Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the cold weather in the States. It has moved here from really hot and muggy to really hot and dry, so I guess some change is better than none. Since my last blog a lot has happened.
First of all, thanksgiving. I headed up to Dassa to celebrate with the other volunteers in the area. Tony, who is the volunteer that we visited, has the most picturesque Peace Corps post I can imagine. It is set at the foot of what is arguably a mountain, although some might call it an enormous hill. We got the chance to climb it and check out what is by far the best view that I have seen since I have been here. I don’t think the camera really does it justice, but let’s just say that I started singing “Lion King” songs when we got to the top. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
Tony also has a German volunteer that lives right behind his house, so he gets to have a dose of that clear German thinking that I love so much (I know what you're thinking "But Rich! It’s not natural...having another volunteer nearby"). He works at a butterfly sanctuary, whose justification for existing was “because all the other animals are already protected and people would just kill butterflies for fun”. I got that explanation from an employee there. Quite honestly, as a tourist, which is what I was, I wouldn’t have cared too much if it was a sanctuary for albino pigeons as long as they had a fridge and helped us to prepare the turkey. As a volunteer though, I can’t help that there was probably a better use for that money…say, maybe people? Anyways, we made the turkey Beninese style; indiscriminately chunked and fried with onions.
Surprisingly, it was delicious! I made mashed potatoes when some of the other volunteers brought stuffing, cakes, and other goodies. Because egg beaters were in short supply, I used this giant plunger looking thing to squash all of the potatoes. I got to lick it afterwards too! It was a wonderful break.
?
As for my work, things have taken an interesting turn. It turns out that the women’s groups that I have been working with indeed just wanted to see an American there, because every time I would ask them if they want to start the accounting formations, they’d always say that they don’t have the money to buy the supplies. This left me in a bit of a pickle as I’d have to bring these supplies every time to the meetings yet they would remain unused. Pretty much, I have given up on trying to teach them for now because they don’t seem all too interested, not to mention that keeping books on 3000 CFA of bread that is sold for 3500 CFA might be more effort than it’s worth. I’ll keep helping Madeleine with the savings and credit part, but I’ve begun searching elsewhere for work with accounting.
On the brighter side, I have my first real formation with the artisans next week which I really think will be interesting…as the artisans actually seem interested. The only disadvantage of working with the artisans that they have no concept of punctuality and proper planning. This characteristic follows through the ranks all the way up to the president, who is 1.5 for 5 on planned meetings right now. The .5 is for when all the artisans were present, but at a different location listening to a different presentation. I clutch to hope though, as I was told that the first thing I needed to put in my mental suitcase was patience. The only thing that worries me about all this is that this sort of behavior is rubbing off on me. I have recently lost 2 notebooks and a pair of cheap sunglasses. Maybe its just the malaria medication…
French lessons have continued in full force. I have officially finished my first book in French called “Under the Storm” am headed off to my next one by a French man called Balzac. It is dense… The great part about taking French lessons still is that it forces me to save my money, because every Franc I give Pierre is a Franc I have to wait at least 3 weeks to spend. Also, it forces me to venture into the world of excessive vocabulary that even my teacher isn’t familiar with.
As for my secondary project, things have really come together. The Parisian, or Baba Oyingbo as the locals call him, offered our group his car to head up to Ouesse to see the Center for Children in Difficult Situations which was built with the help of a PC Volunteer (Sebastian) who oddly enough got the largest part of his funding from my cousin’s wife’s grandmother. Because it was recently built, we thought it would be valuable to see what sort of obstacles we could avoid, not to mention that we could see what sort of work we could do together, assuming that a center of sorts is built in my town. Well after this trip, Mr. Djosse (my French teacher), Mr. Waaby (a community member who helped the last volunteer), and Mr. Urbaine (the Parisian) were all pretty much convinced that this was going down in our town as well. It was funny because I was still thinking about whether or not these guys were sold on the idea, but Mr. Urbaine just said one day, “when we build the center etc.”, and since then it has moved into the planning phase.
We will form an association with the help of the said members as well as Ms. Saka who works at a local NGO for UNICEF and Madeleine, the woman with whom I do savings and credit groups. The purpose of the association will be to protect vulnerable children by supporting them so as to obtain the bare necessities (food, clothes, school, lodging). The function of the physical center will likely be a place for the kids to stay until a suitable family can be found to take them in. Basically, it will be to let the kids be kids, so they don’t have to worry about anything but what a kid should (homework, friends, fun). Currently, we are working on drafting statutes and rules, all of which have French that I do not completely understand. I have to take everything home and read it with my dictionary to understand completely. Don’t worry,though I know what “Richard nous donneras tous de son argent” means. Really, what we are doing was explained as somewhat of a formality. The one part that worried me was when we arrived at the part concerning the powers of the Executive Director, who is hired by the General Assembly (much like Universities have Presidents and Chancellors). The reason that it made me nervous was because my French teacher, who has hinted at wanting to become director, was not satisfied that the Executive Director could not vote regarding committee decisions. The Executive Director is paid, while the others aren’t. I don’t think that he completely understands that Executive Director doesn’t mean “Supreme Ruler”. For me, it was fun to see people getting heated about things like this, just because I feel like truth isn’t always given a chance here. It’s more just who can seem right. In a setting like this, it is pretty much on the table. I think my teacher needs to learn the phrase “conflict of interest”.
Church Ketou paved
So anyways, the statutes are done, and next we’re off to make rules and visit other orphanages. I’d estimate that by the end of January I’ll have put together the plan to apply for cash and start fundraising. As for the name, they threw around about 20 different versions of Center for, Center of, Center concerning , the support and accommodation of vulnerable children and families. Creativity isn’t really their strong point here. I threw in the idea of choosing something that represents our goal. So….I present to you all…LE BOUCLIER. (Go get your dictionaries out, you’ll laugh). It’s cheesy, I know, and is still subject to change, but they were all so excited that they didn’t even want to try another name. I think it gets the idea of protection across…even if the TV show stars a man puts the hurt on evil men.
Things to look forward to:
1. My new house. I didn’t tell you I’m moving? Oh, well I am. Running water, kitchen, shower, AND TOILET. So much for getting my water out of a well and pooping in a hole. I have enjoyed it, but it’ll be nice not to have to worry about getting bit by mosquitoes while I’m doing my business.
2. Mobile banking. Fraser and I have been brainstorming, and I’m about to flex my ever illusive networking muscles.
3. CHRISTMAS! I bought a baby tree and put singing lights on it. It’s just like home!
4. World cup?
Prayer Requests:
Guidance with all work, especially with Le Bouclier.
Patience with the general absence of punctuality (and attendance) for the majority of people here and the sense to not let it rub off on me
Continued good health for all the volunteers
A rejuvenation of faith during this holiday season
