I don't really have time to write an entire blog or try to recap the last few weeks that have been devoted to my project - Global Entrepreneurship Week. So I have decided to give you a taste of how I am working over here. Below is the latest email I sent to Peace Corps and Malian Volunteers for the upcoming Bike Tour.
Hey Buddies,
Ok so I am pretty sure some of you will read your email while you wait for Peace Corps transport to take you to Koulikoro ville. Here a few last minute details that you have hopefully already considered before coming to Bamako to catch transport.
Bike Tour Essentials:
1. Bike Helmet is a must must must!!!! Or be admin. sep.
2. Bike Tools
3. Camping Gear – tent, sleeping bag (cold season), pillow, water bottles, etc
4. Clothes for biking and clothes for sketches
5. Money for food
- Plan : collect enough money from each of you (+/- 3000 cfa) so that we can buy all that we need for breakfast and dinner for 20-22 volunteers over the course of five (5) days; lunch will probably be provided in most cases or we will buy street food
6. First Aid Kit (I will carry one but if you need certain essentials, please make sure to bring it)
Bring something to entertain yourself and/or kids so that we are not twiddling our thumbs in the evenings
7. Lights!!! There is no electricity!
The schedule is attached to the email and taped to the walls in the IRC.
At this moment, the bike tour schedule has been extended a day so the dates are November 17-21, 2008 and the Closing Ceremony/Soccer Game is November 22, 2008.
Synopsis of Global Entrepreneurship Week:
Villages along Bike Tour
Koulikoro would like to hold an opening ceremony on Monday, November 17, 2008 that will probably take several hours since people will arrive atleast an hour late. We will spend the whole first day in Koulikoro (so we will spend two nights in Koulikoro and only four days traveling). The next day Tuesday, November 19, 2008 is Mafeya which is ecstatic to have this activity. They are so excited that it’s hosting an opening ceremony with traditional dancers and the works. I figured our presentations will still be rusty so I allotted the whole day. We will travel the next day to Doumba and so on… The first two days have tons of wriggle room and if we get ahead of schedule that is fine and if we get behind that is ok… The last little village is SMALL! They are excited to have us but don’t expect much! We are winging this thing for the most part. The villages know we are coming and have offered their schools but we will have to do the rest.
Sorry, I will not be able to get the final drafts of the skits to you before the 16th. You will have to improv the acting. We can practice them on Sunday/Monday since we will have tons of extra time in the beginning. You will find attached a document with one skit (that is being edited in my village as we speak) and explanations of the other two plus it has a few other explanations of the animations we will be performing.
Banamba Ceremony
We arrive in my village, Banamba, Friday afternoon/November 21. Hopefully we will be ahead of schedule and will arrive with plenty of time for R&R. Other volunteers, who did not want to participate with the Bike Tour, will arrive on the 21st for the closing ceremony on the 22nd. We spend the night on the 21st and 22nd because PC vehicles can not travel at night (maybe we can get around that loophole if we leave at dusk). So plan on getting back to Bamako on the 23rd however you are welcome to leave at any point, you will not hurt my feelings J
Malians will prepare the meals for us. Dinner will be waiting for us and all the meals will be provided on the 22nd. The money we collected in the beginning should hopefully cover all this since the grant money can not be used to feed and/or transport Peace Corps volunteers. I hope you all understand.
Opening Ceremony/Remarks are scheduled for Saturday morning the 22nd. It will be followed by chaos. You can decide which activity that you would like to utilize your energy: (1) Children’s games in the stadium, (2) HIV/AIDS animations, (3) artisan fair, (4) hanging out with the girl’s soccer team and chilling, (5) crowd control and/or participate with the activities, (6) play in the all girls soccer game at 4pm.
Peace Corps staff and volunteers are traveling up for these activities so make sure we bring clothes according to the activity you will help out with.
Transport
Take a taxi from Peace Corps Bureau to Omnisport/Gana Transport is around 750 cfa.
Gana Transport leaves everyday at 11am sharp for Banamba for 2000 cfa.
OR
Take a taxi from Peace Corps Bureau to Medine Marche (same area as Omnisport) is around 750 cfa.
Air Banamba leaves between 7am – 10am for 2000 cfa.
OR
Take a taxi from Peace Corps Bureau to Medine Marche (same area as Omnisport) is around 750 cfa.
Touba Express leaves around 8am for 2000-2500 cfa.
OR
Take a taxi from Peace Corps Bureau to Medine Marche (same area as Omnisport) is around 750 cfa.
Wait for a Sotrama to fill up for Banamba in the gare for 2000-2500 cfa.
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