Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I'm on my way back from a 2 week training in Morogoro where we all brainstormed projects and learned how to write grants. I'm in my banking town buying food for a big Christmas party in my village this weekend! Several volunteers are coming to my village and we're going to try to make it feel as much like Christmas as possible. On Saturday we plan to go to the orphanage and hopefully one of us will be dressed like Santa Claus (I have my camera back so I'll try to post some pictures)! I'm really excited to have people to celebrate with!

In-service Training went really well! My nurse from my dispensary came for a week and we talked about starting some great projects in my village. Currently on the table:
-A Girls Empowerment Conference with the other volunteers in my area
-A dairy goat project for pregnant women living with HIV
-Permagardening with the HIV/AIDS group in my area
-A Mama's Care Group (uses a peer education model to educate families on basic good health practices)
-Nutrition classes at the Health Center
-Pre-natal classes at the Dispensary
-Life-Skills Class at the Secondary School
-Health Club at the Primary School
-Income Generating- Basket weaving?

These are all just ideas that I'll be taking back to my community and seeing what I can motivate them to get going. I'll also be doing a lot of survey work in my new area to get to know the needs a little better. If you all have any ideas for projects or advice for those listed above, please let me know! You all are in my heart his holiday season... I hope everyone is asking for plane tickets to Tanzania for Christmas! Miss you all!

Love,
Katie