Means "until another trip". So I just wanted to write a quick hello/peace out because we are off to Kaiaf and the rest of our training villages today. That means no more communication for, well, who knows until when. Keep in touch!
Oh, I could also use:
Protein bars
Tuna in a sack
Gladware
Friday, February 9, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Off to training village soon!
So today is the first day learning about the culture sort of hit me. A guest speaker from GAMBCOTRAP (an NGO) came today to talk about Female Genital Cutting, a rich tradition deeply rooted in the African culture as part of a rite of passage for women into adulthood, or even earlier. Besides that, she reminded and informed us of partner violence, the super-importance of greeting people, forced marriage (sometimes even from birth). They also put it in perspective from the US stand point, such as when women we given the right to vote, etc. It will be interesting when we get into the village. I am loving learning the language, although it is tough because we are in training ALL day, then we still feel the need to practice. We also learned about Gambia time, which is a MUCH slower pace. Since most are Muslim, there are certain times in the day where setting up meetings will not work. For example, if you say, "let's have the meeting at 2pm", they may think, well, I must pray first, then arrange for care of my children, then go pick up someone that is going to the meeting, have tea at her house, then head to the meeting maybe at 3 or 4pm. It is going to be an adjustment, but of course it's all part of the culture and I'm excited to work with a slower pace.
We went to the market yesterday to practice language. Our LCH (language) teacher went with us to help a little. I was able to ask "how much is this" and "my change", etc. I bought detergent, earrings, bracelets, and a soap caddy. I'm going to buy fabric as soon as get a tad bit more compfy with the language, in order to have a skirt made. We also learned how to squat over a pit latrine and take a bucket shower.
The group I'm with is also pretty active. We've been doing all types of yoga. I've been leading a few Ashtanga classes in the morning and going on runs in the evening (on the beach!!)
Friday we are headed to Kaaif to spend a few weeks there in our training village and going back and forth to Tendaba, a training camp. Kaaif is a village south of the river, up country a little. It has about 3,000 people. This is where we will get a good impression of what life in our permanent village will be. We will live in a compound with a host family and work on Training Directed Activities (TDAs) in order to get to know the village and work on language.
On another note, here are some things that I thought of that would be helpful to have here to give to village children and for myself:
Colored pencils
Stickers
Coloring books
A soccer ball
Batteries
Mike and Ikes, candy in general
Travel size kleenex
Fo Natoo! Love and hugs.
PS check out the personal photos
Also, if you are planning on visiting me, please pack an extra duffel bag so I can send some things back with you. Packing for 2 years of the unknown is catching up to me!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
I Somma (pronounced "E Somma")
Means good morning. Well, I made it here in one piece, although it took about 24 hrs to get here. Two 8 hour flights, 1 four hour lay-over and 21 almost strangers scared and excited out of their minds sure makes for interesting company and confusing people watching.
There are still 21 of us! We are staying in Kombo, the main city center at a training facility called the Gambia Pastoral Institute (GPI). Our days have been filled with lots of mini sessions about culture, introduction to programs, clinic visits, language classes, 3 solid meals a day and running water and electricity. A few days ago, we had interviews and were placed into language groups with 2 or 3 other people. I was placed with Rachel and Chris, both have lived in Texas at some point in their lives and we are learning the Mandinka language. The Mandinka tribe makes up about 40% of The Gambia. The two other tribes and their languages are Wolof, that speak Olof and the Fula, that speak Pular. We will leave GPI on Friday to go to training villages with our groups for about two weeks or so, going back and forth between the training villages and Camp Tendaba, then back to GPI for the last week of training. In all, we will be training for 10 weeks. Once in the training villages, our Language and Cultural Helpers (LCHs) will be staying with us (even though Rachel, Chris and I will all be divided up and living individually with our own host families). I will be staying in the training village of Kiaaf, about 35k from Camp Tendaba. There we will be working on projects called Training Directed Activities (TDAs) to help us integrate some work into our language and culture adaptations. GPI is not necessarily representative of what the rest of the two years will be like. Once we get to training villages, I will have a better idea.
I am having a great time so far. A lot of my anxieties have decreased, and the people in this Health and Community Development group are amazing. It makes sense that we have stuff in common, but it seems people feel comfortable enough with each other to make an effort to get to know one another. The other day, our Associate Program Country Director, Gibril (ACPD) went over some goals and objectives that Peace Corps and The Gambian government have put together. Several of them were things that I am super interested in and I got pretty excited.
So far, I've only been in the Kombo area and it reminds me of towns in Costa Rica. Taxi's (called five-fives) honk at everyone, people walk the streets, vendors sell things and people yell things (tuubob is the word for for a non-African). A group of us went running today, down the one road that goes along TG, south of the river (there is one road north of the river as well) and we ran to the ocean and along a cliff line. It was absolutely gorgeous to see the palm trees and the cliff line for kilos and kilos.
Last night we met other PCVs at a restaurant called Come In. It was neat to talk to them about their experiences, see people who our group will replace and learn about their projects. New training groups come about every 3 or 4 months to replace the last group. The 3 groups working in TG are Agro-Forestry, Education and Health.
Today is a free day, so I'm off to the beach, then back home to wash some laundry in a bucket!!
I miss you guys and will try to get some pictures up soon. Keep in touch!
There are still 21 of us! We are staying in Kombo, the main city center at a training facility called the Gambia Pastoral Institute (GPI). Our days have been filled with lots of mini sessions about culture, introduction to programs, clinic visits, language classes, 3 solid meals a day and running water and electricity. A few days ago, we had interviews and were placed into language groups with 2 or 3 other people. I was placed with Rachel and Chris, both have lived in Texas at some point in their lives and we are learning the Mandinka language. The Mandinka tribe makes up about 40% of The Gambia. The two other tribes and their languages are Wolof, that speak Olof and the Fula, that speak Pular. We will leave GPI on Friday to go to training villages with our groups for about two weeks or so, going back and forth between the training villages and Camp Tendaba, then back to GPI for the last week of training. In all, we will be training for 10 weeks. Once in the training villages, our Language and Cultural Helpers (LCHs) will be staying with us (even though Rachel, Chris and I will all be divided up and living individually with our own host families). I will be staying in the training village of Kiaaf, about 35k from Camp Tendaba. There we will be working on projects called Training Directed Activities (TDAs) to help us integrate some work into our language and culture adaptations. GPI is not necessarily representative of what the rest of the two years will be like. Once we get to training villages, I will have a better idea.
I am having a great time so far. A lot of my anxieties have decreased, and the people in this Health and Community Development group are amazing. It makes sense that we have stuff in common, but it seems people feel comfortable enough with each other to make an effort to get to know one another. The other day, our Associate Program Country Director, Gibril (ACPD) went over some goals and objectives that Peace Corps and The Gambian government have put together. Several of them were things that I am super interested in and I got pretty excited.
So far, I've only been in the Kombo area and it reminds me of towns in Costa Rica. Taxi's (called five-fives) honk at everyone, people walk the streets, vendors sell things and people yell things (tuubob is the word for for a non-African). A group of us went running today, down the one road that goes along TG, south of the river (there is one road north of the river as well) and we ran to the ocean and along a cliff line. It was absolutely gorgeous to see the palm trees and the cliff line for kilos and kilos.
Last night we met other PCVs at a restaurant called Come In. It was neat to talk to them about their experiences, see people who our group will replace and learn about their projects. New training groups come about every 3 or 4 months to replace the last group. The 3 groups working in TG are Agro-Forestry, Education and Health.
Today is a free day, so I'm off to the beach, then back home to wash some laundry in a bucket!!
I miss you guys and will try to get some pictures up soon. Keep in touch!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Super Quick
So I have t-minus 3 min. to say a lot. DC has been great. Lots of nice people with the same attitude and for the most part, beliefs. Learned a few things about the next few days in TG. Will get D900 for a walk around allowance (D28/dollar). Will be in Banjul for a few days, then divide in groups to start training. Will be in groups of 3/4, depending on services. Will be there 5 weeks, traveling from host to camp Tendeba. Love you, miss you. Send letters!
Monday, January 29, 2007
It could be a while
Not sure of the next time I will be able to write. I just want to let you all know how thankful I am for the beautiful good-bye wishes and positive encouragement. It's not going to be easy being away and it feels incredible to know I have the support from so many people!! Thaaaank Youuuuuuu!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Good-byes and Surprises
Well, I've officially moved from Norman. It was unbelievably hard to say good-bye to the incredible people I've met and the town where so many wonderful memories are created. It seems unreal that my main purpose for moving there has come and 5 1/2 years has gone. I couldn't have asked for a better last night/day, though. I got to spend much desired quality time with my great friend and her new son, people from yoga took me out to dinner at Victoria's, and the night ended with the necessary (well, in my book) stop at the Library. I also made a visit to little, old Rhyne Hall (the social work school) and got to see one of my favorite teachers. Then, this morning, I spent some time riding my baby blue bike around Main St., returning library books and stopping in at shops that caught my eye. This included The Book Stall (where I bought one of the books I had just returned to the library for $3.75 because I didn't finish it), Guestroom (where I purchased a The Velvet Underground, Andy Warhol CD), Main Site (where a new exhibit was going up so I didn't get to see anything), Forward Foods (where I purchased some cheese for a birthday present), and Benvinutii's bakery (where everything looked too perfect to eat, so I didn't buy anything). Then Chris and I ate at The Diner, loaded up boxes and dogs, and drove to Dallas.
After continuous heart-wrenching good-byes, I found myself in the midst of a glorious hello. My father surprised both my mother and me by flying in my younger sis from Florida for the weekend. Now the next two days will consist of open houseness and laundry!
After continuous heart-wrenching good-byes, I found myself in the midst of a glorious hello. My father surprised both my mother and me by flying in my younger sis from Florida for the weekend. Now the next two days will consist of open houseness and laundry!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Thanks for the love
It's so nice to feel so supported during a time like this. But I must be honest because in a way, it makes it even harder to know I'm leaving such a great support system. On the other hand, it will make a world of a difference to know people are thinking of me.
So, I had an amazing opportunity to speak with someone who just got back from the Peace Corps, Gambia. I had the opportunity to have lunch with her gracious mother as well. Speaking with both of them definitely helped ease some anxiety. (Mom, you'll be happy to know that she received every package (and all of its contents) that her mom sent to her. Just don't forget to send them air mail).
I learned that I will basically be living in tank tops, long skirts and sandals. I learned that it is best to establish a personal routine and privacy policy early on with your host family and the village, so that it is simply a norm from the time you arrive. I also took from the conversation that perhaps one reason volunteers end their terms early is because they go in to the program with different expectations. What I mean is that one huge purpose of the Peace Corps is cultural exchange. It's important to understand that even the smallest contribution is helpful, but if you expect to "change the world," you're going to be disappointed. It is very possible that I will have more free time then I know what to do with during the first year of service. I also found out that recreational running is acceptable, but modesty is appreciated. I also got a better idea of what it might be like to live with out electricity and running water. Candles are available even in the most remote village, and the water well will probably only be a minute's walk. But then again, I may very well be in a village with both. I have a better idea of what to pack now, as well. It doesn't sound like I will need to bring 2 years worth of bar soap, like I was envisioning before. Toiletries like shampoo and toothpaste are available and can also be shipped to me (as well as those things I can't live without, like Burt's Bee's chap stick, Extra Polar Ice gum, and of course, CANDY!) Since I learned that I may have some extra time on my hands, I might bring some paints. But this also means that I will have time to learn about my village's customs and traditions. I am hoping to pick up a musical instrument or make pottery, or another craft used by the community.
I've joked to a few of you about adopting a baby once I'm over there, but the friend I've gained actually adopted a village puppy while she was over there (and even brought it back to the States!). That is one of the best pieces of information that I've heard! It is totally something I would do and might even make the transition a little easier.
Also, I wanted to say thanks for the great laughs, love and hugs from the party. It was really nice to see a lot of familiar faces.
Just one week left!
So, I had an amazing opportunity to speak with someone who just got back from the Peace Corps, Gambia. I had the opportunity to have lunch with her gracious mother as well. Speaking with both of them definitely helped ease some anxiety. (Mom, you'll be happy to know that she received every package (and all of its contents) that her mom sent to her. Just don't forget to send them air mail).
I learned that I will basically be living in tank tops, long skirts and sandals. I learned that it is best to establish a personal routine and privacy policy early on with your host family and the village, so that it is simply a norm from the time you arrive. I also took from the conversation that perhaps one reason volunteers end their terms early is because they go in to the program with different expectations. What I mean is that one huge purpose of the Peace Corps is cultural exchange. It's important to understand that even the smallest contribution is helpful, but if you expect to "change the world," you're going to be disappointed. It is very possible that I will have more free time then I know what to do with during the first year of service. I also found out that recreational running is acceptable, but modesty is appreciated. I also got a better idea of what it might be like to live with out electricity and running water. Candles are available even in the most remote village, and the water well will probably only be a minute's walk. But then again, I may very well be in a village with both. I have a better idea of what to pack now, as well. It doesn't sound like I will need to bring 2 years worth of bar soap, like I was envisioning before. Toiletries like shampoo and toothpaste are available and can also be shipped to me (as well as those things I can't live without, like Burt's Bee's chap stick, Extra Polar Ice gum, and of course, CANDY!) Since I learned that I may have some extra time on my hands, I might bring some paints. But this also means that I will have time to learn about my village's customs and traditions. I am hoping to pick up a musical instrument or make pottery, or another craft used by the community.
I've joked to a few of you about adopting a baby once I'm over there, but the friend I've gained actually adopted a village puppy while she was over there (and even brought it back to the States!). That is one of the best pieces of information that I've heard! It is totally something I would do and might even make the transition a little easier.
Also, I wanted to say thanks for the great laughs, love and hugs from the party. It was really nice to see a lot of familiar faces.
Just one week left!
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