[In the Field] Mothers, babies and excited students

Kristen Mangelinkx from UNICEF's Boston office is blogging on her trip to Madagascar. This is her fourth post. We were up early again this morning and drove to Antalaha to visit more health centers. We have met so many mothers and their beautiful babies! We also visited a school today--a primary school just steps away from the Indian Ocean. The students, both girls and boys, were packed into the hot classrooms and sharing desks. As the students introduced themselves to us, each told us what they wanted to be when they grow up: doctors, teachers, business people, and one ambitious 4th grader who stood up and said "Prime Minister!" It was an emotional visit for me as I could recall all those days when I told my mom I didn't want to go to school. These kids seemed so excited to be there and they have so little. We leave the Sava region tomorrow morning and return to Antananarivo. I hope to be able to share photos tomorrow. KM