo and crackers here
-country cracklins... you guys anywhere but in the Deep South won't find these... they come in a pink package and are found only in gas stations, but they are my number 1 comfort food, so I'm missing them a lot oh! I think that they say "Southern Recipe" on the top
-flamin hot cheetos
-nice pens, especially pilot v-ball series
-LSAT study books, but this doesn't mean that I am going to law school, just taking the test
-books to read
-pictures of you, your family, and friends
-
Posted by ringo at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)
December 2, 2005
RAIN
Wow. When they say rainy season, they mean it! I thought I might flood down the street with all the garbage today! At any rate, we are all very thankful that the rain has come... even if it is for 10 hours a day!
Posted by ringo at 3:00 PM | Comments (2)