From: Abigail Stamm

Subject: read me first! (malawi)

Hello all.

I have been sick again, so being unable to teach, I spent a lot of time writing. I love having a computer again! In recent events, I am presently at the Peace Corps office in Lilongwe, waiting to see Sheila, my doctor, who is swamped today as volunteers continue to pour in for the quarterly meetings over the weekend.

My school has a new headmaster now, meadmistress actually, which means five strong females on staff. Madam Ngozo, my original counterpart, is on maternity leave this month. She just gave birth to a healthy son last week.

There is now a health volunteer in Monkey Bay and a Crisis Corps volunteer at the orphanage in Mangochi. That means more volunteers in my area! Of course they are all at least 45 minutes away, so I don't see them often.

Given that telecom is on strike right now and internet is down, I am not sure when I will send this out.

Nothing else noteworthy. I hope it's all in the following messages.

They include:

1. Lunzu/Terrorists: This file is about a Life Skills and HIV/AIDS retreat that my students attended, the terrorist attacks in the USA and reactions here, and random events at my school. Sorry it's all mixed together.
2. Yao initiation: My very subjective and not very informative description of a Yao initiation ceremony that I attended in my village.
3. Poetry: Random poems, some good, some bad, about HIV/AIDS, education in Malawi, events in my life, etc.
4. Ujeni experiences: Two essays that I wrote in late Spring when I was computerless. Some of the information is outdated, but I hope it is still informative.

I am working on a couple other essays and stories, but they are not yet finished. Among them are language information and a history of my area. Sam wants to sell me his scanner. If I buy it, I may be sending photos and sketches next.

Basi.

Bye for now, Abby