In one of my blog posts, I mentioned how I met a talented young painter in a Mozambican community near the city where I lived (http://mozampaz.blogspot.com/2014/10/ruben-zacarias.html). My friend and a fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Gabriela, made a compelling two minute clip of his art journey. Please take a look!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
A Despedida. The Goodbye.
The basketball team and I had a goodbye party. Here are some of the girls dancing. |
They're watching "Love and Basketball" with Portuguese subtitles |
Some of the girls and I |
They're so goofy. I miss them so much! |
We watched a slideshow of the past two years |
Rochaela had her birthday party at her preschool |
Aren't the kids so adorable in their little uniforms? |
The girls playing outside |
This was student's day where students across the nation celebrate. I was supervising this class. |
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Sports Mural
Another project that I spearheaded was the sports mural project that began about a month ago. I received the money for the paint and brushes from the sports grant that I wrote. Three dedicated volunteers from my high school drew and painted a sports mural promoting HIV/AIDS education on the gymnasium wall. The purpose of doing the mural alongside the sports camp, was to continue encouraging conversations about HIV/AIDS in the community using colorful illustrations. Take a look at their work awesome.
Translation: "Kick out HIV. Use condoms" |
Translation Bottom: "You can hug people living with HIV/AIDS" |
Title Translation: "Athletes Playing Against HIV" |
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
20 Things That I'll Miss About Mozambique
With less than two weeks left in Mozambique, I'm left ruminating over the things that I'll miss about this country. Since I left the States in September 2012, I salivate every time I think about bean burritos stuffed with crunchy veggies and guacamole. I've been daydreaming about living in an apartment by myself where I don't have to explain to my neighbors why after work I only want to watch TV shows. How great will it be to go to only one store, such as Target, and buy most of what I need for a month? But here, I have to travel two-hours away just to buy grapes, pears, and soy sauce.
1. Traveling to different sites in Mozambique and other African countries. Who doesn't like exploring different cultures, food, languages, beaches, and cities?
10. I enjoy reading in my free time. My first year in the Peace Corps, I had plenty of down time to read a lot of books. Some of the books I've read this year and the previous one, have been pivotal in shaping my world view and growing experience here.
13. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to some of the people I've met in Mozambique such as, Mana Sonia, Blessing, Peace Corps friends, and the faculty at the secondary school.
However, I know once I'm back in the U.S., I'm going to miss a lot about Mozambique. Here are the top 20 things that I predict that I'll miss about Mozambique.
2. Even though I don't make a lot of money as a volunteer, I've learned how to survive on less than $250/month. Moreover, I don't have to worry about paying rent or other bills. I'm going to miss not having to pay bills. Ahhh!
3. I enjoy hearing cheerful songs on the radio almost everyday or the ones that my community members sing in their local language. Also, it's fun to randomly dance with friends in the neighborhood.
4. I can buy a plastic bag full of mangoes that were picked from the tree that day for a dollar or three coconuts for the same price.
5.Maybe I'm a complete nerd but I love learning new languages. I'm a fluent Portuguese speaker now because I talk to students, teachers, community members every day. I'm going to miss the constant exposure to the language, but I plan to continue practicing it in the States.
6. My schedule got busy during the school year. Having someone help hand-wash clothes, clean the dishes and the bathroom helps to alleviate stress. I'll definitely miss having some extra help around the house.
7. I'll miss how many of my activities took place outdoors. It was nice to cook my meals outside, take afternoon naps on a mat, or even feeling the cool breeze as I Skyped with my mom underneath the stars.
8. I've been able to travel to many provinces in this massive country. It's been great meeting new people on the way to the beautiful beaches and mountain sites.
9. If you've been away from your home for at least two years in a country that may have intermittent internet, electric power, and water, then you know how challenging it can be for many Peace Corps volunteers. At the same time, the cultural differences and language barriers forces us to adapt in ways we never imagined. I'm grateful for how much personal growth I've accomplished in just two years.
Ilha de Mocambique |
11. Overall, I have had little stress here. I don't really have deadlines or a boss emailing me to remind me to turn in a proposal. Contrarily, I usually leave my site once a month and I visit the beach often enough.
12. The 8th graders loved to learn new songs in English while I played the ukulele. Most of my students are motivated to learn English because they know how important it is to know the language. I'll definitely miss their enthusiasm!
Blessing and Me |
14. Hearing new Afro-House music. Although it's annoying listening to it blasting at 4 AM, I'm going to miss the fusion of African drums and upbeat house music.
15. I'm going to miss the wide selection of capulanas (the African-designed cloth comes in countless colors and patterns, aka dashiki) and seeing people wearing pants, dresses, shorts, and skirts made out of the material.
16. The food here is influenced by Indian recipes and ingredients. Even though I'll miss the coconut curry dishes, I'll be bringing some of the recipes back to the States.
17. The beautiful landscape. When I ride on a bus, I can't believe how green and breath-taking the never-ending hills are when I look out the window. Also, I'm going to miss the Baobab trees.
18.Getting my hair braided is really cheap here in Mozambique. There's a huge difference between paying $2 USD and $100 USD for braids. Will I ever pay to get my hair braided again in the States? We'll see about that!
19. Sitting out on the veranda (porch) reading a book or cooking lunch with little to no stress.
20. Remember how in the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy turns to the scarecrow and says, "I think I'm going to miss you the most"? Well, this is how I feel about my girls basketball team. I'll miss them the most.
I don't know when I'll see you again, but you'll always be in my heart, Mozambique.
15. I'm going to miss the wide selection of capulanas (the African-designed cloth comes in countless colors and patterns, aka dashiki) and seeing people wearing pants, dresses, shorts, and skirts made out of the material.
16. The food here is influenced by Indian recipes and ingredients. Even though I'll miss the coconut curry dishes, I'll be bringing some of the recipes back to the States.
Boabab Tree in Malawi |
17. The beautiful landscape. When I ride on a bus, I can't believe how green and breath-taking the never-ending hills are when I look out the window. Also, I'm going to miss the Baobab trees.
18.Getting my hair braided is really cheap here in Mozambique. There's a huge difference between paying $2 USD and $100 USD for braids. Will I ever pay to get my hair braided again in the States? We'll see about that!
8th grade basketball team 2013 |
19. Sitting out on the veranda (porch) reading a book or cooking lunch with little to no stress.
20. Remember how in the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy turns to the scarecrow and says, "I think I'm going to miss you the most"? Well, this is how I feel about my girls basketball team. I'll miss them the most.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Sports Camp 2.3
October 18th
Saturday morning stretches |
How is every single one of them so flexible? |
Isn't she adorable? |
I brought dodge ball to my community and they LOVED it! |
Grassroot Soccer Activity |
One person represents the human body, another is the immune system, and the other is HIV |
The game starts with the immune system protecting the human body from getting attacked by diseases such as malaria and the flu |
The objective is to demonstrate that it's easier for the immune system to protect the body when it doesn't have HIV than when it does have HIV. |
One last game of dodge ball, but this time it was with two balls! |
October 25th
Interesting way of warming up, lol! |
I love it when I see the girls having fun
|
The girls having fun during a wheelbarrow race |
Friday, October 10, 2014
Girls Sports Camp Part 2.2
Hey, everyone! The girls sports camp is continuing to go well. We only have three more practices until the program comes to an end. Below, you'll find some pictures of the events from September 27th and October 11th. October 4th was a holiday here in Mozambique, so we didn't meet.
September 27th
Soccer Time! |
There were two different teams. The group who scored the most points won. |
My counterpart (the man with the hat) and another colleague facilitated fun activities |
This game is called cat and mouse. The girl in white is the cat and she has to weave in between the circle of girls to catch another girl (the mouse) who got the head start. |
Here are some girls in the middle of the circle dancing to traditional songs. |
More activities involving singing |
Drummer boy |
I love this picture! The girls are so happy! |
They are playing tug of war, but instead of two opposing teams pulling on a rope, the girls are just holding onto each other. |
October 11th
Stretch time! |
Here's Naira practicing her lay-up shot |
Defense! Defense! Defense! |
Tania (left) teaching one of the girls from the primary school how to shoot a basketball |
It's break time and I'm playing the ukulele and singing with the girls |
Now the girls have broken off into groups to practice volleyball |
Bete (standing up) is asking the girls true or false questions about HIV/ AIDS |
That's all for now. Stay tuned for more! Obrigada!
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