Do I need to call Paulina?

We finally had a week with no significant changes to our schedule. However, I missed some school due to being sick. I don’t feel too bad, but I developed a cold or maybe it is allergies. Lately, whatever I get seems to settle into my chest and I wind up with a lingering cough. On day 3 of our 7-day schedule, I only teach in the afternoon, so I took the morning off. I was still coughing pretty bad the next day and my principal threatened to call Peace Corps if I didn’t take care of myself. I told him I was following the medical manual, taking and doing what is recommended, I had no fever, and I sound worse than I feel. He said, “Do I need to call Paulina? (my PC supervisor) Go to the doctor or I will call her.” I called Dr. Nathan, one of our wonderful Peace Corps Medical Officers (PCMO) and after talking, he prescribed me some stronger medicine. He laughed as I told him about my principal and wished more principals were like mine.  I took the next day, Friday, off completely and have mostly rested this weekend. I AM taking care of myself. I AM very loved and supported here.

I have 2 small fruits growing on my 2 zucchini plants and lots of flowers, so I am excited. My cucumber and beets are looking good and I look forward to harvesting them. My primary goal for my garden when I started was to have lettuce, mixed greens, and fresh herbs. I’ve had my best luck with them and now I am finally having success with some other produce. I still haven’t been able to get tomato or peppers seeds to germinate but I will keep trying. I would hate to rely on my garden for sustenance, but it is fun to walk outside and snip off fresh herbs and greens.  

I went to a last minute workshop after school one day this week which was very helpful and good. The Africa Codes Week workshop is to encourage teachers to use and teach their learners how to code using a free software called Scratch. It was very timely for me because this is what we are teaching our learners in my Computer Studies class. I have taught myself a little but hadn’t found the time to really sit with it. This workshop provided all the tools I need to help my learners. Yay!

All for now with all my love,

Ellen