Safe and Sound

Kushe-o mi padi en fambul dem!

That's Krio for hello friends and family! I made it safe and sound to Sierra Leone and I've settled in nicely. I am one week into PST (Pre-service training) in a neighborhood in Bo, Sierra Leone. Training has been going well. We have several hours of Krio instruction everyday and during the other sessions we've been learning about how to stay healthy and safe and be effective teachers in Sierra Leone.

I was adopted by my host family last Sunday and given the name Balayma. In Mende it means "Don't Forget". My family gave me the name so that I wouldn't forget the lessons I learn and the people I meet during my stay in Sierra Leone. I have four siblings that live with me, two brothers and two sisters. They have been incredibly kind and immediately welcomed me into the family. From day one I was referred to as their son. I can't say enough positive things about the Sierra Leonean people I have met so far. They have all been very welcoming and are appreciative of the work Peace Corps does alongside local teachers.

I'm going to keep this one short. I've got futbol practice to get to later this afternoon and the internet cafe is about an hour walk from my house. I'll post more details next weekend. I hope everyone is doing well back home!

Love,

Lawrence