Well everyone, I have officially left home en route to Sudan. As of right now I am in New York for orientation and on the 30th I'll fly out to London, then Uganda, where I'll be until September 4th, and then to Ikotos, Sudan. I feel pretty good about going. Its crazy, but I feel very at peace about leaving-- even though I'm having to say good-bye to family and friends. I know that I am supposed to be in Sudan for this year, I've known it since I was laying under my little 10'x10' plastic tarp out in Davis, WV and its coming to fruition. Thank you all for helping that happen. I'm sure that the people of Ikotos thank you too. I'm not too nervous, if you're wondering, but instead, I'm jsut looking forward to being there and getting settled. It hasn't quite hit me yet-- the reality of being gone for so long. It will eventually, and you all will know about it when it does. Thank you all for your support and prayers. I will be keeping you updated as much as possible.
Today was an easy day. Just a day to relax here at the headquarters. I had tea-time with the staff, swang on a swing for exercise, while talknig on the phone, and walked along a garden path through the trees. Today was nice-- even the train ride (though a hectic start). Tomorrow's the start of orientation. Cheers.
Be Hope. Be Light. Be NURU.
Be part of a global community for a global change.
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About Me
- Meghan Baird
- EMAIL ME, meghanmsbaird@gmail.com
- I have just finished teaching in Ikotos, Southern Sudan, East Africa for a year. Currently, I am in Graduate school for Community Counseling, and plan to return to Africa (Kuria, Kenya) in February '09. I am quite pleased that the global community responded to the need for education in Sudan, by financially and spiritually supporting me. THANK YOU. Just a little background about myself: I am originally from Bowie, MD. I have a B.F.A. in Fine Arts from Shepherd College and a B.A. in International Studies/Africa from West Virginia University. I went to Mali, W.Africa in 2003 for a month for graduate study and that sparked my passion for the people in Africa who's voices are ignored or overshadowed in pop-culture. I spent a year in Sudan to teach, but to also do research on the mental health issues of people who are dealing with post-traumatic stress. While visiting different missionaries, one thing I realized was the need for counseling to those who work in Africa. So that's what I plan to do in Kenya upon receiving my degree; but as of late, I am the Project Manager for Education w/ Nuru International. Join me on this journey!
Kenya
Kuria is to the right of Lake Victoria (between Uganda & Tanzania
Sudan is technically North Africa
Ikotos is on the border of Uganda
AIC Luther Secondary School
AIC Luther Senior Secondary School
Students conversing
Students @ AIC Ikotos
AIC Students
Closing Day term 3 @ AIC
Getting Water
Me pumping water at the borehole well
pre-school
We Thank YOU!
Pre-school kids
@ AIC's pre-school
Playing Football
my home was the site of many a footaball game
homemade creations
kids in Africa make their own toys. This kid made a kite
Dancing hard
the kids and I dancing very silly during fellowship
Beat the drum
the drums are made from USAID oil cans and goat skin
drummin'
...sometimes they write or draw into the skins
USAID cans
these are the drums made from vegetable oil cans
The View
this is a view of the walk to the river in Ikotos
My Tuukel
this is the mud hut I lived in for a year.
Tuukel
a hut (tuukel) in the neighboring village of Lobwaya
The roads
this is the road to Lobwaya
Double Rainbow
it was so amazing in person
Watching the sun set over Sudan
monkeys on an AIM Air plane in Torit
March Against Gender Violence
We marched through town to spread awareness against violence
avoid guns in public places
marching in the market
me holding one of the signs from the march
1 comment:
Make a differance!
GLSDI
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