One Month

It is really incredible to think that I have already been here for a whole month. The time has really flown by! Time is a funny thing here, the days are very long and full of activities so it feels like I have been here much longer. But at the same time, there are so many things I still haven't gotten a chance to do, things the teams do in a week but because of various meetings and other commitments I haven't. For example, I still have not gone on rounds with the doctor or on a village outreach. I have wanted to do this from the start but it is hard to carve out time. But I am working on it! It is also very easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day meetings and immediate issues and neglect the long-term big picture. It is all a huge learning experience.

I have definitely been tired but very satisfied with my job and the work it allows me to do. I have to keep reminding myself I have a whole year and I need to be patient if it takes a little longer to get things done.

Anyways, some highlights from my month here:

- Getting to know the new children at the CRC and reconnect with the kids I knew before. There is never enough time to spend with them, but I am definitely enjoying the moments I get!

- Being around for various events like the Day of the African Child. Celebrations here are simple but a whole lot of fun for everyone.

- Connecting with staff at Mercy Hospital. In my previous trips, I was mostly focused on the CRC. I am enjoying learning more about Mercy and spending more time there.

- Being spiritually connected. It is incredible working for an organization that has God at the center of all its activities. There are multiple events a day that involved prayer, singing, and praise. It has been so nice to have that connection. (On a related note, I am working on reading the Bible cover to cover, so far I am on 2 Chronicles).

- Two missionary teams have come and provided the children of the CRC and staff with new, fun activities. It has been nice to have other people around to chat with and get new perspectives.

It has been a great month and I am looking forward to the many more to come!

During Ken's farewell celebration, some of the kids did a cultural dance!

The staff surprised me with a birthday cake

Some of the child support program students and their families came for a workshop

A New Adventure!

So, obviously I am not the best blogger. I finished my Peace Corps service in Rwanda a year ago, headed home and was working in D.C. as a program coordinator for a non-profit. I liked the organization and my co-workers, but the sit down desk job office life was starting to take its toll on me. I am definitely one who thrives in more interactive environments. Luckily for me, an unexpected opportunity came my way and I was asked to be the Field Director for Helping Children Worldwide (HCW), the nonprofit that runs the Child Rescue Center (CRC) and Mercy Hospital (MH). I am so excited to return to Sierra Leone and be able to contribute to an organization that is doing wonderful work!

I have been here for two weeks and would like to give a brief overview of how my days are going. Hint: unlike my last post about Rwanda, I am definitely NOT bored here! There is so much going on all the time!

Here is my basic schedule for the weekdays:

5:30 am: The call to prayer at the local mosque starts, depending on how tired I am I either sleep through it or wake up and try my best to enjoy the beautiful sound, despite the early hour.

6:30 am: I get out of bed, take a shower (even though it is the rainy season and the coolest one, I still often wake up sweaty).

7:00 am: Go over to the CRC to greet the children and sing with them before they go off to school.

7:30 am: Eat some breakfast, normally fruit and/or eggs and bread.

8:15 am: Go to Mercy Hospital to greet the workers as they come in to work. Some of the patients have already arrived and are sitting waiting to be registered. More often then not, there is a newborn baby in the maternity ward.

9:00 am: Staff meeting and devotion at the CRC. All the office workers and Aunties (who care for the children) come and we sing, pray, hear a devotion, and then talk about general business and any plans for the day and upcoming week.

After the staff meeting I do work, emailing, more meetings, write lesson plans, Skype with HCW, visit Mercy again, go into town, or whatever else the day brings. This all depends on what is going on.

1:00 pm: I break for lunch

Afternoon is again whatever combination of work and meetings that particular day brings.

6:00 pm: Dinner

6:45 pm: Vespers, basically singing and prayer time with the kids

7:30 pm: Go home, relax, read

9:30 pm: Asleep because that call to prayer comes early!

Home this gives some insight into my days, hopefully I will be a better blogger this time :)

Below are some photos from the children and staff welcoming me my first day!