Believe it or not but April marked the longest time I have ever been away from home. The last time was when I studied abroad in St.Thomas for four months and I've been away from home for five months now.
So April is coming to a close and next month is our In-Srvice training for two weeks. Two weeks of lanuage and more technical training. It's exciting but also it's going to be a lot more work.
As the lanuage gets better a lot of things are becoming more clear about my job as well as about my community which is always very helpful.
Everyday I think about home. I can't help it, I can't sit down and deny that I don't miss it. I miss home a lot and many wonderful things about it. Don't get me wrong I also love it here as well.
So the other day I biked to this village about 12km away with my counterpart for a meeting about renovating a health center. I fell in love with this tiny little village even though the coordinator treated me like a retard but besides the point I got to go to the school there and meet the kids and teachers there and also visit the 'health center' and meet the health care staff. There are a lot of issues going on there I have no idea where to begin. I met with a group of about 40-50 elders who were concerned about their health care facility and everyone sounded very motivated to move forward and do something so thats what I going to help them with. But before that, we need to figure out how to get their pump fixed because they have no drinkable water.
I feel a little overwhlemed with work because I'm walking into a couple of the past volunteers projects, in a way it is good because it gives me something to do but it's also bad because people ask me questions about money and old projects that I havent heard about because I don't talk with the past volunteer. Thatd be really awesome is Peace Corps helped us get in contact.
So next week is Mamou, i'll be there for two weeks and I'm exciting, there's food so I don't have to cook. The other volunteers will be there. There's internet! I can get a present for my host family.
My host family mom is so wonderful. She is absolutely amazing. Every time I go to her house she gives the sweetest welcoming and loves to sit down and talk and will actually speak with me in french and helps me with the local language. The other day I went over for dinner and spent the whole evening learning how to say the days of the week in Pular. I still screw up Thursday but eh, it's ok. And I told her I love mangoes (I'm so excited cause it's mango season.) And every time Im there I get mangoes and she helped me learn how to peel mangoes and she makes the best rice and sauce. Every time I go there I always eat so much. She makes really really good food. I see why the past volunteer loved her. She has one daughter and two sons and a granddaughter she lives with. I become friends with her children because they are all about around the same age as well and older.
What else? I dont have any travelling plans. I can start to travel after IST, but I don't have any plans set. I'd like to visit the other regions of Guinea and see some volunteers over in Kankan. But nothing is written in stone.
If anyone wants to send me a package of spices, like maybe cinnamon or nutmeg or any kind of cooking or baking spices. It'd be greatly appreciated. I am going to build a mud oven and start baking, i hope this isn't a problem during the rainy season but I'll find out one way or another, right?
As i have probably mentioned before language is a definate barrier when trying to find female friends here. Its very apparent that most of my friends are male and many times my work puts me in a room full of men. Its very frustrating. And I always try to make people aware of their gender roles and try to ask them how come men can not make meals, but i feel like it's been going in one ear and out the other. But I am trying. The one girl who works at the health center that is about my age has started to annoy the crap out of me because EVERY time I see her she asks me for something. It'd be cool if its once and in a while but it's absolutely EVERY TIME and it's very annoying.
So someone asked me the other day when I was coming home and I said oh sometime early 2010. And they asked me if I wanted to would it be possible to come home before that. Yeah it is possible and I have thought about coming home many times. I've been away from home for five months now and there's only about 22 more to go. I really love it here and I went through a lot during training. I put a lot into this and I've made some good friends and I made a commitment and I feel like it'd be wrong to leave. There is a lot I can do here, and I hope to do as much as I can as best as I can and at least inflict some positive change within my community or be the person to inspire the change.
My email is still good but help me out and send email to my new email address at Beacongrown@gmail.com. i love getting email and letters, its lots of fun. It makes me tear up a little but also very happy. Even if it's like a funny magazine ad, you'd think I like, you should send it because there are no magazines here. Also I love mail. K. Miss ya! I have pictures but of course forgot my cord so next time there'll be lots of photos.
MISS yA!!!
Hey if you are ever just happening to visit Africa, could you let me know?? I'm in Guinea, West Africa and I'm eating lots of mangoes. lol.
FYI Mangoes cost 100 cent. (thats less than a penny in the US) And I get get a huge basket for 1000 mille, (thats less than a quarter.)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Things are going.
Do April showers brong May flowers? I sure hope so. It's started to rain every now and then and its kinda nice because I dont like when it's ridiculously hot. So things have been going well. Things are going well if they are better than last time I posted a blog.
The other day I finally found a host family and I'm very excited to learn more about them and learn more about my community as well from them. It made me really happy when I first met my mom because she was very welcoming and very sweet and she had a good relationship with the past volunteer which is very lucky for me. And every time I go there I feel less stressed out.And she's offered to help me with my Pular which is great. It's very slow going I forget most things almost instantly. No kidding, but she is really patience with helping me cause i can't make a lot of those sounds. lol.
Work is going well as well. I'm learning alot from hands on work at the health center and working more specifically with pregnant women, which is kinda nice. I don't like being at the health center all day, i hope that i can eventually worl more within the community and with the youth.
So now my favorite thing about my village is that no matter where I turn I can usually find a welcoming friendly face. My least favorite thing is that often times I sit amongst a group of people speaking only Pular and can not understand anything because they speak so fast. But petite a petite I'm going to learn and hopefully be able to do my work at the hospitol in Pular.
The other day I finally found a host family and I'm very excited to learn more about them and learn more about my community as well from them. It made me really happy when I first met my mom because she was very welcoming and very sweet and she had a good relationship with the past volunteer which is very lucky for me. And every time I go there I feel less stressed out.And she's offered to help me with my Pular which is great. It's very slow going I forget most things almost instantly. No kidding, but she is really patience with helping me cause i can't make a lot of those sounds. lol.
Work is going well as well. I'm learning alot from hands on work at the health center and working more specifically with pregnant women, which is kinda nice. I don't like being at the health center all day, i hope that i can eventually worl more within the community and with the youth.
So now my favorite thing about my village is that no matter where I turn I can usually find a welcoming friendly face. My least favorite thing is that often times I sit amongst a group of people speaking only Pular and can not understand anything because they speak so fast. But petite a petite I'm going to learn and hopefully be able to do my work at the hospitol in Pular.
March 27th
Blog entry 3/27/08
There have been many frustrations throughout the past two weeks but rather than focusing on that I’d like to note the things that were accomplished.
I have located a reliable tutor who speaks French well enough that I can work with him at least twice a week.
I built a small litter box for my kitty and potty trained her. She caught on pretty fast and the house is much cleaner now.
I have successfully gutted, scaled and cleaned a fish at least twice since writing this.
I have learned how to talk about my family in Pular. (it’s still a work in progress but progressing. Ask about moodi an.
I have NOT raised my hand to any kids despite how annoyed I get when they come to my house and stare at me and my cat. And then ask for candy or cookies and whatever they can see in house from my porch.
I have successfully learned how to wash my clothes more effectively and efficiently by hand.
And the best thing I learned recently was how to carry my 25 liter bidon full of water on my head from the pump to my house. I could probably go farther. It was uncomfortable at first but so much easier than carrying it in my hands.
My head did hurt a little bit but when I carried it with my arms my back hurt after on one trip. Now I can make more trips and quicker as well. And work? It is coming along with less irritancy than before. And the work relationship is getting better between me and the health center staff.
There have been many frustrations throughout the past two weeks but rather than focusing on that I’d like to note the things that were accomplished.
I have located a reliable tutor who speaks French well enough that I can work with him at least twice a week.
I built a small litter box for my kitty and potty trained her. She caught on pretty fast and the house is much cleaner now.
I have successfully gutted, scaled and cleaned a fish at least twice since writing this.
I have learned how to talk about my family in Pular. (it’s still a work in progress but progressing. Ask about moodi an.
I have NOT raised my hand to any kids despite how annoyed I get when they come to my house and stare at me and my cat. And then ask for candy or cookies and whatever they can see in house from my porch.
I have successfully learned how to wash my clothes more effectively and efficiently by hand.
And the best thing I learned recently was how to carry my 25 liter bidon full of water on my head from the pump to my house. I could probably go farther. It was uncomfortable at first but so much easier than carrying it in my hands.
My head did hurt a little bit but when I carried it with my arms my back hurt after on one trip. Now I can make more trips and quicker as well. And work? It is coming along with less irritancy than before. And the work relationship is getting better between me and the health center staff.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Kim's new home
So here are some pics from my new home from my first few days at site. There have been some improvements but not too many.
So here is the outside of house on the porch. That door is for another room in my house that I can't use. The picture next to it is of the suicial rat I found when I woke up one morning. I heard it all night and then found in floating around in my bucket of water. The first one i found had died, but this one was still just kinda swimming.
This cow is right outside my house among with many other livestock. And the next picture is my kitten Moush, which apparently means cat in Susu. She's really tiny and is afraid of the mice in my house. (My neighbor named my cat.)
Here is my and cat. And next to that is my "Dining room table"
Here is my gas stove and where most of the cooking and preparing goes on in my house.
Ok On the left there is my other table for the kitchen and you can find my filter and bidons and the bucket where the rat fell in and many other things are there. 
ANd Here is my bed below under my mosiquito net. Very comfy surprisingly and the net helps keep those little bug out of my bed thankfully. And beside that picture is the door to my house. And the chair
that I sit in and read from time to time.
So here is the outside of house on the porch. That door is for another room in my house that I can't use. The picture next to it is of the suicial rat I found when I woke up one morning. I heard it all night and then found in floating around in my bucket of water. The first one i found had died, but this one was still just kinda swimming.
This cow is right outside my house among with many other livestock. And the next picture is my kitten Moush, which apparently means cat in Susu. She's really tiny and is afraid of the mice in my house. (My neighbor named my cat.)
Here is my and cat. And next to that is my "Dining room table"
Here is my gas stove and where most of the cooking and preparing goes on in my house.
Ok On the left there is my other table for the kitchen and you can find my filter and bidons and the bucket where the rat fell in and many other things are there.
And then below is a picture of the window in my room. I havent decorated at this point.
ANd Here is my bed below under my mosiquito net. Very comfy surprisingly and the net helps keep those little bug out of my bed thankfully. And beside that picture is the door to my house. And the chair
that I sit in and read from time to time.
So here is where I crap in the privacy of my backyard, which i can't stand when i have to pee after 8pm. lol. And then next to that picture is the orange tree that is in my front yard. Its not the season when they are the best but when it is, i'm gonna be having some oranges. lol.
And lastly here is my backdoor. I don't really use it too often but heres the backside of my home and the end of my trip. AT first I didn't like my house that much but now I really like it and it feels a little more like home. It helps that I decorated and it always looks more appealing after i clean. And much more appealing when there is food. lol. Anyway miss everyone, take care!
And lastly here is my backdoor. I don't really use it too often but heres the backside of my home and the end of my trip. AT first I didn't like my house that much but now I really like it and it feels a little more like home. It helps that I decorated and it always looks more appealing after i clean. And much more appealing when there is food. lol. Anyway miss everyone, take care!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
My New Home
Blog
March1, 2008
Its been two-three weeks in my new home away from home and so far I like it. It was very difficult at first to live here on my own by myself with no one to talk to, but its much better now that I have met people here and have entered the community. My friend got me a cat because it was very difficult trying to sleep with all the mouse running around in my house. lol. not very settling. The first night I heard so much noise in my house as well as outside also. I was terrified, when i woke up I found a dead rat in a bucket of water. I was a little scared when I found it but afterward I laughed. And I think I'll laugh some more when my kitten gets bigger and I find dead rats in my house. LOL.
Anyway so what have I been doing? A lot! I've met so many people and have been continuously studying and practicing my French and as well trying to learn Pular, which is a constant struggle but everyone really likes teaching me and also like laughing at me as i struggle with the difficult sounds my mouth can not make. It’s more funny than anything. I work at the health center where I observe and assist with weighing children and helping prepare such health necessities. I am also going to be doing sensibilizations in the community about HIV/AIDS, nutrition, ISTs, Family Planning and possibly female genital mutilation because that very important but difficult to talk about.
I am really starting to like my community more and more each day. When I first arrived I really didn’t like it but now I'm starting to adjust and see the positive side of this amazing place. I think the hardest thing to adjust to was being alone and living solo and not having any other Americans around. There wasn’t anyone I could talk to with easily but it’s gotten much better. And I find it easier to talk with the people here now. Also I tried to find people my age for friendship and I was wondering why I never saw women my age and the answer to my question was that is no lycee in my village so anyone my age would be either married already or en ville at the university. So most of my acquaintances are teenaged or much older which isn’t bad. I have found women my age to talk to but they live a bit far. Lol. And I have this one neighbor who at first I thought was very nice but is getting a little annoying. He asks me to go to the soccer field and watch soccer and then to the boutique late at night. And this is every day. I really honestly don’t mind these things but I can’t do these things everyday and every time I say no, that’s never enough. I say I’m tired I worked all day and then he asks what I did that day. And he’s like 15 years old asking a million and one questions and I’ve got to the point where I don’t bother with answering the questions and just say no I’m going to bed or just change the subject to something else. The little kids are the dearest here but I cannot talk with them because they haven't learned French yet and I don't know the local language yet. Its everyday that I get a group of petits that come and just sit, stand or play on my porch and just stare at me and say hi. Thats all I can understand. They stay for a while and then look for my cat and then eventually leave. Its cute but sometimes I’d like to just not have an audience as I try to cook or whatever I'm doing.
I have no electricity at my site and I’m absolutely terrified of the dark but I do have a lantern and candles and a flashlight.
I’ve been doing a lot of things on my own and It’s been difficult but also interesting. One thing, that I hate but kinda enjoy is going to the water pump. I like going because it gets me out of the house and it gives everyone a good laugh as I struggle to bring a 5gallon water jug back to my house. I have had offers to help but I just wanted to make sure I could do this rather depend on someone else to do it for me the whole two years. Also I recently did my own laundry. Note to self: Do not wait two weeks to do your laundry. I learned that the hard way I had to make so many trips to the pump to keep getting water and I was busy for about 2 hours and didn’t finish it all. I needed a break. I’ve also been cooking for myself mostly which is pretty interesting, mainly grains ad veggies and eggs, Simple things that I know I can’t screw up. I haven’t had a lot of meat because I don’t want to kill the meat and depluck it and I’m not ready to watch anyone do it either.
I also never realized how many freaking chores I’d have to constantly do everyday such as cooking, cleaning, getting water, laundry, as well as my work at the health center and working with the languages. And I’d like to get everything down before the sun goes down which also makes things a little more difficult cause I hate waking up so early but also can’t really sleep in. I’m generally tired around 8pm.
So about the boutique? There’s boutique in my ville where the young people go to watch television because the commercant has a generate and he has a television and dvd player and he charges phones which is pretty nice in a town with NO ELECRTICITY. LOL. And every once in a while I go there and watch movies in French and sometimes music videos but it’s the same old music videos from like last year. Like Akon, the Monica song, the beautiful lair and a couple others. Not a lot.
So how’s Africa? Why does everyone ask this question? I can’t possibly describe everything and it’s all been enjoyable here. It has it’s ups and downs, I’m healthy (for the most part), I have no electricity, I have an outdoor latrine, and I’m speaking two unfamiliar languages everyday. I could eat with one of my many neighbors, they do constantly ask me to come and eat but I refuse to eat rice and sauce everyday. And if you know me, you know I’m very picky and I’d hate to go there and see what they are eating and then turn around and say I’m full or I’m not hungry anymore. How awkward would that be?
So my name in my village is Kadiatou Sow and everyone knows it because I’m the only American in my village. And I’m so bad at remembering everyone’s name. And when I’m not at the health center I read, I write, I bike, I cook, I clean or visit people in my village. I think I really lucked out with my site placement because there are many things my village does not have but I live very close to a big city, about 15km away. And most things I can find there if I don’t have them in my village. There are even internet cafes which is pretty sweet.
My domestic roommate is a tiny kitten named Moush, my neighbor named her. I asked her why Moush and she said because it’s pretty. I was gonna name her Sophie but I think I’ll stick with Moush. But I really like having a kitten, I’m still not sure if I wanna keep here indoors or not.
Do I miss home? Yeah I do miss home. I miss seeing and talking with family and friends and I also miss warm showers, electricity, Walmart, Chinese food, take out and delivery, fast food, reliable transportation, a cell phone that actually works, chocolate that hasn’t gone bad, skittles, not having to bleach my water, knowing where things are, being able to crap in the comfort of my own home without worrying if there is a lizard watching, washing machines, running water, a blender would be nice, uh I think I’ll stop there. There are also many things I love about being here I’m learning so much as far as French and Pular and the culture here in Guinea as well as how to cook, how to take care of myself, and so much everyday. I’m also helping people learn English who want to learn and giving a lot to a community that has so little.
P.S. I love packages and I had pictures to post but of course forgot the cord, but Ill post some from PST in Forecariah. Miss you love you!
March1, 2008
Its been two-three weeks in my new home away from home and so far I like it. It was very difficult at first to live here on my own by myself with no one to talk to, but its much better now that I have met people here and have entered the community. My friend got me a cat because it was very difficult trying to sleep with all the mouse running around in my house. lol. not very settling. The first night I heard so much noise in my house as well as outside also. I was terrified, when i woke up I found a dead rat in a bucket of water. I was a little scared when I found it but afterward I laughed. And I think I'll laugh some more when my kitten gets bigger and I find dead rats in my house. LOL.
Anyway so what have I been doing? A lot! I've met so many people and have been continuously studying and practicing my French and as well trying to learn Pular, which is a constant struggle but everyone really likes teaching me and also like laughing at me as i struggle with the difficult sounds my mouth can not make. It’s more funny than anything. I work at the health center where I observe and assist with weighing children and helping prepare such health necessities. I am also going to be doing sensibilizations in the community about HIV/AIDS, nutrition, ISTs, Family Planning and possibly female genital mutilation because that very important but difficult to talk about.
I am really starting to like my community more and more each day. When I first arrived I really didn’t like it but now I'm starting to adjust and see the positive side of this amazing place. I think the hardest thing to adjust to was being alone and living solo and not having any other Americans around. There wasn’t anyone I could talk to with easily but it’s gotten much better. And I find it easier to talk with the people here now. Also I tried to find people my age for friendship and I was wondering why I never saw women my age and the answer to my question was that is no lycee in my village so anyone my age would be either married already or en ville at the university. So most of my acquaintances are teenaged or much older which isn’t bad. I have found women my age to talk to but they live a bit far. Lol. And I have this one neighbor who at first I thought was very nice but is getting a little annoying. He asks me to go to the soccer field and watch soccer and then to the boutique late at night. And this is every day. I really honestly don’t mind these things but I can’t do these things everyday and every time I say no, that’s never enough. I say I’m tired I worked all day and then he asks what I did that day. And he’s like 15 years old asking a million and one questions and I’ve got to the point where I don’t bother with answering the questions and just say no I’m going to bed or just change the subject to something else. The little kids are the dearest here but I cannot talk with them because they haven't learned French yet and I don't know the local language yet. Its everyday that I get a group of petits that come and just sit, stand or play on my porch and just stare at me and say hi. Thats all I can understand. They stay for a while and then look for my cat and then eventually leave. Its cute but sometimes I’d like to just not have an audience as I try to cook or whatever I'm doing.
I have no electricity at my site and I’m absolutely terrified of the dark but I do have a lantern and candles and a flashlight.
I’ve been doing a lot of things on my own and It’s been difficult but also interesting. One thing, that I hate but kinda enjoy is going to the water pump. I like going because it gets me out of the house and it gives everyone a good laugh as I struggle to bring a 5gallon water jug back to my house. I have had offers to help but I just wanted to make sure I could do this rather depend on someone else to do it for me the whole two years. Also I recently did my own laundry. Note to self: Do not wait two weeks to do your laundry. I learned that the hard way I had to make so many trips to the pump to keep getting water and I was busy for about 2 hours and didn’t finish it all. I needed a break. I’ve also been cooking for myself mostly which is pretty interesting, mainly grains ad veggies and eggs, Simple things that I know I can’t screw up. I haven’t had a lot of meat because I don’t want to kill the meat and depluck it and I’m not ready to watch anyone do it either.
I also never realized how many freaking chores I’d have to constantly do everyday such as cooking, cleaning, getting water, laundry, as well as my work at the health center and working with the languages. And I’d like to get everything down before the sun goes down which also makes things a little more difficult cause I hate waking up so early but also can’t really sleep in. I’m generally tired around 8pm.
So about the boutique? There’s boutique in my ville where the young people go to watch television because the commercant has a generate and he has a television and dvd player and he charges phones which is pretty nice in a town with NO ELECRTICITY. LOL. And every once in a while I go there and watch movies in French and sometimes music videos but it’s the same old music videos from like last year. Like Akon, the Monica song, the beautiful lair and a couple others. Not a lot.
So how’s Africa? Why does everyone ask this question? I can’t possibly describe everything and it’s all been enjoyable here. It has it’s ups and downs, I’m healthy (for the most part), I have no electricity, I have an outdoor latrine, and I’m speaking two unfamiliar languages everyday. I could eat with one of my many neighbors, they do constantly ask me to come and eat but I refuse to eat rice and sauce everyday. And if you know me, you know I’m very picky and I’d hate to go there and see what they are eating and then turn around and say I’m full or I’m not hungry anymore. How awkward would that be?
So my name in my village is Kadiatou Sow and everyone knows it because I’m the only American in my village. And I’m so bad at remembering everyone’s name. And when I’m not at the health center I read, I write, I bike, I cook, I clean or visit people in my village. I think I really lucked out with my site placement because there are many things my village does not have but I live very close to a big city, about 15km away. And most things I can find there if I don’t have them in my village. There are even internet cafes which is pretty sweet.
My domestic roommate is a tiny kitten named Moush, my neighbor named her. I asked her why Moush and she said because it’s pretty. I was gonna name her Sophie but I think I’ll stick with Moush. But I really like having a kitten, I’m still not sure if I wanna keep here indoors or not.
Do I miss home? Yeah I do miss home. I miss seeing and talking with family and friends and I also miss warm showers, electricity, Walmart, Chinese food, take out and delivery, fast food, reliable transportation, a cell phone that actually works, chocolate that hasn’t gone bad, skittles, not having to bleach my water, knowing where things are, being able to crap in the comfort of my own home without worrying if there is a lizard watching, washing machines, running water, a blender would be nice, uh I think I’ll stop there. There are also many things I love about being here I’m learning so much as far as French and Pular and the culture here in Guinea as well as how to cook, how to take care of myself, and so much everyday. I’m also helping people learn English who want to learn and giving a lot to a community that has so little.
P.S. I love packages and I had pictures to post but of course forgot the cord, but Ill post some from PST in Forecariah. Miss you love you!
Friday, February 8, 2008
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