Okay so let me apologize in advance for the lack of organization/
coherency in this post.  It is kind of late and I couldn’t sleep so I
figured I might as well write a blog post.  Needless to say it may not
be my best work but I think it covers most of whats been going on.
        Well its been a busy last few weeks.  First of all, school was
wrapping up so we had exams every day for 2 weeks and of course it was
my responsibility to collect all the exam questions from the teachers
so that I could make sure all the exams started on time and everything
proceeded smoothly.  ha Luckily I had to go to Bo for training to be
on a panel of volunteers that are currently in relationships with host
country nationals (aka Sierra Leoneans).  The training is for the
incoming volunteers so it was fun going to meet all the newbies and
finally feel like the cool, experienced volunteers for a change.  So
it was nice meeting them and imparting what little wisdom I have to
offer.  Also, it was a lot of fun just hanging out with some of the
other volunteers there to help with training.
        Anyways, after 2 days in Bo I returned to Fadugu and continued
administering and proctoring exams until last Thursday.  So we are
finally done with exams. Now I just have to enter the marks for 14
subjects onto about 100 students report cards.  What I am really
looking forward to is hopefully putting on a little Awards Ceremony
for the highest achieving students.  I am planning on having it just
after they give back the report cards and giving away some of the
school supplies I have as prizes.
         I also went to Kabala last Thursday to give a math lesson for our
BECE candidates (When you complete JSS 3 you have to take an external
examination, the BECE, to continue on to the Senior Secondary level).
Anyways, they had to take the math portion Friday morning so they
called me in to give a last minute refresher course.  So I arrived in
Kabala at approximately 5 pm to meet them all hanging out and just
starting to cook.  So we decide that when they are done cooking and
everyone is done eating I should give my lesson before they have their
Religious Education lesson.  After just sitting there for 2 hours they
were finally done and we go take class for about 45 minutes before my
time is done.  Then the next morning it took me 3 hours to get a car
back to Fadugu.  All I can say is at least a handful better pass the
maths portion (last year only 2 people passed so I’m looking to double
it and have 4 pass.  We’ll see how it goes).  But the kids were really
excited to see me there and see that I care so going wasn’t a complete
waste time.  Hopefully it will have been a bit of a morale boost
before the last two exams if nothing else.
        As you all may remember I have been talking about my girls club and a
program we have been planning.  The program happened this past
Saturday and went as smoothly as things do here I think.  Friday
evening I was a bit stressed as an American who is used to having set
plans and organization in a place where nothing happens until the time
of the show.  So I was very anxious about the fact that at our dress
rehearsal no one was in costumes and up to that day we had never had a
practice with everyone in their specific roles because one or two
people always failed to show up.  Mohamed did his best to explain that
that is just the way things happen here but I have to admit that
didn’t calm my nerves too much and I may have been a bit short with
him.  Poor Mohamed, he has to put up with a perfectionist American
that likes efficiency and timeliness in a place where time doesn’t
really matter.  Fortunately though he was right and things worked
themselves out in the end.  The girls got ready Saturday morning and
even though, as per usual, not everyone showed up the show still went
well and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Also, four other Volunteers
came to watch so it was great to see their support of our efforts.
The crowd was a bit smaller than expected but I think that’s mostly
because we started pretty much on time and people here are used to
plays lasting 3 or 4 hours and ours was only 1 hour long so people
were still trickling their way in until the very end and even after
the show had been done for 2 hours people would ask me if we had
started yet.  Overall, I think everything went pretty well especially
considering it was everyones first show and I am excited to continue
working with the girls club when school reopens.
        Tomorrow for the 4th of July a few volunteers that live relatively
close are planning on coming to Fadugu to cook some American food in
celebration of Independence Day.  I am excited to try and cook some
new things and hang out with some other volunteers.  Other than that I
don’t have too many plans now that school is done.  The 17th-19th I am
attending a math/science conference in Bo as one of four
representatives from the Peace Corps Volunteers.  I was excited to be
chosen for that.  It is always nice to feel like someone actually
appreciates your work.  After that I will head to Freetown for a
wedding of two volunteers and then I get to go to South Africa and see
my family!! I am so excited to finally see them and then to show them
where I am now.
        Finally, thank you all that have contributed to my grant! I really
appreciate your help and my school is also very grateful for the
assistance.

Love and miss you all,
Sara