For those of you who are still following, i will be doing an interview on WBSM 1420am radio with Phil Paleologos at 9am on March 1st. I believe this is the site and it streams live. if you are in the local New Bedford, south coast area, then you can catch it on 1420am radio. http://www.wbsm.com/showdj.asp?DJID=52315

Well, for those of you who still follow, i have landed stateside! Yes, it is totally true. It's taken me 3 years to realize that America will always be my home. Though i loved Lesotho it will always be a home to me, i am glad to be "back home." Honestly, i didnt think that i would ever be saying this again, but i am. When leaving the Peace Corps on December 22, 2010, i then went to Cape Town for a celebration trip. Post Cape Town i landed in New York City and cought up eith a friend that closed her Peace Corps service in October 2009, Victoria Traski. What a treat! It was amazing to be in the presence of an old friend and a Peace Corps Volunteer. Life made sense. She understood and still understands what it is like to have lived overseas and then return to this crazy world called America. I left NYC and headed to Massachussets bin a rental car with Mr. Veiga. I stayed in Mass at my old home for 4 days. Once my four days was up, i headed toward to Berkshires for a 12 day meditation course -- which was 200% worth it. I then left the meditation course and headed to Freetown again. Here i am! I am official home! I am with a friend right now and will complete this update at a later time=)

check it out: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101205/NEWS/12050322 see you all real soon.

Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin when writing this email. Three years has gone by so quickly and soon I will be back where I started but with a whole new mind frame and look. Yes, for those of you who don’t know or who don’t believe it, I did shave my head. It’s amazing! With that said, I feel like it’s going to be mind boggling to leave Africa and just be plopped back down stateside. Not sure how I will handle it. Suppose I have to chance, “sink or swim” and surely sink is not an option for me. I am going to miss this place, it’s colors or lack there of, it’s smells, the people, it’s friendliness, it’s over crowded taxis and lack of structure and time. Oh, so much. I have truly loved every minute even the bad times, b/c no matter where one is in life, there are always problems. Why not love? Currently, I am cleaning out my hut, selling items outside for no more than a few American cents and packing my one 50 pd bag and 18 pound carry on. I shake my head every time I take a minute to reflect on my last three years. I haven’t a clue as to how I will explain to you all what my 3 years of Africa has meant. Really, so much has happened and I think I will struggle with figuring it all out. Soon, I will wake up in my old room, with my old car and even maybe the old problems of money and cell phone and too much to plan with too little time. I will miss my hut and days of endless reading on my bed. Somehow, I keep telling myself I am ready for all this America, but am I really? Yes, I would say. I miss a sense of normalcy and crave the comforts of home. However, will that ware of all too soon. Will I become frustrated with how America takes for granted all the things that I and many African live without? Heading out. Will finish 2mrw…

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100905%2FNEWS%2F9070341 By TARSHA VEIGA CONTRIBUTING WRITER September 05, 2010 12:00 AM EDITOR'S NOTE: Tarsha Veiga, of Freetown, is a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Lesotho, Africa. This is the latest in her series of reports about her life there. In a world where education is not a right, rather a privilege, many students do not attain an education. In 1997 Lesotho’s government administered free Primary education to grades one through seven. Beyond the desire of seventh grade, all students must pay their own fees to acquire further institutional knowledge. In a world where the staple food of corn meal can hardly be afforded, it is unlikely that many students will go beyond seventh grade. In the circumstances that any given student reaches junior high or high school, it is out of the family’s struggle and sacrifice where annual subsistence crops are bartered for school fees. Mr. Khotso Sekhele, the scholarship student, was fortunate enough to graduate from high school but due to lack of funds his education could not proceed until a turning point. When landing in Lesotho, I wondered what I would do for this country that would have a true affect. Soon, I realized what this country really needed in order to thrive. Knowing that education is the key to success, I decided, with the community, that a scholarship grant would be the correct way to provide for Lesotho. At heart, I felt satisfied to come to this conclusion. Later, however, I realized that defeat would be a daily reality. After a 20 page proposal to the Peace Corps office in Lesotho, my idea got wiped by Peace Corps Washington DC., as it was too unconventional. At that point, I was lost, had no back up plans or a forward direction. With months of persistence, I was finally told that the non-profit organization, Friends of Lesotho, would allow my grant money to be routed through them. I thought to myself, “Finally!” Later I realized the storm was yet over. Time in this world has no measure, no reference points, shape or tempo – to often it all seems to be at a standstill. After one and a half years of persevering, the scholarship grant received enough funding for Sekhele to begin his studies at the University of South Africa. Upon realizing Sekhele qualified for a degree in Business Management, we were ecstatic and marveled in the thought of success for him and his people. As time elapsed, the struggle began when he was accepted to university. After receiving books and a school schedule, he received a phone call from the admissions office stating, “There has been a mistake in your application, therefore we have declined your acceptance.” Sekhele then asked the gentleman why. He was given ill answers like, “The computer states that you do not qualify,” and, “I did not decline you, it looks as if you just can’t come to school.” Even when Sekhele defended why his grades qualified and asked to speak to someone higher up, he was told it is not possible. At this point, he decided he would not take “no” for an answer, as he qualified for the degree. He decided to teach Africans that success can be achieved no matter the situation and the forces against one. In a world where phone calls cost an arm and a leg, email is over an hour away and only slow public transport is available, it is truly difficult to achieve anything. For two weeks, he was treading water and continuously told that the matter is being taken into consideration, but the entire time, not a single person could answer exactly what the problem was – not one. After the wait, Sekhele hopped in public transport and headed 6 hours one way to find some answers and even in person he was pushed aside. With his determination to have what he rightfully deserves, the road opened up to him. He found that people knew he was not going away and demanded answers. Only after 18 hours of public transport and 3 days at the main campus, he was told, “We have discovered the mistakes. You are readmitted and allowed to move forward with your degree.” It is notable that Sekhele was crossing invisible boarders that few others passed. I wonder to myself, what if he did not pursue the institutional flaws. Would he be just another African left behind and pushed down forever? And if so, where do “mistakes” like these leave the African continent? When I reflect back to my days of teaching in America, I can remember too many students being quite upset that they had to be at school. Do many American students take for granted their time at school and their right to learn? I see with my own eyes what happens to a people when education is not at the forefront of their world. Students appreciate even the smallest knowledge. They are happy to share a book, a seat and a pen. They do not take for granted what is given to them and a lesson repeated for multiple days is an honor to learn, it is like a day at The Science Museum. However, the smallest amount of gratitude does not afford progress or growth for a country like Lesotho. It will only be through prevalent and long lasting education that a world can develop and create opportunities to succeed like America. Choice does not exist here. Most people take what they are given and most allow others to determine their destiny. Unlike Americans, black South Africans have not been taught to stand up for what they believe in. Basotho are not empowered by their parents, their school teachers or their government to speak up or to have dreams. Oppression is at the root of this culture, and I have seen it first hand with Sekhele’s situation. Only the strongest survive. I hope that all the work I have done with Sekhele and the community will have its way with Africa - nothing ventured, nothing gained. In Africa barriers are all around and one must have the audacity to challenge institutional norms. Progress on this continent is painfully slow or does not exist at all. I am enlightened to see Sekhele’s ability to see beyond the limitations that are deeply engrained. After one and a half years of pursuing this experience, I can appreciate America’s institutional systems because they are not set up to fail its people. America has taught me to reach for what I believe in no matter what, I have passed that on to others. Sekhele is not going to sit around and wait for others to determine his future. He is now equipped with knowledge to positively impact this world. It is a testament to the resiliency of the spirit. This African spirit is not of war and disease, it is of triumph and self respect in the face of hardships. I know that he will not keep with the operative local principal that a thing broken will never be repaired. Working hard is important but there is something that matters even more, believing in one’s self. From Khotso Sekhele, "Everyday I see people being pushed down in this world. The struggle I confronted to get to school tells me that anything is possible. I feel I have become a new person and learned lessons beyond even my own understanding. I have the willpower to never give up. This golden opportunity has filled my life with unexplained joy. Higher education has afforded me to see that there are no limits. No longer will I be just another person in a village under a command system that has no exponential opportunities. I know the knowledge my degree will give me will allow me to be a better person who will better the world in which I live. Thanks to all those who helped my dream come true. Your effort to make this world a better place is remarkable." –Khotso Sekhele Thanks To All Who Helped Make This Happen Mike Bailey Mary Barber Alexis Burke Calvary Pentecostal Church of Freetown Rich Carlson Betsy Cornell & EFCCC Youth Group Rebecca Correia Robin DeCosta Gina Despres & Karl Schnapp Ashley, Nicole & Kayla DeMoranville Lidia Dias Teri Crovello & family mferola@ferola.com (Michael) Freetown-Lakeville Middle School Richard Gilder Jeanne W. Hatch Mary V. Hurley Jay & Abby Kylie Krick Kristen Krolicki, family & friends Lions Club of Freetown Nina M. Mach Amelia McNutt Jenna Meunier Michele Meunier Ted Mooney Sue Murray Patrick McCarthy New England Farms- patrons & employees: Freetown & Assonet Carolyn L. Perry Penny Perry Phil Paleologos George Polochick Shelly, Doug, Nate & Brad Plissey Adam Michael Rosenberg Laura Shippee Paul Sleight Conrad & Janet St.Gelais & family Ramon Tarini Art Tibbetts Victoria Treski Maureen, Jean, Molly Trahan - In memory of Tyler Trahan Bob Unger Madeline Urenick John Veiga Sharon Veiga Mrs. Mary Ann Walker Mike & Kayla Warren Catherine L. Willis Martha Worley & family

my time here is flying and it seems unbelievable. Before I know it I will be stateside, lost and confused. I have been extremely busy so I have not written any funny stories. Yesterday I went to the police station to file a report and I swear I have never seen such incompetent people. I walked in and one of the police officers was flirting with me and it felt so uncomfortable the moment he put his hand on my bicep. I had to ask him to stop being so friendly, which didn’t go over so well. After he walked away, the other “police” officer asked to borrow my pen so she could start taking my statement. I thought, a police station without a pen, hmm, I wonder if they are even equipped to arrest. Anyhow, I looked beyond these things and tried to be as patient and professional as possible but once I saw that my statement began with, “I am Tarsha Veiga, I live around Lesotho, I am literate….” I realized that the entire ordeal was a joke. Once the “officer” finished writing my half coherent statement, I got to sign the bottom. It seemed wrong to sign a police report that was written out on ripped piece of notebook paper. When I asked for a copy of the report the police officer and his colleagues didn’t seem to understand what I was seeking for. I then asked if they had a copy machine and everyone seemed to be confused so instead of getting a carbon copy or a machine copy, I got a ripped piece of paper with my case number and a Lesotho stamp. I then walked away baffled. At this point, I have to make another trip to the same police station and possibly write my own statement and get a Lesotho stamp so that Peace Corps can file my report. I really haven’t a clue. I am exhausted and am ready to go back to my site to work on the HIV project. It is 15 days until my bday. Crazy to think that I am going to be 28 years old. Oh, how time flies. Keep smiling. I’ll see you all in just a few months time. Tarsha ADDENDUM12:23 I arrive at the police station for the 2nd time in 2 days and ask for said gentleman. at which point, I am told that he is on lunch and I must return at 2pm. knowing that lunch begins at 1pm here, I persist and tell them that he is expecting me. I am only speaking in English at this point and, to belittle me, they speak in Sesotho, but since I understand just enough to get around, I proceed down the hallway to an unknown office and open a door that has “claims report” above. I entered and the Ntate is, in fact, expecting me. I greet all the men sitting in the small over stuffed hot room and am ordered to take a seat. We exchange greetings and I try to hurry the gentlemen along by telling them that this matter is highly important and I must leave with a police report. I am then escorted to another room where I am ordered to sit. Two men speak about my case and one goes off to make COPIES. At this point, I am thinking, copies, no way, it can’t be. But the gentleman come back with TWO photocopies of my report. Yesterday, I was told that they did not have a copier and today I am shown that a copier does exist. I am baffled by the incompetence of “professional” workers in this country. in my opinion, too many are too lazy and all do not have any understanding of customer service. If this is how their justice system functions, then no other department can function in this country. Are they taught to be lazy or are they born this way?

http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> His family failed to find him a bride during his young adulthood, so still he lives at home. Stricken by cultural norms and tradition, he is not allowed to start his own life without a woman by his side. He will remain a mohlankana - a boy, unmarried - under their thatched roof until his family finds his “Ms. Appropriate.” Even if he does choose to marry without his family’s full consent, this does not give him freedom to plan his own future. One’s parents are the only people who can traditionally prepare a married couple for the “ways of living.” Almost everything within each clan and their family culture is alike – this world depends on repetition and continuity. It is what keeps tradition thriving. From infancy, the child learns to earn his or her place among the people of their clan. The child must learn to “see” the ways of the clan and then he or she is accepted as a member. As an observer and a person playing a role in this culture, I understand the deep connections that the Basotho have with one another. Bonds that I see, I cannot learn in a classroom. I am ambitious to walk with this culture and their traditions. By his late twenties, an age considered “old”, a female accepts his family’s offer for marriage. Once the female accepts marriage, the male’s family has to pay her family a lobola – dowry of 22 cattle as compensation to the bride’s family. This is paid because the bride indefinitely leaves her family and resides under the roof of the groom’s. If not rewarded freedom, the couple resides indefinitely. It is like early 20th-century America. The America my grandparents reminisce about so frequently. Americans marry for “true love.” From an early age, young Americans seem to bounce from mate to mate until “true love” is found. It seems the only traditional standard for an American male is to ask the female’s parents for their honor to take their daughter as his wife. In Lesotho, culturally, a married couple is expected to never break the vows of marriage. Whereas, in America, divorce tends to be a social norm and often encouraged if one is “unhappy” with his/her marriage. It is no longer a taboo to get divorced, unlike in Lesotho. Life in Lesotho and most of developing Africa is shaped by clans and their origins that are strung together by ancestral relations. Families here worry about more than just their nuclear ties. Parents have many children in hopes that some children will become wealthy and financially support the family and their extended family. Having a large family promotes reliance. This is passed throughout generations and lessens the burden for the family as a whole. However, at times, worrying about relatives and their relatives proves to be problematic because their dependence has weakened the nuclear family’s strength. In the states, family life may or may not consist of a married couple or even a man and a woman together sharing a “family” lifestyle. Our definition of family is loose. Most often, families consist of no more than just immediate family members. Each family has its own customs woven from generations ago or recently started. There are always social standards within each family’s traditions. In America, we believe it is our right to be different. Families here look after one another. The life of Basotho is progress that is slow and has much difficulty, a hardship they endure with amazing patience and humor. In Lesotho, the sense of community is a village functioning as one. There is a solidarity that lives and breathes here. This cohesion is what creates the social fabric. Their permanence is family. This lifestyle is strong and colorful, where everyone has a traditionally assigned role and everyone understands their duties. Community is not based on material things or territorial grounds. This binds Africans closest to who they are and what they stand for – family and tradition. Basotho take care of one another. They enter a world of dreams together. One’s difficulty is another’s. Although they may not get far and their world may not be developed, they are happy. It is not a world of every person for himself. The Basotho live a traditional lifestyle preoccupied with taking care of one another. He considers marriage a destination and will fulfill his role as Ntate – a man. Their family path is already carved into the ground, and the road I come from is not entwined the same. The first-world family life I was born to is woven differently. Culture is not the same everywhere, but throughout the world there are similarities and differences woven within every society – that each of us can learn from. I get this insight because I live here not out of oblivion, but rather out of awareness to see and to make a bond. Is marrying for cultural respect or for true love best? Who can honestly say what is best for any culture? It seems that every nation has a different road to discover and travel. Basotho appreciate building things from scratch and have no desire for instant gratification. Africa has taught me that less is more and life goes beyond material items. Every day, we are sharing ideas to unite this world.

(IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, THERE IS ANOTHER ARTICLE BELOW THAT I SUBMITTED TO wbsm 1420 TALK SHOW.) keep reading!

http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> Lumelang bamameli ba khabane, July 20, 2010 (Due.may.long / ba.ma.medi / ba / ha.ba.ne) “Hell beautiful Listeners” Just five and a half months of my service left and I am constantly reminded because my dad likes to tell me that my days are numbered, but I tell him it’s actually wonderful to enjoy the moment. I am going to live somewhere between this very moment and my tomorrows. Big things are happening in my life here in Lesotho. Recently, I was approved for a 2,000 dollar grant. It’s for a two day event focusing on HIV/AIDS. The statistical ratio is 1:4. (for every four people, 1 person has the virus). The onset of all this HIV/AIDS outreach has been Mr. Khotso Sekhele, the scholarship student. In November 2009, we went on our first cross-cultural group hike to rural Lesotho; at that point, I realized what a great asset he is to have on these hikes. Mr. Sekhele became my interpreter and soon the drive behind leisure hikes for AIDS outreach. Without Mr. Sekhele’s assistance, I couldn’t have done 3 very successful AIDS hikes thus far. Here in Lesotho, 95% of the herd-boys are illiterate. When we partake in these 3-5 day hikes, we bring along condoms so we can stop and “chit-chat” with the boys and men that are watching over the cattle, sheep and goats. Some of the topics discussed during these hikes include: what is one’s knowledge about AIDS, the measures to prevent AIDS or measures to care for a person living with the virus, what transmits AIDS, causes, misconceptions, myths, etc. Thus far we have passed out over 300 condoms and spoken with nearly a hundred boys and men, all of which have not had any formal education beyond 3rd grade. With an organization called Lejone Action AID and Mr. Sekhele’s desire to help his people, I was encouraged to apply for a PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan For Aids Relief) grant through Peace Corps. After 5 months of gathering information, applying for the grant and awaiting approval, I am finally training five host country individuals on multiple procedures so that this event can be run by local individuals, organizations and/or communities and repeated annually. A few of the topics are: reaching goals and objectives, time keeping, capacity building, publicity outreach, training of stakeholders and numerous other topics. This is a two day educational event with 80 participants and 20 facilitators, which will take place right here in my village. The goals of Lejone Kopano Action AID are to make Basotho aware of AIDS and the impact it has on this country and the future of the Basotho as a people. I solely believe in sustainability so while PEPFAR is supplying 47% of the cost, the Basotho are supplying the remainder. I am not the face of this event, Mr. Sekhele and his team of 4 from LAA are. Without their vision and hard work, I could not be successful with making this event happen. The event is tentatively planned to happen in Early September so right now we are working our tails off to get the event ready. Things tend to take longer to process here and even though I have Mr. Sekhele, whom is determined, we seem to always hit these invisible walls – which we are constantly breaking through. I was taught to never give up on what I believe in. I believe that this nation has great potential and I will work to help as many Basotho as possible. I will teach then about determination like they have taught me about patience. I believe that knowledge is the key to success. Failure is not an option. I firmly believe that the only dumb question…is the question not asked. I know that I can’t move mountains alone. However for every Mosotho I encourage, a little bit of the mountain is chipped away and hopefully one day minds will be altered and the education that I brought will be long lasting. When I leave - as I have been reminded multiple times - in about 160 days, I want to know that those whom I taught can go on without me. I am quite a strict teacher and demand my students to demonstrate exceptional progress based on each individual. They are seeing through their own grueling labor that effort creates progress and improvement. Teaching them how important it is to strive for goals is beneficial, therefore they are beginning to understand the importance of setting goals and achieving them. I hope that I am demonstrating to the Basotho how important perseverance is. I am not changing their way of living, rather adopting and improving their lifestyle and hopefully leaving each individual Mosotho hungry for more education and knowledge.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100523%2FNEWS02%2F5230339%2F-1%2FNEWSMAPHey guys, things are still really great here in Lesotho. been back for 6 months now and going home is going to be difficult. im here until January 2011. Lately, i have been submitting to the Standard Times, as a way to stay in touch and help others understand the world at large. I’ll try to post the link here so that you can keep updates. Otherwise, it’s damn cold here right now. We got our 1st snow storm last week and I froze. When I stayed at a friends house, I calculated that the house was 40 degrees F. I assume that it’s below freezing outside. Oh, how I miss insulation and central heating. i am currently in Maseru b/c i am waiting for administration to approve my VAST grant. i opened a bank account and everything...but still waiting. i cannot stress how slow things are here. Sometimes, it is mind boggling. When/if the grant gets passed i will be working with the village to organize a two day event for HIV/AIDS outreach. I am excited to be focusing on this pandemic. there's not much else for right now. hearts. T

Volunteer from Freetown heads back to Africa, her work not yet done | SouthCoastToday.comwww.southcoasttoday.comLESOTHO — I started my Peace Corps Journey two and a half years ago. When my contract expired, I knew that I didn’t want to leave Lesotho, Africa, so I extended my time for another year. I still wanted ...

Here’s any my latest update Just a little over a week ago, I arrived from my solo Botswana trip. Not many volunteers journey to Botswana alone, now I understand why. Taking public transport on a daily basis while on a holiday is not a luxury, or a given desire – it is a desperate means. During my trip, it was me, my one-person tent (no bigger than a human-cocoon) and my lofty backpack which consumed no more than: 2 pairs of clothes, a rain coat, safari hat, a sleeping bag, 1 pot, 1 cup, a Nano ipod, a tent, and some yummy nuts and beef jerky from friends and family back home. As I did not have a rented car, I was forced to take Kombis, buses and lifts all around the country. Hours upon hours I sat with local Botswana’s and listed to the tires roar against the road – in Botswana they speak Setswana, a language closely related to Sesotho. Having no problem with communication, I got along quite well with the locals and the camping tourists. I felt right at home. Most of my trip was “unplanned.” In the beginning, all I knew was my arrival date and departure date- well and a few bookings throughout. My guide book was ten years outdated, and I honestly didn’t have a clue as to how much money would be needed for my 10+ day trip in a country where prices were based on the American tourist. Honestly, I was banking on Karma taking control – I figured that I have done a lot of good in this world and good would prosper. Botswana doesn’t tolerate crime (they believe in an eye for an eye). I knew that I would be safe and people would help me when I asked for it. Botswana is not Johannesburg or New York City. It’s a very peaceful country. Upon my arrival to Bots, the Karma set right in, I was taken care of the first night, and that continued throughout my trip. White South Africans played a huge role in my endurance as well. Since being alone, I didn’t have the necessary tools to BBQ or keep my meats cold, and every time I asked to borrow some coals from a fire or put my meat on ice, I was invited to take a seat on the ground or camp chair whereby my meat would be fire roasted and I would, more often than I could handle it, be offered more food or something to drink. Nights upon nights, I sat around numerous fires and chatted about my missions as a volunteer, my upbringing as an American, my take on the Apartheid in South Africa 20 or so years ago and what my next mission in life would be. My enthusiasm to explore took me to discover the beauty of two more countries Zimbabwe and a small Island in Namibia – both of which were not in my original rough outline. Along my travels, I partook in a few “tourist” activities such as, a Safari drive, a safari cruise, a ‘Mokoro” (canoe) trip, a full body massage and the wonderful Victoria Falls. I have seen a little more of what this very large world has to offer. I am back in Lesotho and fully exhausted. This trip, though wonderful, took a lot out of me. A car would have made a huge difference in my fatigue level, but then I wouldn’t have so many stories to share with others nor would I have such fantastic memories. Doing the trip the way I did, allowed me to be part of the Botswana’s daily living style and the South African’s camping culture. I camped with more luxuries (because of the South Africans) than I have lived with for the last 2 and ½ years: electricity, flushing toilets, refrigerators and even computers. Right now, I miss the warm days and nights in Botswana surrounded by monkeys on tree tops and hippos callings all night long. Lesotho is so cold. The Basotho are beginning to hibernate – and for good reason. My hut is a permanent 60 degrees F and in another month or so it will be 50 degrees F. Though it’s cold, I do love the feeling of “home” again. There’s something to be said about going to another place and coming back home: security, protection, structure and familiar faces. Khotso-Pula-Nala , Tarsha(Peace, Rain, Prosperity)

This was an email that I wrote prior to visiting USA for the 1st time in 2 years. November 15, 2009Quiet. Alone with Ben, and Chris (PCVs) strumming on the guitars, rocking out beats that make me want to jump out of my seat. I am reminiscing of old times from the states: open mic café’s, Bridge Street Station, Rebecca Correia’s house and James Gagne – taking me away to a place where there wasn’t chaos or need. Only now, I am 7,000 miles from home – but still somehow I am at home in mind and body. Transcended. The energy is alive; I can feel it all around. My thoughts are flowing freely. I feel in my element. It’s been two full years since I could sit back, let down my guard and simply enjoy the rhythm of time – the beat of spirit and love, as I knew it. Usually, I am stuck in a Kombi being rushed from town to town while my ear drums are tainted. The decibel of the Basotho accordion and base music usually pollute my soul. Now, however, I feel cleansed. The language around me is my mother tongue. I can see and hear and understand the unspoken. In my realm, I realize how fortunate I am to have this PCV network. A place I can come to and feel “normal,” understood and within my comfort zone. A place where when I say, “give me the which-a-ma-call-it” the person nearest to me understands what I am referring to. A place where I can discuss the woo, whoa, and Ahhhs about life as a volunteer in Lesotho. Soon, however, I will be “Home,” my childhood place of birth – but is it home? No matter, I can seek out those old haunts and then reminisce with friends and family about life here in Lesotho. My opinion is that one person truly can’t be in two places at one time. As human beings, especially Americans, we are always trying it, never truly in the place we should be. Where is the moment after all? How does one configure that any given moment is the moment he or she should actually be living? Here, I sometimes crave for home or days like these where I can have an intimate situation with those i know from a world I grew up in. When I permanently step state side, I am afraid I will not crave Lesotho but instead long for the many experiences and wonderful life situation I am presently living. Will I be a wandering bug forever, searching out new circumstances but still hoping to be reminded of my place of birth? Feb 19th 2010I have learned that there truly is no place like home. However true this may be, I think that I will always yearn for new experiences and life altering situations. Going home was the best thing I could have done…it honestly helped me put my life into perspective again and has helped me appreciate Lesotho to the fullest once more.

Thanks for following and helping me with this project. As you know, I have made it back to Lesotho. It’s actually, already, been over a month – oh how time flies. Since being back, I have immersed in the culture that much more. I am totally reenergized and making progress, though sometimes small. But, as I have understood for some time now, small progress is beneficial to a small developing country. Once I arrived in Lesotho, the scholarship money that was raised for the last 6 months was changed into South African Currency and I then met with the community council and Mr. Sekhele so that we could make a plan to move forth with this Education Africa scholarship. Just this month, Mr. Skehele and one gentleman from the community council went to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to apply for school. While they were there, they met with a counselor to evaluate Mr. Sekhele’s upcoming school year. In March, he will apply to school and by June will be accepted in the Business Management degree. Through observation, I noticed that most host country natives lack basic logical ways of inquiring. However, since I have been working with Mr. Sekhele and the community, he realizes that this is no longer an issue for him. During Mr. Sekhele’s 2nd visit to Bloem in regard to his higher education, Mr. Sekhele noted that he has learned so much in the process of getting ready to be accepted to college. “I realize the importance of asking questions and persisting to find the right answers. Also, that dreams are great but when put into action, it takes massive strength to follow through and not give up. For example, when I 1st visited Bloem to see which school I could enroll at, the information I was given wasn’t sufficient. During this 2nd trip, after Tarsha and I evaluated the information I originally gathered, I was ready and more than able to carry through and seek concrete information from the college. Now, because of my determination, I have accurate information that will allow me to enroll without future issues arising. All of these encourage me to see that no matter what the challenges are, I will never give up and always try my hardest to achieve my goals and exempt failure; with the understanding that I will learn from all the difficulties that I encounter .” We are hopeful that everything pans out according to the counselor’s advice. I will definitely keep you all as updated as possible. Thank you so much for believing in my vision and helping with funding, etc and encouraging me to follow through, so that we can help this developing country.

I made it safely to Jo'burg, SA. Will be staying here for the night and then off to Lesotho tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all the hospitality.

My first realizations of being back in SA:

- people actually take the time to look around

- Afrikaaners accent

- my American plugs do not work.

-homeless ladies begging for money while holding their children

- bad customer service

- Baggage delay

-having stomach gas

Tomorrow i will head to Lesotho and be greeted by 80 volunteers at the ALL VOL conference. 4 days after that, i will head back to my mountainside abode.

Remember - you have 3 days to make last minute donations.

Below you will find all the necessary information for donations. ALL donations must be received by Jan 10, 2010 - go to:

http://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=19813 (Designate my donation to: Tarsha Veiga)

or send a check to:

Friends of Lesotho

4110 Denfeld Ave.

Kensington, MD 20895

USAMake Check Payable to Friends of Lesotho -Memo Line: Tarsha Veiga

Hello Friends and Family: This is it. I have less then a day left. My flight leaves from TF Green (Providence RI) at 12 noon tomorrow. As of right now, I feel a tad bit overwhelmed. I am sad about leaving friends and family, but looking forward to my simple village life in Lesotho. In the last month, I have been working on raising funds for the Education Africa Scholarship fund. When I stepped stateside, I had received less than 500.oo dollars and currently, the Scholarship Fund has 2,100 dollars. I have done a lot of foot work and it shows, however; I did not reach my readjusted goal of 3,000. With the 2,100 – Mr. Sekhele will be able to begin his degree at DAMELIN College in South Africa. When I actually get back to my site and inform the village, I am sure they will be filled with joy. Thank you all for helping me with achieving this goal. I will be sure to keep you updated in as many ways as possible.

I love you all and will see you sometime post Jan 10, 2011

Below you will find all the necessary information for donations. ALL donations must be received by Jan 10, 2010 - go to:

http://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=19813 (Designate my donation to: Tarsha Veiga)

or send a check to:

Friends of Lesotho

4110 Denfeld Ave.

Kensington, MD 20895

USA

I have just one more week to go. I have been here in the states since November 21st, and time has flown bye. It is crazy! I will be sad to leave family and friends again. However, I am following my dreams and looking forward to my next year of volunteer work with the Peace Corps, the Basotho and in particular, the Scholarship candidate. Since I have been home, I have raised 1/2 of the scholarship money. I am hoping to finish it off in the next week. If you or anyone you know has wanted to make a donation, but hasn’t found the time, please let him or her know the deadline is upon us (January 10, 2011). Remember, this project is a major part of my 3rd year of service. This is your chance to make that lasting difference in another person's life. This is our chance to improve the lives of those most in need. I look forward to sending you all up dates once Mr. Sekhele is enrolled in school. As always, thank you for your support, Tarsha VeigaBelow you will find all the necessary information for donations - go to:
http://www.justgive.org/giving/donate.jsp?charityId=19813(Designate my donation to: Tarsha Veiga)

or send a check to:
Friends of Lesotho
4110 Denfeld Ave.
Kensington, MD 20895
USA-Make Check Payable to Friends of Lesotho -Memo Line: Tarsha Veiga

Hello All!

Well, i am officially stateside and it is quite amazing. I love seeing my friends and family. It almost feels like i never left. Strange!

Today, i had an interview of 1420am talk radio and it went quite well. It's really nice knowing that people genuenly care about the work that i am doing in Lesotho. Actually, i talk about it so much that my head herts a bit. People are so inquisitive.

A lot of my thrid year will be focused on the student going to University. I hope that you many of you can financially help out/ I always here people saying, "I wish i could do what you are doing, Tarsha." I know that picking up and leaving to volunteer in a 3rd world country isn't always an options for most people. So if you want to help, make a small donation toward this scholarship fund. The way that each of us can make a difference in this world is different and if you wish to help, now is the chance.

go to:

www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html

or send a check to:

Friends of Lesotho

attn: Tarsha Veiga

4110 Denfeld Ave.

Kensington, MD 20895

USA

For the next 47 days, I will be in America. I will be leaving Lesotho tonight to catch a flight out to America. I will arrive home on Sunday Nov 22. I absolutely can’t wait! This is one of the most exciting things that I have done in the last 2 years. To reunite with friends and family will be such a pleasure…and American food!!!!All so priceless. As of now, I will be going back to Veiga Dr and supposedly my car is up, running and registered. I can come visit but remember, I am living on just $12.00 a day, as that’s all Peace Corps gives it’s extending PCVs for their home-leave. Bugger. Still, surely, I can find a way to make anything happen. Peace Corps-Lesotho had made me more resourceful than I could have ever imagined. Don’t leave your car around me, b/c I know how to siphon gas now…LOL. Until I see you all. Tarsha

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE! You may enjoy this tidbit of info:~ Half a world away from her Freetown home, Tarsha Veiga has found a powerful calling, working among the people of Lesotho as a Peace Corps volunteer. ~http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091022/NEWS/910220368/-1/NEWSMAP

As of Oct 28th, my external Hard Drive is DEAD! I am hoping to recover the info when i come home (for just over a month) In November. I am landing at TF Green on Nov 22nd and i am so excited. Things are well here, but i am glad to be visiting the states. Visiting, is all i am doing. I will be coming back to Lesotho, though. BUT while i am home - i would LOVE to catch up with so many of you. Please contact me via facebook or my email if you know it. Look forward to seeing you =) HEARTS to ALL! Tarsha

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, life is always an adventure. Just about a month ago I had planned a trip to the top of this Mountain Kingdom – Sani Pass, the highest point in Southern Africa. The goals were to mix work with some recreation. Goal 1: hike and hitch to Sani Pass while reaching out to Herd boys (young and old men who look after cattle) to teach them about HIV/AIDS, as the disease is so rampant here. Goal 2: take a mini holiday and relish in the great work that I am doing here. The journey started out not as planned, typical for this country. My counterpart/coworker and I sat off thinking that we would borrow a truck from one of the villagers or even 2 other people. On the morning of the trip, all three options didn’t show up. No truck meant that we caught a hitch down to the next point – 8 hours from the end destination. So much for my Dad’s way of living, “Tarsha, you always need a backup plan and….to be on the safe side have three, no less!” well, I have come to learn that my American ways of living can’t always be extended to this third-world society. Our hitch dropped us in Hltose (our camp town) and there we sat wondering how the day should continue on. We were still- slightly - hopeful that locals would come through and lend us the truck from that point in our destination, but 4 hours later Mr. Sekhele and I came to the realization that our reality didn’t exist as we wished. At that point, we started looking into getting to Butha Butha – 5 hours from our outreach destination. We went in search for a local bus. The Kombi driver assured us that we could make it to Sani with no problem. In time, Mr. Sekhele and I realized that the Kombi driver, Mr. Unknown, had fooled us. We sat in the Butha Butha taxi rank eating local food, consisting of corn meal, fried spinach and friend chicken, not my ideal food – but desperate needs call for desperate matters. All the food was cooked from one of the metal shacks in the rank and only cost us 2 US dollars and 50 cents. I suppose it did the job because after all I summonsed enough patience and energy to sit for another two hours. By 5 o’ clock we headed up the mountain in a Kombi stuffed like sardines. The music blared through my headphones and I just couldn’t wait until the driver finally told me that we had reached the next stop – that…I realized would be 4 hours more. Slowly we climbed the mountain to Mokhotlong experiencing the sun fall and watching the local people fall asleep sitting up. The higher and higher we got, the colder and colder the kombi became. It’s is typical that public transport here doesn’t have heat and most of the windows leak air more than I would like to tolerate, but I knew that an end was in site and that my goals were for the greater good. By this time, it started getting dark, and I started to worry about where Mr. Sekhele and I would stay. Once we got cell phone coverage, I texted a volunteer (phone calls are too expensive and the only way to communicate is via text) and she set Mr. Sekhele and I off in the right direction. The kombi driver dropped us at this random backpackers in Mokhotlong and we searched for a guard yelling out, “Ntate, Ntate Nate” man! Twenty minutes later, a man in his PJs came out wondering what a local and a Lekhoa “white” person where doing wandering and yelling toward his facilities at 9pm. I quickly explained that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and was in the area to work on some AIDS outreach in the rural areas of Mokhotlong and that Mr. Sekhele was my counterpart and would be my translator in order for me to be effective. A few moments later, he set us up in the empty hostel and we unloaded and discussed our plan for the following day while munching on warm yogurt, muesli and Smucker’s Peanut Butter. Together, we strategize that our wakeup would be 6am and how we would continue our journey so that we could get a head start on our 1st goal. By 7:30. The next morning, we were out the door – walking up the dirt path and catching another lift to the taxi rank, whereby we had missed the 1st taxi out to the rural area. At that point, we decided to hitch to the rural area, complete our 1st goal and then hitch to Sani. We got out past the Camp town (the city area of the districts) and met a few herd boys, upon which we began to ask what they knew about HIV/AIDS. I took out my note book and began talking with Mr. Sekhele, which he then translated, “Abuti, are you aware of the disease AIDS?” Abuti replied, you mean the disease that kills?” when Mr. Sekhele came back to me with this response, I was floored and thought, “Maybe, after all this has been worth the trouble!” from heard boy to heard boy, Mr. Sekhele continued to ask about contraception, one partner, love, gender roles and the use of condoms. When we felt that we had walked long enough, hitched to far enough rural areas and met at least 15 heard boys – which is a lot considering the rural area we were in – we decided that we would move forward on our journey and reach Sani Pass. At that point, we stood on the side of the deserted road and wondered if we would EVER catch a lift or even a kombi. 2 hours later, not one car had passed and I began worrying. However, i knew that inevitably, Mr. Sekhele could ask a local for room and board on the floor for one night. When only herd boys were passing, Mr. Sekhele realized that it was possible that we would only have the option to literally hike to Sani. He then asked a herd boy haling donkeys to give us a lift-when he translate to me that he had done such a thing, I laughed. Moments later, however, desperation set in and I came back to him with, “Are you truly serious about hitching with the herd boy, because at this point is seems to be the only option?” He said, “Yes, Abuti says that we can get to Sani in 5 hours if we are hiking the whole way!” quickly, we ran (with our bags) toward the boy that was just ahead herding his donkey. Moments later, we loaded our bags to the sides of one donkey. We hung 2 North Face bags and a small tote bag with uncooked rice and beans via a carabineer. Slowly we walked on… At this point, I doubted that we would ever really make it there by nightfall but in the back of my mind, I was thinking meanwhile I could continue doing HIV/AIDS outreach. We continued and still 3 hours later only one kombi had passed us and was unwilling to stuff us on the roof rack so I was destined to walk at a snails pace until we reached the sky – Sani Pass. Finally, I heard roaring tires from afar and with great pleasure I realized it was a Land Cruiser. A LAND CRUSIER! I let Mr. Sekhele go ahead while I waited on the side of the dirt road with my hands in prayer. The car came to a halt. I ran over to the passenger side of the window and begged to get a lift for my counterpart and with some reluctance - I think b/c nobody in their right mind would try to hitch in such a rural area – we were let aboard. I explained why we were stranded and the importance of my work. The men then let us in, that is after I showed my Peace Corps ID. We waved goodbye to Abuti herd boy and left him eating our dust b/c we had found that lucky hitch or fate arrived. While in the car with Bo Ntate, men, we came to the conclusion that it would have taken 10 or more hours to hike the whole way. I thought, well, good thing you guys arrived! Ntate Teller and John were great men to get a lift from, as they were college educated and this made our conversations flow so easily. We discussed the economy of America, my work as a Peace Corps Volunteer and Mr. Sekhele’s job as a counterpart. 1 hour later, we were at Sani Pass! It was beautiful and it truly felt like we were in the sky. Mr. Sekhele and I were scheduled to stay at the bottom of Sani but when we realized transport prices and all the travel we would have to continue to do, Bo Ntate offered us a sweet exchange – “You guys can stay here with us until QN (south of where we were) and in the morning we can deliver you to Maseru (capital). Without much hesitation we took the offer, after all, our first goal was attained. We sat back in the luxury SUV and enjoyed the “good life” with no qualms. 3 hours later, we arrived in QN. I was dropped of at Kylie’s house, another PCV and she and I spent the evening together, whereby we shared so many stories about our time as volunteers in Lesotho. The next day, I was fetched by the Bo Ntate and headed to Maseru discussing what Mr. Sekhele had learned from the trip. Mr. Sekhele had noted that he learned the very importance of person-to-person contact for his people. He also noted how there is HIV education in this country but it fails to reach those in the rural areas and he was proud to walk to the unforgotten areas of his country to help educate those left behind. I am realizing more and more -- every day -- that there is honestly no end. As a volunteer, my work is a constant matter, whether I am trekking the rural areas of Mahtolog or discussing the need for ARVs with my host mother. When I try to plan, I also realize that any outcome is feasible. When I think that my work isn’t helping as much as I’d like, Bo Ntate help me understand that it is those individual encounters that make a difference. I am not reaching out. My job as a volunteer doesn’t always make sense, but I know that it is meaningful to me and those that I serve. After all, this is the toughest job I will ever love. ~ It would be nice to have my blog added to this article (if that’s possible and or feasible) www.xanga.com/tveiga

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, for the past few months i have been advocating for this Friends and family Scholarship. I have sent out some blanket emails, hand written letters and posted info on this blog. I would like to do as much PR as possible but it is a bit difficult from this end. Please be patient with me. Below i have posted informative information about the project. I urge you to take a look and consider helping in any way possible. You can always reach me at this email with any Qs or Concerns: educationafrica@gmail.com WE CAN’T HEAL THE WORLD BUT TOGETHER WE CAN @ MAKE A DIFFERENCE I have attached this to the email because it has been brought to my attention that a few things are unclear regarding this Scholarship Project for Sir, Khotso Sekhele. As you all know, I am trying to raise funds for a gentleman’s college education. He is a host country native –Lesotho born. He’s 23 years old. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I am required to do thorough research regarding any project that needs funding from the Untied States. PC-Lesotho accepted my project and the NON-Profit organization that works with PC-Lesotho decided that the Scholarship Project was a good initiative. All funds are being routed through Friends of Lesotho, a non-profit organization promoting friendship between the peoples of Lesotho and North America. Friends of Lesotho (FOL) is comprised of former Peace Corps volunteers and others who share this desire. . FOL is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization Many eyes and ears from Peace Corps and FOL have looked over this project and we all believe that this unconventional scholarship project is: sound, worthy of donations and capable of project success. I set up this scholarship project based on the community’s need, the gentleman, and the college. I have followed PC project requirements – a 14 page proposal. The candidate was selected after intense interviewing with the community and I. Khotso Sekhele is a qualified candidate for this scholarship. He is capable and bright and dedicated to his country and its success Below are a few points that I hope clarify any questions you have. There is a Board of Trustees/Advisors including 4 gentlemen and myself. The village set up rules and guidelines that corresponded with Peace Corps Project Proposal. This project was the village’s initiative. When my time ends in Jan 2011, the project beneficiaries and the candidate will report to Peace Corps. This scholarship requires that the village and the candidate contribute 25% of the overall total. Thus far, the village has contributed 28%. Examples are: transport to and from school, a computer, school material, etc. As of right now, the project is hoping for 72% of contributions to come from the US. Examples are: tuition, books, meals and accommodation. When enough money is raised, the gentleman will begin a correspondence Business degree (Associate’s Degree) at Damelin College in Bloemfontein, South Africa.After the 1st year is completed, this scholarship does not cover anything but tuition. The community and the candidate are required to take this responsibility and they already have a few plans of action. The school has reviewed all of Khotso’s transcripts and has agreed that he qualifies for the Business degree at their college. However, he cannot begin without funding.The school requires that 2 years of school be paid upfront, this is because the candidate is an international student.While the gentleman is attending school, he will be working. This is important, as he needs to take care of his living expenses and save for future school necessities.As a volunteer, I am held to severe reporting from Peace Corps Lesotho/ Washington DC and Friends of Lesotho. You can be sure that I have done my homework and no pennies will be lost with this project – all funds will be used correctly. This is tax-deductable/tax write-off. Here is the information needed given you chose to become a donor, 501(c)(3) charitable organization.TO PAY ON LINE http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html Scroll down to the JUSTGIVE donation box (click) and Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga" Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”.When you fill out their taxes, you just claim the deduction on your tax return. If you need verification you can contact FOL and they send a letter. Anyone who gives more than $250 automatically gets a letter. If you cannot donate (which I personally understand, as my mom is feeling this recession more than my heart can bear), send your wishes, pass this cause forward to a friend or family member (or Obama himself or even Oprah). Your help will be greatly appreciated. I don’t intend to save the world on what little money USA has to spare, I just want to help one gentleman and his community so that they can help one another and be more effective in the near future. Let’s make their future brighter! This project will close on December 1, 2010. Please, if you can, Start Showing Your Support. Send me any suggestion or comments. I am not in the states or Australia or Ireland and will admit that I am a bit naive in regard to any one else’s reality. Africa is a whole different world – a bubble of daily disasters and unyielding hope. YOUR CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!Tarsha Veiga, PCV-Lesotho 2007-2011 Thanks to DONORS:Jenna Meunier, Polockick Chiropractor, Teri, Billy and Kelsey Crovello, John Veiga, Penny Perry, East Freetown Lions Club, Dr. Patrick McCarthy PhD, LICSW and those that I have yet to hear from. PS-if you have already donated, let me know!

I have learned that being a volunteer doesn’t meant that i have a lot of down time. Though this was true during my 1st year of service it no longer is. I am constantly busy, so much so, I now have many of the same stresses as I did in the US. I have beginning to realize that a person’s being is innate. That no matter how much I try to be Zen, I will probably always be steadfast. I cannot sit idled. It just seems impossible. I specifically came to the capital for Speak-Aloud reporting and Scholarship updating. I am required to submit some reporting for an event that I organized for September 12, 2009. The event was sponsored by PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief). The Speak Aloud initiative was to reach 40 students in my district and educated them about HIV/AIDS (1 in 4 are infected), Gender Empowerment, and Career and life options. I was floored with the results of this event. the children were so involved and inspired to test. About 3 weeks ago, I got together with Abuti Khotso (the candidate for the scholarship) and asked him if he would donate his time to this project. He agreed whole-heartedly. Together, we secured 40 students and 10 speakers. We hired 2 cooks from the local bus stop; we did all the footwork in regard to fetching foods and supplies. He did a lot of the phone calls, because phone calls cost so much and Basotho to Basotho are able to discus things quite quickly. In the end, 13 adults were scheduled to show up and 10 did but all the students were present so really I can’t complain. Though we started late, we were able to succeed at our goals. It felt nice to put this event on. I know that it helped the Basotho and anyway that I can lend a hand to this developing world, I am more than happy. After all, I came here to make a difference and this Speak-Aloud has contributed to making a difference.

Because I want to keep you all posted, I shall give you a little something to read. Here’s u a small summary of what it took to get to the capital this week. i left my house at 8am yesterday morning and walked 15 minutes down the mountain to the main road. I greeted 25 people on the way, Lumela ‘Me and Ntate, o’ phela joang?” I then waited 20 minutes at the road for a kombi full of smelly Basotho and load music. Once in the kombi, while smiling at all and being stared at by many, I wondered why on this earth anyone would play crappy music above and beyond the decibel range. We drove to the next village where i get free lifts from random drivers. i began walking to my usual spot and had to turn around b/c i forgot my sleeping bag on the kombi seat. I got my bag and began walking back to the spot to get a hitch. I waited 10 minutes and a huge dump truck came by and gave me a lift. Luckily! I was so tired from the Speak-Aloud event that took up my weekend (the man spoke English) so I didn’t engage in much of a convo. We drove in silence down the mountain for 1.5 hours. i got to the camp town and got out of the dump truck, while tripping over my skirt. Thankfully Ntate came over and helped me and my 30 pound bag down the steps. I Walked to the road and started hitching …again. This time Elizabeth Glasier Pediatric Aids Foundation vehicle picked me up. We drove and chatted for 10 minutes. When I was getting out of their car they said, “America, they help us, we can help you.” so heartfelt! i was then let out of the vehicle to start my hitch…again. i waited about 15 minutes for someone else to pick me up. Got my next and last lift from an oversized AfriSam 20 Wheeler Mercedes Benz flat-bed truck with some great African Music. We chatted a few minutes and then sat in silence. 3.5 hours (record breaking time) later, i was right here at the PC office beginning my work. My travel is usually long and cumbersome. i have met so many people and have had many meaningful conversations. It’s always an interesting journey. Each time is different from the last and won’t be like the future. just as an FYI: the scholarship project is still open. here's the link again!http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.htmlin message line indicate Tarsha Veiga

I have just been notified that the scholarship funds for Khotso Sekhele to attend College ONLY reached 120.00 dollars. That’s a long way from 4,800 dollars. I am really not sure what to do. I feel fully discouraged, as I have worked so hard to get this project off the ground. But without funding from you all, it can’t move forward. What can I do???? I am nearly begging for your support, as this scholarship needs some serious H.E.L.P! And if each one of you contributed a little it would get this project off the ground. In July, I sent out an email explaning the project. Yesterday, I received word that it still needs major funding, as stated above. Without additional funding from you guys, all my efforts and the communities have been wasted. It is my hope that you will take time out of your busy schedule and contribute to such a worth while cause. Remember, that every little counts and it goes so far in this developing country. Below I have inserted the web address and the mailing address. In order for all donation to count, you must actually put your thoughts into action. !!All Donations are tax deductible!! TO PAY ON LINE http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga" Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. Remember, this is a Tax write off and a VERY worthy cause. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Email me: educationafrica@gmail.com Hope to see your name in my next email. For those of you who have been wondering, I have FINALLY received word - - - I have been accepted to extend a third year. This project is a very large part of my extension and I pray that it will work out. I am excited to have the opportunity to be here one more year. And with your efforts, it may be the most successful year of my Peace Corps Experience.

I have just been notified that the scholarship funds for Khotso Sekhele to attend College ONLY reached 120.00 dollars. That’s a long way from 4,800 dollars. I am really not sure what to do. I feel fully discouraged, as I have worked so hard to get this project off the ground. But without funding from you all, it can’t move forward. What can I do???? I am nearly begging for your support, as this scholarship needs some serious H.E.L.P! And if each one of you contributed a little it would get this project off the ground. In July, I sent out an email explaning the project. Yesterday, I received word that it still needs major funding, as stated above. Without additional funding from you guys, all my efforts and the communities have been wasted. It is my hope that you will take time out of your busy schedule and contribute to such a worth while cause. Remember, that every little counts and it goes so far in this developing country. Below I have inserted the web address and the mailing address. In order for all donation to count, you must actually put your thoughts into action. !!All Donations are tax deductible!! TO PAY ON LINE http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga" Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. Remember, this is a Tax write off and a VERY worthy cause. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Email me: educationafrica@gmail.com Hope to see your name in my next email. For those of you who have been wondering, I have FINALLY received word - - - I have been accepted to extend a third year. This project is a very large part of my extension and I pray that it will work out. I am excited to have the opportunity to be here one more year. And with your efforts, it may be the most successful year of my Peace Corps Experience.

Yet again i am making my way back to my site. Time to leave the capital.let me leave you with this wonderful story:Bettering one person’s life at a time. Last time I headed back to my site, I brought this little knitted hat for my favorite Ausi in the village. She’s so cute, whenever she walks by my hut she always peeks in the door and asks “O phela joang,” How are you and I reply “Ke Sharp Ausi Ueka,” I am well girl! She’s all of 2 feet tall and 3 years old but every day she and her Mom make the 100 foot walk to our pump. On this particular day I had been waiting for her because I wanted so badly to give her the warm knitted hat. When she came by, I went flying out my door spoke to her in English. Of course she didn’t understand the language but I know she understood what was going on. She smiled as I squeezed the premie hat over her large head and just above her ears. She looked so adorable in the hat especially b/c there was a pom-pom on the top. She walked away with a warm head, probably the first time her head has been covered since birth. Things are scarce in this country and money is non-existent. After I got to watch her walk by several times in warmth, her mother knocked on my door holding a bowl of beans. In kind, she gave me a Kg of her own home grown beans. It was one of the most thoughtful things that someone has done for me. I truly didn’t expect a thing in return and when she surprised me with the beans, I was floored! I kindly accepted them and then thought, “How is it that people without can be so generous?” The Basotho have such kind souls. I am fortunate to be here.~ 'M'e TarshaPS-there is still time to make a contribution to th Friends-&-Family Scholarship. Please support this cause "Educating 1 Mosotho at a time" make dontations in my name Tarsha Veiga

Yet again i am making my way back to my site. Time to leave the capital.let me leave you with this wonderful story:Bettering one person’s life at a time. Last time I headed back to my site, I brought this little knitted hat for my favorite Ausi in the village. She’s so cute, whenever she walks by my hut she always peeks in the door and asks “O phela joang,” How are you and I reply “Ke Sharp Ausi Ueka,” I am well girl! She’s all of 2 feet tall and 3 years old but every day she and her Mom make the 100 foot walk to our pump. On this particular day I had been waiting for her because I wanted so badly to give her the warm knitted hat. When she came by, I went flying out my door spoke to her in English. Of course she didn’t understand the language but I know she understood what was going on. She smiled as I squeezed the premie hat over her large head and just above her ears. She looked so adorable in the hat especially b/c there was a pom-pom on the top. She walked away with a warm head, probably the first time her head has been covered since birth. Things are scarce in this country and money is non-existent. After I got to watch her walk by several times in warmth, her mother knocked on my door holding a bowl of beans. In kind, she gave me a Kg of her own home grown beans. It was one of the most thoughtful things that someone has done for me. I truly didn’t expect a thing in return and when she surprised me with the beans, I was floored! I kindly accepted them and then thought, “How is it that people without can be so generous?” The Basotho have such kind souls. I am fortunate to be here.~ 'M'e TarshaPS-there is still time to make a contribution to th Friends-&-Family Scholarship. Please support this cause "Educating 1 Mosotho at a time" make dontations in my name Tarsha Veiga

I left MSU on July 24th and headed North bound to my site here in Lesotho. This was in fact after a long awaited “Final” approval for this friends and family scholarship: http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html I left Maseru at 9am in the morning with Ntate John (a good Mosotho friend that brings me from the capital to 2 hours from my site every time I leave Maseru) and arrived at Hlotse at 11:00 (where I catch a kombi up to my site). The Kombi left about an hour later, standard wait time, and we headed north toward my site. By the time I arrived at the bottom of my mountain, I was exhausted and still needed to head a half hour up the 90 degree mountain. Slowly progressing! I landed at my house and unpacked a bit in the dark, with a lit candle (but if you ever are forced to do things by candle light, you’ll see how annoying it can become!) I got a few things done, threw something in my stomach and decided that I just needed to lie down for a bit. A bit turned into 3:00am. I woke because my bladder was screaming at me. “Okay okay,” I said and got up in the pitch black. I rolled out of my bed (that permanently sits on the floor) and stumbled to the *Pee Bucket. I sat on the hard plastic bucket and Peed. Ahh, I thought, so relieving. I then slightly capped the bucket (b/c if I put the lid on too tightly, it won’t come off so easily next time, during my 5am wakeup!) and started to feel my way toward the bed. Since I had not been home for over a week, the house’s surrounding in the dark didn’t seem familiar…but since I get up in the dark so many times, I never think twice to just feel my way through the darkness. This time, however, was different from the gazillion other times. This time, YOU READY, I walked 380 degrees instead of 160 degrees and ended up in the spot just where my pee bucket sits. I stumbled, fell over my bed and landed on the floor……..whilst tipping the pee bucket. Believe it! As I am on the floor and gaining conscience, I realize that the thud was my pee bucket. “Oh Shizzle!” at that point, I was in a stream of water dazed at what just happened. All the while, pee is staining my rug, running under my bed and soaking into my clothes. I can’t even run to the light switch either. I think, “oh, God, I am doomed. What am I going to do? Quick, Tarsha wake up, Think!, grab your mop and get this river under control!” 10 minutes later, I have most of the urine wiped and am now wondering what the heck I am going to do about the bottom of my bed and the edge of my floor. I grab some dirty clothes and do the best that I can do given the circumstances. I then realize that I need a change of clothes. At that point, there was not much else I could do but to just let it go and try to fall back asleep even though the smell lingered and stung my nose. The next morning I woke and realized that the ordeal wasn’t just a dream – it really happened! Since I live on a mountain with no running water or electricity, there wasn’t much I could do to make my rondavel all squeaky clean. I did the best I could by airing out my mattress and rubbing my floor with Handy Andy cleaner (Mr. Clean!)…but the smell still lingered. For days later, I would wake a bit confused feeling ashamed. Sometimes, I really thought that I was 5 again and made a mistake by peeing the bed, then realized, “No, I just dumped my Pee Bucket a few days ago and Mom wouldn’t be mad at me after all.” Life in Lesotho is surely an adventure. Each moment must be taken lightly and treasured. I sure hope that this is the 1st and last time I ever dump my Pee Bucket. Surely, I don’t want to relive this smelly incident! *Pee Bucket – most Basotho, including me, do not have inside plumbing. We all have Pit Latrines, an out house. In the night, it is unsafe to go outside so we use this 5 gallon hard plastic bucket with a lid and handle as out “toilet” in the night. This bucket can be multifunctional sometimes and I am just glad that on this particular day, there was only about 1 Liter of Pee inside b/c had it been more, I may have been in an ocean of urine. ______________________________>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>_______________________________Just as a reminder: The Scholarship Fund is in great need of your support. I hope to find out this week how much has actually been raised. I’ll keep you all posted. To all of you that have already donated: thank you so much!!!!! Feel free to pass any and all info along to your friends and family. Much love ~Tarsha. Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. TO PAY ON LINE option 1:http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga" option 2:https://www.justgive.org Specify "Friends of Lesotho" or "FOL"Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga"

I left MSU on July 24th and headed North bound to my site here in Lesotho. This was in fact after a long awaited “Final” approval for this friends and family scholarship: http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html I left Maseru at 9am in the morning with Ntate John (a good Mosotho friend that brings me from the capital to 2 hours from my site every time I leave Maseru) and arrived at Hlotse at 11:00 (where I catch a kombi up to my site). The Kombi left about an hour later, standard wait time, and we headed north toward my site. By the time I arrived at the bottom of my mountain, I was exhausted and still needed to head a half hour up the 90 degree mountain. Slowly progressing! I landed at my house and unpacked a bit in the dark, with a lit candle (but if you ever are forced to do things by candle light, you’ll see how annoying it can become!) I got a few things done, threw something in my stomach and decided that I just needed to lie down for a bit. A bit turned into 3:00am. I woke because my bladder was screaming at me. “Okay okay,” I said and got up in the pitch black. I rolled out of my bed (that permanently sits on the floor) and stumbled to the *Pee Bucket. I sat on the hard plastic bucket and Peed. Ahh, I thought, so relieving. I then slightly capped the bucket (b/c if I put the lid on too tightly, it won’t come off so easily next time, during my 5am wakeup!) and started to feel my way toward the bed. Since I had not been home for over a week, the house’s surrounding in the dark didn’t seem familiar…but since I get up in the dark so many times, I never think twice to just feel my way through the darkness. This time, however, was different from the gazillion other times. This time, YOU READY, I walked 380 degrees instead of 160 degrees and ended up in the spot just where my pee bucket sits. I stumbled, fell over my bed and landed on the floor……..whilst tipping the pee bucket. Believe it! As I am on the floor and gaining conscience, I realize that the thud was my pee bucket. “Oh Shizzle!” at that point, I was in a stream of water dazed at what just happened. All the while, pee is staining my rug, running under my bed and soaking into my clothes. I can’t even run to the light switch either. I think, “oh, God, I am doomed. What am I going to do? Quick, Tarsha wake up, Think!, grab your mop and get this river under control!” 10 minutes later, I have most of the urine wiped and am now wondering what the heck I am going to do about the bottom of my bed and the edge of my floor. I grab some dirty clothes and do the best that I can do given the circumstances. I then realize that I need a change of clothes. At that point, there was not much else I could do but to just let it go and try to fall back asleep even though the smell lingered and stung my nose. The next morning I woke and realized that the ordeal wasn’t just a dream – it really happened! Since I live on a mountain with no running water or electricity, there wasn’t much I could do to make my rondavel all squeaky clean. I did the best I could by airing out my mattress and rubbing my floor with Handy Andy cleaner (Mr. Clean!)…but the smell still lingered. For days later, I would wake a bit confused feeling ashamed. Sometimes, I really thought that I was 5 again and made a mistake by peeing the bed, then realized, “No, I just dumped my Pee Bucket a few days ago and Mom wouldn’t be mad at me after all.” Life in Lesotho is surely an adventure. Each moment must be taken lightly and treasured. I sure hope that this is the 1st and last time I ever dump my Pee Bucket. Surely, I don’t want to relive this smelly incident! *Pee Bucket – most Basotho, including me, do not have inside plumbing. We all have Pit Latrines, an out house. In the night, it is unsafe to go outside so we use this 5 gallon hard plastic bucket with a lid and handle as out “toilet” in the night. This bucket can be multifunctional sometimes and I am just glad that on this particular day, there was only about 1 Liter of Pee inside b/c had it been more, I may have been in an ocean of urine. ______________________________>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>_______________________________Just as a reminder: The Scholarship Fund is in great need of your support. I hope to find out this week how much has actually been raised. I’ll keep you all posted. To all of you that have already donated: thank you so much!!!!! Feel free to pass any and all info along to your friends and family. Much love ~Tarsha. Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. TO PAY ON LINE option 1:https://www.justgive.org Specify "Friends of Lesotho" or "FOL"Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga" option 2:http://www.friendsoflesotho.org/donate.html indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga"

Hello Friends and Family, How are you all? As for me, I am hard at work here in Lesotho. I am still looking forward to any and all donations that can be made to my latest project – THE SCHOLARSHIP. This project requires a bit of United States Dollars (4,800). Please…Please…start sending in your green via mail or use that good ol’ credit card. Either will work, Don’t hesitate. I have worked so hard to finally get this project approved. I wouldn’t want to see all my efforts go to waste nor would I want to see Khotso Sekhele’s future not be brighter. Every person (that’s capable) deserves an education and a chance at life! Let this be your time to donate to something where 100% of all the proceeds go to the cause – Khotso Sekhele’s education. Even better, you are connected to the people that you’ll be donating the money to. Can’t beat it! On a personal note: the winter is warming up and school will being on August 3rd. Now that I have funds coming in for this project I am doing better than just 2 weeks ago. Not much has been happening, as I have been head first in this project. However, I will definitely keep you updated. Khotso, Pula, Nala(Peace, Rain, Prosperity)Yours Truly, Tarsha Veiga~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!All Donations are tax deductible!! Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. TO PAY ON LINE https://www.justgive.org Specify "Friends of Lesotho" or "FOL"Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga"

Hello Friends and Family, How are you all? As for me, I am hard at work here in Lesotho. I am still looking forward to any and all donations that can be made to me latest project – THE SCHOLARSHIP. This project requires a bit of United States Dollars money (4,800). Please…Please…start sending in your green via mail or use that good ol’ credit card. Either will work, Don’t hesitate. I have worked so hard to finally get this project approved. I wouldn’t want to see all my efforts go to waste nor would I want to see Khotso Sekhele’s future not be brighter. Every person (that’s capable) deserves an education and a chance at life! Let this be your time to donate to something where 100% of all the proceeds go to the cause – Khotso Sekhele’s education. Even better, you are connected to the people that you’ll be donating the money to. Can’t beat it! On a personal note: the winter is warming up and school will being on August 3rd. Now that I have funds coming in for this project I am doing better than just 2 weeks ago. Not much has been happening, as I have been head first in this project. However, I will definitely keep you updated. Khotso, Pula, Nala(Peace, Rain, Prosperity)Yours Truly, Tarsha Veiga~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!All Donations are tax deductible!! Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. TO PAY ON LINE https://www.justgive.org Specify "Friends of Lesotho" or "FOL"Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga"

If you have always wanted to help an African, now is the time! EVERY penny donated will go to the Scholarship fund and the candidate. Please read my blog entry below

If you have always wanted to help an African, now is the time! EVERY penny donated will go to the Scholarship fund and the candidate. Please read my blog entry below

Dear family and friends, I am completing my second year of service and am looking forward to working on this secondary project that I have been developing for some time now and that I fully believe in. I am raising funds to help send a Mosotho to college. In total, the amount of $4, 800 dollars will be needed. ¾ of this total will pay for full tuition, while the remainder goes towards other school expenditures which will allow Khotso Sekhele to get his Associates degree in Business. I will monitor his grades and if they are not “satisfactory” then he will be responsible to repay the full amount. I will then put the money towards other candidates. I know that there is a recession back home but remember that the dollar multiplies 7 times in Lesotho. We hope to have your support. ~Tarsha Veiga, Peace Corps Volunteer Education 2007-2010Any and all inquires can be sent to my email: educationafrica@gmail.com but please remember that I have limited email access. Education AfricaHelp a Student Have a Chance Even those few who complete high school education in Lesotho often do not have the opportunity to further their education. With this family-and-friends scholarship, Khotso Sekhele a 22 year old male will begin a two year Business Management Associate’s degree program at Damelin College in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Attending school will allow him to acquire new knowledge to assist his Basotho community and link him with national and international investors. Khotso comes from a traditional Basotho family. This scholarship will make him the first member of his family to attend college. Damelin College is recognized internationally, and it offers a distance learning program, which will allow him to work and meet his degree requirements, Sustainability in Lesotho is only possible with individual empowerment. A degree will give Khotso an opportunity to assist in business development and private enterprise – areas which need desperate attention in a developing country such as Lesotho. With your contribution, he will not only be able to assist his country, but help to shape his own future. Please help Khotso fulfill his dream. Allow his future to be bright by supporting this project. Supporting a person's education is one of the most valuable, sustainable and long lasting ways we can help those in need. !!All Donations are tax deductible!! Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. TO PAY ON LINE https://www.justgive.org Specify "Friends of Lesotho" or "FOL"Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga"

Dear family and friends, I am completing my second year of service and am looking forward to working on this secondary project that I have been developing for some time now and that I fully believe in. I am raising funds to help send a Mosotho to college. In total, the amount of $4, 800 dollars will be needed. ¾ of this total will pay for full tuition, while the remainder goes towards other school expenditures which will allow Khotso Sekhele to get his Associates degree in Business. I will monitor his grades and if they are not “satisfactory” then he will be responsible to repay the full amount. I will then put the money towards other candidates. I know that there is a recession back home but remember that the dollar multiplies 7 times in Lesotho. We hope to have your support. ~Tarsha Veiga, Peace Corps Volunteer Education 2007-2010Any and all inquires can be sent to my email: educationafrica@gmail.com but please remember that I have limited email access. Education AfricaHelp a Student Have a Chance Even those few who complete high school education in Lesotho often do not have the opportunity to further their education. With this family-and-friends scholarship, Khotso Sekhele a 22 year old male will begin a two year Business Management Associate’s degree program at Damelin College in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Attending school will allow him to acquire new knowledge to assist his Basotho community and link him with national and international investors. Khotso comes from a traditional Basotho family. This scholarship will make him the first member of his family to attend college. Damelin College is recognized internationally, and it offers a distance learning program, which will allow him to work and meet his degree requirements, Sustainability in Lesotho is only possible with individual empowerment. A degree will give Khotso an opportunity to assist in business development and private enterprise – areas which need desperate attention in a developing country such as Lesotho. With your contribution, he will not only be able to assist his country, but help to shape his own future. Please help Khotso fulfill his dream. Allow his future to be bright by supporting this project. Supporting a person's education is one of the most valuable, sustainable and long lasting ways we can help those in need. !!All Donations are tax deductible!! Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. TO PAY ON LINE https://www.justgive.org Specify "Friends of Lesotho" or "FOL"Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga"

Dear family and friends, I am completing my second year of service and am looking forward to working on this secondary project that I have been developing for some time now and that I fully believe in. I am raising funds to help send a Mosotho to college. In total, the amount of $4, 800 dollars will be needed. ¾ of this total will pay for full tuition, while the remainder goes towards other school expenditures which will allow Khotso Sekhele to get his Associates degree in Business. I will monitor his grades and if they are not “satisfactory” then he will be responsible to repay the full amount. I will then put the money towards other candidates. I know that there is a recession back home but remember that the dollar multiplies 7 times in Lesotho. We hope to have your support. ~Tarsha Veiga, Peace Corps Volunteer Education 2007-2010Any and all inquires can be sent to my email: educationafrica@gmail.com but please remember that I have limited email access. Education AfricaHelp a Student Have a Chance Even those few who complete high school education in Lesotho often do not have the opportunity to further their education. With this family-and-friends scholarship, Khotso Sekhele a 22 year old male will begin a two year Business Management Associate’s degree program at Damelin College in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Attending school will allow him to acquire new knowledge to assist his Basotho community and link him with national and international investors. Khotso comes from a traditional Basotho family. This scholarship will make him the first member of his family to attend college. Damelin College is recognized internationally, and it offers a distance learning program, which will allow him to work and meet his degree requirements, Sustainability in Lesotho is only possible with individual empowerment. A degree will give Khotso an opportunity to assist in business development and private enterprise – areas which need desperate attention in a developing country such as Lesotho. With your contribution, he will not only be able to assist his country, but help to shape his own future. Please help Khotso fulfill his dream. Allow his future to be bright by supporting this project. Supporting a person's education is one of the most valuable, sustainable and long lasting ways we can help those in need. !!All Donations are tax deductible!! Donations by CHECK should be mailed to the following address: Friends of LesothoAttn: Tarsha Veiga4110 Denfeld Ave.Kensington, MD 20895 ** USA *checks should be made out to “Friends of Lesotho”. TO PAY ON LINE https://www.justgive.org Specify "Friends of Lesotho" or "FOL"Indicate in message line: "Tarsha Veiga"

i see that many of you are checking out my blog - so many that it's unbelievable. well, another day has passed and i surely have gained more information, but, unfortunately, not enough to have funds processed. i am now looking to have the scholarship funding routed through an online bank account. Lesotho is slow. i appreciate the home support and all your patients. i will be overjoyed when i can finally say to, Khotso Sekhele, that his scholarship money has been fully funded from my friends and family...and maybe even those that just believe in a dream - those unknown supporters that are following my Peace Corps experience to Lesotho. i have now set up an email just for this "movement!" once i get a little bit further, i will post it here so that all of you can contact me with any suggestions or questions. . and, note, once i have figured a way to get the donor funding here, i will send an email to all recipients that i have contacts for. those of you who i don't, you can contact me at the website once i release it's address. i am working very hard for a cause i fully believe in. now it is just a matter of finding the best way to get funds to Lesotho and having you all support it. FYI: if you have a chance, you can take a look at Khotso's personal statement to remind you why supporting this cause is so worth it. yours faithfully, Tarsha Veiga, Peace Corps - Lesotho

i see that many of you are checking out my blog - so many that it's unbelievable. well, another day has passed and i surely have gained more information, but, unfortunately, not enough to have funds processed. i am now looking to have the scholarship funding routed through an online bank account. Lesotho is slow. i appreciate the home support and all your patients. i will be overjoyed when i can finally say to, Khotso Sekhele, that his scholarship money has been fully funded from my friends and family...and maybe even those that just believe in a dream - those unknown supporters that are following my Peace Corps experience to Lesotho. i have now set up an email just for this "movement!" once i get a little bit further, i will post it here so that all of you can contact me with any suggestions or questions. . and, note, once i have figured a way to get the donor funding here, i will send an email to all recipients that i have contacts for. those of you who i don't, you can contact me at the website once i release it's address. i am working very hard for a cause i fully believe in. now it is just a matter of finding the best way to get funds to Lesotho and having you all support it. FYI: if you have a chance, you can take a look at Khotso's personal statement to remind you why supporting this cause is so worth it. yours faithfully, Tarsha Veiga, Peace Corps - Lesotho

well after months of foot work and 2 months of waiting this is the result:PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP:i can't believe it!!!! PC Washington just officialy denied the grant for no reason at all, "we just don't accept scholarships of this kind." how is it so? i am NOT giving up there are still 2 possible routes. Keep saving those dollars and soon you will have a place to put them - toward another's future - Khotso!! in the end, the funding will be 3,000 USD. may seem a bit but with many people helping out, it won't be that bad. there are already many potential donors and even some money waiting to be processed. any and all your donations will count once there is a true place to put it all. i want togo through an organization that can give tax deducatables so that it can benefit the donors. I'm still trucking on....i dont believe in giving up so you all will see this followed through. best of luck to me here in Lesotho.

well after months of foot work and 2 months of waiting this is the result:PROJECT SCHOLARSHIP:i can't believe it!!!! PC Washington just officialy denied the grant for no reason at all, "we just don't accept scholarships of this kind." how is it so? i am NOT giving up there are still 2 possible routes. Keep saving those dollars and soon you will have a place to put them - toward another's future - Khotso!! in the end, the funding will be 3,000 USD. may seem a bit but with many people helping out, it won't be that bad. there are already many potential donors and even some money waiting to be processed. any and all your donations will count once there is a true place to put it all. i want togo through an organization that can give tax deducatables so that it can benefit the donors. I'm still trucking on....i dont believe in giving up so you all will see this followed through. best of luck to me here in Lesotho.

I look at this picture and realize how soft around the edges I have become. Although, at this point, I still do not know the full extent that this world has impacted my life. I came here with a mission to help those most in need and I sometimes wonder if I was most in need of help and or change. I realize how my experience (or as some call it Journey) is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and an experience to grow. The Basotho, which I live among endure more than most Americans can imagine. Many Basotho truly live off less than one US dollar a day and still they walk around with no hurt or anger. I am often baffled by this b/c i can remember being stateside and needing to have anything I set my mind to even if that was a rare bag of Cape Cod Potato chips, salt and vinegar flavor. Here however, when I don’t have what I want and only what I need (necessities) I try to look just a shoulder over and remind myself how I am among such beautiful people who go without on a daily basis with no qualms at all. Just the other day, where I live, yes in my one room mud and rock hut without any electricity or running water on a very steep mountain, we had a pretty bad snow storm. So bad that all the people within a hundred miles got snowed in. by snowed in, I mean, we could walk and drive within 100 miles but couldn’t come to the lowlands, like Maseru. Our “look out” otherwise known as the one and only pass through to civilization was CLOSED for 3 full days!~ And for those days none of the Basotho went scurrying to the local supermarket to stock up on water, milk, bread or meat – all they did was try to keep themselves warm where no heat existed. I think about how strange this is, because when New England is warned about a possible Nor Easter, we all are run to the local mart and clean the shelves as if it’s World War I. it’s strange how The United States lives on means that are not available and people are usually never in the moment and always trying to get where they are Not by being over prepared and stressed. Here I am living a lifestyle that tells me, although I love USA, Americans live beyond their means and overreact – me included. But this world is helping me see that there is more to life than Cobey Briant, the Late Night Show and the weather forcast. This lifestyle has become so much of me and I don’t even realize it until I am able to allow myself to sit back and observe. When I wake in the morning I no longer think about how clean I am or who I have to impress or what bills need to be paid before I car is re-poed. I honestly think about how I can be of better help to my people, the Basotho. I don’t question whether or not it’s too cold to go outside when I know its nearly 20F and too muddy to take a run, I simply throw on my hiking boots, grab my hiking poles, throw on some tech wear and head down the slippery mountain almost falling 20 times. I never question if I should wait on the side of the road for more than a half an hour for a ride, I know it’s inevitable – I will wait longer without a choice. It makes complete sense to me to go to bed when the sun goes down and wake when the sun comes up. I feel lucky when I am about to hand my mail off to KS when he is going to the lowlands and never think twice when it sits in his American backpack for over a week b/c his plans got changed and he never made it to the lowlands as expected. I realize that when I so easily forget what life back home was like and how steadfast I was just 1.8 months ago, I have integrated as Peace Corps hoped. I have become the volunteer that I imagined, accepting this lifestyles as my own. I never fully understood that saying that most moms hung in their kitchens – “HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS”In part, to me it was just a picture or words that my mom thought would make her home become more of a home. However, 6,000 miles from “home”, I finally realize what it means. It no longer carries distant meaning to me! I internalize my home now in my heart. I see and understand that my home lies only where I feel happiest. At this time in my life, I feel happiest just where I am – helping people in a developing country. Home, to me, is no longer a physical address. It’s not tangible; however, it is a very real place within me. I live a life many can’t even imagine, not even the closest relatives to me, “Tarsha, do you really soak your clothes in the bucket and cook all of your food from scratch?” If I can bring home only the faintest of what I am experiencing here, I will be a better person for this world.

I look at this picture and realize how soft around the edges I have become. Although, at this point, I still do not know the full extent that this world has impacted my life. I came here with a mission to help those most in need and I sometimes wonder if I was most in need of help and or change. I realize how my experience (or as some call it Journey) is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and an experience to grow. The Basotho, which I live among endure more than most Americans can imagine. Many Basotho truly live off less than one US dollar a day and still they walk around with no hurt or anger. I am often baffled by this b/c i can remember being stateside and needing to have anything I set my mind to even if that was a rare bag of Cape Cod Potato chips, salt and vinegar flavor. Here however, when I don’t have what I want and only what I need (necessities) I try to look just a shoulder over and remind myself how I am among such beautiful people who go without on a daily basis with no qualms at all. Just the other day, where I live, yes in my one room mud and rock hut without any electricity or running water on a very steep mountain, we had a pretty bad snow storm. So bad that all the people within a hundred miles got snowed in. by snowed in, I mean, we could walk and drive within 100 miles but couldn’t come to the lowlands, like Maseru. Our “look out” otherwise known as the one and only pass through to civilization was CLOSED for 3 full days!~ And for those days none of the Basotho went scurrying to the local supermarket to stock up on water, milk, bread or meat – all they did was try to keep themselves warm where no heat existed. I think about how strange this is, because when New England is warned about a possible Nor Easter, we all are run to the local mart and clean the shelves as if it’s World War I. it’s strange how The United States lives on means that are not available and people are usually never in the moment and always trying to get where they are Not by being over prepared and stressed. Here I am living a lifestyle that tells me, although I love USA, Americans live beyond their means and overreact – me included. But this world is helping me see that there is more to life than Cobey Briant, the Late Night Show and the weather forcast. This lifestyle has become so much of me and I don’t even realize it until I am able to allow myself to sit back and observe. When I wake in the morning I no longer think about how clean I am or who I have to impress or what bills need to be paid before I car is re-poed. I honestly think about how I can be of better help to my people, the Basotho. I don’t question whether or not it’s too cold to go outside when I know its nearly 20F and too muddy to take a run, I simply throw on my hiking boots, grab my hiking poles, throw on some tech wear and head down the slippery mountain almost falling 20 times. I never question if I should wait on the side of the road for more than a half an hour for a ride, I know it’s inevitable – I will wait longer without a choice. It makes complete sense to me to go to bed when the sun goes down and wake when the sun comes up. I feel lucky when I am about to hand my mail off to KS when he is going to the lowlands and never think twice when it sits in his American backpack for over a week b/c his plans got changed and he never made it to the lowlands as expected. I realize that when I so easily forget what life back home was like and how steadfast I was just 1.8 months ago, I have integrated as Peace Corps hoped. I have become the volunteer that I imagined, accepting this lifestyles as my own. I never fully understood that saying that most moms hung in their kitchens – “HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS”In part, to me it was just a picture or words that my mom thought would make her home become more of a home. However, 6,000 miles from “home”, I finally realize what it means. It no longer carries distant meaning to me! I internalize my home now in my heart. I see and understand that my home lies only where I feel happiest. At this time in my life, I feel happiest just where I am – helping people in a developing country. Home, to me, is no longer a physical address. It’s not tangible; however, it is a very real place within me. I live a life many can’t even imagine, not even the closest relatives to me, “Tarsha, do you really soak your clothes in the bucket and cook all of your food from scratch?” If I can bring home only the faintest of what I am experiencing here, I will be a better person for this world.

when i joined the Peace Corps they reminded me that this would be the toughest job i'd ever love and it has proven true! as of tomorrow, i will be heading back to my site in the highlands for some time. Peace Corps Washington has not approved the proposal. the scholarship funding that is for the Mosotho. - not for me! i suppose i will go back to my site and relax for a bit, screw my head back on and get balanced. the children are not in school as it's our winter break..so now, ill go looking for secondary work. things to keep me busy and sane. as soon as i can get back to the net to inform you all, i will. but please feel free to check the Peace Corps website periodically for updates. and remember, for those that i had info for, i gave it to Peace Corps and they may be contacting you.

when i joined the Peace Corps they reminded me that this would be the toughest job i'd ever love and it has proven true! as of tomorrow, i will be heading back to my site in the highlands for some time. Peace Corps Washington has not approved the proposal. the scholarship funding that is for the Mosotho. - not for me! i suppose i will go back to my site and relax for a bit, screw my head back on and get balanced. the children are not in school as it's our winter break..so now, ill go looking for secondary work. things to keep me busy and sane. as soon as i can get back to the net to inform you all, i will. but please feel free to check the Peace Corps website periodically for updates. and remember, for those that i had info for, i gave it to Peace Corps and they may be contacting you.

Hello all! Well I am in the capital again because I am trying to get Washington to expedite the PCPP approval. The gentleman in DC said that he would look at it today before the end of the work day. This means that by 5pm central time my scholarship proposal may or may not be approved. My fingers are crossed! On the home front: I am doing quite well. I miss home a lot sometimes these days. I think I officially have the 1st case of “home sickness” but hey after 1 year and a half, how can I complain – it only seems normal that this would be happening. In my village: we had another successful “Environmental Day.” I coupled the Environmental Day with getting a grant to buy new windows for all the broken ones at the school. I don’t believe that Basotho should get handout as often as they do. I talked to the Principal and we decided that Environmental day would go well with replacing the windows, as the children would be working for a better environment and getting a cleaner and warmer school. 700 children walked their one village and collected litter for 2 days. Its was spectacular. I was floored how well they did and how dedicated they students were. The village looked great and I believe the students learned. It is just now that Lesotho has begun the initiative to clean up. This initiativeit is mostly in the more populated areas in the low lands, I am hoping that it will make it to the high lands so that the Basotho will begin to keep their earth clean.

during this week i will be submitting my EXTENSION form. seems that LESOTHO has more to offer me than AMerica. Go figure. not surprising though. i am not indefinetly inlove with this country as i was 1 year ago, but i still love it. there are multiple flaws, but such is life. i love the challenge. my heart still yearns for more and i get that MORE here so why not stay and help those in need-my initial goal. seems right to me. at this point, my extension is NOT accepted yet, but i surely hope it will be. i have good reason to stay, as my new job with the Primary schools just started 5 month ago and progress is so slow so staying to see what my time here can bring to the local teachers is actually essential. then there is the PCPP scholarship, which i am still awaiting full approval. if i get my extension, i hope to be home for thanksgiving and Xmas then back here b4 the new year. ill keep you all update, for sure.

hearts and best to the American Economy., Tarsha

OMG: most recently, i sent a hand-written letter to Trader Joe's Company telling them all about my endeavor here in Lesotho and letting them know how much i love their Peanut Butter. Well, well, just a few days ago i received this AMAZING care package including not only PEANUT BUTTER , but chocolate, dried bananas and fruit drops. More than i ever imagined=) i hope you all support such a great store. please drop by the nearest Trader Joe's next time you are in the city, buy something good that i can only dream about. LOVE YOU ALL!! Cheers.