American TESOL Institute - World Wise Schools
Updated : Fri, July 30, 2010 9:25 am EST

World Wise Schools Update - April, 2011
Here are some birthday photos from last year in November when I turned 47. it was a shared event with some of my youth group girls from the neighborhood, and the two boys from my host family, one of whom also had a birthday at that time. I've learned to make cakes in a bundt pan with a cast iron pot over a wood fire, it's like a Dutch oven without the water, instead, you use sand. Works great! I wish you a wonderful Easter weekend. Greetings to all at American TESOL for me. Thanks so much for your continued interest in joining this Peace Corps journey with me!
Publ.Date : Thu, April 21, 2011 9:25 am

World Wise Schools Update - July, 2010
Greetings from Mozambique! My apologies that it's taken me so long to write to you again. I trust all is well with you in this new year! Thanks so much for your interest in what the Peace Corps is doing in Mozambique! I've been placed, post PC training, in Gaza Province, in Gaza province along the boarder w/ South Africa in the southern part of Mozambique - just by the entrance to Limpopo National Park. Yes, there is camping available, and some game animals can be seen! So, if you're students would like to take a field trip, "Hoyo Hoyo" (which,in the local language - Changaana, means "welcome"). I'm attaching a photo of our Peach Corp group. 25 of us are health volunteers, and the rest high school teachers. I'm the oldest in the group at 46. Joining the Peace Corp is a good mid-life option for anyone not wanting to wait untill retirement age. The Peach Corp accepts volunteers of all ages. I am also attaching a photo of me at the swearing in ceremony last December. I'm a health volunteer working with five, small community-based organizations in Gaza Province that are trying to provide support and care for adults and children that are HIV positive, and do prevention work mainly with the youth. I've just launched 2 youth groups that are PC-sponsored; one for young men, and one for young women. This is a great way to do fun things while learning about reproductive health and making good health behavior choices.
Publ.Date : Fri, July 30, 2010 9:25 am

World Wise Schools Update - August, 2010
I've started an English language club; we do indeed need materials. If you have things on hand that you can donate, they can be sent cheaply via "media mail" through the regular post office; the box dimenssion can't exceed 32 inches long x 18 inches high x 17 inches wide, and the weight on any one box can't exceed 50 lbs. I sent a bunch of textbooks that way last year in August, to donate to the universities, and it worked out really well. All 3 boxes arrived, and the average cost/box was only about $20. I recommend, however, that once the box is closed, you take clear packing tape and tape the box COMPLETELY (around every girth!!! several times). They will be roughly handled along the way. You might also pack newspaper (ball it up lightly) around the empty spaces so that the books don't shift in transit:Ruben O. Hernandez Country Director Peace Corps Mozambique 2330 Maputo Place Dulles, VA 20189 Attn: For Cynthia Moody, MOS 14, Gaza Province Also, children's books, in English, would be a great asset. Kids in Gaza Province have NO books to read, and they're not in the habit of reading. So, I'm trying to foster that love. In fact, when kids are on summer break in Dec/Jan upcoming, I'm planning an informal "summer school" under my Mafura tree for them. I'd like to get them to write their own stories. . .their own children's books. I think it will be encouraging for them. I've taken over 2,000 photos since I arrived, but I'm not able to send any of those today. I'll leave that to another opportunity. There's no internet service for the public where I live, so I have to travel to the nearest larger town, Chokwe, which is 120km from me, in order to check emails. It's always an over-nighter for me, and a bit expensive, so I only go every 4-6 weeks. However, I have good cell phone reception, so if you ever need to reach me, or want to give my number to people who are interested in calling, feel free. With a cheap calling card for Africa (make sure it supports Mozambique), I'm just a phone call away: 011.258.82.294.8191 We're now 6 hours ahead of EST, and I'm typically in after dark (your 1-3pm). We have a very quiet, peaceful village, safe to walk around in. . .but I'm afraid of the snakes and scorpions!!! If you have your students develop a list of questions for me, I'll do my best to get you answers in June when I'm in Maputo at the PC office, and able to use their computers. At that time, I can send you more photos from Gaza Province as well. Thanks again for your interest and time!
Publ.Date : Tue, August 2, 2010 9:25 am

World Wise Schools
World Wise Schools has matched up Peace Corps Volunteer Cynthia Moody with American TESOL Institute for a two-year exchange of ideas, stories, pictures, and artifacts that help ATI students in the classroom learn about the people, geography, environment, and the culture of the world. Currently, Cynthia Moody is finishing up Peace Corp training in Namaasha, Mozambique. In 2 weeks, she will leave for her permanent site: Mozambique in Gaza province on the South African border - just 10km from Limpopo National Park, which is a big game reserve shared with South Africa. Cynthia will be working with a small, community based organization that is dedicated to HIV-AIDS education and prevention. Cynthia Moody's background is in organizational behavior.
Publ.Date : Fri, November 27, 2009 12:09 pm

World Wise Schools Update - December
Greetings from Mozambique! It is a lovely, sunny, hot friday afternoon here in Namaasha. I have just finished the final tests for training, and I was told that I have passed! Tomorrow all the volunteers and our host families are having a pot luck to celebrate. I go to the Ambassador's house in the capital city, Maputo, on Tuesday for the swearing-in ceremony, and leave for Gaza on Wednesday. I have just learned that my town has no internet access. So, I won't get to travel to check email again until sometime in January. If you don't hear from me until then, not to worry. I will get you all some updates by Febuary.
Publ.Date : Fri, December 4, 2009 8:08 am