Two weeks ago a car carrying 4 people drove into a pole in Morrinho killing the driver. I have been informed that he had been drinking and I’m going to assume that no one was wearing seatbelts. The driver who died was a young guy, probably about my age, and his road rage mixed with alcohol was a deadly combination. It’s really sad to hear that there are accidents like this in Maio, where we have one road that goes in a circle around the island and people have the urge to drive drunk and fast.

I’m finally at a point where I feel like people know to come to me for help on projects. I’m feeling really good about my work, when it goes through, and I have a lot on my plate at the moment.

During training all the CD volunteers visited a place in Santiago called Tenda El Shadai. This is a place for drug addicts and alcoholism to go and recover through spiritual healing. Why I mention this is because a few people in Maio, inspired by the Tenda in Santiago, have began their own Tenda in Maio. I spoke with one of the founders in Maio and I am sincerely impressed with what they are doing. He asked for my help and some time this week I’m going to see the new Tenda. There are about 4 people that are living there which is a good start and they are working on the paperwork to make it official. I am thrilled that people on Maio are taking the initiative to start this place that addresses some of the most serious problems in their country. As far as I know, this is only the second rehabilitation places in all of Cape Verde so maybe the word will spread and people who are unable to get into the one in Santiago will be able to come to Maio. Anyways, I’m looking forward to helping out however I can.

The workshop on youth violence and STIs has been moved again because of the speaker’s availability. Maybe the third times a charm will come true in this case. When it does happen, I hope that I am in Maio to help out and lead the activity section like originally scheduled but it might be moved to when I’m in America.

I’m working with the environment portion of the Camara to plan out Environment Day which they told me is not April 24 or whenever the rest of the world celebrates earth day but on June 5. So we are planning on having some speakers, a parade around town, activities with associations and groups and follow up the day with a weekend beach clean up. I’m also making a coloring/activity book on the environment to give to the primary schools.

The president of the Camara told someone to talk to me to help them with their project and it makes me feel really good that the president of the Camara knows to have people ask me for assistance. That is partially why I’m here and its good to know that I am wanted here. Sometimes you really don’t know if you are needed but when people approach you to ask for something besides English lessons, it feels really good. Anyways, this project is working with primary school students (so far only girls) and they’ll be learning traditional songs and dances and will be performing around the island on the weekends during halftime of soccer games, special activities, and other locations. We met last night to see who wanted to dance and who wanted to sing and while only 2 people want to sing, I’ve been told that more people will come tonight. We’ll see what happens. This is sort of like the singing idea that Ney and I came up with a few months ago so I’m really happy to be doing it. Maybe I’ll even break out the violin for some of the songs.

Friday and Saturday we are supposed to have this huge music festival “to increase tourism” but I don’t know if I can go now. I’m scheduled to fly out on Friday for TOT (training of trainers) to help with PST and I don’t know if I can change my flight. The week of TOT is also when International Children’s Day falls and I don’t want to miss the activities from it either but I have a feeling I will have to. Oh well, at least the schools organize most of children’s day but I’ll have to let them know that I won’t be able to help like I had originally told them. The sacrifices for Peace Corps….

That’s all the complaining I’m doing for now. I am really happy with how things are going right now with work and that makes it all worth it.