TIME IS FLYINNNNN!
I cant even believe that I'm going to AFRICA in a mere matter of days.
I wish I had more time to write a lot of things but anyway this is a quick and dirty recap of week TWO of training. ONE WEEK TO GO!
I have a countdown on my phone. Here it is.
Ummmmmm WOW I'M HAVING A HEART ATTACK OVER HERE!
Seriously though. My excitement level is WAY up there.
So some pictures from this week:
Here is a bunch of us after an Advocacy and Citizen Engagement class (photo cred to the Coady). It was an epic, epic learning moment. I got to hear some pretty unreal first-hand accounts of things.
The whole class was focused on the importance of non-violence in conflict resolution. It was SO heartening to learn about the value of peace and peace building as a means to address inequalities.
Some quotes that are awesome.
This is from last weekend. A bunch of us piled into my ULTRA-LUXURIOUS 2001 Echo (a vehicle definitely designed for that many people) and did a drive around the cape.
I have a ridiculous love for oceans and I'll be without one for a while. The drive was a total must.
For Kaytlyn, it was her very first time seeing the Atlantic oceannnnnn!!!! She hails all the way from Saskatchewan and was VERY impressed, obviously.
This is us. My ten second timer is my NEW FAVORITE THING!
I died and went to heaven.
No timer on this one, thanks Steph!
Again. Can anyone believe that beauty?
This is a picture of us this week doing an activity to demonstrate the impact of a social network that exists prior to us entering our communities. It was fun. I was a bartender, so I had LOTS of social connections.
On Monday we went over safety stuff and it was actually very helpful.
One of my biggest fears is getting my things stolen, and a lovely YIPer named Logan made a GREAT argument. He said (and I'm paraphrasing, because he was far more eloquent) that it didnt matter at all if something was stolen, because it's only a thing, and there are a million others just like it, and the person who steals is probably in worse shape than I am in terms of needing things, and at the end of the day as long as I'm fine, all is well and everything is replaceable. THANKS LOGAN!
This week we also had a SUPER FANTASTIC session on asset-based community development (ABCD).
Guys.
ABDC is the most unreal approach to development.
Seriously.
Read about it.
For the record, the Coady International Institute is awe-inspiring and remarkable. It's the coolest thing being here.
We also had a class on the financial lives of the poor, on monitoring and evaluations, on communications and social media, and on power and privilege (to name a few).
Here is a diagram from our session on gender, health and development. I for realz had an aha moment during that session.
My brain has been exploding left right and center.
By Friday I was SO exhausted from the week, but I trekked back to Haliwood to do a few last minute things and get ready for my ensemble's fifth birthday party, which was today.
If you live in Haliwood, get into Xara Young Women's Choir. Being part of this group has been one of the best things I ever did in my whole entire 22 years of being a human. It was a blast today. I am going to miss singing with this group SO MUCH! Here is us during our first set.
I seriously hope I can sing in Botswana. I'm not religious but maybe a church choir will be an option. I need songzzzzzz to sing!
Anyway it was great to be home for the weekend, I just wish I would have had more time to see everyone I wanted to see.
If you missed me this weekend and feel super sad about not seeing me, this is your formal invitation to come catch up with me in Botswana.
Okay? Okay.
On Saturday I had my last family dinner, so of course I got STEAK! OMGYUM
I love you family.
SO YEAH OMG I'M LEAVING SOON WOW OMG HOLY JESUS WOW!
I have no time at all before I leave and a LOT of things that need to happen.
I should sleep.
Here is us:
They should attach our bios soon.
OH and if you feel like you're just EVER so bored, you know what rocks?
Sending me letters.
All the way to Africa.
DO IT!
Why?
Because if you do, I promise I will write you back. And how often do you get mail all the way from Africa? It's a deal you simply cant refuse!
My African address is:
Stepping Stones International
c/o Shila LeBlanc
Private Bag 00421
Gaborone, Botswana
Africa
LOOKING FORWARD TO READING YOUR MAILLLLLLLLLL!!!
Peace and love!
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