It has been a while since I posted so I thought I'd just give an update of the past 2 weeks. I've been visiting a lot of different groups (both governmental and non-governmental) in Thyolo District that somehow work with HIV/AIDS. I've been to a cooking demonstration that was just amazing. Most of the cooking demonstrations that I've been to before focused on how to prepare one dish using locally available foods. This cooking demonstration had the participants bring ingredients from their homes and the nurse who was instructing the group showed them how to prepare foods in ways they might not have thought to before. They made juice from cassava leaves, doughnuts from cassava flour and eggs, soy milk and tofu, lots of tasty sauces and even a fruit platter. It was amazing.

I also met with a doctor at Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders in the U.S.). He said that MSF is planning on leaving Thyolo District in 2013 and they are in the process of handing over control of the HIV project to the Ministry of Health here in the District. He said that he's been trying to collaborate with the District AIDS Commissioner (DAC), the person I am working with, but he has yet been able to. He said that it would be really helpful if I could be the liason between MSF and the DAC. It is a difficult task but hopefully I can make some headway in the year that I'm here.

In other news, I went to an engagement party last weekend. It was fun and interesting. There was a lot of dancing and everyone gave the couple money and kitchen stuff. People really wanted to go to it, too, there were bouncers and they were actually kicking people out.

Oh, I found a cat! It's still to young to take home but it's at the house of a friend. She said in a couple of weeks it would be old enough. Not only will it be a great pet, but it will also kill any mice or bugs that come into my house.