Another entry already because so much to say and it feels like loads happens every day here though thats probably the malarial delerium.

It turned out my food poisoning was very mild and I am now recovered though I've opted out of dinner tonight, the thought of more "mouton" is disgusting. We're goin for pizza tonight which I am very much looking forward too though my weight is depressing - i thought Mercedes' behind view photo of me last week would be enough to put me off eating but it seems not. But luckily my roomate put on 2 stone before she got here so we are both going swimming everyday and going to start running too... this will clearly never happen but we can hope.

Had my first day at work today and the kids are unbelievably cute. We learnt parts of the body in French which I was able to participqte in but most of the time they chat away in Wolof, the local lqnguage so I just nod and say "oui" a lot. I work in a class of 5 year olds and I have a fqvourite already. Shes so quiet and while all her gobby little friends were screaming at me, she sat there for ages just playing with my bracelets and offering me her lunch (instant friendship). And theres another little boy who I think can't afford the uniform because he doesn't wear it and nobody speaks to him. Hes covered in dirt and always looks sad - so sweet. A highlight of today was when a little boy was sitting against the blqckboqrd all morning and when he got up at the end of the morning he had a massive letter E on his head from the board. Tried not to laugh because really isn't that funny but was laughing all the way home anyway.

Although working in the kindergarten is going to be amazing, I also think it'll be really really hard because of the way the kids are treated (and of course the 6am start). But seriously, it is quite distressing to see the kids be punished. Today a little girl in the other class got her braids stuck in her bag and she could't get it out so the teacher came along, slapped the girls hands away from the bag, ripped the braid from the bag nd smacked her over the head them pushed her into the wall. I couldnt believe it but they tell you just to get over it cos stuff like that will happen every day.

Animal cruelty also an issue, i.e kids throwing rocks at mice and really badly treated horses but Ill save that happy story for another day.

Really pretty volunteer arrived today, me and lucy killing selves. Have decided to scrap the no makeup idea and am putting on foundation with a shovel tonight.

Hot Senegalese guy (seriously dull but still very hot) still in love with other volunteer. I am still repelling everyone. We sat in a cafe this morning and one guy propsed to Lucy and the other one said "none of you are my type but if I had to choose any of you it would be maddy". Bloody marvellous - there were only 3 of us there.

Here white people are called toubabs and qlthough I suppose its offensive I love when a little kid shotus TOUBAB at me, its so cute. A little boy yesterday ran up to me and said "bonjour toubab" then shook my hand - unbelivably cute.

Don't think theres much else to report other than the lack of tan. Hope to finally here from some of you soon but thank you to Joe, Mercedes, Dan and Adam who have kep^t lots of contact - I love to read the emails qlthough ad,ittedly I have only been here a week but it feels like I've lived here forever. But week one is over and at the moment, I love it!

Love you all lots and happy birthday to Suzy today! xxxxxxxxxx