Talent show pictures

These are just a small sample of the 31 groups who performed at the talent show... congratulations to everyone, there was an abundance of talent represented!

Ch-ch-changes

Things are in a constant state of transition lately, despite all of the things I've grown used to- the slow pace of things (except for my life, which seems to run at a fast pace most of the time), the unwanted attention I still get after 2 years of living in the same place (thanks to living in a village of over 40,000 people), the entertaining observations of livestock and farm animals roaming the streets... I've grown used to so much, but the people around me are changing constantly. Stepping Stones International has a lot of interest from volunteers- from the US, Canada, and other foreign countries- and I've met a lot of new people lately. This month I said goodbye to Meg, a Canadian volunteer I've worked with and befriended over the last 3 months, and I'm looking forward to meeting the new Canadian volunteer arriving in May. A group of about 20 high school kids from California arrived last week to help tutor our kids in different subjects- I was a little taken aback to see so many young white people at once! Not something I see regularly.
I'm looking forward to the next few months of helping organize and facilitate at a camp with orphans and other vulnerable children from my village, developing a drama group, and trying to put together a hip hop competition for youth to express themselves creatively. It will be a lot of work, but I want to do as much as I can before I leave.
Recently the kids from Stepping Stones had a talent show that I helped organize, it was a blast! There were 31 groups performing dances, songs, and drama, and all showed great enthusiasm. I was really impressed by the dance groups, who reminded me just how untalented I am in that department, and how much I want to learn from them. The talent show helped the kids to raise money for Stepping Stones International and to learn about financial management. It's part of a greater Income Generating Projects activity we're teaching the kids about to improve their skills for when they finish school, as there are often limited job opportunities in Botswana.
Despite all the work and fun I'm having here, I'm also looking forward to June, when I'll finish Peace Corps and take a trip to Zanzibar to celebrate the completion of a very productive and challenging 27 months in Botswana. It will be great to be home with friends and family this summer! I will do my best to make the most of the next few months, and embrace the excitement and challenges that lie ahead.