Kolda

We arrived in Kolda last week and we really like it. We are living a bit outside town in a center for women that was built by the government. The center is in the middle of a village. It is really quiet and peaceful, and the family who runs it is wonderful. We also love the UNFPA expert, Cheikh Ba! He has been so supportive of our work, and he is great to work with. The driver, Sidi, is also a lot of fun. He loves introducing us to his African music, and we are having fun teaching him English phrases like, "What's up?!"

Work is going well. I interviewed a lot of young people last week about their knowledge of HIV and reproductive health. My binome and I went to a mechanic shop, a beauty school, a couple of wood worker shops, and a tire shop to talk to young apprentices who have dropped out of school. There are a lot of HIV awareness activities in the town, but I am seeing that the activities aren't really translating into significant behavioral changes. There is a really strong culture of early marriage and early pregnancy, so the research has been incredibly interesting.

This weekend, we took a trip to Ziguinchor, which is on the Casamance River. We went to a cool market at the Center for Artisans, and we had some great food. Now, it is pouring rain and we are wondering if our sept place is going to make it back to Kolda today. :)