happy belated christmas and early new years!

i am sorry that it has been so long. i tried t go to the internet but the current was off the first time then after that everything was closed because TIA (this is africa). m Christmas was nice and quiet. we cooked alot, visited much and ate more than anything. also when you go to visit it is rude too refuse food so every house we went to we ate a full meal. this is after already eating at home twice the mount of food as usual. i got a new phone and the number is the same so everything is up and running thankfuly. this place is called Bansaw though i dont know the spelling and the area is Kumbo. it is a nice place and everyone speaks the dialect Lamsaw so i spend alot of time thinking. the family is very nice and the ma has a shop so i spend alot of time there. i have seen the palace where the Fon lives and i have seen and heard stories about the Juju. they are masked people that run around when some one important dies and at hollidays. when you see them you have to bow reall low or hide because if you are not respecting them they beat you. lol dont worry the tradition has lightened and only if you are being a loser will they beat you. i was told that they put medicin on their bodies and it makes them mad. it is very interesting and totaly afican. will try to get pictures to bring home.i guess that is all i can think of now. i will come again soon. oh i forgot to mention my next job will be helping build up a library - can anyone say perfect for me?!? lol i am excited i start on jan 4th. talk to you all soon, take care and love you. Emily

forgot!

i forgot to say that i lost / had my phone stolen so my number does not exist anymore. when i get a new one i will tell you all the number. laters

hello and merry early christmas!!!

well another week has passed and yes i will miss this place you are right dad/Lorie. the water is fine and i am getting used to it fine. stories wow there are alot of stories but it is hard to think of them on the spot so i will by the end of this post tell a few. the center closes on the 20th so i will be leaving then but i do not remember the name of the town it is fairly close though. i will deff miss the children and teachers/staff at the center. the last few days have been rest for the children because examinations are over so i have just been playing with them. today Marimou plaited my hair. it would seem normal enough but she has no arms so she did it all with her feet and toes. it was awesome. i have pictures and will post when i can. Walla, a boy with downs, loves to go and pick guava to bring back for us to eat and he finds black/shea butter i think it is called for us to eat as well. we had a seminar on teaching and MR this week to give everyone an idea on the subjects. all the grandchildren of Pa have come to stay with us so the house is full! there is always life and i have no pictures left because they always want to be snaped or video taped. i have some funny pics and videos to show when i get home. wow Christmas next week! so close! MERRY CHRISTMAS to all reading this and happy new years. hope everyone is fine at home and take care, Emily.

thank you dad!!

yes those are my kids in the video and the director is the right one. the Pa i am staying with has no relation to the center and is only called Pa out of respect his name is not Pa. i know the video can bring tears to your eyes but dont be sad for these kids they are loving teachers and gardens taking care of them and have so many more oppertunities because they are in this school. feel sorry for the children still being pushed areound in wheelbarows and left to fend for themselves with animals because parents did not know how to care for them. the school tries to take as many children as possible but they need money and when the family can pay it is great! if not they take about 5 on scolarship and they try to get sponsers for as many as possible. they are clean water, food and love there is much to be thankful for. even in this video you dont see their indiviual personalities and belive me may have enough personality to break a 'normal' person and only their special condition can give life to them. one girl with no arms would just be lost in the crowd if she was born with arms but here she realizes she can do mostly everything fine with her feet and she learns to expand her mind to deal with future obsticals. well enough of this i guess i get a little too pasionate about it. on the other hand i love talking about them. my life is fine, i got pizza and horses as i wished and great company. the school closes on the 18th for christmas hollidays. i will be leaving shortly after for a hospital in another village. thats all for now so love you all take care are see you in less than 13 weeks.

happy birthday cory!!!! i am sorry i am a day late

hello all, i am only here today because i had an hour left and it runs out in 3 days =P. OMG guess what?!?!?! i get pizza friday!!!!!!!!!!! lol i was invited to someones house for pizza and a movie and i was like OMG PIZZA YES PLEASE!!!!! and it was after that i found out that i mihgt have the chance to see and even ride horses and that changed it to a hell yea =P so the week has been the same i guess, i really love the children, sadly i must say i have favourites but i will not name names because it is crule to choose between children and even worse to tell about it. but some are just so darn cute!! the work is mostly great, i enjoy everyday even if some days are long and i have even started teaching one class two boy, the only class two boy lol. but it is rewarding to see that he is learning from each lesson. man the world could learn a lesson or two from these children and also the adulds who take care of them. they are in constant finatial worry but each day is a gift to them and every lesson is fun and interesting. most of the children are smiling all day even if they cant talk even if they cant even move more than an arm they take in the day and enjoy all the pleasures and fight through the difficulties. i dont know if i will be able to take many or even any pictures but hopefuly just before i go i can take some pictures. the centre has a no pictures without permision because it is invasive for the children to be snaped all day long and some idiots have taken pictues and used them to promote their companies and organizations that have nothing to do with CEFED. wow some people are heartless. so i guess thats it for now. dad i did get the info and have it with me. i love your long poasts lorie and it is a bother to have no running water but atlest we have big barels of rain watter for now. oh and the school closes for chrismas break on the 18th so i guess i will be finishing then. one last HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Cory yesterday and wow you are growing up fast boy and dont you dare get any taller!! love you all and take care. laters, emily