Sorry to all of you who have been patiently waiting for a blog update. I am the worst at blog maintenance, but I haven’t had that much to write about.
But now I have very exciting news to share. After six excruciating weeks of waiting, I finally have a new placement!
Next week I will start my new job at AYISE (Active Youth Initiative for Social Enhancement) where I will be working on a brand new project that focuses on enhancing sanitation practices in peri-urban areas.
The project has three components. The first is to implement a recycling and composting program in the community. The second component is to set up plots to demonstrate the benefits of using compost on crops and gardens. The third phase of the project is to involve local schools and promote urban agriculture by setting up garden plots at schools.
Pretty cool stuff. The project doesn’t actually start until the first week of December and I already have a feeling that I will be very, very busy. The most exciting aspect for me is that I am going to be able to pick and choose what areas I am most interested in and where I feel I can contribute the most. As well, I am going to get to work primarily alongside young people who are passionate about making a difference to their community.
There is one foreseeable downfall of this new placement. The job is in Blantyre. Four hours south of Lilongwe. I am a bit sad about leaving my friends and the comfort of a city I know, but I am sure in a week or two I will be saying “Lilong-what?” I went for a quick visit last week to check out the placement and life in Blantyre and I think the move is going to be a very good thing.
A couple of weeks ago, I spent the weekend climbing Mount Mulanje (well, half of it) with six wonderful ladies. It was an amazing experience and despite the very sore muscles afterwards, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
