So today is day four of fasting. Vraiment. For the entire day not eating a thing until after seven thirty or something like that, and eating throughout the night until five the next day. What the hell am I’m trying to do to myself. Well I’m fasting for two reasons. The first reason is because of curiosity to see if I have the willpower to do it. I had already decided before coming to Guinea and after learning of Muslim culture, I would attempt to try fasting during Ramadan. I must admit the first days were hard, because I felt light headed in the evenings and really tired. I kinda don’t want to do anything in the evenings, except countdown till seven thirty. The second reason as to why I’m fasting is more superficial than anything else. I need to cut back on my snaking in order to lose some weight and what a perfect opportunity because no one is going to offer me food if I tell them I’m fasting. I eat so much because everyone tries to feed me and then I go to visit my host mom and she’ll just cry or have a fit if I don’t eat.
I have been taking the opportunity to learn more about the culture this month and it’s been challenging. I had went to the mosque with my friend Binta and it was ok. It’s just that being in there was really awkward for me. You know, I felt really out of place but at the same time I felt really happy and less like a stranger for being invited to go to the mosque. Granted, I have no clue what is going on and what is being said, I still felt more connected to the people here.
My other cultural experience; I learned the purification process. One of my friends had the Coran in French and Arabic so I asked them if I could read a little. But before I could read I had to bathe pretty much. I read a little bit the first fifteen pages or so. It would have been ok if it was in English. But because it was in French I was having a hard time looking up every fifth word to translate what was going on. I spent about an hour reading, or at least until I started to feel sick and laid down. I started reading the first book, the horse, I think it was and the prayer that they use. I’ve always wondered what in the world they were saying in Arabic and now I know and it’s not too different from what I know.
And finally adjusting to the fasting. So the first day I did it, I didn’t wake up in the morning to eat, I just waited till nighttime which was really ridiculous of me cause I hadn’t ate or drank for twenty-four hours. When I came into Labe I stayed with a family who helped me adjust to the fasting. By means of waking me up at four in the morning to eat bread and tea and drink some water. Which I think makes the big difference and then ate night we end the fasting with bouille which is like a porridge type dish and then of course eat rice and sauce. Last night I had fried fish and French fries which was pretty good and went to sleep full. So I’m adjusting ok, mornings are ok, afternoons are eh, but come evenings I feel like I’m counting down the seconds.
I am happy that I am doing this because it takes a great deal of willpower and self control which I most certainly don’t have an abundance of. I’m not suggesting I spend the whole month fasting. I counted another three and a half weeks of this will probably drive me a little off the walls. However, generally people are very responsive and happy that I have taken such an interest in the culture to participate and learn more about their customs. So all in all I have found this experience highly rewarding and even though I’m only on day four, I can tell that continuing will only bring about more opportunities to learn more about my village, my host family and my friends here. But my personal goal is to at least do a week and I’m more than half way there.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
A Best Worse Day in Guinea
Blog for September 6, 2008
My Best Worst Day in Africa.
And the month of Ramadan begins with everyone asking whether or not I’m fasting. I’m really glad to be at site sometimes but other times I have to question really, why do I put up with some of the nonsense.
So I have been working to complete a project that the volunteer before me had started which is to do renovations on an old elementary school to turn it into a health post. Which essentially is a very good idea because the village is in the middle of nowhere and is a pain in the butt for me to get to so it’d be very beneficial to put a health center there. So the community came to me because they wanted to continue this project. I think I wrote about this meeting before, there was so many people there and I explained to them yes ok I would like to help and told them what I needed; I needed an updated budget, a description of what renovations they wanted to make, and an action plan. There’s no possible way this could have misconstrued because I only spoke for about 3 minutes and after every sentence my counterpart as well as a village official translated into the local language. All I got was an updated budget, (which was outrageously nothing like the original.) So they gave me the updated budget and told me to print it and give them copies, I sat down and looked at it and asked them why they needed twice as many materials now, I asked for an action plan (which there I finally received), and I asked them whether they had a workforce or not. This was all at the end of July. I spent August typing up the proposal and such.
I’m sitting with my friend Ben (he is Guinean), where he actually actually works with proposals as his work and I went to him to discuss this. He asks me a bunch of questions and explained what I had already knew before hand didn’t make any sense. When I say that at first it was 600 bricks and now it’s 6000 bricks. I did ask this question and they explained they wanted to build a closure for the center. That’s fine because you have plenty of wild animals running around.
Two or three weeks later I’m still looking for the committee who so badly wants this health center. And they ask me whether I have turned in the proposal and I can’t. Its outrageous and doesn’t seem well thought out and I explain this and they just nod and say oh ok. (The big problem is that those who CAN help me either live in Labe or another big city and do not live in the village so I don’t see them everyday.)
So here is why I’m upset, I needed to have an agreement written in French including the summary of the project. I asked them to do this all well. Didn’t happen. So I started to do it, I had my host brother re-write it because my written French is child-like. He did it, but he lost it. I actually did see him do it, so I know he’s not lying. And so I started over and just honestly, didn’t want to s I asked Ben if he could help. He wrote it for me and reviewed the proposal I had written. He asked to see the building, so I met with him in my village to show him and his brother who is a mason. OK so we met and tried to come up with options as well as reasons why the community would suggest so much in materials if they weren’t constructing a new health center. As they were asking me whether they wanted to take off half the building, raise the roof, and add separating walls in such. Honestly I have no freakin clue what the health center should be like. My biggest point is that this health center is not for me, I’m not getting anything out of this health nor will I be seeing a doctor there. And frankly I don’t wanna go to a health center here, I’m terrified I will go there with a headache and they’ll cut off my left pinky toe. Vraiment!
So I started to cry because I don’t wanna spend thee rest of the two years planning this project that was already planned. There shouldn’t be any additional questions. But why is there now?
So after being upset I got back on my bike and started to go home and guess who I found, the president of the district. So I finally got to ask him all those interesting questions I had no answers to and his response was, “I don’t know.” I asked him who knew and he said the mason. (Most likely the mason is going to e someone outside of the community.) So I asked him if someone could given a written explanation of the renovations they’d like to do. He laughed at me. (seriously, he laughed!) He grabbed a stick and started to draw it out on the sand. He said he didn’t know what he wanted, just that he wanted a health post. I asked him why the materials had increased, he said that’s what they’d like when the financement comes. OK? No, not ok. So I explained to him wha the problem was and told him that the mason should not decide what to put in your community. Just like when you get furniture made, you get it to your liking, not someone you don’t know.
So after he finished drawing in the sand, and I finished (not yelling) calmly explaining how ridiculous it is that there is no plan as to what they what to do with the building, I went back home.
I stopped at the health center in the district’s center to talk to my counterpart. I explained to him that there is but only so much I can do by myself. If I’m helping to get financing for something, it needs to be reasonable and SOMEONE should know what they want done over there. That someone is not me. I think he’s gonna find someone to meet with me on Monday so we’ll see how that goes.
I hadn’t eaten since dinner last night with my family, which was around 8, so more than anything I was hungry when I got back. I drank some water and laid down and listened to some music to help relax.
So next I had tutoring, so I went to this girl’s house, Binta, and I helped her a little with English. We went over salutations, body parts and family members. It rained so heavy I had to stay until I think it was 8 or 9. We ate bouile (I think I spelled that right) and rice with peanut sauce. Yummy. Then I was invited to go to the mosque. I thought about it and said ok yeah why not. So we went through the cleaning process and I washed my hands and feet and such. After I put on shawl and we walked over. That was my first time in the mosque, I always walk by it but I never been in it and there nothing’s in it just prayer mats. LOL. So we did the evening prayer and it was ok, I felt kinda weird cause I didn’t understand any of it, only Allah and Thank you and such but everything else, I have no idea.
Afterward I went home to make something for my cat to eat. I thought about how upset I was earlier that morning. Coming from the health post on my bike I wanted to cry but I waited till I got home. It’s just funny now that I’m reading this. I can’t believe that something like that made me upset but it’s all the time here people are trying to get as much as they can. I understand that it is difficult, that’s why I’m here trying to help but it makes my job harder than it needs to be if you’re not being honest about your wants and your needs.
So more funny stories. Today I went into the city and I only could get a taxi to the entrance f town the rest I walked. So I was walking along, walking along minding my own business. These group of little kids are walking perpendicular toward me. I didn’t even look at them I just kept walking minding my own business. One kid says “Porto” (Porto is the word for American or more specifically white person.) but he says it as if he’s going to break out in song. I didn’t stop walking, I just turned my head and gave him the dirtiest look I could muster and he started crying. (ok, maybe I shouldn’t be laughing at my ability to make small children cry but he shouldn’t have said that.)
OH ok, a funny cultural thing I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before which is surprising. I was talking to my mother the other day and was talking about how my cat likes to rip apart toilet paper. And then about how I have to get my toilet paper in Conakry (the capitol) because people don’t use toilet paper here. And it’s true; people don’t use toilet paper here. They look at me funny when I walk to use the bathroom with a roll of paper in my hands. So what does one do? One uses the water method. Well, what’s the water method? You take your little tea kettle full of water and you take your LEFT HAND ONLY, and clean up after yourself with the water. (I DON’T DO THIS.) Tried it but it’s a funny feeling afterwards. I carry paper where ever I go and when I travel. Even when I leave my house in my village, I’ll roll up a couple of sheets hidden in my skirt. Eh, it’s a preference thing, some volunteers convert. I’m not one of them.
I wish I had other funny stories I know I do but I’m trying to think of them.
My other project that I seem to be alone on as well is this HIV/AIDS presentation at the night club in my village after the month of Ramadan when the night club reopens. So probably the first or second Saturday of October. I’ll let you know how that goes. I’m trying to do this with my host brother, he said he wanted to but er, it’s a pain in the butt scheduling crap. You tell someone oh yeah I’ll be right back, wait for me, I won’t be long. Four or five hours will pass until this person returns. I kid you not! I wanted to go to the boutique the other night to charge my phone. I was at my host family’s house and the usually turn on the generator at like 9 I think. So around 9 I wanted to leave. And of course I was told to wait for Koto Boubacar which I don’t mind cause I don’t like walking alone at night. I waited, 30 minutes passed, I asked what he was doing and where he was. They told me that he was in his room and that he was coming. A little after eleven he comes back and goes to the prayer mat and prays. (How can I still be mad at this point?) After he does this, then and only then the family can eat. So I had to wait for that too and luckily, people eat pretty quickly around here. It’s hard to stay mad at Boubacar, he just wanted to pray.
Oh my goodness I need a vacation pronto! Well I have to wish my mom a happy birthday don’t I? In case I can’t call or something but most likely I’ll call.
My Best Worst Day in Africa.
And the month of Ramadan begins with everyone asking whether or not I’m fasting. I’m really glad to be at site sometimes but other times I have to question really, why do I put up with some of the nonsense.
So I have been working to complete a project that the volunteer before me had started which is to do renovations on an old elementary school to turn it into a health post. Which essentially is a very good idea because the village is in the middle of nowhere and is a pain in the butt for me to get to so it’d be very beneficial to put a health center there. So the community came to me because they wanted to continue this project. I think I wrote about this meeting before, there was so many people there and I explained to them yes ok I would like to help and told them what I needed; I needed an updated budget, a description of what renovations they wanted to make, and an action plan. There’s no possible way this could have misconstrued because I only spoke for about 3 minutes and after every sentence my counterpart as well as a village official translated into the local language. All I got was an updated budget, (which was outrageously nothing like the original.) So they gave me the updated budget and told me to print it and give them copies, I sat down and looked at it and asked them why they needed twice as many materials now, I asked for an action plan (which there I finally received), and I asked them whether they had a workforce or not. This was all at the end of July. I spent August typing up the proposal and such.
I’m sitting with my friend Ben (he is Guinean), where he actually actually works with proposals as his work and I went to him to discuss this. He asks me a bunch of questions and explained what I had already knew before hand didn’t make any sense. When I say that at first it was 600 bricks and now it’s 6000 bricks. I did ask this question and they explained they wanted to build a closure for the center. That’s fine because you have plenty of wild animals running around.
Two or three weeks later I’m still looking for the committee who so badly wants this health center. And they ask me whether I have turned in the proposal and I can’t. Its outrageous and doesn’t seem well thought out and I explain this and they just nod and say oh ok. (The big problem is that those who CAN help me either live in Labe or another big city and do not live in the village so I don’t see them everyday.)
So here is why I’m upset, I needed to have an agreement written in French including the summary of the project. I asked them to do this all well. Didn’t happen. So I started to do it, I had my host brother re-write it because my written French is child-like. He did it, but he lost it. I actually did see him do it, so I know he’s not lying. And so I started over and just honestly, didn’t want to s I asked Ben if he could help. He wrote it for me and reviewed the proposal I had written. He asked to see the building, so I met with him in my village to show him and his brother who is a mason. OK so we met and tried to come up with options as well as reasons why the community would suggest so much in materials if they weren’t constructing a new health center. As they were asking me whether they wanted to take off half the building, raise the roof, and add separating walls in such. Honestly I have no freakin clue what the health center should be like. My biggest point is that this health center is not for me, I’m not getting anything out of this health nor will I be seeing a doctor there. And frankly I don’t wanna go to a health center here, I’m terrified I will go there with a headache and they’ll cut off my left pinky toe. Vraiment!
So I started to cry because I don’t wanna spend thee rest of the two years planning this project that was already planned. There shouldn’t be any additional questions. But why is there now?
So after being upset I got back on my bike and started to go home and guess who I found, the president of the district. So I finally got to ask him all those interesting questions I had no answers to and his response was, “I don’t know.” I asked him who knew and he said the mason. (Most likely the mason is going to e someone outside of the community.) So I asked him if someone could given a written explanation of the renovations they’d like to do. He laughed at me. (seriously, he laughed!) He grabbed a stick and started to draw it out on the sand. He said he didn’t know what he wanted, just that he wanted a health post. I asked him why the materials had increased, he said that’s what they’d like when the financement comes. OK? No, not ok. So I explained to him wha the problem was and told him that the mason should not decide what to put in your community. Just like when you get furniture made, you get it to your liking, not someone you don’t know.
So after he finished drawing in the sand, and I finished (not yelling) calmly explaining how ridiculous it is that there is no plan as to what they what to do with the building, I went back home.
I stopped at the health center in the district’s center to talk to my counterpart. I explained to him that there is but only so much I can do by myself. If I’m helping to get financing for something, it needs to be reasonable and SOMEONE should know what they want done over there. That someone is not me. I think he’s gonna find someone to meet with me on Monday so we’ll see how that goes.
I hadn’t eaten since dinner last night with my family, which was around 8, so more than anything I was hungry when I got back. I drank some water and laid down and listened to some music to help relax.
So next I had tutoring, so I went to this girl’s house, Binta, and I helped her a little with English. We went over salutations, body parts and family members. It rained so heavy I had to stay until I think it was 8 or 9. We ate bouile (I think I spelled that right) and rice with peanut sauce. Yummy. Then I was invited to go to the mosque. I thought about it and said ok yeah why not. So we went through the cleaning process and I washed my hands and feet and such. After I put on shawl and we walked over. That was my first time in the mosque, I always walk by it but I never been in it and there nothing’s in it just prayer mats. LOL. So we did the evening prayer and it was ok, I felt kinda weird cause I didn’t understand any of it, only Allah and Thank you and such but everything else, I have no idea.
Afterward I went home to make something for my cat to eat. I thought about how upset I was earlier that morning. Coming from the health post on my bike I wanted to cry but I waited till I got home. It’s just funny now that I’m reading this. I can’t believe that something like that made me upset but it’s all the time here people are trying to get as much as they can. I understand that it is difficult, that’s why I’m here trying to help but it makes my job harder than it needs to be if you’re not being honest about your wants and your needs.
So more funny stories. Today I went into the city and I only could get a taxi to the entrance f town the rest I walked. So I was walking along, walking along minding my own business. These group of little kids are walking perpendicular toward me. I didn’t even look at them I just kept walking minding my own business. One kid says “Porto” (Porto is the word for American or more specifically white person.) but he says it as if he’s going to break out in song. I didn’t stop walking, I just turned my head and gave him the dirtiest look I could muster and he started crying. (ok, maybe I shouldn’t be laughing at my ability to make small children cry but he shouldn’t have said that.)
OH ok, a funny cultural thing I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before which is surprising. I was talking to my mother the other day and was talking about how my cat likes to rip apart toilet paper. And then about how I have to get my toilet paper in Conakry (the capitol) because people don’t use toilet paper here. And it’s true; people don’t use toilet paper here. They look at me funny when I walk to use the bathroom with a roll of paper in my hands. So what does one do? One uses the water method. Well, what’s the water method? You take your little tea kettle full of water and you take your LEFT HAND ONLY, and clean up after yourself with the water. (I DON’T DO THIS.) Tried it but it’s a funny feeling afterwards. I carry paper where ever I go and when I travel. Even when I leave my house in my village, I’ll roll up a couple of sheets hidden in my skirt. Eh, it’s a preference thing, some volunteers convert. I’m not one of them.
I wish I had other funny stories I know I do but I’m trying to think of them.
My other project that I seem to be alone on as well is this HIV/AIDS presentation at the night club in my village after the month of Ramadan when the night club reopens. So probably the first or second Saturday of October. I’ll let you know how that goes. I’m trying to do this with my host brother, he said he wanted to but er, it’s a pain in the butt scheduling crap. You tell someone oh yeah I’ll be right back, wait for me, I won’t be long. Four or five hours will pass until this person returns. I kid you not! I wanted to go to the boutique the other night to charge my phone. I was at my host family’s house and the usually turn on the generator at like 9 I think. So around 9 I wanted to leave. And of course I was told to wait for Koto Boubacar which I don’t mind cause I don’t like walking alone at night. I waited, 30 minutes passed, I asked what he was doing and where he was. They told me that he was in his room and that he was coming. A little after eleven he comes back and goes to the prayer mat and prays. (How can I still be mad at this point?) After he does this, then and only then the family can eat. So I had to wait for that too and luckily, people eat pretty quickly around here. It’s hard to stay mad at Boubacar, he just wanted to pray.
Oh my goodness I need a vacation pronto! Well I have to wish my mom a happy birthday don’t I? In case I can’t call or something but most likely I’ll call.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Eight months in
Blog aug 27
Back at site, I actually kinda missed it. It was so good to come home and see my cat and see my neighbors and my host family. Then after those first questions as to where have I been and what I have brought back have sufficed its back to the village life.
So the big highlight was the soccer final in my village that my host brother helped organize. This was a very good venue to do a sensibilization on HIV/AIDS. But anyway this was pretty impressive, there were many people there, there were officials and everything. It was actually pretty cool. And I was made the “godmother’ of the tournament. I’m not sure exactly still what that means however I got to have a seat at the match. There were only a handful of chairs there. And also I got to start the match by being first to kick the ball. Yay! Well the match went well except for that it was raining half the time. Our team lost, it was 0-2. Man, I was a little upset but maybe next year. Then they gave out the trophy and then people got a little too rowdy so I went home. There was a soiree at the boite but I’m such an old woman now I was too tired to go at ten oclock.
Next month is Ramadan and I’m kinda anxious and nervous at the same time. I’m actually gonna try to fast but not force myself to do a whole month. I’m pretty sure I could do it but I’ve also started working out and I’d like to keep up with that next month and in order to do that I need to eat and more importantly drink lots of water.
So I finally took out my braids the other day, and found my hair has grown a bit. I have decided against dreads and decided to braid my own hair next time and leave the weave alone for now. We’ll see how that goes.
I wish I had travel plans however I do, because I feel kinda guilty leaving the village all the time. I like being there, I enjoy it but sometimes I just get really annoyed and need Kim time. Which is pretty normal however I don’t like being away for weeks, then coming back for two or three days and being away for another couple of weeks. So I’m gonna wait till next month. I wanted to visit another volunteer in Boke which is over 8hours and I wanted to go to the beach and visit my friend’s family so I’d definitely will stay a week and no one to feed my cat.
My cat has been very crazy lately. She is not a stupid kitty. Ok so when I moved in my house, my regional coorindator helped me install my screens in the windows but they did it backwards so I was unable to open my windows the way it was so he ended up cutting a hole at the bottom of the screen so I can lock and unlock my windows to open them. My cat has now established this hole as (for lack of a better word) “kitty door” and once open she likes to climb out as well as climb in through this hole in my screen. So I’ll be home lying in bed reading and she’ll start crying about something and then I’ll open the screen and she’ll jump out and then come back later with a half dead lizard in her mouth. Oh how wonderful. She really likes to find insects outside and then bring them inside to play with. She’s done this with lizards, mice, grasshoppers, and cockroaches. Probably others but these are all I’ve seen. The other day it was a tiny tiny mouse and it was squeaking as she playing with it with her teeth. LOL. I didn’t find the dead mouse I think she might of ate it.
How’s work? Its going pretty well. Coming back from a training I feel refreshed cause I’ve been with other volunteers and they are going through the same hardships and difficulties so I feel less terrible about failed projects. The next project I am working on which is going to be absolutely amazing is a HIV/AIDS themed soiree at the night club in my village. I don’t have much worked out yet I’m still trying to figure out how to do this and what I need and such but I hope to have it after the month of Ramadan when the night club reopens in October so that’s plenty of time to plan this craziness. I’m pretty excited because I think it will go over well if there’s games and such. And who doesn’t love games???
Other than that I cant think of anymore to say except that I miss home and always wonder what everyone is up to. Its weird to think its almost been a year since I left. Ha its crazy how time flies. Anyway with September around the corner; Happy Birthday mom, time generally speeds up around the upcoming holidays as well as birthdays. Happy birthday Brian. I still don’t know what Im gonna do for the big 23. Or whether I should tell people in my village, because they don’t really celebrate birthdays here like we do. I might get looked at like Im crazy but that’s nothing new.
Back at site, I actually kinda missed it. It was so good to come home and see my cat and see my neighbors and my host family. Then after those first questions as to where have I been and what I have brought back have sufficed its back to the village life.
So the big highlight was the soccer final in my village that my host brother helped organize. This was a very good venue to do a sensibilization on HIV/AIDS. But anyway this was pretty impressive, there were many people there, there were officials and everything. It was actually pretty cool. And I was made the “godmother’ of the tournament. I’m not sure exactly still what that means however I got to have a seat at the match. There were only a handful of chairs there. And also I got to start the match by being first to kick the ball. Yay! Well the match went well except for that it was raining half the time. Our team lost, it was 0-2. Man, I was a little upset but maybe next year. Then they gave out the trophy and then people got a little too rowdy so I went home. There was a soiree at the boite but I’m such an old woman now I was too tired to go at ten oclock.
Next month is Ramadan and I’m kinda anxious and nervous at the same time. I’m actually gonna try to fast but not force myself to do a whole month. I’m pretty sure I could do it but I’ve also started working out and I’d like to keep up with that next month and in order to do that I need to eat and more importantly drink lots of water.
So I finally took out my braids the other day, and found my hair has grown a bit. I have decided against dreads and decided to braid my own hair next time and leave the weave alone for now. We’ll see how that goes.
I wish I had travel plans however I do, because I feel kinda guilty leaving the village all the time. I like being there, I enjoy it but sometimes I just get really annoyed and need Kim time. Which is pretty normal however I don’t like being away for weeks, then coming back for two or three days and being away for another couple of weeks. So I’m gonna wait till next month. I wanted to visit another volunteer in Boke which is over 8hours and I wanted to go to the beach and visit my friend’s family so I’d definitely will stay a week and no one to feed my cat.
My cat has been very crazy lately. She is not a stupid kitty. Ok so when I moved in my house, my regional coorindator helped me install my screens in the windows but they did it backwards so I was unable to open my windows the way it was so he ended up cutting a hole at the bottom of the screen so I can lock and unlock my windows to open them. My cat has now established this hole as (for lack of a better word) “kitty door” and once open she likes to climb out as well as climb in through this hole in my screen. So I’ll be home lying in bed reading and she’ll start crying about something and then I’ll open the screen and she’ll jump out and then come back later with a half dead lizard in her mouth. Oh how wonderful. She really likes to find insects outside and then bring them inside to play with. She’s done this with lizards, mice, grasshoppers, and cockroaches. Probably others but these are all I’ve seen. The other day it was a tiny tiny mouse and it was squeaking as she playing with it with her teeth. LOL. I didn’t find the dead mouse I think she might of ate it.
How’s work? Its going pretty well. Coming back from a training I feel refreshed cause I’ve been with other volunteers and they are going through the same hardships and difficulties so I feel less terrible about failed projects. The next project I am working on which is going to be absolutely amazing is a HIV/AIDS themed soiree at the night club in my village. I don’t have much worked out yet I’m still trying to figure out how to do this and what I need and such but I hope to have it after the month of Ramadan when the night club reopens in October so that’s plenty of time to plan this craziness. I’m pretty excited because I think it will go over well if there’s games and such. And who doesn’t love games???
Other than that I cant think of anymore to say except that I miss home and always wonder what everyone is up to. Its weird to think its almost been a year since I left. Ha its crazy how time flies. Anyway with September around the corner; Happy Birthday mom, time generally speeds up around the upcoming holidays as well as birthdays. Happy birthday Brian. I still don’t know what Im gonna do for the big 23. Or whether I should tell people in my village, because they don’t really celebrate birthdays here like we do. I might get looked at like Im crazy but that’s nothing new.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Mamou Trainings
Mamou, oh how I adore thee. So I think it’s safe to say that this trip to Mamou has been terrible. The girl’s conference went really well and we had a lot of fun and it was pretty good. The girls seem to really enjoy it. I did a presentation with Brienne on HIV/AIDS with a condom demonstration. It went well but the topic is just too big to try to squeeze into an hour and half long session with young girls. (Meanwhile I’m at a training for HIV/AIDS and it is 4 days long) But anyway it well, the girls enjoy it and had many questions and we did a couple activities and it was good. So about girl’s conference each volunteer brought a young girl from their village to get all this awesome information in hopes they will share it with their friends. Hopefully. But some sessions were hard like planning your futures and making action plans because a lot of the younger girls did not know what they wanted to do yet. I was trying to ask the girl from my village why she wanted to go to college and she in return she asked me why she should go to college. As if there was a wrong answer. I think I need to explore that question with her more when I go back to the village.
Right after the conference we had malaria training and it was not one of the bests. It was poorly organized and very un-engaging. And on top of that I was feeling noxious throughout the past three or four days. Yeah not fun. That and being light headed half the time. So it didn’t pass very well. And the sessions really didn’t leave much room for breaks or naps or anything like that.
Now we are having our HIV/AIDS training. It’s going a bit better, the internet finally got fixed, it wasn’t working when we first got here so that’s exciting. Funny story, I’ve been noxious for days and last night I woke up burping. My roommate was talking in her sleep, something about bushrat. She said “bushrat.” I was like bushrat? And then she said it again like agreeing with me yeah bushrat. Next thing I know I starting throwing up. Yucky feeling but kinda funny. After I got that out of my system I’ve been feeling better since. It just sucked I didn’t make it to the bathroom cause I didn’t think it’d come. Oh well. Anyway. Bushrat is the magic word to make me puke. So anyway back to the conference, I brought my host brother and he seems to be enjoying himself. It’s much better than having my official homologue here. So far, this conference is going much better than malaria, even with me puking the other night.
So things at site are going ok. Before I left my site I started working on my big completion of a health post project and silly me left my flash drive with the proposal on it at site. I’ve officially decided that going to the health center twice a week is more than enough because any and all work can be accomplished by going twice a week. I’m going to start going to Labe once a week, because every other volunteer has neighbors but me and I actually found work for me, a DECENT tutor, and a host family (actually two host families) as well in Labe. So everything is covered. But I just need to run this by the village because they aren’t really using me. Apparently it’s still a hard concept to grasp that I am not going to just give them money. Some get it, but not everyone. So the plan for the rest of August is a short vacation to Boke. Then September is Ramadan. I’m not sure exactly what I’m gonna do. I think I should stock up on more food in my house because I won’t really be able to eat with my family. I really would like to try fasting, but realistically I know I’m gonna end up cheating or not being able to hack it for a whole month. I guess I’ll try it. During the month of Ramadan Muslims do not eat during the daylight hours. Throughout the day they fast and neither eat nor drink. So I wouldn’t even be able to drink up some water. That stinks.Grrr. well I’ll try it and see what happens. I plan to plan my sensiblizations for October during that month, including preparations and scheduling and such. Nothing too big or too small. Then I’ll have more paperwork to do so I’ll be pretty busy. I think we might do a trip to see some waterfalls mid September but I’m not too sure and I’m the one planning that event so I should really know. Huh? I still don’t know what I wanna do for my birthday. Like I want to do something but it doesn’t have to be anything big or anything so I think I just might go out dancing with some friends. And of course November Thanksgiving we are gonna try to do a big dinner. I’m looking forward to stuffing. It’d be nice to have instant stuffing. Hmm. Stuffing.
So it’s really hard to believe I’ve been away from home for so long. It’s been 8 months and on December 2, will be a year since I left home and I think December 5th would be a year since I’ve been in Guinea. And that’s like right around the corner. Can you believe it? Cause I can’t, cause I was so close to not coming. Oh I look back and laugh at that.
My host family is doing well. They always always always ask about my family back in the states and whether or not I’ve talked to my mom recently. Actually every time I see them they ask me if I’ve talked to my mom and how my parents are doing. Then they tell me how they are doing and then ask me how I’m doing for the fortieth time. Its always really good to see them. Oh I don’t remember if I wrote this but my host brother Boubacar is doing better. He’s walking and driving again and feels much better, I think they’ve removed his cast already. I was so happy because it really sucks to have to limp everywhere. Everyone is doing ok the host family in Labe is doing ok too. I went to visit them right before this because I hardly find time to visit them when I go into Labe so I made a special trip for them. They were very happy I came to visit and spent an afternoon with them and then walked to Ila’s office which is a walk. But I went with his sister Sali and we talked and joked and stuff. And I hardly really got a chance to talk to her and it was good to connect. What else? My other host family, I haven’t been to see them in a while but i have called them. I find it difficult to visit my host families if I don’t have a schedule already planned out because they never want you to leave. I’ll be like, ok, I’m going go for a walk to use the internet café. And they’ll be like oh I’m going too but I’m not going for another two hours, wait here and eat this bread and we’ll go later. LOL. Uh, ok.
Um I wanted to do a project for like young girls at my site, but like one thing I realized at girl’s conference was that it takes me a while to connect with girls. Like the girls connected with me because I’m a black American so they automatically felt comfortable around me but it wasn’t the same for me. But after the second day it was a lot easier. I really would like to go over everything the girl from my village did at the conference with her and her friends and just get them interested in staying in school and not becoming “Masion Slaves” (a slave to the house) and just learning how to take advantage of opportunities or just try to figure out what they need more help with in order to become successful for themselves.
What else? Well um if anyone wants to send me a package for my birthday coming up soon, I would love that a lot. I’d like something fun, I honestly can’t think of anything right now. Or even a letter would be cool. Maybe some chocolate. Thatd be awesome cause the chocolate here sucks. Its not real chocolate. Yucky. So good chocolate would be awesome to have. And I’d also like a USB drive for backing up my very very important documents in case my computer becomes broken which is inevitable here.
Oh I’d really like guides or study aids for taking the GRE’s. Anything helpful?
OK, that’s all. I miss you all. I can’t believe federer lost, I’m a little shaken up by it and sad I missed that match, I heard it was awesome. Ok, well I miss you, um I’ll be back at site next week.
Right after the conference we had malaria training and it was not one of the bests. It was poorly organized and very un-engaging. And on top of that I was feeling noxious throughout the past three or four days. Yeah not fun. That and being light headed half the time. So it didn’t pass very well. And the sessions really didn’t leave much room for breaks or naps or anything like that.
Now we are having our HIV/AIDS training. It’s going a bit better, the internet finally got fixed, it wasn’t working when we first got here so that’s exciting. Funny story, I’ve been noxious for days and last night I woke up burping. My roommate was talking in her sleep, something about bushrat. She said “bushrat.” I was like bushrat? And then she said it again like agreeing with me yeah bushrat. Next thing I know I starting throwing up. Yucky feeling but kinda funny. After I got that out of my system I’ve been feeling better since. It just sucked I didn’t make it to the bathroom cause I didn’t think it’d come. Oh well. Anyway. Bushrat is the magic word to make me puke. So anyway back to the conference, I brought my host brother and he seems to be enjoying himself. It’s much better than having my official homologue here. So far, this conference is going much better than malaria, even with me puking the other night.
So things at site are going ok. Before I left my site I started working on my big completion of a health post project and silly me left my flash drive with the proposal on it at site. I’ve officially decided that going to the health center twice a week is more than enough because any and all work can be accomplished by going twice a week. I’m going to start going to Labe once a week, because every other volunteer has neighbors but me and I actually found work for me, a DECENT tutor, and a host family (actually two host families) as well in Labe. So everything is covered. But I just need to run this by the village because they aren’t really using me. Apparently it’s still a hard concept to grasp that I am not going to just give them money. Some get it, but not everyone. So the plan for the rest of August is a short vacation to Boke. Then September is Ramadan. I’m not sure exactly what I’m gonna do. I think I should stock up on more food in my house because I won’t really be able to eat with my family. I really would like to try fasting, but realistically I know I’m gonna end up cheating or not being able to hack it for a whole month. I guess I’ll try it. During the month of Ramadan Muslims do not eat during the daylight hours. Throughout the day they fast and neither eat nor drink. So I wouldn’t even be able to drink up some water. That stinks.Grrr. well I’ll try it and see what happens. I plan to plan my sensiblizations for October during that month, including preparations and scheduling and such. Nothing too big or too small. Then I’ll have more paperwork to do so I’ll be pretty busy. I think we might do a trip to see some waterfalls mid September but I’m not too sure and I’m the one planning that event so I should really know. Huh? I still don’t know what I wanna do for my birthday. Like I want to do something but it doesn’t have to be anything big or anything so I think I just might go out dancing with some friends. And of course November Thanksgiving we are gonna try to do a big dinner. I’m looking forward to stuffing. It’d be nice to have instant stuffing. Hmm. Stuffing.
So it’s really hard to believe I’ve been away from home for so long. It’s been 8 months and on December 2, will be a year since I left home and I think December 5th would be a year since I’ve been in Guinea. And that’s like right around the corner. Can you believe it? Cause I can’t, cause I was so close to not coming. Oh I look back and laugh at that.
My host family is doing well. They always always always ask about my family back in the states and whether or not I’ve talked to my mom recently. Actually every time I see them they ask me if I’ve talked to my mom and how my parents are doing. Then they tell me how they are doing and then ask me how I’m doing for the fortieth time. Its always really good to see them. Oh I don’t remember if I wrote this but my host brother Boubacar is doing better. He’s walking and driving again and feels much better, I think they’ve removed his cast already. I was so happy because it really sucks to have to limp everywhere. Everyone is doing ok the host family in Labe is doing ok too. I went to visit them right before this because I hardly find time to visit them when I go into Labe so I made a special trip for them. They were very happy I came to visit and spent an afternoon with them and then walked to Ila’s office which is a walk. But I went with his sister Sali and we talked and joked and stuff. And I hardly really got a chance to talk to her and it was good to connect. What else? My other host family, I haven’t been to see them in a while but i have called them. I find it difficult to visit my host families if I don’t have a schedule already planned out because they never want you to leave. I’ll be like, ok, I’m going go for a walk to use the internet café. And they’ll be like oh I’m going too but I’m not going for another two hours, wait here and eat this bread and we’ll go later. LOL. Uh, ok.
Um I wanted to do a project for like young girls at my site, but like one thing I realized at girl’s conference was that it takes me a while to connect with girls. Like the girls connected with me because I’m a black American so they automatically felt comfortable around me but it wasn’t the same for me. But after the second day it was a lot easier. I really would like to go over everything the girl from my village did at the conference with her and her friends and just get them interested in staying in school and not becoming “Masion Slaves” (a slave to the house) and just learning how to take advantage of opportunities or just try to figure out what they need more help with in order to become successful for themselves.
What else? Well um if anyone wants to send me a package for my birthday coming up soon, I would love that a lot. I’d like something fun, I honestly can’t think of anything right now. Or even a letter would be cool. Maybe some chocolate. Thatd be awesome cause the chocolate here sucks. Its not real chocolate. Yucky. So good chocolate would be awesome to have. And I’d also like a USB drive for backing up my very very important documents in case my computer becomes broken which is inevitable here.
Oh I’d really like guides or study aids for taking the GRE’s. Anything helpful?
OK, that’s all. I miss you all. I can’t believe federer lost, I’m a little shaken up by it and sad I missed that match, I heard it was awesome. Ok, well I miss you, um I’ll be back at site next week.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Return to Site
Finally back at site. Apparently someone did miss me, either that or they missed my money. Sometimes it can be very frustrating but other times very rewarding and right now there are those frustrating times.
Let me explain, i love my community. I live in a small village where everyone knows eeryone and is each other's cousin or brother. I have an amazing host family that treat me as if I'm one of tha family. I work well and have given a lot to the community as it stands. I've given many sacrifices to be here to help and assist them as I a capable to. However it is extremely frustrating to find out that one of my coworkers is taking advantage of me. It's difficult enough to come to a country where you don't know anyone and living amongst people who look at you funny because you dress, look and talk differently than they do. I don't know any better so I ask a coworker to help me fnid soeone to make furniture for my house. And he uses this as an oppurtunity to overcharge me and profit for himself. And of course when the person was finished making the bookcase it was not what i wanted at all and ask him to make another one and this time showed him a photo. And yes he managed to get it wrong again and i complained to my host family and they pointed out that I had paid way too much for what i got in return. And right now I'm outraged cause i noticed he recently purchased himself a nice cute little phone. I'm pretty sure it's from the money he proffitted off of me. So I'm a little ticked off. More sad and disappointed. I'm sad because this is exactly why they have nothing. I'm disappoined because I've been used and i really want to help this communit but i can't if i need to be guarded and feel tat i can not trust them.
I have thought about confronting him and telling him off, there's no need for me to build up my rage. Instead he will learn his lesson the hard way and continue to wonder why he's so poor and why i get to go t America. I guess that could be my sweet revenge. (evil laughter)
Also the week has been a little depressing. My friend's uncle passed. I met this man a couple times and knew he was sick, you just never expect the worse. And i cried a bit while sitting amongst a group of wailing women that i knew and as uncomfortable as i was i geniunely felt their pain.
To make matters worse on the same day my host brother fell off his moto. He fractured his foot and i think his shin as well. He can barely walk and i feel so terrible. Just the other dqy i was trying to prove i can jump higher than him (i didn't manage to though) and now he cant do that anymore. But i think it will heal. I hope so. It's hard to limp around with one leg. I found it funny that the one legged man, Alphoma, came to visit. He had lost his entire leg a little over a year ago because of an moto acident. So what have we learned? Mots are dangerous and you might lose your leg.
Some good news? I have my health. I feel better now emotionally, physically, and mentally. Despite how many times people try to get as much money as they can out of me it's going to come back to them in the end. And I'll be too far away to help. I think I'm gonna spend more time with my host family in my village. They are a decent group of people who take care of me and NEVER ask for anything in return. I do get them things sometimes. They only ake me t stay longer or t eat more or sleep there and take breakfast in te morning. I remember the reason why i didn't want to be there that often because both the brothers had hi on me but that stopped and hae alled me a sister. And have proved to be among the few people i can trust.
After being away from site for nearly a month I didn't get a warm welcome. The doctor I work with yelled at me for not calling. Meanwhile I told him where I was going and why and wen I'd e back. He claaimed a lot of crap but in the end I juust stopped fighting. It wasn't worth it. I did what I had to do and I know I did nothing wrong. Is just the way he was talking to me like i was being dishonest which wasnt the case at all.
Its only been a week and already so much has happened. I was pissed off upon arrival to find my cat was practically starving; And thne hours later arguing with my counterpart. Oh what the hall?
Let me explain, i love my community. I live in a small village where everyone knows eeryone and is each other's cousin or brother. I have an amazing host family that treat me as if I'm one of tha family. I work well and have given a lot to the community as it stands. I've given many sacrifices to be here to help and assist them as I a capable to. However it is extremely frustrating to find out that one of my coworkers is taking advantage of me. It's difficult enough to come to a country where you don't know anyone and living amongst people who look at you funny because you dress, look and talk differently than they do. I don't know any better so I ask a coworker to help me fnid soeone to make furniture for my house. And he uses this as an oppurtunity to overcharge me and profit for himself. And of course when the person was finished making the bookcase it was not what i wanted at all and ask him to make another one and this time showed him a photo. And yes he managed to get it wrong again and i complained to my host family and they pointed out that I had paid way too much for what i got in return. And right now I'm outraged cause i noticed he recently purchased himself a nice cute little phone. I'm pretty sure it's from the money he proffitted off of me. So I'm a little ticked off. More sad and disappointed. I'm sad because this is exactly why they have nothing. I'm disappoined because I've been used and i really want to help this communit but i can't if i need to be guarded and feel tat i can not trust them.
I have thought about confronting him and telling him off, there's no need for me to build up my rage. Instead he will learn his lesson the hard way and continue to wonder why he's so poor and why i get to go t America. I guess that could be my sweet revenge. (evil laughter)
Also the week has been a little depressing. My friend's uncle passed. I met this man a couple times and knew he was sick, you just never expect the worse. And i cried a bit while sitting amongst a group of wailing women that i knew and as uncomfortable as i was i geniunely felt their pain.
To make matters worse on the same day my host brother fell off his moto. He fractured his foot and i think his shin as well. He can barely walk and i feel so terrible. Just the other dqy i was trying to prove i can jump higher than him (i didn't manage to though) and now he cant do that anymore. But i think it will heal. I hope so. It's hard to limp around with one leg. I found it funny that the one legged man, Alphoma, came to visit. He had lost his entire leg a little over a year ago because of an moto acident. So what have we learned? Mots are dangerous and you might lose your leg.
Some good news? I have my health. I feel better now emotionally, physically, and mentally. Despite how many times people try to get as much money as they can out of me it's going to come back to them in the end. And I'll be too far away to help. I think I'm gonna spend more time with my host family in my village. They are a decent group of people who take care of me and NEVER ask for anything in return. I do get them things sometimes. They only ake me t stay longer or t eat more or sleep there and take breakfast in te morning. I remember the reason why i didn't want to be there that often because both the brothers had hi on me but that stopped and hae alled me a sister. And have proved to be among the few people i can trust.
After being away from site for nearly a month I didn't get a warm welcome. The doctor I work with yelled at me for not calling. Meanwhile I told him where I was going and why and wen I'd e back. He claaimed a lot of crap but in the end I juust stopped fighting. It wasn't worth it. I did what I had to do and I know I did nothing wrong. Is just the way he was talking to me like i was being dishonest which wasnt the case at all.
Its only been a week and already so much has happened. I was pissed off upon arrival to find my cat was practically starving; And thne hours later arguing with my counterpart. Oh what the hall?
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