Prijedor

Kristine and I went to Prijedor last week for thursday and friday (we missed you sandy). We had a 2 day workshop to put together for the women who will be working at the safehouse there. After a delightful car ride we arrived at the safehouse where about 8 staff were waiting for us to begin. We trained the women on common reactions to trauma, communitcation with trauma victims and began our speil about self care. We were told that most of the women except for maybe 2 were new to this field and were survivors of domestic violence themselves. After a couple of hours of training, the women headed out
and the real fun began. Two of the safehouse staff spent the night at the house with me and krash. Along with 2 daughters of one of the women. The picture krash took of me with our dictionary out is opnly the beginning of our 24 hour charade game. Even though communication was difficult it was a great time. After the water in the house went out the women headed out back to the well to start drawing water. At first they did not let us help but after we revealed krash was a farmer's daughter they put us to work; which was great. We needed enough water for cooking, cleaning, bathing and going to the restroom. As you can see krash did just fine getting her hands dirty. Her snazzy vest is made of wool and aside from begin highly fashionable, it kept her quite warm during our after dinner activites. I was not left out however, my green and purple cardigan rivals the wool vest well. After fetching water we helped Milca and Sloba in the garden. While they were working on the tomato vines we had the task of picking beans. Which we later realized would be a gift to us for our bus ride back. It was a great two days. The evening was so peaceful and relazing, even after 5 cups of coffee. yikes!! we had a training the next morning about self care. I think it was very fitting since i feel that our weekend there was a bit a self care for each of us. We were invited back next year and told they would learn alittle more english and we said we would learn alittle more srpske...even though charades are so fun..