Tag Archives: Peace Corps

A moral dilemma about aid: Thulane’s story

Posted on August 20, 2017 by elliewick

I see needs everywhere I look in Swaziland. I see undernourished children. I see 18-year-olds in grade seven. I see gogo caring for seven children because their parents died. I see teenaged mothers. I see a room full of high … Continue reading →

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Learning siSwati is hard

Posted on August 18, 2017 by elliewick

Yesterday, G15 took their language examination, and their stress surrounding the test has made me think quite a bit about my own struggle with learning siSwati. I have many complaints about the language-learning process and materials here, and even with … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Viva vagina

Posted on August 16, 2017 by elliewick

“Viva vagina” was the pumped-up cheer our condom demonstrator gave in the middle of a female condom demonstration. The session was part of a day-long training about HIV and activities that can be used in our communities for G15 during … Continue reading →

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A moment in my life: Nausea on public transport

Posted on August 15, 2017 by elliewick

Fortunately, I avoided vomiting altogether, but there were a few moments, well more like at least 50 moments – one for each speed bump on my khumbi ride home today – where I was concerned.  I was stuck in the … Continue reading →

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What’s cooking: Peach cobbler

Posted on August 14, 2017 by elliewick

As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland, I have a limited food budget. But I also love food–both eating and making it. During PST, I cooked without an oven, refrigeration, and a non-stick skillet. Now at my permanent site, I … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Potjie

Posted on August 2, 2017 by elliewick

What is a potjie, you might be asking. Or maybe you want to know how to pronounce this strange combination of letters.  A potjie (pronounced poi-key), more or less, is a stew cooked on the fire in a cast iron … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Spring has sprung 

Posted on July 26, 2017 by elliewick

Not only is my garden revived by the ever-increasing moments of sunshine, but flowers are blooming on many of the trees.  The coral trees were my unexpected favorite when I saw them in bloom last year. Their striking, red flowers … Continue reading →

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A moment in my life: Anger

Posted on July 21, 2017 by elliewick

For the first time since arriving in Swaziland, I was angry today. Time is approached very differently here, as in much of the world. I have always approached this with patience. I may be annoyed, confused, concerned, or upset, but … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Spoiled baby chick

Posted on July 19, 2017 by elliewick

Remember that baby chick I had in my pocket a few weeks ago?  All of us watch out for her and she’s quite the spoiled chick. Phetsile has named her Luthando, isiZulu for love.  She really loves hanging out on … Continue reading →

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A moment in my life: Monkeys

Posted on July 16, 2017 by elliewick

So many entertaining things happen in my life in Swaziland. These are the moments I will want to remember because they make me laugh, and they show insight into my daily routine. These moments are often hard to photograph and … Continue reading →

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