Update from Banena

Hi Everyone, Sorry I haven't been able to update this blog. It has been difficult because I do not have internet access in my village. I will try to update when I can. I have arrived at my host family's home in a small village called Banena. Now I have a Mom, a Dad, 3 sisters, a brother, an Aunt and a cousin. They are all really nice, and helping me learn French and become integrated into Cameroonian culture. I am eating a lot of interesting food and listening to Cameroonian music (when the electricity is working). I have learned a lot of French -- it has been difficult. It can be exhausting, and sometimes my head is swimming. I am also learning about my job as a health coordinator -- how to work with a village to identify their needs and develop a sustainable program they can run when I am gone. I am having fun, except for one trip to the hospital. I had food poisoning, and I have recovered fully. Now, my Cameroonian Mom knows she can not feed me unrefrigerated leftovers. Love, Jessica

Made it!

Hello all! Made it to Cameroon! We're staying in the largest city in Cameroon which is called Yaounde, we're at a hotel right now, and we're preparing to leave for our host families on Thursday. Which means a lot of shots and just getting our personal things together. We will be moving to a smaller town and sleeping, eating, and breathing the French language and Cameroonian culture. So, far the food has been great and I have been having a lot of fun with my fellow volunteers. Miss you all!

First Day

Well,
I made it to Philadelphia and I didn't experience any air sickness which is rare for me! The first night I meet a couple of other volunteers at a pizza place near the hotel. They seemed really excited, and a little nervous too. I am just waiting for registration to start, which will be a day full of paperwork and icebreakers but, still very exciting! Tomorrow is the big travel day, we're getting shots and then it's off to New York for our flight to Cameroon! I'll be in Africa before I know it!