Project Planning

Hi All.

Its been quite some time since I've written in this blog. I am sure most of you know that I have been back in the States for some time now. Despire the hatred of these cold Winter months and the lack of iwes to play with outside my window, I think I have adjusted back to life in American pretty well. I have to admit when I first returned the Airport was scary, stores and restaurants ( basically anywhere with too many options) was overwhelming and socially I felt awkward and couldn't find things to relate to in every day conversations. Being busy helped fix this culture shock gradually...

Since I have been home I've been working! First at the special needs summer camp that I've worked at previously, Camp Horizons and now as a full time employee of the Supportive Employment and Options department of the same agency, Horizons. I support about 9 different ladies ages 17-50 at their places or work. There jobs, abilities, and personalities vary and I love working with all of them! My job is stressful yet constantly rewarding and I am enjoying it...and the paycheck and health insurance are pretty nice too! It has not been all work and no play however. Since being back I have visited Maine, LA, San Francisco, Boston, NYC, and just last weekend Phoenix, Arizona! One of my goals upon coming home was to see more of the United States... there are so many States I have yet to see!

Some of you may know I brought my cat back with me from Zambia... she made it through customs and everything! Kha$h Money has also gone through a bit of culture shock just like her mommy... but she is now a fully Americanized... fattened up and loving the pampered life of kitty litter and catnip!

I've been able to stay in touch with my family and friends in Kasama on a semi-regular basis. If any of you have friends or family abroad that you talk to regularly (and you own a smart phone) I HIGHLY recommend getting an ap called "Penny Talk." I have been able to make many successful calls to Zambia using this ap and have only spent $20 so far! It's amazing!

My village, my school, my kids, my family, the stars, the sun, the waterfalls, HELL EVEN THE FOOD in Zambia... I miss them/it all constantly!! I want to go back, at least for a visit and I've been thinking about some projects that I want to start/continue at Chileshe Chepela. I am working on the details right now with some other returned volunteers. Basically, my main goal is to get back and work to train teachers in Physical Therapy, Art Therapy, Fine Motorskills... and other things that would be really useful for all the students with special needs at Chepela, but weren't taught to the teachers. My friends and I are working currently on finding funding in hopes of returning for a month this summer to run a workshop at the school. If anyone reading this is interested in helping, donating, or supporting this project in any means please e-mail me and let me know! We are going to need a lot of backing to pull it off but I think we have some good background and connections in Kasama to make it become reality! I'll keep you all posted as I get more information!