First Week in Namaacha

Hello all, It has been now more than week that I have been in Mozambique and WOW I have so much to say.

The first day we arrived to Namaacha, we (the other volunteer and I) got out of our vans and were welcomed in joyful chants by the host mothers. As soon as they finished each family pulled out tags with our individual names on it. So here I am searching for my family with whom I will be staying over for 3 months and there I found her…my mother. Her name is Angelina. She welcomes me with a big smile and kisses and introduces me to all the other host mother as if I was her own daughter. To be honest, I had no idea what was going on. All the mothers kissed hugged me and then…reality check….everyone was speaking in Portuguese. I had NO idea what my host mother was telling me but she kept on laughing and I kept on laughing spitting some Spanish and last minute Portuguese…. From that point all the volunteer separated each other and there we were starting our training, living our new life.

I live in a very nice spacious brick house, and a beautiful view of mountains. As a matter fact these mountains that I am looking every morning at sunrise and sunset are in Swaziland. That’s right I am located right on the border of Swaziland AND South Africa. It is just amazing to know that I am staying so closeto these countries. PC does not allow us to leave the country in the next 6 months….but trust me...the people who knows me, knows that I am so tempted just to put my foot across the barbed wire and claim THERE I WAS THERE!

Namaacha is a very nice little town, the people are extremely nice. You say hi to every single people here. I have not passed across one person not saying bom dia.

 It is currently the winter here. So the mornings and nights are extremely cold but the days are very hot around 25 to 30C.

The training is very intense. I am completely immersed in the language. I take Portuguese classes for 7 to 8 hours a day. We are all separated into 4 people per class. Once or twice a week, all the volunteers meet at this place called HUB and we attend training classes. So far we have had training regarding health and transportation security. We also had detailed information regarding the two volunteers who passes last December to show us what are they do and dont's in circulating around Mozambique through public transportation. So far I feel these classes tell us all the bad parts and dont’s about living in Mozambique. Theses trainings are a bit scary but are meant to prepare us to whats to come and to prevent ourselves from possible danger.

So far, I am doing and feeling well. I still cannot believe I am in Africa. I am enjoying my time with my host family and I absolutely love learning Portuguese. I get to speak with my family as well who always encourage to speak. For the people who know me closely, I have big news; I am starting to learn to cook lol.