Christine and Peter are the two other VSO volunteers in town. Christine, from London and a math teacher at the local college, is in her sixties and full of energy. She’s reminds me of my grandmother. This morning she came over to Peter’s in her nightgown and argued with him on the messy condition of his house. Peter, the special needs teacher at the college, is a transplant from South England who keeps extending his placement.

The kids often come by Christine’s house. I suppose she’s something of a fairy godmother to them, always giving out sweets and change. The day of my arrival, a local boy, trying to raise money for an organization similar to Boy Scouts, went to Christine’s house to ask for money. She gave him 500shs, and then told him a new volunteer was coming from America. He looked perplexed, and then said, “Is she Muzunga...or the color of Obama?!"

I’m sorry to disappoint him!