Letter Home: MY BIRTHDAY aka February 1, 2008

Man it feels good to be 23! Yeah, yeah I know that I am a yougun' and all that. But hey, I am living it up while I can before the business world and all the world starts to collapse in on top of me! Ha gotta love life!

What a whirlwind week! My life is starting to resemble that of a Peace Corps volunteer, but wait, the whole experience, the process of adapting to a new life and pushing through the hard times for the few golden moments… that is what it means to be a “true” Peace Corps volunteer.

After IST, I was full of fear and trepidation as I approached my site. I had ideas and motivation but after a month of being away I was afraid it would take forever to get adjusted again. Yet, God willing, I have triumphed over the obstacle that I placed in my path.

I showed up at my bureau and started cleaning. I swept, mopped, dusted, threw out trash, and moved furniture around. Now there is a clean corner desk in a small office with pictures of friends and family, goals, and calendars on the wall around the desk. It is quite colorful and informative. Each morning was devoted to reading about how to make all three projects succeed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

First, we have Shea Nuts/Butter. My homologue and I read over the “new & modern” process of collecting, cleaning, and storing shea nuts for the extraction of shea oil and eventual production of shea butter. We arranged and held an informative meeting with 18 women from multiple women associations. The meeting was a hit! The women are motivated and excited to hold an upcoming training in May 2008 about the new and recommended shea nut production. We are also going to discuss how to form a cooperative in the cercle of Banamba (my site). Hopefully after a successful season, which is June through August, we will take the new methods to the surrounding villages. In March, my homologue and I are attending a field trip to Burkina Faso to observe a successful cooperative. Meanwhile, I will be using GPS equipment to locate and record the condition of shea parklands at my site. WHOA!!! It is amazing! I am so excited!

Second & third, my other two projects pertain to the school arena. One is Junior Achievement and the other is a potential HIV/AIDS awareness group composed of high school students. I have a meeting setup with the director of the school systems. I am also going to visit those who are living with HIV/AIDS in Banamba. There is such a big stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS that it is going to make things a little “sticky” in the beginning.

With all these projects, I have had no time to clean my house or just sit… Not complaining one bit because it is my birthday and this is the best gift-a full agenda of things to do!!!!!

I look forward to the things ahead… Feb-Senegal, March-Burkina Faso, April-Training, May-Shea Training, June/July-USA!!!

I wish you all a great February and Happy Valentine’s Day. Also thank you for all the amazing updates to my last email. Thank you all so much and I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces in June 2008!