Photo Reflections: Month 32 (November 2013)

Movember arrived in Botswana and Tuan participated.
His moustache may go down as one of the creepiest.

I began working with my counterpart in a very meaningful way
to bring IECD programs to most at-risk communities. This is
our first meeting together to discuss scaling up the services at our
"model site" and ways to begin implementing in other rural villages.

IECD Resource Pack In Action

For nearly a year, I have been working as part of a technical team to develop a resource pack to train educators and communities about integrated early childhood development (IECD). In my final days working at PCI, we finished the IECD Resource Pack and received approval from the Government of Botswana for it to be used as part of a curriculum to certify pre-school teachers from rural and remote communities. This was a huge feat for us and something we were very proud to achieve because of its potential positive impact for these most at-risk communities.

This week we started our very first training using the IECD Resource Pack. My counterpart in the effort called me to thank me for all of the great work I did and to let me know that the training was going exceedingly well and she was so happy. Yesterday, the US Embassy in Botswana posted about this training (and, subsequently, my resource pack) on their Facebook page. It is wonderful that our project is getting accolades and visibility in this way. I am so proud to have been a key player in this project and am excited to see where it goes from here.

Photo Reflections: Month 31 (October 2013)

A Very Thai Vacation - Railay Beach

A Very Thai Vacation -Ayutthaya

A Very Thai Vacation -Chiang Mai

A Very Thai Vacation -Mai Tang Region

Vacation in Thailand with the love of my life and some wonderful PCV friends.

Crossing the T's and Dotting the I's: An End Grows Near

Today I turned in my Description of Service and had my exit interview with the Country Director. There are only nine days left of this 1,182 day journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I have to admit that it has been very challenging at times, often pushing me to see and feel and do things I never could have dreamed of, but it has also been the most rewarding experience of my life. I am the same girl that boarded the plane to Botswana more than three years ago but I have new eyes and stronger convictions and thicker skin. I now have the skills to go along with my passion and conviction. And, most of all, I am grateful for this experience and humbled by the amazing people I have met along the way. What a beautiful world and a beautiful life this has been.

Photo Reflections: Month 30 (September 2013)

 

Handover event with the FNB Foundation at my previous NGO
in Gabane. On this day, we were awarded our new combi, the
new playground for the pre-school was unveiled, and all of the
children received new warm blankets and sundries to call their own.
It was a remarkable day and one I was grateful to still be in country for.

Photo Reflections: Month 29 (August 2013)

Tuan and I flew to Ghoha Hills in Savuti for the weekend.
We spent two days relaxing, eating amazing food, and seeing wildlife.

Photo Reflections: Month 28 (July 2013)

I began my work at Project Concern International as a
Technical Advisor for the Integrated Early Childhood Development
and Life Skills components of a USAID-funded project addressing
the needs of orphans, vulnerable children, adolescent girls, and women.

Photo Reflections: Month 27 (June 2013)

Welcoming committee for my first weekend back in Washington
after 26 months in Botswana!

My 30th birthday with my mama at one of my favorite spots, Zola!

With my sister at the dog beach in Southern California!

Tacos with my bestie in San Diego!

 All that mattered in June 2013?
HOME LEAVE!

Photo Reflections: Month 26 (May 2013)

I hosted a new friend for two weeks and our souls instantly connected.
Brittany came to volunteer with a hospice care center in Gaborone but
when she wasn't being an all-star social worker there, we were together
visiting my NGO, seeing animals at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, cooking,
market shopping, watching Rent, having intense conversations for hours,
laughing uncontrollably, and sharing in this beautiful adventure of life.
Her visit proved, once again, that everyone is a stranger until you open
up to them and then they may just be your very best friend!

Photo Reflections: Month 25 (April 2013)

The first time Tuan took me flying!
QUE FUN!