Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Still Raining here in Guinea

Hi all,
Just another rainy day in Guinea...I was a little nostolgic for seattle when I got up this morning to the sound of light rain on the tin roof. I still have plans to make the 12 km bike ride to my neighbor volunteer Ashley's house, I just have to go with the anticipation that i'll get rained on during at least some part of the trip.

I'm trying to finalize plans for the peer educator training in health (AIDS/HIV, unwanted pregnancy, and STD prevention being the main topics of the week-long evet). I'm also beginning to work on a project to get the library to be actually opened at least once a week and used as a place where hopefully some of the older members of a school group can come and read with elementary school kids.

There is a doctor, Dr. Barry, whith whom I am assisting at pricing out a plan to take new non-insured patients in addition to the insured ones who he currently sees exclusively at a profit loss to the the clinic. As well as to plan a budget for the addition of a nurse and a laboratory at the clinic.

Other than this, just meeting new members of the community and spending time visiting my friends around town. (which takes up more time than you can imagine)! I've been asking around town to find someone who can build a fence around my yard so that I can start a garden. Since getting anything done here is about first having a good relationship with them...it's taking a little while to find someone who'll do a good job and a reasonable price.

Finally, I plan to travel to labe this friday, sept 1st, then to conakry on the 2nd, and I'll be there through thurs/friday of next week. I'll try to get the skype system up and running, as well as instant messanger...yeah conakry! so, hopefully I'll have a chance to talk with some of you soon.
Take care.
miss ya & love ya,
Amy

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Quick Update

Hi all!
I hope that summer is going well for each of you. This summer has been unique for me here. After getting used to Seattle summers full of sunny days I have found the opposite of that here. It rains most every afternoon, but as long as I get my biking in by noon I'm usually able to avoid being caught in a downpour.

This weekend I've been up in Labe after showing my village around to the new English teacher that will be moving in about 10 blocks from me starting at the end of September. His name is Tray, from Tennessee...very laid back, and we managed to spend a week together in my tiny house without problem...yeah!

I'm heading into town to pick up a new skirt that I had commissioned at the tailors yesterday, and only have a few minutes of time left, but I'll update more soon!

Take care,
Amy


ps Cell phone schedule update: (when I'll be places with good reception)
August 12th - through the morning of the 13th;
afternoon of August 16th - afternoon of the 17th;
Sept. 18th - 20th

I've heard that using skype from home to say ...my cell phone would only be 7 cents a minute...