"This is John Deere Country"

Who knew I would leave one John Deere Country only to land myself in another? That is the sign that all visitors to Alexandria see as they drive out of town. Hilarious. That along with KFC are probably my two favorite American-things-that-they-don't-realize-are-American things! KFC here is SO GOOD by the way. The "sprinkle pops" aka popcorn chicken are my fave. I might be a vegetarian in my own house but give me fast food and I'm lovin' the chicken! Despite my assumptions that McDonalds would be the most popular fast food export (anywhere really) there are tons of KFC's here. And I have taken it upon myself to make sure everyone knows it's from America. They have to appriciate all the great things we've given them! ; )

I've had lots of people ask me about my work so I want to explain in a little more detail what exactly my "job" is. I've been assigned to work with Ikhwezi Support Group to do "capacity building". In addition to my work that I will do with Ikhwezi, I can pretty much take on anything I want in the community. The way that the Peace Corps works though is for the first three months you're at your site, you are in what's called the "community integration" period and working on a community assessment report. So, I won't be able to tell you about all my fun projects - because I'm not allowed to start any projects during this time.

This is because one - I don't know anything about this community. I need to spend some time learning about the strengths and gaps that exist here to know what I can work on (hence the community assessment). Secondly, I don't have any credibility in this community yet(besides that I'm white, so that does give me some automatic credibility, which is of course not warranted but that's SA!). So in order to start effective and lasting projects I need to have the trust of those involved and have counterparts that want to continue the things that I've started once I leave. That's the whole point of why I'm here. Which will probably be a challenge because I'll have the things that I think are good, and I think the community needs. But in the end, if it doesn't come from within this community as something THEY want, and need it won't be sustainable after I'm gone. I don't have a problem though trying to convince someone that a project I want to do is needed and valuable. For example - I REALLY want to start a girls group at the local secondary school. So, I'm going to be pushing for that one!

I've had a week and two days at work so far and it has been good! I REALLY like my co-workers and it's clear that they are all really passionate about what they are doing. I have been able to identify some things that will be challenges for me to deal with. We just had an all day assessment by one of our funders - Starfish wish is an organization that disperses funds from the United States coming from USAID/PEPFAR to HIV/AIDS organizations here in SA. It was REALLY helpful both for me and my coworkers to see the places for opportunity and growth within our org. That was actually on my first day of work and was a GREAT first day! I learned so much about Ikhwezi in one day! My whole job right now is assessment so that worked out great! I'll be doing my own assessments within the organization but it was good to know that they don't mind doing assessments and afterward are able to appriciate that process. Makes my job easier for sure.

I'm doing great here - enjoying meeting lots of people, getting to know the area, and exploring bit by bit.

"live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering!"
-crosby