Home Sweet Home

It is incredibly difficult for me to describe to you my initial impression of my daughter's home. Her village consists of approximately 1,000 people and her family compound is 5 buildings. About 20 people live there. Her rondavel is larger than I expected, cement blocks, thatch roof, cement floor cover with black and white checkerboard linoleum. She has two large windows covered with curtains of colorful African material. Simply furnished, bed, small table and 4 chairs, a wardrobe and kitchen cabinets for storage (basic furnishings from the Peace Corps). My daughter has added a bookcase (which is filled with book and games for the children in her family, and such) as well as another chair. But, she has made it her home -- the walls are covered with cards, notes, and pictures that she has received in the mail. There are large maps which show where she has been and where she is going! A colorful 23rd birthday collage created by her PC friends. Tibetan prayer flags. She has rigged a light above her 2 burner gas stove .... a solar flashlight. It really works!

Outside her front door, Samson, her dog and two others keep watch. The buildings are close together (two of the rondavels are made from a mud/dirt mix). Shortly after we arrive, her family starts to come home; the children from school and her Me, Ma Senyarella [mother] is excited to meet me. She is the principal of the local school.
The children are beautiful, independent, and after a few minutes seem comfortable to meet my daughter's mother, Me MaThato (mother of beloved).

And the family livestock was coming home also...the herd boy brings them back as evening falls (cows, sheep, and goats). Joining in with the pig, five new puppies, chickens and roosters....home sweet home.