Tag Archives: Peace Corps Volunteer

How I spent February’s living allowance

Posted on April 20, 2018 by elliewick

In short, I spent more than the month’s allowance by about E700. Half of that came from extra trips to town and the Peace Corps office to prepare paperwork for my extension. The other half was spent on food, which … Continue reading →

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“You’re a Swazi now” and my role as an ambassador, otherwise known as life as a PCV

Posted on April 19, 2018 by elliewick

I am regularly surprised when I surprise siSwati and isiZulu speakers with what I think are my poor language skills. Speaking a few words of the local language has always been important to me. I have spent many hours learning … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Clothing design

Posted on April 18, 2018 by elliewick

I have so much fabric and have had so little clothing made. I even bought more fabric last week. Whoops. Part of the problem has been finding a tailor who will do what I ask, make clothes that fit, and … Continue reading →

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Gratitude: Work assignments, showers, packages, and quiet mornings

Posted on April 14, 2018 by elliewick

This week was better, as I managed to stay much busier. I went to Mbabane twice, once for an HIV Committee meeting and once for a meeting with PSI. Fellow HIV Committee member and G14 extender Blake spent Sunday night … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Avocado

Posted on April 11, 2018 by elliewick

Oh, to live in a place where you can afford to eat all of a giant avocado in one sitting.     Giant is a bit of an exaggeration, only because this avocado is average sized.  I was overcharged for this … Continue reading →

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Saturday gratitude: Extension and other wonderful things

Posted on April 7, 2018 by elliewick

I have been in a funk lately over the ever-continuing disappointment in my site and staff not following up on my requests for help. I have spent so much time reading in my hut recently that even one of my … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Congratulations cake

Posted on April 4, 2018 by elliewick

My tutor just got a real job at a neighboring community’s clinic as an HIV counselor, so a cake was in order!    She very nicely shared a slice with me and her sister-in-law and then she saved the rest … Continue reading →

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If hyenas could talk

Posted on March 29, 2018 by elliewick

Hyenas are usually on the move, never lingering for long at one spot, unless you find a mother with her cubs. For this reason, my photos of hyenas usually show only their backside moving away. On my latest trip to … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Newborn calf

Posted on March 28, 2018 by elliewick

My family grew by one with the birth of a calf. He arrived on early Sunday morning, born into a muddy, post-rain kraal, which gave him his name: Ngumdagga. He is “of the mud.”   Of course, I want to … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Poetry

Posted on March 21, 2018 by elliewick

I had a mostly hate relationship with poetry until a few weeks ago. My English club kids asked for poetry lessons, which meant lots of research on my end. I spent hours and hours perusing middle school and high school … Continue reading →

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