Changes, lots of changes

It's been a while since our last blog update and a lot has happened since.
Thorsten's parents have been to visit and especially the girls enjoyed their company. Due to several reasons and circumstances, we were not able to do the traveling we had planned. But they were very understanding and loved spending time with the girls. Thorsten took them and the girls to Limbe for a few days - which they enjoyed a lot. They made themselves at home in our home and helped out with whatever they could - Thank you!



Most of you know, that I, Griet, have been waiting to hear about a job coming through. Well... It has finally happened!! A few months later than expected but still. By the end of May, I finally heard my contract came through and I could start working for HJFMRI (Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International), an American not-for-profit organisation that supports medical research in developing countries. Here in Cameroon, I am the program manager for the Avian and Pandemic Influenza Surveillance Program funded by DoD-GEIS (Department of Defence Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Program). We support 2 labs that do the research, one in Buea and one in Yaounde. Together with the Centre Pasteur du Cameroon are they the sole laboratories that conduct research in this field.
I have to say - it does take time getting used to going back to work full time, after a few years break (studying, having children, moving around) but I enjoy the welcome change and challange.

Also Thorsten is changing jobs. As you all know, Broederlijk Delen (BD) is moving out of Cameroon so Thorsten's contract would come to an end in March 2011. And in this sector, the jobs are not always plenty so Thorsten started applying on time with the result that he'll start working for GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit) from the 1st July. Although BD is sad to see him leave, it's a great opportunity and we're both happy to be working and living in Cameroon a little while longer. What Thorsten's new job is all about, I'll let him explain :-)

With the new jobs comes also the fact we have to move to the town centre. We have been contemplating moving for a long time, although we will miss our little paradise. But commuting to town has become impossible due to increasing traffic. On top of that, they're closing the roads on a weekly basis these days which sometimes prevents us from leaving our house the whole day. And Jara's starting school in September - which is also in town. But I will look forward living closer to our friends and not having to loose 2 hours a day on school/crèche runs only.

Enough about the parents, Jara and Lisa then. They're both doing great. Jara is still a princess with a strong character. She's very stubborn and knows what she wants (or not want for that matter)(it must run in the family, somewhere). The best way to get her to do something or listen is to make a deal. On the other hand, she's incredibly gentle and sweet with Lisa (who's cutting 4 teeth at the moment), gives her her bear or a bottle of milk when Lisa's crying. They've also become very close and play together a lot. Lisa's usually copying Jara, which sometimes leads to hilarious situations and Jara's usually bossing Lisa around. Lisa's is a very easy gentle child who can play on her own for ages. Where Jara will make a scene when she bangs her head, Lisa will say "Aw, bobo"(french baby language for pain), rub her head and will continue her game. She's tough!