April

Here are some Form 3 students in their classroom.  

Robert, who works at my favorite tea shop at Kamsonga Trading Center

cooking pea soup on my coal stove

Me with my friend Scheller's two dogs - Sahara and Sophie.

My cat, Mtima, with a milk goatee.

Youth from the Health Center Youth Club in front of their new bookshelf.  Thanks, Anna!!! 

From April 10 - 15 I participated in Camp STAR: Scientific Thinking Achieving Results at Gwangwa Community Day Secondary School in Ntchisi.  There were about 70 Form Four students participating, including two girls (Maria and Maggie) and two boys (Victor and John) from the secondary school in Kamsonga where I teach Life Skills.  The point of the camp was to expand student's interest in the science subjects and also to prepare them for their national examinations. Gwangwa CDSS has a full science laboratory with things like microscopes, skeleton models, lots of chemicals, beakers, burners and the like.  Most CDSSes in Malawi do not have science labs.  Gwangwa CDSS also has a computer lab with about 12 computers.  Morning and afternoon classes included: electricity lab, titration lab, career planning and CV writing, coordination, HIV/reproduction, biology practicals, pendulum practicals, organic chemistry, computers, mathematics, and genetics.  I taught Reproduction and HIV.  Afternoon activities included: tree grafting, goat dissection, and environmental science.  Evening activities included: a film, a jeopardy game, a talent show and a disco.  The camp was very well organized and run by Peace Corps Education Volunteers Kelly Petrowski and Jen Ludvigson.  It was an inspiring and enjoyable experience for both the students and the Peace Corps Volunteers (who taught the classes and activities).

Goat dissection at Camp STAR.

The teacher's lounge at Gwangwa CDSS.

Kelly's backyard.  Peace Corps Volunteer teachers at Camp STAR slept in her back yard and in her house.  It was mighty crowded!