Day 5.  What was once called "my site" is now my community.  I walked about 5km to town everyday , trudging through mud and over streams to greet as many people as possible.  Older community members go out of their way to shake my hand, as the children stare in shock when I greet them in dholou.  For many of them, its the first time they've seen a white person and they don't know what to think about it.  For others, they've seen white people come and go and their homes are none the better.  I got a stern warning from an assistant chief, Americans are known to have money and although my two year commitment looks good on paper, I'll need to prove myself over and over.  He's warming up to me.  The greeting I've received here is unimaginable.  People are so geniounly grateful  for my presence.   I don't know what to think of it.  Theyu've been doing so much for me, I don't know if I'll ever be able to give it all back.  I work from both ends these past few days, meeting the chief and school kids, village elders and market sellers, I had lunch with the priest in Ringa, and visited the primary school on the same compound.  Word is spreading that I'm here for 2 years.

helen