Hello

So I just turned 28, and I think I might have had the best b-day ever. Rob and I went to Malawi. And he arranged the whole thing. We went snorkeling and saw beautiful fish. Other than the coral that was missing (cause it wasnt the ocean) it was such amazing snorkeling. I saw all colors of fishes- blue, orange, yellow, green, brown, purple--awesome. The water was really nice. We ate great fish meals, man how I love fresh fish. He arranged for candles in various meals so I could blow them out, like in pancakes and even in a cup with sand ;) We had a cheese and chocolate picnic ;) Probably the best point was when I woke up from a nap on a poolside lounger and found that Rob had pulled mine closer to his while I was sleeping, sooo cute! It was really just very nice. And when we came back I had tons of texts from friends and emails and letters/packages from you all ;) It was great!

Since we got back I have been doing the TBA (traditional birth attendant) training in the village with 2 district midwives, who are amazing and so dedicated. The TBAs are really picking up the materials and in turn I think the training will really postively affect women and childrens health in the area, yeah!

I also just wrote a grant with the NHCs and submitted it for under 5 shelters in the area. I believe some of you will get an email about assisting the project. Please circulate it to people you think would be willing to help. We are looking to build 3 under 5 shelters in our area. They will be for the 3 most remote communities we have, all over 20 k from the clinic. So these shelters will allow their communities to house regular health outreach services for kids in their villages. Those kids will be able to be more regularly assessed by clinic staff and community health workers and referred as necessary, they will also get essential vaccinations and growth monitoring. These shelters will enable these needed services to be more accessible and so effective in helping to prevent undiagnosed illness and death in the area. Moreover, they will be great venues for health education and community mobilization. So please check out the e-mail about donating to the cause when peace corps emails you the website. And let me know if you have any questions.

Otherwise, things are good. I will just mention as a side note that the bday might not have been 'the best' as I mentioned before. Just cause now, I am in lusaka because Im being testing for possibly having schistosimiasis/bilaharzia from the lake. But no worries if I have it Ill be treated and be fine. But you know every great time has some glitches, right ;)

I miss you all and would love to hear from you.