Peace Corps Is Needed: Now more than ever

This post was inspired by a book I recently read written by Bill Mahner, titled When You Ride Alone You Ride with Bin Laden: What the Government Should Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism.

I hear people ask, is Peace Corps really making a difference? Are Peace Corps volunteers needed? Can't we put the money to better us? But I say, yes we are needed and we do make a difference. We are truly Peace soldiers.

The second and  third goals of PC are, help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served and helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

In our global village this is needed, now more than ever. We have reached a point in American life, where people are clueless about foreign affairs, we don't understand nor take the time to understand other countries or cultures. We are just concerned about us and us alone not caring about others. We (PC volunteers) can be a great tool an asset in fighting the war on terror, because we are learning about others, their countries cultures and beliefs and taking that back to the American People.

John Powers of LA Weekely once said, "They hate us because we don't know why they hate us." So  this is a time when we need to learn about others and stop being such a greedy society, we need to know why others have come to hate us much, why we are not liked and ITS NOT just the Muslim world.

Theretofore as Peace Corps volunteers, we are going out there, learning about others, getting a better understanding of cultures and understanding why there is soo much hatred for Americans. We are following a call of time in which we are not asking what our country can do for us but what we can do for it. A time like World War II, when young men and women easily gave up their life for the cause. A time when rich boys like George HW Bush, Jack Kenndy gave up their future to serve for their country.

As PC volunteers, we are doing what other countries need of us, to learn about them, care about them and just show that we care. Show them that we are not just occupied by our big fancy cars, fashion.

Being here sitting with these people, talking to them, sharing our stories, hearing their stories, we are making connections about why we are not so liked around the world. Why using so much oil is fueling terrorist, how buying big diamonds support the bad guys. We create peace.

So as Peace Corps volunteers, we are making a difference, caring about others, those people that are so different from us. Making the connections and making America less hated. We are showing people that as Ameicans we care about something more; not just about who we have to step over to get that next dollar. And as we go back home we show America, not everybody is a terrorist and not every Muslim believes Osama.

At least that's how I see it!!

Check out the book if you get a chance

Being Black In Peace Corps

There has been a lot of talk lately about race in PC Senegal, and I just want to add my 2cents. I must start of by saying I’ve also been that one raisin amongst all the white chocolate, as a result the way I process the race issues is not the same as most. The issues of race for me surfaced when I moved to the U.S as a result I still don’t comprehend the issue entirely. I mean even the issue of race in the PC I just started understanding it because people are talking about. I never knew how comments such as “us whites, us whites in Senegal,” (as there are more whites tahn balck and people just ID with the majority, as its is the American way, majority rules)  were an issue till it was brought, and I guess that is due to my ignorance.  

In training most volunteers, as 95% of them are white just talk about how its hard being white in Senegal an forget to incorporate the minority of the group.  To me this is not an issue, as I understand there are more whites than other race, as they are just talking about their experiences. I remember during training when people said stuff like that, ill just talk about how hard of a time I’m having as been black, or just my experiences. As black in PC I understand the issue but I don’t empathize or quite comprehend. That has always been a problem for me, even between my friends back home, they will say something like that was so racists, they did that just because I was black, I will proceed having a dumb stare like, O really. I’ve had countless arguments with my cousin about it, when it comes to our neighborhood, sport players and as always I just don’t quite get it. As I said blame it on my ignorance.

Well for me, being black in Senegal, I’ve had more issues dealing with the treatments I received from Senegalese people than other volunteers. Mostly people automatically assume I’m Wolof (one of the major ethnic group here) when they see me. They automatically start speaking Wolof to me. I’ve had countless, pointless conversations proving that I’m American. I’ll tell people I’m a American Peace Corps volunteer, and they will proceed to ask me where are you from, “America.” Then they will proceed to ask where is your family from, where were you born and I’ll tell them America (expect a few close friends and my family) and they never believe me because there are no blacks in America. I know telling them I’m from America and I don’t know my origin is a lie. But its just to prove that there are blacks in America, who don’t even know Africa.

Also when I’m around other volunteer, Senegalese will just talk to the other volunteers, the Toubabds and just  ignore me. They will be so excited to talk to my peers, shake their hands, and when it come to me sometimes, I don’t even get a hi.  There have also been countless of times, were I was told I’m not light enough to be American, I need to bleach my skin, or I need to perm my hair.

These things annoys me  because these African treat themselves worst than they do a stranger, then will be so open and hospitable to Toubab , but when it comes to their kind they ignore them, or just don’t care. It annoys me that they have not learned to love themselves and be kind to each other instead of the “whiteman”

Yet again, I’m happy to be black here, because I don’t get harassed, bothered or get to shake dirty kids hands as my peers. I get to blend in more than they do and I feel I reach a level of integration that they will never be able to achieve.

As result of these issues within PC Senegal Liz (well more Liz) and I are coming up with solutions and plans that can be implement to make PC Senegal more inclusive to everyone, black, white, Asian, old young, church goers, gay, lesbian, etc. Because after all, at the end of the day our Peace Corps family is what we have and who we depend on to make it through the years as a Peace Corps volunteer, therefore we all have to be one BIG happy Family.

Kancorans

Its circumcision season here in the Fulladom What does that mean? It means little boys get their pines circumcised. So little boys who have reached that age, decided by their parents get their pines circumcised. 

Circumcised boys, at the coming out ceremony

Couple of boys get together in one house decided by their parents and they will leave there for a certain amount of time, till they are healed. After they are all together they will go to the hospital (for those fortunate to live in cities, if not the local doctor) and get circumcised. They will come home and learn some life skills till they are healed. During this time they are not allowed to see their parents. They are helped, taught by older brothers, uncles, whom have al passed that stage in llfe.

Kancoran

These men will go out dressed as kancorans to get money to help provided for the boys while they are under their care. The boys will sometimes sit on the road on all fours or sing, to also get money and donations. These kancorans parade the streets dancing scaring away little boys and women. They carry around machetes and whips, and they do use the whip to beat boys and women. While parading people, mostly women and children will run after and away from them: getting them to dancing. while doing so they will give them some money. You can even pay them so dance for you, while videotaping or taking photos.  

Dancing

After the healing period they will have a big ceremony, in which the boys will come out. During this time there will be various kancorans. After scaring boys and women they will have a big dance party in which they are allowed to stan around and watch. Various ceremonial things will be done to the circumcised boys, it involves beating them, doing flips over them, jumping over them, etc. Their family members will all be there with some men dressing up as women and the women dressed in men clothing with makeup and beeds all over them.  

Women in their outfits

Men dressed as women at the ceremonial event

The ceremony

The next day the boys will get dressed in newly-made outfits and parade the town, with some kind of hand-made toy in their hands, without kancorans.  

This kancoran cut someone face open.

Dancing

thanks to Mr. Pierre for some of the photos

I'm Loosing My Hair!!!

I was looking at my hair natural hair diary yesterday. This includes hair videos pictures since I started my natural hair journey, and I got depressed. On July1st 3 years ago I started my natural hair journey. My hair is now shorter than it was last year, quite sad. It’s significantly shorter, by inches. I knew it was breaking off but I did not realize it was this bad till I looked at my dairy. I’m shredding, loosing hair, I’m not quite sure how healthy it is at the moment, don’t even want to think about it.


I am very sad about this regress. I don’t know what to do. Don’t have all my products here; I’m not doing what I normally do to it, the sun, not eating/living healthy, all this is taking its toll. I know there are better things in life to worry about like, starving children, wars, disease but just had to get this out.



Summer june 13 2010



july 2010



june 2010




july 2010

 I don’t know what to do to get it back to where it was. I am at lost of words. Other than the fact I’m not taking proper care of my hair, I genuinely miss doing my hair, playing with it, trying different styles. This is one thing I always say I miss most America. And yesterday I got proof that its, BAAAD.

I might just lock it and cut it when I get back to the U.S. and start fresh, however, I don’t know how my community will; feel about that. Cutting it now will be worst, so I’m just out of options.





december 2010



july 2011

I  know these pic dont help bu its BAAAD

A year In, Looking Forward to the Next!!!!!!

Sometime today a year ago, I left America, answering to one of the most important, life changing calls’ of life. Tomorrow, it will be a year in country. At the moment writing, I’m in Dakar, at our PC Senegal office, in the volunteer lounge. My purpose for being here: Liz, one of my rocks in country went home, to Amerique for vacation, so I decided to see her off for, the time being (she better comes back), mid service check-up. I must say all is in order, minus a few chest pains and an infection that is been taken care-off at the moment, and what’s ALWAYS a bonus, getting into some trouble and eating till I drop. Oh and I found out I’ve putt on some weight. OH rice, how I hate thou!



I remember when I first got off the plane, about 2am. The humid air at such hour in the morning was my welcome to Africa, then everyone at the airport trying to be your friend, while looking for some handouts. We them drove about 3hrs to the Theis, and then definitely knew I was in the land of tengana (hospitality), the staffed welcomed us, with joy, big hugs, laughter and OFFCOURSE some dancing at about 5am. The entire I was thinking how these can people be so jovial at cette l’heurre.

I’m at the point of my service, we I’ve just accepted the little things, like taking 12hrs just to travel to the capital from my site, due to bad roads, car troubles and just plain greedy people. Accepted, that rice is a main dietary staple, people listening to music on full blast without headphones. Where little things just don’t bother me anymore, or it just depends on the day. I’m also at the point where the things and people of Senegal that I love, I love more and just appreciate, and the others that just annoy me; my tolerance for accepting them is just deteriorating. I’m, also at the point where I’m well integrated enough, that I’ve realized although I’m here to learn these people’s culture and valves, I should remember not to loose myself in the process and what I believe in, what are my values. Although by no small defeat, this will help shape Pamela.

I’m comfortable enough to let them see the true Pam, while still respecting their values, although this is not a two way street. I find myself constantly defending what, I do, why I do it and how things are just not the same in the U.S. Most of all, my thinking of “you don’t have to understand or agree with ones values and beliefs; you just have to respect it,” is now deeply rooted in me.

Is PC what I thought it would be? No. I did not have much expectations coming into PC, I just had a goal of giving back and helping my birth land, giving it something to be proud. I wanted my first home to move forward, with the help of my second, with me as a guiding light. After all that was one of my main reasons for going after my American Citizenship, to serve and become a PCV.

I was expecting more development work and experience, and less cultural exchange. I was expecting to have more projects by now (they say that usually comes in the second here), more sustainability work and a more a defined program and my purpose of being here and how to help and move the people of my community forward.


If I could go back will I still do PC? Yes. It has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I’m looking forward to my next year, with apprehension and joy. I have made a difference, I have helped my community. I’ve made long lasting friends, Senegalese and Americans. I always have a family and home somewhere here in Senegal. I’ve given people here stories to tell for years to come. I’ve placed smiles on peoples’ faces, bonded and made a connection with this country that will always be a part of me. It has raised more questions for me, about my future, my dreams aspirations, and values beliefs, relations, and relationships, and the true meaning of friendships. . It has shattered what I once knew and just giving me a new lens for looking at life.

So clinking the champagne glass and waiting for the next leg of this journey.

Thanks to those who have helped keep my sanity along the way, the emails, messages, and calls.

Loving the many parts of Pamela

:)



America: I Appreciate You

The more I learn about the Senegalese culture, its people, and values the more I’ve come to truly appreciate America and the comforts its offers to those who are fortunate enough to live there. There are things that are just part of the American life, which one takes for granted that becomes quite eminent, while leaving in the middle of no where.


And no it’s just the obvious things that you that are just a evident part of life, the yang to the yang of life, such as, clean running water, 24hrs electricity, Aced rooms, internet 24/7, a sit down toilet. Or not even a properly function car, people being on time, health care, etc functioning public transportation system, getting everything I need without leaving the house(although that I do miss sometimes, lol).


It’s the abstracts and sometimes not so abstract things like the right to a free education, the time allotted for I, JUST TO BE A KID, a government that helps me out when I fall down on luck, the right to choose, free thinking, to be independent, to dream, to believe, that I can be whatever I choose, and that the sky is truly the limit. The choice to have and make educated decision, having education discussions, to hold my political leaders accountable, (now with it been election season), to see free and (maybe not so) fair elections, the change of command without major hassle, or the president trying to change the constitution to suit his needs. With all this election hoopla, I just think back to the day President Obama took the oath of office and became the 44th president of the United States. Most people did not like it, hated him but, its was done drama free, its just amazing to see such peaceful transfer of power that most countries don’t enjoy and most people of the world will never experience.


I do also miss the customer is always right, as customer service is nonexistent in this country. Sometimes you would think you were begging people to give you their products for free, by the way they act towards their customers. I also miss being treated as an equal because of my gender. Here I’m just a second class citizen, were my opinion does not matter and my only domain is in the domestic arena.


Most of all I miss the right to just be ME. I always have to constantly defend why I do things the way I do things. The way I dress, walk, do my hair, talk, etc.

One thing journey has helped be realized is how fortunate I was to grow up in the United States, things that we take for granted that are just the way of life are not even foreseen in this culture. It has made me truly proud to be an American, and now I see what all the fuss is about for that blue book. (American passport).

Rebeled and did some twists

Birthday Celeberation!!!

Bday cake ordered by Sam.. Was almost as decilious as the U.S.

 

One of the best Bday memories of my life!! Who can top drinking Polish nuns dancing souja boy “Crank that” and them acting like American thugs.

I must start of by saying I love my PC/Kolda family, they made this one of my best bday memories. One of the best birthday’s I’ve had since my young age. Oh I must add I am now 22, getting up there in age.


Well, my actually bday was uneventful, just any other day in the life of Ms. Pratt. Got calls from American friends, (well only two, Yinka and Lele) and family, more calls from the PC family.


This is not how I intended to spend the day BUT this is Senegal, nothing goes as planned. I was in Dakar for med reasons, and then decided to visit St. Louis (5hrs from Dakar) for the weekend, it was jazz festival. Then I was going to take the overnight bus home, on Sunday and be on time to celebrate my bday, the Monday. So I reserved my space on the bus, however, I was not able to pick up my ticket since I was in St. Louis, I was only going to be able to make it back on time for the bus at night. And OFFCOURSE, they said it was okay, but guess what, it was not, I had to pay for the ticket by a certain time or they will give away my spot and that is what they did.. COMMUNICATION! COMUNICATION!! So just bought a ticket for the next day.


Therefore I was stuck on my bday in Dakar, in the Med hut (our PC hospital), with not enough money in my bank account to celebrate in Dakar. Friends mandate (paycheck) had ran out, already being in Dakar for a week


Polish ganster nun



PARTY!!!

Ok fast-forward, make it back to site and I got to celebrate my bday that Wednesday.


Mike, my husband, Sam, my jaja, Jeanne, Rachael, Cara and Charlene, and Aly in Spirt all made it out for the celebration, with my banker friends whom got there later. OH and the nuns.

It was really lovely; the nuns learning how to crank that, Macarena, and various others. We had delicious warthog, cake, and delicious Senegalese beverages.

We made it home about 2 in the morning, with four people in my bed (the intake of how many people my bed can take keeps going up) and one on the floor (we could have squeezed her in too)!!!

Lecious pork dinner.

So this is just thanks to everyone who made my 22 years on this earth special.. LOVE YOU all J

As Integrated as I get!!!!!!!

Almost a year in-country, and about 10 months as a volunteer and at site, and I’m quite comfortable in my community. I feel well integrated, as integrated as I can ever be. My language is flourishing; I can have full-lengths conversations now about serious issues. Well as serious as conversations get in Senegal, there are not much intellectual conversations going on.

I now get comments like “you are a Senegalese now,” “you can really speak the language,” I am included in family conversations and decisions. Quite awesome!! I really feel like I can do as chez moi. This is not to say I’m 100% integrated, but I’m as integrated as I can get, granted I’m only here for two years, I have a whole n’other life and world waiting for me. I have come to realize I will never be a true Senegalese no matter how much integration I do and the faster I’ve come to realize that the better my service is going.

Some things I’ve learned to tolerate and live with it for the moment; such as I’ll always have living creatures in my room no matter how hard I try to get rid of them. I’ll have to use the left hand for the moment, I can’t take showers, or sit on a real toilet, or that I’ll be eating rice daily. Other things I just refuse to accept, like being treated a as second class citizen been treated as the rich America (which I’m not). Not agreeing with teachers and students relations, men having more than one girlfriend at a time. Overall just not subsuming to the ideas, (which is due to lack of education of the people), which I know if I get use to, it will be hard to break when I return. Writing this I’ve come to realize WOW I’m really getting comfy here and I’ve come to accept quite a few things and just learning to adapt and rolling with the punches. When I’m away from my family I really do miss them, I miss my routine and the many friends I’ve made along the way.

Work is coming along slowly but surely. I’ve also come to terms with myself that there are three goals of PC, each equally important. It’s not just about the development work but also the sharing and exchanging of cultures and ideas, which is as important if not more. Because if we do truly understand each other (the various cultures) there will be less tension, which increases peace.

With all that said I’ve been doing quite a lot, working mostly with school, I have a few clubs going at the school, computer classed, giving (trying) to give the various women’s groups the basic business skills. Working on scholarships, staying in school programs early teen pregnancy, some environmental and health issues.

No “grand” projects so far, just working daily one person at a time, which is were the real change lies. Laying the foundation!!

Food for thought: Its the dating game

This is something I've come to realize that is very paramount, in African cultures (maybe it’s just an African thing or a developing world thing has those too always kind of go hand in hand with various issues). I've experienced it first hand in Sierra Leone; see it happening here in Senegal, having personal stories from friends in other African countries that have seen this transpire in their day-day lives.

What is this thing you ask? There is no one word for it so I'll try my best to describe it. Before I go any further I'm not saying every one is this way, it’s just a generalization and there are always people who don't fit into these categories.

I guess you can call it cheating but it’s not the cheating that the problem. Not that cheating is not a problem but people all over the world cheat. And this is about cheating while in a relationship, so the deceit in love. (This will be a comparison between the U.S. and African cultures). But it seems in African cultures it’s accepted, especially when the men cheat. Women are complacent when their men cheat; they accept it and at times are even okay with it. This is the major difference with the African and Western mentality. Yes, Western men cheat but they hide it, and Western women will throw a fit if they ever find out, even end the relationship. But not so with African women.

African women will know there men are cheating, have solid proof, even know who the other women are, maybe even have the same group of friends BUT yet they do nothing about it. This will NEVR fly in the U.S. With Americana it’s me and only me, if we don't work out then you can go and try someone else. But with Africans it’s about having all this women and seeing which one works best and which one is wifey material. The women silently (not always) compete with each other for this position. You hear things like "I'm his number, even though he has other girlfriends", "I'm the one the family knows, so that’s what matters," “I can go and come out of his house when I feel" Things like that you hear.


And this does not just stop at the dating level it also goes on during marriage. Husbands having wives at home yet have girlfriends in the streets (I'm a by product of such relations). And this is not just to blame the men, women will know these men are married but they don't care as long as they get their money, sex and whatever else they need from the man. The wives know this too but even if they are not okay with it they accept it. Which is my problem, the fact that we (women) just accept it.


Some argue that we (Americans) are stupid for not accepting which they point out to one of reason why so many American women are still are not married even in their late years. I guess the African way does make of the lack of companionship that’s Americans yearn.


Just a food for thought on this issues because it’s something that has been on my mind. At first with so many things I was disgusted but now I have come to tolerate and accept it as the way of life. Not quite sure who is wrong or right. (next blog topic). I mean everyone seems to be happy and get what they want out of the relationship. The wives are home, have everything provided for them by their husband (relatively speaking). The husbands get to have more than one sex partner and girls get the money they need to pay for their various expenses.


But again why is it right for the men to do this and not the women. When I ask this question the answer I usually get is I’m a man I can you are a women you should not do these things. As most of you know I’m a firm believer no matter what, if a man can do it so can a woman. As men will quickly tell you I want my girlfriend(s) to only be dating and definitely my wife just to be sexing me and only have that emotional bond with me (as you know cheating is not just about the sex). This how the men weed out the wives in their life to choose wifey, choosing the woman who will stay faithful.


There is also a factor that there is lack of dating people start off telling each other ther love each other, before even knowing each other and then they start bulding a relationship. There is never a definite break up. (another issue I'm expericing first hand). Things just die down and there is always possible that it can be resurrected. People start a relationship with the end in mind saying you will be my wife and see how things go. Another difference in America we date, people break up and move on. Sometimes they stay friends but of the time that’s the end of that relationship.

So what are your thoughts on these issues. Is it right what the men are doing and what about the fact that these women just accept it (my biggest issue) and should women too be able to do the same thing as men. And what the fact that people never beak up.

In need of a good ole hug

This might come as a surprise to most of you, Pam wanting a hug! As must of you know I'm not the touchy feeling type but been here, I've just missed that good ole feeling of someone caring. Just a hug to show someone is thinking of you and just a hug, when it seems all it lost. You know a hug has that power, just to wipe away that sad feeling make everything just a tad bit better.


People here are not big not hugs, not even saying I love you, there is no exact translation for this phase. Just feeling lost, alone, missing friends back home. No matter how nice people are here its just not the same to have that network of support you have back home. Sometimes people just don't comprehend what this experience is all about and think you are just been crazy for missing home, or been a little down.


Just feeling alone, left out, missing all the friends and things going on. Did not know I'll miss good ole USA this much, but its just when you have to eat the same thing one more time, you've been eating the entire week, when someone just decides not to show up for a meeting, your family telling you, you can't do nothing right, making fun of you. After saying good morning the first thing your mom wants is something from you, asking for this of that. Been overcharged once again in the market just for been a Toubab and they think you have money. Your own family cheating you, JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN!!! AND THERE IS NOT A DARN THING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!!!! People rejecting your ideas and projects for work, always constantly defending America, culture and views, even things you don't personally identify with, BUT you have to defend as that all makes up the American culture. 


No matter how one try true intergeneration would never be achieved, because at the end of the day you are still an outsider, you will never truly be a part of the family, never be a Senegalese. Things will always be foreign to you. And at the end of the day you can't blame anyone after-all, this is just two years and you leave that family and try to get back in to the heat of good ole USA...


In having all of this and feeling life passing you by. A good Ole BEAR hug, will just do, will be quite the cure and assurance that all will be okay. It's in the back of your head that all would be okay, BUT having that reassurance now and them won't hurt!!

The week in hindsight

Writing this to you while in bed. A bit sick, weak and tired. To top it all off I just walked about 7 miles, in 3 and half hours under this HOT BRULING Sun. I went to pick up the names of the scholarship nominees from the school principal, which OFFCOUSRE he did not have ready, and he told me this after two hours of waiting (he told me to wait). I tell you, OH SENEGAL

 This was a fun-filling week. I got to prove my competence, prove to my family that I am competent and I do know how to do things.

For some reason my family thinks, like they think of most volunteers that we are incompetent and we can’t do anything because we don’t know the language or are familiar with our culture.

This week however, I was responsible for two students; six in the end (will get to that later). I was their mouth, map, tour, eyes, and ears.  So who are these students, you ask? They are CIEE students, a study aboard program. They are in Dakar for a semester studying, mostly always speaking English. They visit volunteers for a couple of days, to see what they do and get a firsthand look at the Peace Corps world. And most had not seen the “real Africa” till actually been on these visit; because Dakar is like a metropolitan city that can be found in the US, minus a few issues.

Most of them still take showers, eat good food, live in house, have internet 24/7, have classes in English and only fall back on their French when it’s extremely needed. So I got to hang out with them for a quick, show them my life here and the “real Senegal.” I took them to the schools I worked at, showed them my projects, did their barraging, showed them around Velingera.

One day is took them to the grand market, like a farmers market were one can find anything. We went there on Wednesday, which is the grand market day, people from the Gambia, Guinea Bissau, all come to this market. It was pretty intimidating to them, HECCK to me as well, because there are people everywhere, BUT we all make it through safe and sound. They did some shopping as well.

On the last day six of them spent the night with me. And you wonder why? Because they got a car, taxi which is called 7place, here, back to Dakar from Velingera. The other five came from volunteers in the surrounding area. This allowed them not to spend a night at the Tamba regional house, which they said had lots of mosquitoes, one of my student’s have the marks to prove it.

So I arranged a 7place for them. On that note, the first time a Senegalese person has been on time. The 7place drive told us here would be at my house by 4am and behold he was there at 4am, maybe even before that.  Four of us slept somewhere else, like 5mins away and we woke up four and when we got here the driver was already here.. IMPRESSIVE.

So I spent them back around 430am on their merry way and they made it back safely.

My week was ended on a sad note because a little girl of about 5 died and she was a friend, always asking for candy. All she complained was a headache for about two day then she died. Before I found that out I also found out a guy that I had been working with to organize a week long formation, which was scheduled for next week went back to Spain without even telling me. I tell you these people. SO the formation has been cancelled and someone was coming in from Dakar. So I may have to put something informal together, so this man can still offer his training. 

Update

 It’s has been a while, so I just want to keep you guys updated on what been going on. I've been pretty busy getting some work done. Just update on work I've been doing.

The Exposition. Selling juice syrup

 On March 8^th for International Women’s day my supervisor and I organized a fair and a day for the women. This day included, guest speakers, debates, discussion, an exposition and OFFCOURSE dancing and food. We invited a couple of guest speakers to talk about health related issues for women and their kids, how the various women’s groups can become more cooperative. Later in the afternoon, we had an exposition of the various products women are working on, some women sold syrup juices, vegetables from their garden, bed sheets, etc. Then BOOM lunch was provided with music and fun. I also got a fruit dryer which I showed cased during the day, and the women seem to love it.

Selling local cereal and International Women's Day

I also offered a week long business class with the girls I work with. Its soo hard teaching here as students are just using to dictation, going home studying for the exams. No discussion, so it’s hard doing these classes as it requires participation. Needles, it was fun, I worked with the teacher and now she would be able to teach these classes in the future.

Students eating during my computer formation

Teacher eating during the formation

Ivie also done a couple of computer formations, which will continue throughout my service at the middle school. These formations are both for teachers and students.

I got my first package from a friend, it was book, so nice of her and soo unexpected and it came at a day when I had cried twice.. Ms. Payne made my day.. Thanks a ton Lady

What would I be working on this month?

I will continue my computer classes.  

I have a weeklong formation coming up. It would be for all women in a community rural (an entire village community). This formation would include health topics, getting women to make healthy foods for their kids, which will end with some business classes. After this formation I would go back and work with each group in trying to sell the baby foods and just helping them with their various businesses. I’m getting some help with this form other volunteers and a business teacher.

I also would be working with Sam to do a formation about how to use solar fruit dryers, she found a guy who already does this and is pullar, so he would know how to explain better than us.

I would also be working on scholarship applications for girls and local middles schools.

And then April, I get to go HOOOME (Sierra Leone) for two weeks. It should be an eventful two weeks because its Sierra Leone 50 years, Easter and the Boo’s bady…

 I hope your months goes as swell as mine

My Counterpart/work partner 

Solar Fruit Dryer

Lunch time

More of the women

Lunch

More of the things the women show cased.. Incense pots

More Discussions 

AND

“Don’t believe the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing-it was here first”

Baptism: Senegal Style

Just came back from a baptism. It has been quite a long day. One of my sister’s many little sisters (just someone of the family) had a baby. The baptism takes place a week after the baby is born. It an opportunity for us to all get dressed up, so I took out my best outfit.

The Mom breastfeeding the baby

So my sister has been talking about this for a while, I said I’ll go with her. This would give me the opportunity to visit the village of my family and see what really goes on at these ceremonies; NOT MUCH, I was highly disappointed.

Baby's big sis and mom breastfeeding

So we were supposed to live the house at 8 and OFFCOURSE that did not happen, we ended up living the house around 9:30. My sister was waiting on someone to give here fabric, which will be given to the baby’s mom as a gift. Well this someone never came, so we went to about four different houses, after we got tired of waiting for this lady to look for fabric. We finally got one. Then we left for the garage. We had to sit there for another 2hrs waiting on a car/driver. Supposedly it was prearranged the day before that we will meet at the garage at 8 and leave.. BUT this is Senegal NOTHING ever goes as planned. So we sat and kept moving around to various shops/restaurants (restaurant meaning someone has a table with some kind of shade structure selling food).

So the driver came and we finally left around 11ish. Got to the village around 12ish. There were six of us that left my city to go, all cramped in one car, which we had to pay about $2 each, which I think is too expensive, based on the distance we traveled.

Me, trying to hold her.. Sirra

We get to the village/house, we greeted the family and people already there, and we went straight to the mother’s room. We were there just hanging out, 20mins later rice and peanut sauce was brought so we could eat. I did not… OH SOOO VERY RUDE OF ME. After that more hanging out and I just fell asleep on the bed. Woke up and more hanging out. Then I got talked into telling the baby’s father that I would be doing the mother’s hair and it would cost him about $10. The father and I bargained and got it down to about $6.50. Why this, I don’t know, I was not doing the lady’s hair, it was my sister and her friends that would be doing it. They did not know what they were doing either, so luckily another lady came that knew how to do weave and saved the day.

After that more food was brought, this time it was couscous, made out of corn with sour milk. That again I did not eat. I don’t like that type of couscous, so I just tasted. After that they brought me some sour milk and crackers, ate the crackers and drank just a little bit of the milk.

GOT IT!!

After that more hanging out, IN THE SAME ROOM. We still hadn’t moved. So I spelt some more, while they did the mothers hair. After the hair did, they got the mom all dolled up with makeup. Here after putting on makeup the women just look like clowns, SERIOUSLY. The mom was all dressed up in her outfit; she changed about three times the entire day. The other women twice.

 After she was dressed we left her and went to another house, this involved more sitting around OFFCOURSE. We were all in one room again. My family members that were all there put all the gifts they brought for the baby and her parents together. Each person would give what they brought to the eldest in the room; she would then go around calling each person’s name and showing/telling telling them what gift the person brought.

She is soo tiny

After that the women changed outfits and they went over to the baptism house. I think that’s when they presented the gifts to the baby’s family.  BUT off course, my crazy ASS sister did not want to go, she wanted to eat. SO the both of us stayed behind and ate lunch. Lunch was brought over in two big bowls from the baptism house. One was rice (cheb) the other was white rice with a macaroni tomato sauce base. I ate with my hands as there were no spoons.. SO MESSY

After we ate we went over to the baptism house, while walking over the others were walking back to eat lunch.  So back at the baptism house, we went back to the same room, hung out drank some more milk and the baby pooped/peeped on me EEEWWWWWW…L

So we waited till the car came and picked us up, it took about 30mins for us to say goodbyes. On our way back, we stopped at my family village to say hi and then headed home..

Baby Sirra taking a nap after she Pooped on me

SO overall it was an interesting, long day, I’m still not quite sure what baptisms are all about…

Dakar, where dreams are made: WAIST 2011

Me trying to swing

This past week was the West Africa Invitational Softball Tournament (WAIST). It’s basically where all the West African Volunteers come together for a weekend of fun, for us to relax, chill, and share ideas and best practices, in theory. However it was a weekend of partying and just OUTRIGHT fun, involving lots of alcohol..

I went down to Dakar last Wednesday, an all day trip. I had a med appointment the next day. All the Senegal volunteers, that requested, got home stays, which is staying with expats, people that work at the embassy. They are soo kind opening their homes to a bunch of us, (as much as they can take for the weekend). My home stay mom was AWESOME>>SUPPER AWESOME>.

She took in 10 of us, all girls and opened her home to us. They were just required to give us a roof over our heads for the weekend and nothing else BUT mine went all out. First, she let me move in earlier, like two days before schedule, provided food for us, all the days we where there. There was no need to go out and eat in Dakar and spend a bunch of money we had it all at home. I only ate out for lunch as I was at the fields “playing” softball. Our house was soo conveniently located near all the madness, a 10miniute from all the fields and club Atlantique (we call it American Club). Which is like a recreational/YMCA, that has pool, tennis, volleyball, food court. etc. Americans use this club and pay for it but us volunteers get to go in for free.

Kolda Region Team

So the only rule at her house is “make yourself at home.” Everything is up for grabs, expect dinner, that the cook prepares before it served. The first night there, I just had leftovers of fish brochette, rice, with a tomato sauce. It was yummylicious, I will take leftover there any day over food at site. The next night was cheeseburgers, with everything; I repeat EVERYTHING needed for a cheese burger, with onion soup. I don’t even like soups but Jean (their cooks) soups are AMAZING. The next night was taco night, AGAIN with all the right toppings.  Another night was lasagna, carrot soup, then another night keeshe, chicken pot pie and yummy desert, and the last night was pesto pasta, with BIG ASS SHRIMPS. For breakfast I usually ate leftovers or cereal, with real milk.

SO she fed us, opened her pantry to us, even used some of her goods for a bake sale we had, with proceeds going to our women empowerment initiative. We used her washer and dryer, my clothes smell like Amerique once again. Funny story on that note another volunteer and I put the clothes in the dryer to wash instead of the washer LOL.. How shall we function back in the U.S. lol. HOT SHOWERS, with nice shower heads. Door-to-door services in a hummer. YES A HUMMER here in Senegal.

So for WAIST, Friday was All-vol, which is where all the volunteers got together to showcase what they are doing by region and sector, with each other and NGO’s and then in the afternoon, the NGO’s did the same. That night was a talent show and a club, open only to us.

The next day was softball, in which we all had different costumes by regions; my region was space corps. The games were fun as we were just playing for fun. We won two games in total and lost two.. My region has not won a game in years. The two games we lost were to a Senegal team, that took the games super serious and we had to play by the rules NOOO FUN.

Saturday was a party/auction at the Marine house. A couple of male volunteers got auctioned up to help SENGAD, which is our gender awareness aspect. The night was ended with partying and a lot of girls in rural villages would be sent to school.

The next day was more games and a party at a club called Oceanium, which was also just for us, Djed by our region. THAT WAS AN AWESOME PARTY… too much went down to even mention but all in the name of fun. The next day was a pool party at the American club, but people were too over partyed from the night before to enjoy. SO most people like I just went for a while and left; some did not even show up at all.

I ended my night/stay in Dakar, hanging out at the richest hotel in Senegal, maybe even West African…

HAHAHAHA wouldn’t you like to know what happen.

The Team

BUT NOW I’m Back L to Maro (rice) tan (only).. and its soo much hotter down here than it is in Dakar.