HOLLY n' MALI

Letter Home: June 19, 2009

2009-06-19T16:32:00.000-04:00

So we finished our project. We successfully made 44 Malians jump into their nasty, and quite possibly, toxic Niger River for the final test ( i more than likely have some illness called schisto but who cares! Peace corps will have to pay for the treatment). This made us rethink the progress we thought had been accomplished in seven weeks. BUT we can't do anything about it now... We had a huge closing ceremony where we each (there were three of us volunteers) received unexpected gifts-a full bogolan outfit and ciwara sculpture.

Mali LESSON: Bogolan is a traditional mudcloth art that originates in Mali. Many countries have tried to copy their designs and claim they started it but it is ALL MALI :) and Ciwara means... while it is given to the mightiest warrior, greatest leader, etc. It is a sign of respect and again a Malian thing (it means something in Bambara but I forgot).

We also decided to honor Alkalifa Traore, our safety and security officer, because we would not have been able to accomplish anything without him. He went with us to the military offices and convinced the commanders/captains that this was a worthwhile project and they should participate.

The following day, after seven straight weeks of having something that resembled a job, my boyfriend and I went to my old village to see my friends and 'family' before my Close-of-Service conference and vacation. It was a nice couple of days. We ate well-made Malian dishes, played with kids, and got updates in my village. One of my friends, A WOMAN, got elected to be the 2nd deputy Mayor! How amazing!

THEN We come back and I go directly to a nice Malian Hotel!!! UMMMMM good food, A/C, pool (haha you'd think i would be tired of swimming), and my RETURN DATE to America!

I spend three days learning about how to make a resume, how to market myself, and how to deal with the shock of going home... It is true. It is harder going to America from Mali than America to Mali. You learn to live without and about reverse-racism! My date is set for September 4th, which is at least three weeks earlier than i thought i would get.

Ok now here comes the adventure!!!

We (five other peace corps girls, my boyfriend and myself) decide to travel to Guinea together since our vacation overlapped each other. We meet at the bus station (really a taxi station). Get a sept-plus (it should hold seven but we learn they shove in nine; then why do they call it a sept-plus?) and head to the border. This is where we encounter our first corrupt Guinean gendarme. "Um you need to pay 5000 cfa for administration expenses." "Why? We have visas, our WHO cards, all our shots, and what admin expenses? Your 'office' is a table under a tarp with thatch walls." That was the first response and last response he got from us since he didn't even try to ask the rest of us for a bribe!

We get into Kankan, Guinea (google Guinea so you can follow our adventure :) and lucky for us the Peace Corps regional house was marked. We exchange money and find out that Guinean francs seem like a lot of money but really has no value. Every boutique, street vendor, etc couldn't carry wallets and replaced them with money 'buckets'!!!!! ahh the madness! Or the economy of a state in constant government turmoil. We have a lovely evening with Peace Corps Guinea volunteers-exchanging stories about our experiences in West Africa.

We wake early the next morning to get on the road before 8am. We had the most serendipitous moment when the same exact taxi that brought us from Mali drives past us on the way to the station. He pulls over and says he will take us to the station. Once we are in the car, we negotiate a decent price to Pita, Guinea. We wanted to get as far as we could that day so it would put us closer to our destination, Doucki. All day we passed beautiful landscapes as we slowly very slowly made our way up bumpy, potholed roads to the topmost points in the Fouta Djalon. I should describe the car we are riding in… A Peugeot station wagon with a third seat in the far back. Normally you shove two people into the front seat next to the driver then four in the middle and another three in the far back which is probably the worst spot since you have no head or leg space. BUT we bought out the last two spots so we could comfortably travel to Doucki. This trip lasted about 12 hours! We arrive in Pita and learn that our car can’t make the last leg to Doucki since the road is no longer a road and it is a bit confusing. We chased down to the edge of town by another taxi that is trying to be “generous” and give us a lift. We literally said we would walk the last 20 or 30 km to the campsite and they all laughed but we were not going to pay a penny more than what we expected to be the price. FINALLY we get a price we can agree on and make the haul… UMMMmmmm yeah our car could not have made it and we were in this car for another three hours! My motion sickness decided to kick back in during the first 30 minutes. Regardless we made it to the site. We had dinner and crashed!

Our first day was a half day hike to a waterhole, it was called “wet and wild.” It has been so long since we’ve seen green and topography. Hills, rock formations, creeks, trees, and grass were abundantly available to the wandering eye! We got a lot of cool pictures and got to go swimming in a creek that had a few hidden holes in the rock. It is always scary but worth it when you jump into the unknown and come out on the other side.

The afternoon was a short hike to the cliff edge to see where we were gonna hike the next day. Breathtaking! Plus the cliff edge is the same spot that villagers go to when there has been a death and they yell to the village below. Our guide kept telling us to lower our voices… opps!

The next day was the “chutes and ladders” and the name alone scared me! We descended for hours! All I could think about was the upward journey on the other side of the day! We made it down and my knees already felt like jello. Had lunch at a cool waterhole where the fishes viciously attacked anything you put in the water including your toes! Directly following lunch we started the hike UP! We made our way up, up and up then we encountered the ladders that were branches, logs, tied together with vine. They looked as though they would fall apart but they held us. We made great progress by scurrying up 5 or 6 ladders then the real hike started! Thank you GOD! I made it up the hill and all the way to the campsite… I can’t even begin to describe how out of breath I was near the end of the hike… We kept climbing and climbing but I made it… And! I wasn’t even sore the next day! YAY

The last hike was a half day before we took off for SIERRA LEONE! It is called Indiana Jones. We climbed vines and played in the water! It was an amazing time! It felt as though we were in a rainforest. Again, after two years in our barren wasteland known as Sub-Saharan Africa, the beautiful topography of Guinea was greatly appreciated.

Ok so our hiking days were over and we were ready to get to Sierra Leone. We made it to a hotel for the night… Did you know that most of Guinea doesn’t have electricity? It is an eye-opening experience to see a town that was probably at one time, thriving and bustling with lights and running water. But Guinea struggles along since they are continually ravaged by coups and insufficient governmental support which at the moment is military control! We had just spent three days in the villages and extremely surprised to see that the village people kept their towns clean, their pumps in running order, and houses that were substantially in better shape than I have ever seen at such a low economic level. BUT things at the higher level are getting bypassed…

The hotel we were staying at turned on their generator once it got dark and cut it off at the daybreak. Somewhere during the night the electricity did something wacky and pumped too much juice into our rooms and ruined our converters and chargers (ipod, zune, phone). But it didn’t matter… We have learned to expect as much in developing countries.

We made our way to the gare (bus/taxi station) only to be told countless times, “oh Sierra Leone? Go there”. We went to five different places before we finally got the taxi we needed. Then we made the long hike down the hills, got to another gare, and negotiated the price to the border of guinea so we could get into Sierra Leone. At this point we are running into many English speakers and having a hard time! I think we all negotiate better in Bambara!

We travel to the border… Now here comes the corruption. We were asked at three different stops to give a bribe. Of course the police/gendarmes didn’t even tell us why, they just demanded money. We always refused and they always threatened to make us wait at this checkpoint. One time a guy said we were gonna stay the night. We said ok and ten minutes later he let us go. I bet the taxi driver was fed up with us and had to pay a bribe for us since we wouldn’t do it. But that is Peace Corps.

The border to Sierra Leone. Ok Ok before you say anything we knew that you were suppose to get a visa ahead time but we just wanted to try our luck. We thought that they would be the one place we could and would pay a bribe…. Opps. We walked through the countless Guinea exit border checkpoints because the taxis to Sierra Leone were trying to charge us a ridiculous price to Freetown. We finally get to a point where we need a taxi, it takes us to the border and then we were reprimanded for over an hour about how we were suppose to get a visa prior to our arrival at the border. They told us to pay the $200 for the visa or go to the embassy at the Guinea capital or change our plan which is exactly what we did. During this whole ordeal I am feel faint from motion sickness because my medicine has ran out and my conscious is killing me b/c I know we should’ve done the right thing but… NOW we had to turn all the around and make it to Conakry. We made it to the 36 km point where we got held up again for another bribe but this time we called the Safety and Security Officer at Peace Corps Guinea and she straightened him out.

Finally, we made it somewhere nice and cool! We slept at the PC Guinea house which is a mansion in our eyes! Next to the beach, with a beach bar that has great pizza, a wonderful roof, a/c, four stories, nice bathrooms, etc…. we were in heaven for a day!

We decided to enjoy the beaches in Guinea and went to Room Island. We really did nothing for three days. Ate good seafood – fish, calamari – swam, hiked, and read books. It was amazing and we all got sunburnt.

Then back to Conakry! We made dinner, said good-bye to our entourage (the five other girls that were traveling with us), went to the Sierra Leone Embassy to only find out they wanted US dollars from us and denied our Malian money and we didn’t have enough in Guinean currency. So….

We went to Senegal!

Ate a wonderful meal at a Indo-chinese restaurant, slept like babies in a cold room, packed our stuff, and waited for the taxi strike to stop so we could get out of Guinea. Made it to the gare, got a car to Labé that ended up taking a full 12 hours because the car couldn’t get up the hills! Literally had to get out at every big incline and push the car up til it gained enough speed to leave us in the dark in which case we had to walk up the hill to catch up with him at the next level point. CRAZINESS! Arrive at the gare at 1am, sleep in the taxi, get to the next gare at 6am, wait til 1pm to leave for Senegal. Travel til 11pm to sleep at the border on hard cement out in the open. Get up and travel another two hours, get another car go to another point in Senegal, get another car, go another couple hours and finally we make it to our last gare, get a bus go to Cap Skirring, Senegal.

We get a hotel room at Chez M’Ballo that is located on the beach! Amazing and breathtaking is all I can say! We were awestruck by the beauty. Finally a place where we could stay for a long period of time! A whole week we spent laying on the beach, eating seafood, swimming, reading books, drinking beer with limes while watching the sunset over the ocean. Absolutely wonderful!

Then it was time to go home. Cap Skirring to Tambaconda. There was a peace corps house so we stayed there. We were sleeping on the roof when a sandstorm/rainstorm ran us off. So we slept inside = HOT!

Left the next morning after being “snuck” out to a neighboring village to wait for a bus b/c of some weird penalty the bus would have to pay inside the town, etc… stupidness! This time we travel for a straight 18 hours (all day, all night) to arrive in Bamako, Mali. We traveled through a sandstorm and crossed an irish bridge (a roadway that is covered by rushing water and marked with little posts sticking up to lead your way).

Finally we are home!

As of Today March 9, 2009

2009-03-09T14:20:00.002-04:00

Things are moving along. The most recent changes have been my move to Bamako (no longer Banamba), Christmas in the Region of Mopti in Dogon Country, January Peace Corps Training for the new volunteers (I was a trainer-again), started working with the Junior Achievement Mali office in Bamako, organized/coordinated/planned/implemented a Junior Achievement Training at the Peace Corps Training Center for 44 school teachers, and now the 8 week learn-to-swim/water rescue project starts on March 16, 2009.

The new changes have been an adjustment. I am almost as busy as I was in America before I left for Mali which was why I left in the first place. hmmm go figure, huh? We all tend to fall into our similarities. Hopefully the new balance in Mali won't be that easy to disappear once I return to America...

Ok back to Mali changes... The heat didn't even try to sneak up on us, it decided to overwhelm us from the gate. It is already hitting degrees over 100!!! Lucky for me and two other volunteers we will be working on our tans and front crawl during the hottest months of the year. No we will not be in the Niger River (at least not yet anyways).

Our house is full! Three guys and one girl sharing a house isn't all that bad... We are all pretty clean individuals. To be honest I am probably the biggest slob out of the four of us. We are slowly building a new network of friends in Bamako. Mostly other Americans or ex-pats. We visit one another, have parties, go swimming or to bars, and compete in Hash Runs, flag-football, and volleyball. Hopefully a routine will form out of these escapades...

The new house has internet and I have a computer. You can always skype or email!

Peace

Reflections from December 2008 - March 2009

2009-03-08T19:42:00.002-04:00

I hear the children laughing. Their laughter is no different from that of any child. The low chuckle of an overweight bully, the high-pitched cackle of the comedian, and the wispy almost non-existent laugh of the shy one who doesn’t know what is so funny. I smell their musky scent of sweat and dirt. A pungent body odor that is unique to Africa. The dust is disturbed for any instant and the shrill laughter diminishes into the distance. I see the dust settle and fall through the sunrays that are poking their way through my window screen. The particles delicately fall through the light. The specs seem to be dancing a slow-dance as they lackadaisically fall onto the cement floor in my house. The heat is picking up and I can feel the sweat collecting at the nape of hair. The familiar dry heat quickens the beads of sweat and starts dampening my hair as I struggle to wake up. I walk out to face the day.

The sun is beating down. The dust is inescapable; one can find the dust in every open crevice of your clothes and body parts. The scene around you is busy borderline frantic. The ride to work flies to a halt inches from my feet. The green deathbox beckons me to get on. The eyes follow the white person into the public transportation. Gasps are exchanged when I greet them in Bambara. I catch glances from older women, bold flirtatious stares from men, and curious eyes of children. Our route is a constant stop-go action. Soon we are sitting in deadlock traffic. I look out the window to see a naked little boy outside of his concession. He is splashing water over his head as he squats next to a bucket of water. The water glistens across his body. He jumps up and runs into the house only to return seconds later to throw water behind his ears. He is vigrously rubbing water across his buddy washing away invisible suds. Our eyes meet and a slow smile creeps across his face. He continues to bath and rinse but at a slower pace. His eyes follow mine as we finally pull away from his house. His smile made my day...

We approach the market. My jumping off point where I catch another deathbox to the other side of town. The men and women are moving with direction and purpose. The work of the lower-class keeps us fed, clothed, and operating. However in this country you can see the hard work that goes into transporting vegetables to and from markets, how they move large loads of materials, and transport anything that has a new destination.

The scene: The beads of sweat are sliding down his ebony-colored skin and pooling into puddles of sweat directly in front him as he waits to pass the street. His muscles are bulging out of his arms and neck. The cart he steadies with one handle is loaded with so much weight that it is top heavy. He is exuding brute strength while he tries to keep it from tipping over. Forcing the handle down in front of him but not overpowering it so that it doesn’t become a balancing act of danger. In which case, the cart becomes too heavy and falls unto him. If an incident like that happened the line of cart pushers would be forced to leave their heavy burdens to remove it from his crushed body. Then the day would continue like nothing happened. Another day at work with another almost serious injury but it wasn’t so let’s thank God for allowing us to live another day…

New scene: She passes him without a second glance. She is busy balancing an entire household load of laundry on her head. She has many things to consider: what chores has she already finished? What chores has she started but not finished? And what must be done and what will never end? One thing that will never end is her slavery that isn’t even obvious. The servitude that she must endure for a set of dishes-dishes that she will never use and may end up selling to buy rice or millet to feed the hungry mouths of her nine children. But lets back up to her present predicament, the predicament that she is living now. She is 12 years old and lives far from home. She has never attended school, only speaks her native language, knows how to make five traditional dishes but can not add or subtract nor can she sign her name to a legal document. She spends her mornings waking before the rest of the family to prepare the breakfast over a burning fire that takes atleast an hour of preparation. The meal must be ready to serve before 7:30am after which she must start the days endless chores: sweep and mop the entire house, wash the clothes, dishes, and start lunch (that requires another hour or more of preparation). She does all this work and more. She is at beck and call for the family. She is their slave. She earns a small income that will be used to buy a set of dishes for marriage. However she knows nothing of a real life. She knows nothing of education and a life beyond the walls of her concession and the walls beyond her consciousness. She is a prisoner in time and place due to tradition. Tradition that doesn’t allow her to grow or mature into the woman she is destined to be but will be denied because she will never have the chance to be a child so she will live the rest of her life trying to relinquish the pastimes that she never had. If she is able to accomplish all her tasks and come out pure and untouched, she is free to marry. It will be a man that her family probably chose that is no less 20 years older than she. She will have her first child before fifteen (15). She is free. Free of her servitude but the marriage, pregnancies and motherhood are her new masters. The new workloads only increase with each mouth to feed.

Flat Stanley visits Dogon Country

2009-02-12T19:53:00.001-05:00

"Flat Stanley" was created by a first grader in the USA. His unique flatness allows him to travel to many exotic and faraway places. On this particular journey he finds a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa. He accompanied 30 volunteers on their Christmas 2008 vacation to Dogon Country. If the beautiful photography inspires you to travel to Dogon country please visit www.visitpaysdogon.com

From 2009-01-08 Peace Corps Flat Stanley

The Spirit of an American Citizen: Reflected through the words of President Obama’s Inauguration Speech

2009-01-23T14:07:00.005-05:00

I was greatly moved while watching the 44^th President’s Inauguration. Never before have I ever been so wrapped up in our Nation as of this moment. President Obama’s speech was powerful and moving. In an over-crowded room of 100 or so people there was silence and tears. He filled us with hope-hope that a brighter tomorrow will be reached. However it will only be reached if we take up the burden of rebuilding our nation together. No one man can solve all of our problems, but a good leader can encourage us to take up our a role in making a reality.

This post is written in past-tense third person because I was trying to give it an artistic feel.

To Lee for helping me realize that I have found a purpose.

The decision to join the Peace Corps in 2007 was a difficult one. The task that lay before this recent college graduate was too profound to put into words. She was a graduate with a potentially prosperous career in her chosen field due to an extensive effort on her behalf that was to gain all the experience possible before entering the ‘real world.’ Each of her post-university decisions was just as broad and vague as the next one and all of them were empty.

An emptiness due to a lack of real service-a service that provided an experience, a new beginning that would allow room to grow and explore. The United States of America had always been a quiet room with a side window to the outside world. The outside world was a place that couldn't have been previously explored due to economical hardships. Here was her chance to break free of the mutinous workforce, forge forward into the unknown, into her new purpose.

"As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all."

The chosen road led her to a life of service. Serving others was something bigger than her. It was bigger than the salaried job in the big city with the nice car where she could have attended fancy parties and mingled with so-called important people. Instead she served those who were considered to be less fortunate than the rest of the world. Yet after careful reflection that truth lays in the minds of those who measure life by the tangible not the intangible because the Africans couldn’t wrap their minds around the Americans' hatred of others nor why war was their only answer for things unknown. The intangible things of love, unity, and true day-to-day happiness didn’t exist in her world prior to this experience. Her willingness to find meaning allowed her to find true purpose in life.

"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.

It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate."

As an American her duties did not stop at the shorelines of the East or West. Her hope in a better world fueled her passion for Peace Corps. It was the selflessness of the Malians who gave food and shelter to a stranger; the love of other volunteers and counterparts that encouraged and comforted throughout the uncertain moments which saw her through the darkest hours.

The fate of her life was known before the dawn of time. It was to come to African soil so that she could find true meaning in her life; find out what it means to be a true American.

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."

Her many challenges before Peace Corps did not end and have not been resolved but a new strength and hope was discovered. The values that were slipping away during her college years were slowly renewed-honesty and hard work, courage and tolerance-while others were realized for the first time-loyalty and patriotism. She was a citizen of the United States of America. She was a daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter, niece, and friend before she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa. She was a southerner, Christian, and loud-mouthed. All of these were characteristics of this young woman, yes a woman, but they did not define who she was. The new values gave her hope in her fellow citizens. It provided her with the courage to believe in a better world that would lean on each other and not hurt one another.

The truths of her reality, such as family problems and lack of money, didn’t hold her back but spur her on! Into the direction of the rising sun! A place where she could spread her wings-no limitations and no regrets. She was finally able to rely on herself and God to define her character and determine a path.

"This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny."

Now, Holly is shaping her uncertain destiny through God by serving others-her fellow citizens and the citizens of the world.

Special thanks to http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text

for providing the text for President Obama's Inauguration speech.

In the Blink of an Eye: In loving memory of Cristina Nardone

2008-12-12T09:03:00.003-05:00

How many times have you considered the amount of time you spend at work vs the time you spend living your life? I contemplated this thought almost every day during my college career. Friends and family were always pushed aside so that I could dig a deeper grave, umm I mean, climb the ladder in my chosen field. For example, school vacations were usually an opportunity to work another sport event-Orange Bowl, PGA events, Surfing competitions, and other football championships...

However I could feel the lasting imprints of this life. I had barely any friends, no time for the few friends I did have, a family that could not accurately say what it was I was doing or stuyding in school since I barely came home. I worked hard, slept harder, and never played...

This is where Peace Corps comes in...

Was I ever going to have another opportunity to slow down? Where else could I have the solitude and peace of mind to reflect? Peace Corps was the place where I could redefine my direction in life; find new friends, a new passion, a new focus, a new spirit, a new perception of the world... A place where I could grow into the woman that my friends and family could relate to, love, respect and furthermore, a patient woman that could listen and enjoy the small things in life.

Frankly, Peace Corps has done exactly that! How many people get an opportunity like this? How many people get it and take advantage of it? I know somebody who was given this opportunity and took complete advantage of it. A person whom I will forever respect... You see, Cristina did everything that I have mentioned...

Recently, I was attending the "Junior Achievement Africa" conference. It had been a long month prior to this event-planning and implementing a week long activity for Global Entrepreneurship Week, Thanksgiving and now a 3-day conference! I was exhausted after the first day. But I wanted to say good-bye to a friend who had early terminated his service. He was scheduled to leave Mali that evening. I wanted to go out and say my good-byes because I didn't know how long it would be before I would see him again. At the end of the day, I had a conversation with my friend who was at the conference with me about whether I should go or not go.

"I'm tired but I want to say good-bye to a buddy of mine. Are you going?"
"No. But you will probably see him again in America."
I replied, "But Peace Corps is a place where I've decided to put forth that extra effort for my friends which I didn't do in the states. A place where I could and have found a balance in life."
My friend replied with, "I have always tried to find that balance. I believe I have found a good balance here and when I was in America."

We also spoke of how our friends change as our lives change. The people we work with, live near and go to school with. It depends on where you are in life. You become friends with those you invest time in getting to know... At this point I still had not decided to go or not to go out with my friends that evening...

I said to my friend, "I will be right back. I am going to take out my contacts."

* * *

I step around the corner with a fresh pair of eyes. My friend has a a cigarette in his hand as he motions to come near. He says, "Holly, Did you know Cristina Nardone?" "No I didn't know personally but I know who she is. Why?" "Because she has just passed away."

pause

"Wait a minute! what happened?"
"There was a freak accident at an opening ceremony for a water tower. It fell and .... she was under it when it came down."
"Oh my ____, I am sooo sorry. Didn't ya'll come to Peace Corps Mali in the same group?"
"Yeah"
"When was the last time you saw her?"
He cast his eyes down and said, "The last time she was in town, a few weeks ago, she asked me out to dinner but I couldn't go because of work. Holly, I guess this goes back to our conversation about work, life and finding balance."

Sigh, this conversation continued but with many awkward silences... He was very close to Cristina along with many other people in Peace Corps Mali. There wasn't much one could say... It doesn't get any easier to comfort those who have lost someone even with age it is hard to say the right thing. It is hard to deal with, bottom line.

I didn't realize that our conversation would end up being so profound. A life was literally lost in the blink of an eye. We never know when we are going to leave this earth. We have no idea what kind of imprint our life will leave on this earth... The conversation and realizations from that evening will forever stay with me and remind me that life requires balance. Needless to say, I went out with my friends that evening and my friend ended up staying the rest of the week for the memorial service because he was very close to Cristina.

(Like always, Cristina Nardone looking beautiful!)

Cristina Nardone was a super volunteer. She had a spirit, or better yet, a spark that radiated through for all to see. Everybody that came in contact with her was changed. She poured herself into everything she did-work, friendships, and relationships-in life. She was seeking that balance. The life she had carved out in Dogon country was impressive and even daunting for some people. The projects that were implemented-tourism in Dogon country- are enriched because of her involvement.

May God comfort her family, friends and fiance during this difficult time.

Project Fully Funded!

2008-11-28T09:46:00.004-05:00

Our Peace Corps Partnership Project is fully funded!

Thank you all for your support!

The project will take place March 16 - May 6, 2008.

The funds were only half the battle. We are now focusing on getting the list of participants, cleaning the pool, ordering supplies, writing a curriculum, finding an apartment in Bamako. The next 9 months are jammed pack so a move to Bamako, the capital city, will be in order. So Christmas will probably be spent packing for the move. Again thanks for all your help and look out for updates!

Global Entrepreneurship Week : All the fluff!

2008-11-10T14:23:00.001-05:00

Global Entrepreneurship Week

SEMAINE GLOBALE DE L’ESPRIT D’ENTREPRISE
avec Cercle de Banamba & Association SIDA LAKARI
17 u 23 Novembre 2008

Objectives for the Week:

o Inspire – introducing the notion of enterprising to those under 30 years old through a seven (7) village bike tour
o Connect – network people in an effort to find new ideas, nationally and globally, by hosting a seven (7) village bike tour, a circle-wide artisan fair, an all girls soccer match, and implementing Junior Achievement’s Notre Commune and Mini-Entreprises program
o Inform – demonstrate through skits and HIV/AIDS sessions that the drive to nurture enterprising talent needs business, education, government, voluntary organizations and the media to work together-no single sector or organization working in isolation can create opportunities on this ambitious scale
o Mentor – enlist active and inspirational entrepreneurs around the world to coach and mentor the next generation of enterprise talent as they pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, for example the Mini-Entreprises program and prevention of HIV/AIDS
o Engage – inform opinion leaders and policy makers that entrepreneurship is central to a nation’s economic health and culture and to provide different nations with the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurial policies and practices from each other (HIV/AIDS is real and can counter-attack all the positive efforts the population is making towards a more enterprising tomorrow)

o Encourage the following package of skills:
§ Opportunity recognition;
§ Creativity;
§ Problem solving;
§ Risk taking;
§ Resourcefulness; and,
§ Passion for ideas.

Global Entrepreneurship Week : Rough Outline for participants

2008-09-18T17:18:00.002-04:00

Where does one begin??? It has been far too long since the last update!

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.

RYLA 2008: Blue is Best but wouldn't last without the Rest!

2008-09-03T05:41:00.003-04:00

What: RYLA 2008; June 21 - 24, 2008

Where: Americus, GA

Venues: South Georgia Technical College & Georgia Southwestern University

The time has come and gone for those who have excelled to come together for a united greatness. The 2008 Olympics were a time of glory and triumph. People transformed their lives to be great. So can YOU!

Now is the time to be great, to go beyond the mundane to reach your dreams. Once a summer, there is a camp dedicated to helping teenagers narrow their individual strengths while promoting teamwork.

High school aged kids from all over GA come together during the hot summer days of June so that they can learn and grow.

The diverse program breeds new friendships along with new leaders. The camp participants utilize the RYLA activities to find potential leadership skills can be sharpened through the years. For example:

The rope course challenges physical strength, strategic planning, and abstract thinking. Have you ever tried to catch a 17-year old boy from an 8-10 foot drop? Have you ever traveled to four islands with two 2'x4' boards? Have you ever lost a challenge and felt like a winner because you were innovative and found another effective method? Other team activities were geared towards selecting effective leaders. An activity that proved too difficult due to the numerous "leaders" within each group. Have you ever selected a leader because he/she is "right" for the job? Of course! But what is right? Right for the job depends on the job. The behavioral test conducted by Jonathan Golden’s company provides an insight behind one’s attitude, behavior… It provided insight to why our leaders are appropriate for their jobs. Some people were born to be entrepreneurs but not run the company for 20 years. However there are those who were destined to run those businesses for an extended period of time. The campers are at a vulnerable age and sometimes their external behavior does not match the true person within. The Rap session allows them to open up about their dreams, fears, and obstacles in their everyday lives. What image are you living up to? Is it the image that you have created or your parents, or your friends, or your school or your town or your girlfriend/boyfriend? Why? The Robinsons’ help the teenagers open up and face challenges. Support comes from the new bonds formed throughout the camp. Togetherness becomes a consensus attitude by the end of the camp - Lava Island.

I am always amazed but not surprised every time my life is touched by a complete stranger. The kids at RYLA 08 were no different from the RYLA 07 (and the countless other kids that have come in and out of my life through Grace Community Church, Kim Fowler, PLC, Americus, Statesboro). They were all exceptionally unique, kind, and welcomed ME into their worlds! Today isn't a day of strangers.

The controversies in the Middle East, Asia, and Post-911 America have installed fear into the hearts of many. But the brave will change that. The 2008 Olympics was a place for those who never game up and different backgrounds to come together. They worked hard. They tried their best and were great!

Do you wanna be great? Do you wanna be a leader? Go for the goal! Never give up!

Good luck and stay in touch!

Thank you RYLA 2008

The Pen Pals thing is still gonna happen so look out for the instructions in your email from hollymlarsen@gmail.com or Susan Ruckman.

Recent Activity: Peace Corps Budget Cuts & Coup in Mauritania (the country above Mali)

2008-08-26T04:45:00.003-04:00

Peace Corps to Pare Ranks of Volunteers Despite Bush's Goal of Doubling Program's Size, Tight Budget Forces Cuts

By: Christopher Lee

Washington Post

Washington, D.C.

The Peace Corps, the popular service program that President Bush once promised to double in size, is preparing to cut back on new volunteers and consolidate recruiting offices as it pares other costs amid an increasingly tight budget, according to agency officials.

The program, which has a budget of $330.8 million, is facing an anticipated shortfall of about $18 million this fiscal year and next, officials say. Much of the gap can be attributed to the declining value of the dollar overseas and the rising cost of energy and other commodities, officials said. That inflates expenses for overseas leases, volunteer living costs and salaries for staff abroad, most of whom are paid in local currencies.

Those factors "have materially reduced our available resources and spending power," Peace Corps Director Ronald A. Tschetter wrote in a July 22 letter to Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds the program. "Tough budgetary decisions must be made now in order to ensure a financially healthy agency next fiscal year," he added.

The agency estimates its foreign- currency-related losses at $9.2 million for fiscal 2008 alone, spokeswoman Amanda Beck said yesterday.

In part, the program is caught in the political standoff between lawmakers and the president over the federal budget. If, as seems likely, Democrats delay final passage of the spending bills that fund the government until after Bush leaves office next year, programs such as the Peace Corps could be forced to operate at current funding levels indefinitely, administration officials said.

Beck said the agency could experience another $9 million in losses in fiscal 2009 in a "worst-case scenario" in which the agency has to operate under a year-long continuing resolution.
But that scenario is very unlikely, McCollum said yesterday, noting that her subcommittee has signed off on the agency's $343.5 million budget request and its Senate counterpart has approved $337 million.

"It's only going to be a short amount of time before a new budget gets through, and the Congress is committed to moving Peace Corps in an upward direction," she said, adding that the agency should ask for short-term supplemental funding if it needs it.

Beck said the "best course of action" would be for Congress to approve the president's full budget request. In a July 21 letter to Tschetter, McCollum wrote that she had "serious doubts" about the agency's plan to close regional recruiting offices in Minneapolis and Denver by Jan. 1.

"It is my goal to see a growing number of highly qualified, diverse and determined Americans of all ages committing themselves to serve our country as Peace Corps volunteers," she wrote. "Achieving this goal will require . . . a strong nationwide recruiting presence."

Tschetter described the closures as "mergers" with other offices in Chicago and Dallas that are part of a move toward a "field-based recruiting model" expected to save $1.5 million. Thirteen people will be reassigned to other jobs in the agency, officials said.

The tight fiscal climate also means an anticipated scaling back in new volunteers next year by 400, wiping out planned growth and leaving the overall number of volunteers at about 8,000, according to Tschetter. Volunteers serve for 27 months and are paid a stipend of about $2,500 annually.

Managers at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington have been asked to cut their budgets by 15.5 percent. The agency even plans to stop providing copies of Newsweek magazine to volunteers in the field, something it has done since the 1980s. (Newsweek is owned by The Washington Post Co., parent company of The Washington Post.)
"It just seemed like an extravagance," Beck said. "Everything is under consideration, including the director's travel."

Kevin Quigley, president of the National Peace Corps Association, a nonprofit group of former volunteers, said, "I worry about what the [budgetary] implications are for the next president, who we anticipate will have plans to expand Peace Corps."

Established in 1961 by President Kennedy, the Peace Corps provides skilled volunteers to other countries while promoting mutual understanding between Americans and people of other nations. About 190,000 volunteers have served in 139 countries since its inception.
The 8,079 volunteers today number the most in 37 years but are far fewer than the goal of 14,000 by fiscal 2007 that Bush set in his 2002 State of the Union speech.

Expanding the program remains a popular idea. Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has pledged to double the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), his Republican counterpart, has praised national service and said there should have been a stronger national push to encourage people to join the Peace Corps and other volunteer organizations after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

August 6, 2008

Troops in Mauritania have overthrown the country's first freely-elected leader and say they have formed a state council to rule the country.

(courtesy of BBC News; website http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7544834.stm)

President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was held after he tried to dismiss the military's top commanders.

Troops are out on the streets of the capital, Nouakchott, where tear gas was fired at about 50 protesters.

President Abdallahi came to power in free and fair polls last year, taking over from a military junta.

Troops rounded up the president - along with his Prime Minister Yahia Ould Ahmed El-Waqef - apparently without needing to use force on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the president tried to dismiss four senior army officers, including the head of the presidential guard, Gen Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, who responded by launching the coup.
The country has been in the grip of a political crisis since a vote of no confidence in the cabinet two weeks ago.

"They arrested [President Abdallahi] and took him to the battalion base. It's a textbook coup d'etat"

Amal Mint Cheikh AbdallahiPresident's daughter
What next for coup leaders?

On Monday, 48 MPs walked out of the ruling party.

Reports suggest some of the generals orchestrated the mass resignation, our correspondent James Copnall says.

Nouakchott airport has been closed, security sources told the AFP news agency on Wednesday.
A journalist based in Nouakchott, Hamdi Ould Mohamed el-Hacen, told the BBC people had gathered on street corners to discuss the coup - in particular the fate of the president and prime minister.

Unusual movements

Culture Minister Abdellahi Salem Ould El-Mouallah read a statement on TV on behalf of the coup leaders announcing the presidential decree sacking the top army officers had been "annulled legally and practically".

(An army statement said the president was no longer in charge)

The first indications of a military coup came as state radio and television were taken off the air amid reports of unusual troop movements in Nouakchott.

The president's daughter, Amal Mint Cheikh Abdallahi, said soldiers seized her father at his house at 0920 local time (0920 GMT).

She raised the alarm in a phone call to a French radio station.

"They came here to find him," she told Radio France International. "They arrested him here and took him to the battalion base. It's a textbook coup d'etat."

Political instability

The African Union condemned the coup, demanded a return to constitutional government and said it was sending an envoy to Nouakchott immediately.

The governments of South Africa and Nigeria - both major players in the African Union - also criticised the military takeover.

The US state department and the European Commission also decried the coup, with the commission warning it would suspend aid to Mauritania.

Mauritania has a long history of coups, with the military involved in nearly every government since its independence from France in 1960.

Presidential elections held in 2007 ended a two-year period of military rule - the product of a military coup in 2005.

The elections were deemed to have been free and fair and appeared to herald a new era of democracy.

Earlier this year, however, the president dismissed the government amid protests over soaring food prices.

The cabinet that replaced it has been dogged by instability, lacking the support of a moderate Islamist party and a major opposition group that were in the former government.
Mauritania is one of the world's poorest nations as well as its newest oil producer.
The desert nation, a former French colony of more than three million people, has been looking to oil revenues to boost its economy.

Your comments:
I have had no trouble walking around the streets of Nouakchott this morning and as I type, cavalcades of cars are driving around the capital sounding their horns in celebration of the coup d'etat. This being the tribal members of the General and those White Maure with little to do. At night it will be an entirely different matter and I expect the local population will remain indoors as the soldiers here in Mauritania are none too professional. I'm a creature of habit and will be taking my coffee at Cafe Tunis as normal. Ibrahim, Nouakchott Mauritania

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania will never be free and democratic until the Black majority are in full control. It is a time bomb which, if not well organised, may pass through what the Sudan has already passed through. Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi, Kampala, Uganda
I'm a Mauritanian. This putsch is such a pity. We are in the third millennium and this kind of things cannot be acceptable. We have better to improve our economy and not to fight each other. Mohamed Oumar, Kagoshima Japan

Things have been quiet on our side of town but shops are closed for the day. In the slums where we live, people are happy for any kind of change and hope for a better life. The cost of living has increased greatly the past 12 months and people are suffering because salaries have not increased and jobs are few and hard to attain. EZ, Nouakchott, Mauritania

In the south of the country everything is calm at the moment. But a big repatriation operation is going on with the UNHCR, and now the returnees are afraid that the new government won't keep the promises that all people who have been deported in 89 can come back. Laila al amine, Kaedi, Mauritania

With the leadership here in Mauritania, we all knew it was going to happen (the coup), it was just a matter of when. Christian, Nouakchott

Swimming to Safety

2008-08-20T17:24:00.005-04:00

Swimming to SAFETY

As of today, two other volunteers and myself are presently the coordinators for a large learn-to-swim/water rescue/CPR/first aid program in Bamako, Mali. The following is a description of our future project and how you can help.

Executive Summary/Purpose

"The Protection Civile in Bamako, Mali are the United States equivalent to first responders. They are often called to fires, car/motorcycle accidents and even water related emergencies. Unfortunately, the vast majority of recruits cannot swim; most Sapeur-Pompier (firemen) are so fearful of water that they refuse to wade into the Niger River, even when an emergency requires it. By default the fishermen who ply the river and can swim are often relied on for searches, rescues, and extractions. This process of finding, recruiting, and agreeing on terms with the fishermen wastes precious time at the scene of all water related crises.

In the spring of 2007, the leader of the Protection Civile unit asked Peace Corps to help train the Sapeur-Pompier in basic swimming techniques and water rescue to better help and protect the people of Mali coming in contact with the Niger River in the Bamako area.

In response to this community need, two Peace Corps volunteers with past experience in swim instruction and first response designed a program to teach basic personal swim skills, river rescue techniques, and CPR. Over the course of a month, 24 individuals attended 40 hours of in-class instruction at a Bamako swimming pool and at later stages on the banks of the Niger River. On the last day of class, the recruits took a practical examination in the river simulating a rescue, testing them in personal swimming skills, water rescue techniques, first responding, and CPR. The class was followed by one day boat training and rescue practice in the middle of the Niger.

This introductory phase of the project was well received, with positive reviews from both the administration of the Protection Civile and the class participants themselves. The only criticisms presented were that the project wasn’t large enough to train all who needed it, or long enough.

With these results in mind, the two volunteers, plus several members of the initial class now acting as instructors, propose launching a program to teach 72+ new members of the Protection Civile personal swimming, rescue techniques, and first aid over two months. The class will include 48 hours of instruction (32 swimming, 16 first aid and CPR) and two days of practice in the river with the Sapeur Pompiers’ Zodiac rescue boat.

In addition to training the individual participants with swimming, rescue, and responding skills, the project will outfit the units of the Protection Civile with the rescue equipment introduced during the course. At the end of the class, certificates will be given to participants to reflect the level of skill they have attained at rescue swimming."

Details of the future 2009 Project:

Facility

We are in the process of closing a deal with a local organization, AMPHP, a handicap organization that runs and operates a trade/leisure facility. It houses a basketball court, swimming pool, office facilities, and countless trade offices (sewing, metalwork, etc). Within the week, the organization and Peace Corps will hopefully have a reasonable and agreed upon price for their pool. The pool will most likely cost no less than $2000.

Services

The Red Cross of Mali is going to provide their services. They will teach the CPR/First Aid portions of the training. We will specifically address swimming and water rescue skills. The program will be conducted March 16 - May 8, 2008. Below you will find a tentative schedule for the program:

Protection Civile		(12 people per class)
M & W	Team A	9am - 11am Swim lessons
		12pm - 1pm CPR/First Aid
	Team B	10am - 11am CPR/First Aid
		11am - 1pm Swim lessons
T & Th	Team C	9am - 11am Swim lessons
		12pm - 1pm CPR/First Aid
	Team D	10am - 11am CPR/First Aid
		11am - 1pm Swim lessons
Gendarmerie
Friday	Team A	9am - 11am Swim lessons
		12pm - 1pm CPR/First Aid
	Team B	10am - 11am CPR/First Aid
		11am - 1pm Swim lessons
		Total: 72+ participants

How YOU can Help

The funds needed to complete this project are needed before September 12, 2008 because the project has been online for almost a year (under another volunteer who is now leaving and handing it over to us). If the funds are not met we will have to become creative with our funds and donations :)

If you would like to donate please follow this link:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=688-231&region=africa

If you would like to help out in another way please feel free to email me at
hollymlarsen@gmail.com

Backtrack: December 2007 Miss Banamba

2008-08-20T14:18:00.002-04:00

Backtrack to December 2007; I was in a beauty pageant . I promised a blog that I never actually wrote… opps!!!)

Miss Banamba!

My phone was about to die and my French Tutor has came to pick it up to charge it. He starts rambling about an election at the high school that very evening. I am lost but he keeps saying I should attend. He says they will elect the girl and then she will go to Koulikoro for another election. He is using words such as campaign and election. I agree to go but confused about the fact that the town is holding an election at night.

Mory, the teenage boy in my concession, is going to escort me to the Maison des Jeunes (house fo

r the youth) since it will be after dark. Mory and his friend, Barte, keep talking about the beautiful girls. The word misses keeps coming up. You'd think I would have figured it out by now but I am trying so hard to get this whole French thing that I am actually missing obvious clues.

We embark on the short walk to the open playhouse. It is there that I see tons of young people. I don't see people my age or older. I could have easily walked into the building in front of all the people (plus girls got in free). However Mory asks me to walk in with him (he likes to show off the fact that the white person is his friend and he knows her very well). We enter the playhouse and greet my tutor. I sneak off to the side with my friend Yaya, her husband is the caretaker of the playhouse. We sit around a bonfire while the DJs sit up the stage.

Finally, it seems to start up. There is some talking on the mic. Then there is some music. Then my tutor starts to dance on the stage… What is going on? A few people go on stage to dance. The music stops. The dancing stops and they sit down. Another starts. More people start dance. Is this a dance?

NO! A Songai guy asks me to dance. I tell him I do not like to dance, HA! If he only knew how much I love to dance! THEN He asks me to enter the pageant. OH!!! This is a pageant!!! Of course! How many people are already signed up? Two… Yep two girls… It is around 9:30pm… So they are wasting time with random dancing and songs while they try to recruit more girls. It is after 10pm and they have three girls. Again, they ask me to enter the pageant but it is my tutor that asks. I jokingly say that I will enter it only as a joke and to not be taken seriously. His face lights up! He can't believe that I will do it.

That is it. He pulls me out of the chair and behind the stage (a side room beside a slab of concrete that is suppose to be the stage). Also, he must escort me onto the stage so we promise to do it as a joint entry.

The first three girls strut out and do a little turn. They are a swishing and a swaying (can I get some fries to go with that shake?). Seydou and I walk out together. We are doing a high-step with exaggerated hip swaying with our noses pointed towards the full moon. The crowd went wild!

The girls are now frantically changing clothes for the next walk-around. So Seydou and I just rearrange our clothes. He rolls up his pants and sleeves. I tie my overshirt up like Daisy Duke, roll up my pants (only to right below my knees) and put in a side ponytail ('80s style). We waltz out there just as crazy but this time we do spins at each stop! The crowd ate this up!!! Then we were introduced to the crowd and had to do a small little excerpt about who we were… I was Miss Numero Quatre and forgot my weight and loved to eat beans!!! (that is quite the joke in the Malian culture)

Now it is our last walk-around that ended with a dance-off. Each girl did a lovely little walk-around and got hoochie with their dance… What type of pageant was this suppose to be?? Miss Banamba or Miss December for a Mali calendar??? Seydou and I do a little planning before we go out…. We decide to dance like really old people. We arrive at center-stage and have to dance to some American rap song that I can not quite remember now… We hunch over like we have a humpback and start two-stepping. We just rock back forth then do a few spins with each other but I was the lead but take into account that he is a tall guy and twice my weight!!!

Then the judges delegated for way too long!!!

They eventually announced the winners. When it was time to annouce the loser aka me… There was a small drum-roll and the crowd went crazy!!! I got a complimentary gift of three sodas!!! Heck yeah!!!

For the following two or so months people would talk about me in the pageant and loved how integrated I was in the community. Kids that saw or knew that I was in the pageant would chant "miss numero quatre" instead of "tubabo"… ahh what a sweet victory...

Letter Home: August 17, 2008

2008-08-20T13:33:00.005-04:00

{Whoa!!! I wrote a blog a year ago... I should go back and see what I said... I bet I sound a bit more positive in 2008 :) }

Letter Home August 17, 2008

Let's catch up!!!

First! Let's backtrack to the end of April.

I worked on a Peace Corps Small Enterprise Development Trainer manual (finished it and it is over 100 pages long!!!). I am currently working on editing the manual as I go through the Pre-Service Training with the new trainees (there are 75 of them but only 17 are Small Enterprise Development). I worked with the Full Belly Project, sorta. I went to a training they were having on how to make a Universal Nut-Sheller that can be used with jatropha seeds, shea nuts, and many others nuts/seeds (café, brazilian nuts, neems, peanuts, etc). Did a couple more Junior Achievement classes and prepared for a busy May!!!

Let's take a look at busy May!!! Fun in the sun and too much work to do before America!!! Junior Achievement classes (2 classes in one week aka 10 one hour sessions), shea butter training (had 15 Malian women and 11 volunteers in my small village for three days), women association meetings, and finish writing a training manual; don't forget, preparing for a whirlwind vacation to America!!!

Second,

America was great! My mother, brothers, and myself went skydiving in Jacksonville, FL. My mother and I are now ready to start our own Bucket List! First, jump out of a plane! Second, white-water rafting then the Appalachian Trail, then scuba-diving, then… You get the idea. Also took a weekend trip to Panama City plus I visited many of my closest friends in Americus and in Statesboro, GA. Had a blast at RYLA '08!!! More coming on that later!!! It was great to see everyone and see how things will always continue to proceed with or without you. So there is no reason to put your life on hold!!! I thank you all your continued support and love throughout my Peace Corps service. Many of you were able to have a few minutes with me and share our lives once again… One person in particular had a lasting impression on my time in America.

(Ben and AJ Kooti at my going away party June 2007)

Ben Stallings attended RYLA '08 as a counselor with me and took time out in Statesboro to have lunch with me. He was an amazing guy, always the gentleman with a witty sense-humor. He encouraged me throughout my first year of Peace Corps service and gave me advice… "relax and chill whenever the opportunity presented itself." I will greatly miss him especially his smile. RIP and thank you.

~ ~ ~

My time in Mali since my vacation has went by fast! I arrived in country on the same day as the new group of Peace Corps volunteers (technically they are trainees until September 12th which is when they swear-in). I have been working as the Small Enterprise Development PCV Trainer. We have sessions about our Sector Project Plan and how one can implement projects at site whether it be with Microfinance, Artisans, Tourism, agricultural products, while providing themwith a few essential skills to get them through their first three months before they have another training in January 2009 that is completely focused on technical skills that will help them through their two years of service.

I spend a week to two weeks at the training facility and then go to Bamako for a day or two. I am busy going to sessions, meetings, and/or the trainees' villages to do overview sessions or presentations. It is time-consuming and amazing!!! When I get the chance, I rush to my village for a day or two… I went to my village and found that termites had decided to invade my house!!! However my homologue (my Malian counterpart that I work with) discovered this and saved my wooden shelves and all my bedsheets that were covering my belongings. He placed pesticide all along the walls and was pretty much my hero for the weekend! My little baby at my house was so excited to see me!!! She wouldn't let me put her down for the rest of the day. I just love that little girl! She turned a year old in May 2008.

However, I am not only working with the new group of Peace Corps Trainees. I am also working on Junior Achievement (making a presentation for the Ministry of Education),

Global Entrepreneurship Week (gonna do a bike-a-thon November 17-23, 2008 and conduct presentations about Entrepreneurship, Junior Achievement, and HIV/AIDS in over 8 villages), Mini-Entreprise (the high school level Junior Achievement program; the goal is to have them compete against the Bamako high school clubs during the Global entrepreneurship week activities),

shea butter (trying to sell my women's assocation nuts/butter),

and How-to-Swim/Water Rescue Project (working with two other volunteers, we are trying to raise $4000 to train over maybe 50 or so Emergency Responders).

SIGH..whoa!!!

So that is a quick update!!! I look forward to hearing from you!!! Send an email anytime you feel like it!!! Take care and stay safe!

UPDATED LIST OF THINGS THAT COULD BE USEFUL

2008-04-13T14:26:00.002-04:00

UPDATED LIST OF THINGS THAT COULD BE USEFUL

Discounts that are available for Peace Corps Volunteers:

Apple allows PCV's to use the governemnt store (5-6% discount).
Lunapads gives discounts (for the girls) peacecorps08 is the code
Chaco
Teva
Keen
Macabiskirts.com (email Carol and she will hook you up for $40/skirt)
ummm there are a lot more...check out this link
http://sarahpuffer.blogspot.com/

Things that I think about while pondering life and what I miss or may need in Mali, West Africa:

New Items:

Things for S'mores (marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers)
Peanut M&Ms
Wether's Original
Starburst
Dried fruit
Construction paper
Wal-mart designs for dresses, shirts, and bags (the little packets in the fabric section)
Macaba skirts
Puzzles (more than 500 pieces)
Super glue
Capri pants (size 12)
Basketball shorts (large)
John Deere Cap or any other baseball cap (adjustable) that is reminescent of home (GA or GSU)
Color pencils
Word searches
Sermons on CD
Sport Business Journal Newsletter
The Economist
Anything about the election and the current state of the US economy
Graduate school information
Books about sports (football, soccer, basketball, anything to help me understand the game and business of sports)
Big Book bag for traveling
Button up shirts
Reef or tevas sandals (size 8 1/2 to 9)
Zero bars
Exercise ball
DVDs
Stretch/resistance bands for exercise
Yoga Cds
Shampoo/conditioner for dry hair
Cheap costume jewelry (big and gaudy is great)
Tunics/shirts (anything light weight and loose but formal, things from Wal-mart are fine)
Proactiv for skincare
GMAT materials

Updated lists

Books

Daily devotionals
Left Behind Series book 5-12
C.S.Lewis books
Other Christian books about inspiration and courage

Things for hobbies

Sewing (how-to)
Knitting
Crochet

Food

Mrs. Dash
Butter scotch candies
Chocolate
More cookies
Rice Pudding

Construction Paper
Pictures from my Google Account

I would love it if somebody could print the pictures that have any malians in it, I want to give them to my friends and "family" plus they keep asking how I am going to print them and I say I am sending them to the USA so my family can print them and send them back…It would cost me $1 a photo to print them here!

CDs for the CD player (specifically sermons)
DVDs so I can watch them on my computer

You can burn them onto a disc, bootleg them, whatever!! I have the ability to watch and listen to things so please send them!

Girly stuff

Perfume (got the Sunflowers but I love it so much and share it with friends that it is almost gone)
Make-up (skin care for my horrible acne)
Hair bands (hard plastic skinny head bands that push back your hair, etc)
Pretty scarves and shawls
Fingernail polish and remover

Baby clothes
Toddler clothes
Any type of clothes that you are no longer using or want to give away
Softball equipment

Junior Achievement: Chapter One

2008-04-13T13:46:00.000-04:00

Junior Achievement:

Recently completed the first project of my Peace Corps Service. During March 11-15, 2008, my homologue and I completed two 5-day programs at a local middle school.

I had a little over two weeks to prepare for this program with my homologue after my trip to Senegal. Most of the time was spent cleaning up all the dust that had settled across my entire house, creating several activities with the markers, crayons and construction paper for Junior Achievement, and networking with the local big wigs.

My homologue, Hamed Traore, is excited about the beginning of the Junior Achievement but is overwhelmed with work of the Credit Union. He is suppose to make a monthly report that tracks the loans and their progress. He only does it when the Regional Director tells him to and the Regional Director only tells him to do it when the Malian headquarters tells him to do it. A line of authority figures that need a little push to get anything accomplished. So he is running around to several villages trying to finish two monthly reports. He is complaining that he is too sick to do anything but he can drink tea and go sightseeing and visit friends…sigh…

Meanwhile, I am scrambling around to finish my preparations for the first class.

I successfully make the following items:

Day One: How does your community work?

-Junior Achievement Poster (Les Jeunes Entreprieses)

-Vocabulary

-Find an artist to make a map that resembles Mali not Belgium

Day Two: La Boulangerie aka La Delice aka a Bakery that is very delicious

-Vocabulary

-ingredients to make froufrou (fried dough) which contains sugar, flour, or millet or beans or rice and oil and the fire to fry it over (made out of construction paper and markers)

-sachets to place the make-believe-construction-papered froufrou

Day Three: Le Gouvernement

-Vocabulary

-crowns with titles of gov't workers (teachers, doctors, mayors, soldiers, etc)

-fake-construction-paper money that acts as the children's salary with which they pay taxes

Day Four: Election

-Vocabulary

-made a lovely poster with a tree and three decisions for a new business in an empty store front

-election ballots

Day Five: How money moves through the community

-Vocabulary

-another map of the community with a lovely path as the money moves from one hand to another and back to the bank (I actually drew the map)

-a poem in Bambara that allows the children to see how the money moves through the community

-candy… well my church sent a bag of candy that came in handy on the last day of the program

As you can hopefully see… The program is well organized and detailed. The struggle comes when the Malian doesn't know how to adapt certain aspects to Mali. My homologue wanted to follow the book to the "T" even though it was written in Belgium. He did surprisingly well but could use a little instruction on how to treat the students with equality and patience. He would give up on the student so quickly or not try to help him/her search for the answer before choosing another student to answer it. It was discouraging to watch let alone to be that child that was crushed in front of the class. Yet the students have no comprehension of patience. They stand up with raised hands and snapping of fingers while yelling monsieur, monsieur!!

Conclusions:

We were able to explain that the community is built by the people who live within it. The people possess skills and develop capacities that allow them to work for their community. However they must work in accordance with the Government. The students will have the ability to elect new officials if they work together aka the majority always rules. The children were able to choose what new commerce would come to their community. They decided a storage unit would be the most appropriate because it would help a large number of people and the taxes would benefit the community.

Afterthoughts:

The week following the program at my site. My homologue and I went to a formation about Junior Achievement. A representative from Belgium came to explain the "Our Community" and the "Company Program" for the primary school and high school. We decided that with Peace Corps involvement the programs will be adapted to Mali. We have the creativity and the Malians have the knowledge of Mali. We are actively looking for funds/sponsors/partners to help Junior Achievement in Mali print the materials and supply the kits for the volunteers (Malians not PC) throughout Mali.

We presented certificates to the children that participated in the program. The Belgian representative, Junior Achievement Africa president, JA Mali Director, and PC SED APCD were present for the ceremony along with government officials from the community. These children will never forget that ceremony. They said that the only improvement that they would like would be to do the program with all the students at their school and throughout their community. It was an amazing program that the children shared with their friend and family. Their parents were thoroughly impressed and were spreading the news.

Along two other Peace Corps volunteers, we are going to become coordinators and informants for the program within our community-educating and hopefully recruiting new volunteers for Junior Achievement.

There is so much potential for the program. Soon we will have an English manual for Mali then it will be translated into French, Bambara, Peuhl, and Songhai so that other PCVs can share the knowledge with their respective communities.

If you would like to help the program please send markers, color pencils, construction paper, or any art supplies that could be useful when making the make-believe items for the class activities.

Wish us luck and we open for any advice if you have any!!! Thank you and see you soon!

Conge va venir!

2008-04-01T11:41:00.002-04:00

I am planning a vacation for the states.
I am leaving Bamako, Mali June 8 at 3:35am and should arrive in Atlanta June 9 at 10pm.
I am leaving Atlanta for Mali July 8 at 4pm.

I plan on visiting Statesboro over the course of a three or four day weekend. I would love to speak to the OC kids, the congregation, kids JAM and/or anybody else who would like to listen. I will probably also swing by the GSU campus to talk to students and old employers. Plus lodging will probably be at Kim Fowler’s house if she will have me.

During the June 21-24 weekend, I am working a Rotary Club Youth camp because they are contributing $800 towards my ticket. Here is a quick agenda:

June 8 – 10: en route/adjust to time zone/Welcome Back Party?
June 11 – 19: available to visit University of South Carolina (potential grad school) and/or Statesboro/Savannah
June 21 – 24: Americus, GA/Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
June 25 – 30: available to visit Statesboro/Savannah
July 1-7: Welcome Home Party? / 4th of July with family
July 8: Leave USA

I am at the mercy of my friends and family because I will have no money or means of transportation! Let me know if you would like me to speak to a class, club, etc.

Thank you for everything!

Letter Home: March 31, 2008

2008-03-31T08:02:00.000-04:00

Hello All,

I can not even remember the last mass email I sent home. I have a lot to cover and not a lot of time to cover it! My life is starting to resemble a real life or one that you could relate to.

Packages/Letters
I don’t know who all have sent things to Mali but here is a quick update. I have received: Christmas packages from Mama (2), letter and package from Carly, four boxes from GCC, package from Paulette and Jon from a few months ago. I have NOT received the letter from Stacie with clothing, drawings from Kim Fowler, and cards from OC at GCC. I would advise you to ask the US Postal Service about these packages so that you may be able to receive a reimbursement.

Travel
My God has created a glorious land. Finally the land is starting to reveal itself. I was in Dakar, Senegal in February for WAIST and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The landscape is not that different nor is the atmosphere but the reality of being in a new place is always breathtaking. Senegal was more modern than Mali. For instance, one is not bombarded by motos when driving in the capital and you can easily see a white person on every corner next to sky-scraper-like buildings. Burkina Faso is going through a turbulent time. We almost cancelled our trip due to violent demonstrations. As we were leaving we passed a gas station that had been vandalized during the demonstrations (pictures available).

Work
Baara Cha Sinsan! There is much work right now! Networking and working those connections-that is my agenda. I have four projects in the works for my service. Here is a quick update:

Junior Achievement
My homologue and I completed our first class session in Banamba. We have 6 primary schools with a 5th grade level available. We conducted a five day lesson at Fofanala A & B so really two sessions. The AM course was with Madam Traore and her 34 students. The PM course was with Monsieur Pierre with his 29 students. The class lasted an hour but usually ran an extra 30 minutes from time to time. We had special guests come to the class such as other teachers in the community and our Prefet (sorta like the Governor but one step below). The children learned what makes a community, what are jobs, skills, and money, how an assembly line production works, and how money moves through the community. Peace Corps is holding a training April 2-5 to explain how one can adapt the Junior Achievement to Mali. My homologue and I are going to present our experience since we are the first to contact the program in the bush. On April 5, the Junior Achievement staff of Mali and Belgium is coming to my site for an evaluation. It has been a great time!

Shea Butter
Attended training in January and recently went to Burkina Faso in March to observe très advanced women associations. As a Peace Corps volunteer and business student, one is able to observe and facilitate the supply chain at the root of the product. Shea butter is becoming or has become a high-demand resource for cosmetiques and coco butter substitutes. However, West Africa has to catch up with the modern world in the way of transforming the nuts into decent butter and transporting the butter to buyers. As a PCV we are able to facilitate that burden. I am holding training at my site in May for women in my region that will allow them to become trainers of the proper techniques for transforming shea butter.

HIV/AIDS and Learn-to-Swim program
The HIV/AIDS program is a side project for the moment until I have time available to work on it. I am waiting to hear from my friend who lives in the middle of nowhere about the funding for the swimming program.

LIFE
I am happy and content, not as sad and lonely as before, my weight is up and down; still attend the 5K Hash Runs, made friends with important people in my community, busy with work so not time to reflect on life. New construction is going on at my house. The father in my concession is getting a third wife, she is 14 YIKES! He also bought a new motorcycle. I saw an accident the other day with a moto. A young boy couldn’t stop the moto and went into a ditch. He flung himself off in time and slid across the cement as his moto went into a cement sewage ditch. He was able to walk away but not his moto. The packages lately have been great. Excited to come home in June!!! I would like to stop by Statesboro to see Georgia Southern University, Grace Community Church, all my old work places. I am willing to talk and/or speak about my experiences with anybody and/or class. I am going to work the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy in Americus, GA June 21-24... I think those are the dates... Other than that I would like to go visit University of South Carolina. I am thinking about going to grad school at Moore College of Business (USC).

Have much to do-write a proposal for my Shea Butter training, prepare things for the Junior Achievement Training that starts on Wednesday, and figure out what makes things work for me in Peace Corps so that I can present it at our training next week.

Love ya all!
Holly Larsen

Project Assistance: Request One

2008-03-04T09:21:00.001-05:00

To Whom It May Concern,

Things are finally starting to pick up aka projects are starting to present themselves. At the moment there are three large projects that have my attention and will hopefully grab your full attention.

First and foremost, Junior Achievement (an American program) is being implemented in Mali. We start our first course on March 11 -15. At the moment no funding or assistance is needed. However there is inkling in my noggin that since the program is not supplying us with material (pencils, paper, stickers, etc); there may come a need for outside involvement. Keep an eye open for my feedback on this program once our first course is completed.

Second, my site is planning on hosting a training that will train many women in the Region of Koulikoro how to properly produce Shea butter/soap/etc. USAID is leading the program and supplying the funds to hold such an event at my site. The training is tentatively planned for May 15-18. It will train over 15 women who will then teach the various women association’s in their home villages or communes.

Third, a large Learn-To-Swim program is being implemented in Bamako, Mali. It has been made painstakingly aware that the First Responders in Mali’s Civil Protection unit are not adequately trained to handle WATER rescue missions (pools, rivers, lakes, etc). The men are afraid of the water therefore allowing unqualified fishermen to handle rescue situations. The first program was implemented in the summer of 2007. It proved to be a success. The 2008 program has 96 participants which is more than double the 24 participants in 2007. I bring this to your attention because the project is lacking funding. We would love to do this program ASAP but we must wait until we have adequate funding in place. If you are interested in donating funds please follow this link to donate
Learn-To-Swim. I know I have many friends in the arena of Water & Safety Instruction and/or the Red Cross. I would greatly any input, advice, or donation of money/supplies when it comes to teaching adults how-to-swim.

Mali-So far so good. Wish me luck & I wish ya’ll good luck with your many endeavors and wishes!

Until Next Time,
Holly

Latest Update

2008-02-24T04:55:00.002-05:00

Hey Friends and Family!!!

I had a wonderful time in Senegal but due to my stupidity I lost a few things. I no longer have a camera and had to get re-issued a phone.

Don't worry about the photos. Many of my friends are taking pleny of photos and I will provide you with links to their pages for pictures of Mali and our vacation to Senegal.

Here is my new number
(223) 460 50 40

Thank you for your emails and constant support. Things are really starting to roll over here! I am going to Burkina Faso March 17-21 for a Shea Butter Formation. Well that is if the "demsonstrations" stop in Burkina Faso before our scheduled trip. Plus we are holding our first Junior Achievement class March 11-15! I will be extremely busy over the next few weeks so keep an eye out for the updates!!!

Love Ya!

WAIST '08: WAISTed Potential

2008-02-24T04:49:00.001-05:00

Sorry but this is a long one!

It is February 22, 2008. We will backtrack to the beginning of this adventure.

Feb. 10-13
My homologue and I decided to hold a meeting with Peace Corps in regards to one of our three projects. I arrived early and set up camp at the Medical unit. I have had an annoying pain in my right knee due to all the squatting. Saturday morning held the meeting-the PC staff pretty much said everything that I had already said to my homologue but they validated me and gave my homologue a better outlook on the Junior Achievement program at my site. On Sunday I ran the Hash Run with a few fellow PC Mali volunteers and two new guys from Benin (Danielle and Tom). We ended up meeting a surplus of new ex-pats in the area. However that nasty knee of mine gave way as we descended down the hill we had just ran up… I rolled my ankle and heard a loud pop. Yet I am my brother’s sister and walked it off!

On Monday, I had to get several x-rays (all on the US Gov’t budget-YEAH). The diagnosis was to strengthen my right hamstring and wear a brace on my right ankle until the swelling goes down. However, I was supposed to be leaving for Senegal on Wednesday morning for a Softball tournament. Doctor’s orders-no softball or running! Great! Who cares, all my buddies were coming in to Bamako over the next few days as we waited for our “Party Bus” to Dakar, Senegal! Imagine with me if you can… 48 hours on a non-ventilated bus with 42 PC volunteers and large amounts of alcohol on a bumpy road!

Feb. 13/Wednesday Morning
All 40-something PC Mali volunteers are hanging out at the PC Bureau in Bamako, Mali while the bus was gassing up for our adventure. We had each paid 40.000 CFA for a bus ride to Dakar, Senegal and 4 nights in a hotel ($80 for a one-way ticket to Dakar, Senegal and four nights in a metropolitan city in West Africa). We were beyond excited! People were gearing up their nalgene’s with Bony Old Man, Johnnie Walker, and whatever else tickled their fancy. We were supposed to leave at 8am sharp so that means that we left around 9:30am! The first leg of the trip was nice and slow. It was an 8-hour trip to Kayes, Mali. There were a few parties in the back of the bus but overall people were calm… Sorry but I did not for take in the partying… I had a nice seat in the front of the bus with my Dramamine and the second book of the Left behind Series. And that was my story for the whole trip. We arrived in Kayes around 7pm. Sam, Brandon, John, Amanda, Davin, Nicole, Andrew, and I all walked about 3 KM away to have dinner. It was nice but I could have stayed near the house and paid less for some street food (beans, salad, rice and sauce, etc) at half the price. So obviously there were not enough beds for 40 something people so I grabbed a good place on the floor and curled up with my Malian fabric that has become my universal everything (skirt, towel, blanket, etc). Enjoyed Ground Hogs Day and Boondocks Saints.

Woke up bright and early and left Kayes around 8am. We made it to the border around 10:30am. We didn’t have to get off the bus since we were all Americans and had Peace Corps paperwork waving us through all the normal hang-ups. Here is where the road was no longer a road. It was a paved road disaster. No matter where you maneuvered the large bus you hit a pothole. You couldn’t take the bus off the road or you risked getting stuck in the sand. This made a great atmosphere for the “party bus.” I only observed this from my place in the front of the bus. I heard dancing, music, and clothes coming off when Nelly’s “it is hot in here” became the back of the bus anthem. Surprisingly nobody got sick but we made many “piss” stops. I even captured a little of this madness on my camera along with Jaclyn and Sophie’s new karate moves. However those pictures are long gone… Don’t worry that story is still to come. The night started to roll upon us and brought sleep to the eyes of many of our dancing maniacs.

We rolled into Dakar, Senegal at 3am on Feb. 14 (late Thursday night). The total trip equaled around 40 hours… However we faced another dilemma. We had no clue where our hotel was and were not expected until early Friday morning… What could we do?????

We slept in the bus on the side of a random road in Dakar, Senegal!

Feb. 15/Friday
We tag a taxi so that we can follow it to our hotel, Ali Baba. We had a little confusion on who would stay at that hotel, who would stay at the annex (an extension of the hotel that was about five blocks away), and who would stay at homestays (Ex-pats who lived in Dakar and had opened their homes for volunteers and other softball players). I followed the group to the annex only to discover that the homestay people should just grab a taxi and go to the American Club and wait for the homestay people to show up. Laura, Amy, Lindsay, and I flag a taxi for 2,000 CFA (Senegal uses the same currency as Mali). We have no clue if that is a good price but we have no room to argue since we are four white women with a ton of baggage. We are the first to arrive at the Club. It has two tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball court, swimming pool, small concession stand, and a bar. We check out the bathroom facilities… YES Thank you GOD we can take a shower!!! Now that we were clean, we each had a café au lait with an apple tart. We were the first volunteers at the club and decided to go exploring. We hiked a good 8 KM to a lighthouse… Again I took beautiful pictures of the beach, hills, mosque, staircases, and the lighthouse but those pictures will have to be remembered in my memory only…. I actually got sunburn from that three hour hike that lasted all weekend! When we arrived back at the American club other PC Mali folk had shown up then some Guinea volunteers, then Benin, then Senegal… Along with the workers of the event. We were all waiting for 6pm so that homestay names would be assigned. So a few girls and I went to have pizza-amazing! The festivities were started by the time we returned to the club. Other volunteers had shown up but the drink specials had not started. You could easily pin point your group. We were like little cliques sticking to our little PC groups. You had Mali by the right-corner of the pool, Mauritania by the left-corner, Benin was hidden near the concession stand, The Gambia was at the Bar and so on… Yet the small talk and small drinking went on till 11pm. I believe around 10pm I finally met up with my homestay family. Tom and Lisa Cook!!! Amazing people that took us under their wing like we were their own children. Tom even asked me, “Holly you are the only girl out of 6 people. Is that ok? Would you like to change homestay’s or have a room to yourself?” I told him I was a southern girl and knew how to make them boys respect me!!! So it was Dan Marsh (Mali), I and four Peace Corps Gambia guys-Dan N, Josiah, Eddie, and Doug. We all headed home and ate a few cinnamon rolls before we throw in the towel for the night…..

Feb. 16/Saturday
Let the games begin! First let me explain that we had a few hang-ups when we trying to sign-up for the tournament (like PC dropped the ball and didn’t forward the information to us in time so we signed up two months late). Since we signed up sooo late we only had one team play in the tournament and significantly reduced the amount of homestays that we needed. SO I joined team Benin! Great way to meet people and stay busy. Of course I couldn’t play due to my knee and ankle but I didn’t expect to play nor did I push to be on the field. Actually we had enough people so I took over the batting order and helped the team stay organized…. Go figure! By the time we finished that 9am game it was time to head to our Mali game at 11:20am. You couldn’t miss our uniforms. We all wore traditional Malian cloth-bogolon plus our name is unforgetable-WAISTed Potential (we lived up to that name). We looked fantastic and our team spirit was uplifting. “Who is that in the batter box? It is eric, eric! Isn’t he a FOX?” You can not get any lamer than that!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t worry this happens every year so you can come next time!

We won our game!!! We were playing a middle school team but won by like 4 points. HAHA really now! Give us a break though. These kids play softball or baseball on a regular basis when we sit and drink tea 7 days a week.

The sun started to wear on us but we were still going strong. The next obstacle was deciding on the evening activities. We could either go to a party at the Marine’s House or go downtown to check out the social scene. We rounded up our homestay crew, went home, ate some food, showered, and got a free ride to the Marine House. Not gonna lie. It was a little lame at first. After an hour or so people started to show up that would put it around 10:30pm.

Once the Senegal crew got there we started our PC Senegal Man Auction. The volunteers were auctioning off men for some project in Senegal. The lucky girl got the guy and a dinner date with him in Dakar. The first two guys were really, really cute but the Senegal girls did not waste anytime throwing down around $80 for each of them. The rest of us just stared in disbelief! The guys were cute and the cause was great but our little PC salaries could never afford a man of that value! Soon our group became restless. Plus I had to go downtown to find my friend Dan… He could speak no French and I promised I would come downtown to get him so that he could make it back to our homestay. I found Josiah from my homestay and asked if he wanted to go downtown so we could share a taxi… Lucky for me, Josiah ended up having a buddy with a car that took about 9 of us downtown. It was a boxy, 4-wheel drive truck! Once we got into downtown we got pulled over-for no reason! We were a bunch of white people (that was our offense) and the cop made us bribe him to get the paperwork back! Geez! Africa is still very corrupt but there is nothing we can do to change it-at least not yet.

We arrive downtown and sit down at a quiet bar. Meanwhile, my Malian vols are running around trying to find each other. None of our phones work in Senegal so we are playing a cat and mouse game with one another. The bar we are closes and we are forced to move. We take our party to the dance club where Mauritania had setup post! Haha We made our invasion and soon enough Dan showed up! It is like 3:30am at this point so we take our homestay group home!

Feb. 17/Sunday

Sleep in after a long night. Josiah, Eddie, Dan, and I get a ride back to the American club around 11am. Mali had a game at 9am-won it. Mali had another game at 1:30pm-won it. Had another game at 5pm (qtr-finals)-lost it L

An amazing day in the sun-softball, sitting by the pool, went for walk on the beach with a few kids (literally two little girls that were there with an ex-pat from Mali, who happened to be our pitcher), went for a swim and played a little keep-away with the Frisbee.

There was an all-you-can-eat buffet but I didn’t want to pay the money when I could eat for less closer to my homestay house. Amanda, Davin, Dan and I ate some pizza and friend chicken at Caesar’s and walked home. We were so tired from the sun that we decided to take a cat nap before the PC Senegal party on the beach.

OMGosh!!! I wake up at 1am!!!!!!!!!!! I have missed the party! I grab Dan’s phone (his does work in Senegal at this point) and call to see if it is worth running out the door at 1am! Mike is like “heck yeah! Get your butt here!” I throw on my new Malian made dress and hail a taxi with the help of the security guard at our homestay. I arrive around 1:45am because we got a little lost at the last minute. Yet here I am and I made it. I have a few beers and have an amazing time. I try to find all my people-they are all wasted! Yet the party is still going strong! I am dancing and mingling. I meet more people from The Gambia. I have a nice talk with Josiah-we are laughing over the fact I overslept and that Dan and Doug were still at the homestay (hindsight-Doug would have come with me if I had woken him up but I didn’t know how to make that call at such a late hour).

A lot of dancing mixed with a little drinking and forgetfulness allowed me to get lost in the moment. I sat down my purse so that I could dance around without limitations. I soon realized that somebody picked up my purse. A guard gave it back at the end of the night.

I double-checked to realize that all my money was gone along with my phone and my camera-so that is why I have no pictures from my vacation! I was pretty upset but my fellow volunteers were more than comforting. We got home and I prayed that the Lord would provide and forgive me for my stupidity.

Feb. 18/Monday
I took the day to recover. Doug, Dan, Dan, and I watched movies all day. We finally headed to American Club around 6pm for dinner and the last party of the weekend. I had water all day and all night. I played a really low key along with everyone else. It had been a long weekend and most of us wanted to chill out.

Everybody was more than considerate when it came to my things being stolen. PC Mali and other PC volunteers along with my homestay and a few ex-pats were amazing. They helped me collect enough money to get home! I was so worried how I was going to be able to get home… I now owe a few people but I made it back to Mali!

Feb. 19-22
Tuesday-Lindsay, Kathy, and I stayed at Lindsay’s homestay.
Wednesday-We left Dakar, Senegal around 5pm. We rode that bus through the night and through the next day.
Thursday-We arrive in Kayes, Mali around 8pm.
Friday-We take a bus from Kayes to Bamako, Mali 6am till 1pm.
Saturday and Sunday-Recovering and trying to figure out what to do about my stolen items.

Geez!!!!!!!!!!! What a crazy week!

Step by step: First Step

2008-02-09T07:03:00.003-05:00

"Doonie Doonie" "Petit Petit" "Bit by Bit "

The most frequently used phrase in Mali.

Do you speak Bambara? Doonie Doonie

Have you started your projects? D oonie Doonie

What are you going to do with your life? Doonie Doonie

Life is lived by each step you take. By far the best analogy that explains my journey in Peace Corps; "Every 1000 step journey starts with one step."

It is ongoing and neverending...

How does an athlete become a world champion?
How does a student become the valedictorian?
How does a simple nobody change the world?

Join the Peace Corps and make a difference.

Walking down the road no longer phases me. I recently took an adventure through the city with a fellow pcv. We walked and talked to those around us without fear of the unknown. We visited the museum and attended a soccer game. We took it one step at a time and enjoyed the afternoon.

My work in Mali has been satisfying. The work does not specifically mean small enterprise development work but the work in my soul. The work inside my heart and soul. The humbling experience to be able to work with these amazing people. The ability to love them like I was their family. I look forward to another year in this amazing place. Thank you God for allowing me to have this opportunity to serve...

Letter Home: MY BIRTHDAY aka February 1, 2008

2008-02-01T08:25:00.000-05:00

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!

Letter Home: January 26, 2008

2008-01-26T12:50:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends and Family! In-service Training (IST) is finally over! It was an amazing break from my life in village.

Where do I begin? Ok, so let's backtrack-Christmas and New Year's in Bamako with friends (Peace Corps, South Africans, Malians, and a few Ex-pats). AMAZING! If you would like to know more, shoot me a line or two with a few questions.

TRAINING!
It started on Jan. 7th, 2008. It was packed full with technical training. We sat through Junior Achievement, SED panel/discussion, basic accounting, illiterate accounting, Shea formations, exporting (WATH), information about local NGOs, how to sessions, etc….

We also attended sessions that were supposed to be for everyone. We were seriously lacking motivation to attend any of these sessions. All and all, a lot was learned and project ideas are starting to take form.

NOW the best part of IST.

Ever heard of a Hash Run? Check it out at on the web… it is kinda a big deal around the world… haha! There is a 5kHash Run group in Bamako, Mali. A few volunteers and I accompany them on their bi-weekly festivities. During IST, the whole Breakfast Club crew found out and wanted to participate. However showing up with an additional 50 or so people just didn’t seem like a good idea. So, Lindsay and I decided to take matters into our hands. We volunteered to host the next scheduled 5k near our training site. I jumped through all the hoops (emails, phone calls, contacting the appropriate people, etc) while Lindsay put together a banging menu for the event.

We held a meeting and made signs. We announced instructions and deadlines at every meal during training. We traveled into Bamako to pick up ingredients. We had a pig slaughtered and then had to cut it up ourselves for the grill. The menu consisted of baked beans, cole-slaw, pasta salad, macaroni & cheese, key-lime pie, and coconut cake. Sunday morning (1.13.08) was spent preparing food and laying the hash course. Time was running short… THEN we found out we couldn’t host our run at the original destination. So we decided to have a “LIVE” Hash Run. We had our best runners leave 15 minutes before the race started and lay the course accordingly. We had over 50 volunteers show up at the event plus another 20-something people who normally run it.

It went great. There were no injuries. There were plenty of smiling faces and full bellies. We may even host another one during our next training! Or a half-marathon!

If you would like to see the photo album http://picasaweb.google.com/hollymlarsen/20080114PeaceCorps

So my first week was full of planning that extravaganza. The second week I had another bacterial infection… ugh!!! I didn’t have any energy to attend any language classes. ALSO I had sores on my feet from playing Flag Football in bad shoes on the American Embassy lawn. I ended up running the 5k without shoes because my feet are too big for the worn-out Nike shox!!! (I went to the market today and bought a pair of Nike’s for $24-sweet!)

After training we had a field trip for Small Enterprise Development (SED) volunteers. We visited two sites for those working with the government or NGOs (I work with an NGO)….

So that leads me to what my next few months will consist of…

· Before Next IST
· 2.1.08-2.10.08
a. Hold a meeting with women’s associations
b. Go to Bamako for my birthday
c. Site-assessment
d. Visit villages
e. Visit schools
· 2.11.08-2.20.08
a. Go To Senegal for West Africa International Softball Tournament (WAIST)
b. Return to Banamba
· 2.21.08-3.31.08
a. Start Projects: Shea production and exporting, Junior Achievement, Work with Boutique owners, start HIV/AIDS club
b. Might go to Burkina Faso for Shea Nut/Butter Conference
c. Might work with a learn-to-swim program in Bamako
· 4.1.08-4.6.08
a. Junior Achievement conference with Malians
· 4.7.08-4.12.08
a. Next IST @Tubaniso
b. After Next IST
· 4.13.08-4.18.08
a. Go to San, Mali for a leadership conference
b. Bring two Malians so that we can make a strategic plan for my volunteer service and the following two or three volunteers
· 4.19.08-until June
a. Return to site
b. Finish Junior Achievement
c. Continue to work with HIV/AIDS club
d. Plan and hold a Shea Formation in May
e. Might be working with a Learn-to-swim program
f. Plan my vacation to the states
· 6.8.08
a. Go to the States!
b. Road trip to visit a few potential Graduate schools
c. RYLA in Americus
d. 4th of July in the AME!!!
· 7.9.08
a. Return to Mali!

Side Note: broke the screen on my camera, attended a church service in English, overcame fear of being different, have many many ideas for future (vacation, graduate school, career, etc), look forward to my vacation in the States (June 2008)

Contact Info:

Holly Larsen
C.A.E.B.
Banamba, Mali
West Africa

AIM: ncae16

Letter Home: January 9, 2008

2008-01-08T19:05:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I wish and pray that each and every one of you have a full, prosperous, love-filled, miracle-giving, awe striking, wonderful, and lovely unbelievable 2008!

First and foremost, life is great! One of the biggest humps in this service has been passed. It is now In-Service Training (IST). We are all at Tubaniso once again. The atmosphere is laid back, relaxed and more liberal. There is flexibility with the schedule and room to breath on the premises. It has been a long stretch. You arrive in Mali with no idea what to expect. After six weeks of training you are dropped off in the middle of nowhere. Most have survived and one has even returned after a broken a bone that rushed him back to the states!

I love you Big Mike, Carly, and my PC bus cuddle buddy, Greg. You all will be missed! I will find out if there is a train to Egypt so that we can all enjoy a crazy voyage with an Ethiopian tour guide. T.I.A. baby!

The past holidays were eventful and fun-filled. It was a beautiful Christmas at a friend’s house in Bamako. Many volunteers made the trek to the capital for the company of other Americans… Spent a couple of days with an LCF friend and we spent New Year’s with several PC friends. We had a lovely dinner at a Chinese restaurant followed by a quick trip to a local pub. Soon the dancing bug was driving us all crazy. We tried to get into a popular dance club but we all had flip-flops on so were not let into the club. A long taxi ride took us home followed by a 12 hour coma!

Soon all the volunteers started making their way into the capital for this training. Needless to say it has been exhausting. Endless talking followed by endless socializing followed by lots of sleep! Haha

Last Sunday, went to the American Embassy for some flag football on the back lawn with a few Marines and ex-pats. There were only two girls and three Peace Corps volunteers-we were all girls so do the calculation. The game was great and provided a boost of well-needed energy and not-needed pain in the feet and knees.

Now, we are planning a 5K Hash Run. It should be amazing. Everybody is extremely stoked. We are going to cook pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni & cheese, and cake. It is going to be great-pictures will be posted!

Don’t have much other information. The previously mentioned projects are still in progress but are very real and will happen. Debating about going to Senegal for WAIST. Might go to Segou for a big musical festival. Planning a big Shea Nut formation for Banamba. Also it is cold! Everybody is wrapped up in wool blankets provided by USAID and a bonfire is located next to each hut. People are sleeping in twin beds together for the extra warmth!

Oh yeah use this address for mail ( it gets to me safe and FAST)

Holly Larsen
C.A.E.B.
Banamba, Mali
West Africa

I have received packages from Dad & Dennie (thanks for the Christmas goodies), Jackie Bradford, Mike K., Jon Cook, Paulette Smith, Mary Beth, several from Mama, got the pictures from the wedding. There are a few packages at the Koulikoro and Banamba address but the training restrains one from getting those packages until after we leave.

Still have not finished the piece about the beauty pageant… just give me a day or two! Haha

Small Town Comforts

2007-12-27T17:34:00.000-05:00

I wrote this article before Thanksgiving 2007. Things have changed dramatically since then but I wanted friends and family to know that I have fond thoughts of Georgia. I look forward to visiting very soon.

During my language training I had a day that set me back. I actually almost started crying when I tried to explain to my Language Cultural Facilitator (LCF) how I missed home. I was speaking of my mom, the comforts of a small town, and the ease of living in America.

It all happened because of many little things. The blues started out small and then the small things ended up being the very things that reminded me of the small things that I love. Are you lost?

Ok so here is an excerpt from my random thoughts. I have friends yet by American standards I am not popular. However when you move to a country where you are the token "white " person; becoming popular is inevitable. However sitting under a grass roof with chickens running around your feet is NOT the same as sitting on the back of a Ford pick-up or chilling at the local coffee shop, etc. The other day, my friend Yaya asked me to come into her concession to greet her friend. I didn't realize that her husband was cooking a "goat's" head on the fire beside me along with the "hooves". He would take the head out of the fire every now and then and scrap the ash off then repeat the process over and over. He noticed the stare and offered the head as a joke, gulp… Friends are friends anywhere and they love making one laugh!

Anyways I started to reflect about my life in Georgia. Then I picked up a newspaper article about a small town in Maine. The picture caught my eye. It was an old corner shop in a small quaint town. It looked very Main streetish and downtownish. The article was even more reminiscent. The corner shop was a restaurant that had been serving the community for over 25 years and was undergoing a change of ownership. The town was worried. The 5am breakfast/coffee club of elders was missing their time together. The local businesses had to find elsewhere to grab their "sack sandwich" lunches. Then it hit me! I missed Kings Inn and Snooky's! Of course I never frequented those shops but I suddenly craved their comfort and security. I wanted to sit in an uncomfortable chair and drink really strong coffee while old men discussed crops, politics, and grandchildren. It was a rough moment.

All my life I have been trying to travel and see the world. I finally have the opportunity and I am experiencing things that my family and friends will never understand. However I feel as though my family grasped onto something that took me crossing an ocean to understand. Life is meant to be lived each moment at a time. I have always been so caught up with my "future" that I never focused on the here and now. Now that I am in Africa and I have a long two years in front of me I can ONLY focus on right now. If I start to count the months and weeks as they go by I will become so depressed that I will be no good for Peace Corps or myself.

I miss home and hope that upon my return I will be so grateful that all I will want to do will be to spend time living up the moment. I love you guys and understand that this moment was fleeting and has already passed. I am eagerly preparing to return to my site at this very moment and look forward to the next couple of months because I have a ton of ideas! OK until next time… I am going to kill the mosquito that has been feeding off me while I wrote this blog!

Letter Home: December 19, 2007

2007-12-27T17:25:00.000-05:00

It is the night before the big Islamic Holiday known as Tabaski. I am sitting in my room trying to move past all my ups and downs and just be…

Spiritual

I just finished a book by Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz. It was amazing and at the same time quite simple. The things he presented are not extraordinary. The main concepts, love, self-esteem, and faith, are portrayed beautifully throughout the gospels. They have also been prophesized a million times in a million different ways. So why is it that there are still so many new ways one can present a fruit of the spirit? Regardless it was a wonderful buffer for my next book (that I am still in the process of reading) Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers by Thich Nhat Hanh. I can wrap my head around some of the aspects of Buddhism but many concepts seem to be empty and hard to grasp. I will have to finish the book before I can really articulate my true opinion or point-of-view. The books are great ways to stay on top of the relationship with Jesus! Another book, Too Soon To Quit, came into the light just at the right moment. I had stashed it away on my shelf. One day I came home and felt like this Peace Corps thing wasn't for me. Ready to call it quits… No particular reason just sad and longed for my Southeastern comfort zone. I went in search of my Bible but didn't have the heart to read it at the moment. I located the small daily devotional and was instantly enlightened, inspired, and awestruck.

The Lord works in mysterious ways…

So like I said earlier, it is the night before the big Tabaski fete (party). Can hear the music at le masion des jeunes (the house of the young). Don't have the energy to go to another party after my last appearance (read Miss Numero 4 for an explanation). I am going to go to the mosque tomorrow morning with my "Tante" and the wife of my supervisor. I have gotten my hair braided and feet tattooed…. It is going to be quite the feast. I am curious about the processes, sacrifices, et ce. I hope that I may be able to at least halfway understand the whole feast thing but for my first Tabaski it is just show-and-tell.

For Christmas, it is Bamako (that is why you have this letter of course) and dinner with some South African friends. Wish I could attend a church service. I am not where I need to be by any means in my relationship with my God but I am encouraged to know that He wants and needs me here for a reason. I am to live my life with a purpose even through all my faults. I was created for a reason and a purpose. I intend on completing my service (even though the two years seem sooooo long). I also intend on becoming very acquainted with my GOD!

Physical

Yes, I am depressed in this arena! I try and try but discipline and dedication to a repetitive task has never been my strong point. I hate cleaning, washing dishes, cooking, driving, and exercising because it takes repetition and steady persistence. I know now that once the luster of something is gone my attention is easily distracted. Why can't I be steadfast?! So I started working out; playing basketball, riding my bike, running, crunches, push-ups, weight-training. However, I find more enjoyment in reading a novel. I LOVE to read, write, plan, organize things. If one could lose weight reading books I would be a bean pole!!! I have read well over 15 books since I arrived in Africa. However I am going to be at TubaniSo in a week or two. The month of January I have training with my fellow volunteers. I hope to eat right and start a regular routine of running in the morning. Ok so this is so vain but one of the main reasons I don't want to run in the mornings is because I am not any good…. I know you got to start somewhere but people will literally stop doing what they are doing and stare. The unwanted attention is getting quite annoying!!! No matter the vanity or shame I must start something because I am gaining weight. I am already feeling the tightness of some of my clothes; not a good sign! I need help in this department. I know good diet and regular exercise is all you need but I am stuck in the mud in both departments! ARGH!! Sorry, this is so much like a girl to rant and rave about such superficial things. Please forgive me! Writing on this blog is an outlet….

Social/Business

I was in a beauty pageant! I was Miss Contestant 4 in the Miss Banamba pageant. Ok this is quite a story so I wrote another blog just for it!

I have three projects in the works for service:

1. Shea Nut Union for Women's Associations

2. Junior Achievement (program with 2nd graders)

3. HIV/AIDS Awareness program that will cross-over into Gender and Development Issues and Sports

I am starting to get past my fear of mingling and people calling me "white person." I am starting to talk to people which means my language is getting to a point that I can communicate. I almost hate that I have to go to another training already. I would like to spend more time integrating but the training is necessary. SO this means I will have regular access to internet over the next few weeks (Christmas, New Year's, Jan. 7-19).

I have a wonderful Language Tutor at my site that includes me in a lot of things. My host family and new Tante (mom) are exceptional people who really look after me. I am starting to bond with the family I live with but I have been much unmotivated. I spend a lot of time in my house; sleeping, cleaning, studying, sewing, reading. The family gives me my space and lets me do what I want which is completely NOT Malian! I am so blessed. I have heard horror stories about other Malian families that will not give volunteers a moment's peace.

I also have an exceptional group of friends at the capital, Bamako. Many are South Africans and the others are people I have met at the 5K hash run (I also need to get into shape to run this bi-weekly race).

MISC

I babysit for my family that I live with. The mother has a baby girl named Haoua. She is so cute and loves me! Really she does! Every evening I play with her and allow the mother to clean or cook. We play and baby talk. It is refreshing to not have to really communicate. She has large eyes that are always wide open. The smile is breath-taking while her mouth is too small for her large noggin. She is finally sitting up without support and wobbles with the new balancing game. I am starting to be understood by the family and the men are keeping their distance. I feel strong; brave. I can communicate, atleast on a basic level. It is true, when you can not communicate with people you have to remind yourself that you are smart and capable of doing things. I read something in Bambara and everyone said "Oh Halima you speak Bambara." I was able to explain, "yes, I can read but I do not understand the language. There is a difference."

The holidays are passing by with relative ease. I am happy and love how love and understanding surrounds the community. The whole “white person” thing is not as annoying. I am not as afraid to venture out and greet new people.

Life is good.

Happy Birthday Jesus

2007-12-27T17:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Jesus

I love Jesus! I love what HE has done for me; us.

Imagine-I am living in Africa! A small town girl from South Georgia is living large as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, Africa. The love of Jesus Christ has carried me through the years. Now his love gets me through every day in Mali.

“The laughter of children. The smile on the face of Haoua. Mastering French idioms. Making Friends. Staying strong through moments of doubt. When mustering the strength to go to the market to bargain for tomatoes. Walking the streets of Bamako. Watching the sunrise over the beautiful landscape as I ride Gana Transport into Bamako.”

I am so thankful that I know HIM. He is transforming not conforming.

Dear Family and Friends… Christmas is day to celebrate HIS birthday. His existence makes our existence bearable. We are capable of such horrible things-dishonesty, betrayal, murder, war. Africa is a prime example, where sin runs rampant and nobody seems to care until it affects them personally.

I have a story that illustrates that one must take action. Also whether that action is ever worthwhile?

The last time I was on Gana Transport, the bus that leaves at 6:30am in the morning for Bamako, a window was open. One must take into account that it is currently cold season. I was overjoyed because it is normally stuffy and makes one feel bit nauseas. The combination of body odor, hot breath, and other unknown scents makes me want to barf. Yet, as soon as the bus embarked on the 3 hour voyage, another passenger quickly closed the window. I was saddened but understood I was THE minority.

We started to gather speed. WHOOSH! My curtain starts flying in the wind; hitting the passenger behind myself in the face. The window has fallen open. The man in front of me closes it. POP! It falls open again! The latch is broken. The young man behind me tries to stuff the curtain into the corner of the latch to rig it shut. It falls open again! The Gana Transport staff comes by, he pushes it shut again. POP! It falls open again!

Geez, you'd think they get the point. I try to help the young man behind me. He says it is no use. We sit in agony of cold wind for another 20 minutes. The passenger on the other side of me starts to rub his arms and ties a handkerchief around his noggin. He is deliberately trying to hint to me that it is cold. Other passengers are complaining. A few other passengers start complaining. Yet nobody tries to close it again. Nor do they even try to rig it close. I attempt three different solutions; all fail. The young man behind me says it is no use. I try holding it shut because it starting to make me cold!

Finally I somehow rig it close with my D-ring (the hook that rock-climbers use with their harness, I always forget the real name). People are thankful. The man stops rubbing his arms and slightly sleeps for a moment.

The thing that stumps me is that it is still cold! There is yet another window that is also broken and blowing cold air. However nobody even tries to fix it. They close it; it falls open. Over and over and over. Did they not learn anything?

It obviously takes more than just closing it. It is broken. Don't they see that their solution to the problem isn't working? I have given them an example but they don't seem to care nor are they appreciative. They continue to complain about how cold it is but do not want to take the extra step to change… What is the point of this story?

The point is that Jesus came down to Earth for us. He showed us the way. He gave us the ultimate example. We are to follow in his ways. Yet many us chose to follow him when all else fails. When we are so bothered by our dire situation that now it seems appropriate to follow Him. Whatever it is that leads us to Him. I am grateful because HE did come and die for me, you, US.

His love for me helps me understand and love those that surround me. I have patience and understanding. There is a time and place for everything. Africa is still discovering that the world can and will change. It is up to them to realize and chose when or if to follow the example.

Letter Home: November 20, 2007

2007-11-20T17:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends and Family & Happy TURKEY day from the middle of nowhere!

I am going to outline this email because I am a huge dork. Plus I believe that the subtitles will help people understand how and what I am experiencing toute suite (right now in French).

Physical
I am eating a lot of rice with different sauces, black-eye peas, and tot. Tot is a Malian dish that persists of millet powder soaked in water and boiled until it forms a weird pastey substance that is dipped into an okra sauce. My parasite is gone but my “pooh” is still under suspicion. So I came to Bamako to do some follow-ups on my iron level, blood work, another stool sample, and two shots (Flu and HPV). Plus I have a slight head cold. The cold is from trying to get into shape. I started doing daily exercises: 150 crunches, a little yoga, arm-chair lifts, girl push-ups, running and cycling. I would run at 7am in the “cold” weather. It was great until my head started to ache. I was at it for three days then took a two day hiatus AND then ran a 5K in Bamako. It is called the Hash Run. It was fun and a little different from a conventional 5K. We got lost twice and it was up a mountain. Needless to say, my butt was almost dead-last! I had two buddies beside me and I never gave up… I may have walked more than I ran but never did I stop! It will give me something to work towards every two weeks. YIPPEE! By the way, I have a friend at the med office with a Staff Infection on his face and another person has returned home (Early Termination=ET).

Spiritual
I am attending a church but dang is it tough! The language barrier makes it difficult to comprehend any message or point to the sermons. I have tried downloading sermons but something always interrupts the process or the website asks for money. I don’t have that kind of time or money… I started reading my Bible daily before I went to sleep. I read the end of Genesis and fell in love with the story of Joseph. However life became hectic with my traveling to and fro… I lost my discipline and stopped reading regularly. I find myself talking and searching for Him when I am on bus rides or alone on a bike ride-Only in solitude. I miss the craziness of praise and worship sessions. I took out the Zune and jammed to some Israel and New Breed this morning and felt empowered by his CD Alive in South Africa (Thank you Jennifer Charles). Gospel music is amazing and always energizes my spirit.

Emotional/Psychological
I am overall extremely optimistic when it comes to my two years in Africa. I plan my activities on a bi-weekly or monthly basis-Thanksgiving with friends, then I have the 5K the week after, then I have Tabaski (the Muslim Holy day at my site), then Christmas, THEN the whole month of January I will be in training at Tubani So! Then… Well you get the point and you better believe I got stuff to keep me occupied! Plus I got a package today-Thanks Ms. Bowen. It was the cat’s meow. When I get anything from the states: email, letters, packages, pictures, etc. My whole day is transformed. I don’t know what to do with all plus it weighs a ton. It is going to be super difficult for transport but I look forward to the adventure of getting it home! Haha Another friend left and it really hurts. The process of returning home is so easy and appealing but I know that upon return I would be like “why aren’t I in Africa right now?” I do not have that quitter spirit in me-Thanks Cody.

Goals/Projects
I have tons and tons of ideas. I do not know what is going to work out but at least it keeps my mind busy with thoughts of improvement and international development and NOT going home!

1. C.A.E.B.

a. My NGO has started a savings and credit union called Sinsinso. We work with local individuals, women’s associations, and farmers. We provide loans and a safe place to store income at a small fee.

b. I could see a few formations in the future helping the local women’s associations better understand what it means to be an entrepreneur.

c. How to use marketing effectively

d. Help local boutique owners run a competitive and sustainable business by implementing pricing strategies, marketing, accounting, and developing a competitive advantage by offering something that is NOT available at other boutiques.

2. HIV/AIDS

a. Start a club/group comprised of a few community leaders from organizations, hospital, schools, etc while the majority of the rest of the members will be high school students

b. We will hopefully conduct skits, design informational phamplets, hold sport tournaments (BTW I need to better understand how to do brackets for a sport tournament-HOP can you help me?)

c. Prospective partners for this project (so far): CAEB, Right to Play, Coaching for Hope, and countless others I have yet to contact

3. Junior Achievement

a. It is a program that teaches students the basics of economics through fun and interactive lessons. It is normally taught by a successful local community leader = great role model for the students.

b. We are going to start at the second grade level. The classes are 30 minute sessions that can be arranged in different formats.

c. I have 7 elementary schools in my area and will hopefully conduct these lessons around April or March of 2009.

d. During the 2009-2010 school year we will hopefully do 2nd grade and follow-up the previous session by conducting another session for the 3rd graders.

e. The program has a lot of potential and gives a wonderful opportunity to assess my community and evaluate the needs of the children (self-esteem, well-being, gender inequity issues, etc)

4. Shea Nut

a. If you like lotions from Bath & Body Works than you have probably purchased lotion that contains shea butter. It is wonderfully and is produced from the over-abundant shea tree in West Africa.

b. Large international companies are reaching out to Mali for their production of shea nuts. Peace Corps is working with USAID to help Mali correctly process the shea nuts for exporting.

c. I will have to start from scratch in my area. The project will require many formations (trainings), literature, hands-on observations, and great business skills. I look forward to implementing the project and understand that the road may be a bit rocky in the beginning but will pay off in the end.

5. Jatropha

a. The fruit of this plant can be processed into oil that has been proven to be one of the best alternative bio-fuels of the moment.

b. I don’t know what to expect from this project so it may or may not blossom….

6. Right to Play & Sport for Development and Peace

a. Ok this is something that I am really really looking forward to creating a friendship with this NGO.

b. I can not begin to explain how I hope and wish that I could eventually get a job with this NGO AFTER Peace Corps service.

c. At the moment this NGO needs research that helps prove that sport can be an effective tool for development and peace!!!!! HELLO this is perfect for me!

d. I met with Right to Play this afternoon and made my first connection and look forward to implementing their sport program that helps with HIV/AIDS prevention…

So I think that sums it up for right now…

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving. Eat a turkey leg or two for me and send me some beef jerky! Hahahaha Let me know what you think about my projects… I am open for suggestions.

Love ya!

List of things that I could use

2007-11-05T12:53:00.000-05:00

Things that I think about while pondering life and what I miss or may need in Mali, West Africa:

Books

Credit Union
International Development
Savings and Investments options for ME not Mali (try to educate myself about how to use my money after Peace Corps)
Loans for women's associations and Farmers
How to Export
Religious themed novels
Devotionals and Bible Studies
Non-fiction books, biographies, things that will enrich my mind!
How to make a garden and tend it (in the desert)
How to cook without electricity (rice, beans, couscous, etc)
Entrepreneurship
English Grammar book with activities (I plan on returning to America speaking better English)

Things for hobbies

Sewing
Knitting
Cross-stitching
Crochet
Painting

Food

Mrs. Dash
Butter scotch candies
Chocolate
More cookies
Rice Pudding

Construction Paper
Big manila envelopes
Pictures from my Google Account

I would love it if somebody could print the pictures that have any malians in it, I want to give them to my friends and "family" plus they keep asking how I am going to print them and I say I am sending them to the USA so my family can print them and send them back…It would cost me $1 a photo to print them here!

A cheap portable CD Player
CDs for the CD player (specifically sermons)
DVDs so I can watch them on my computer

You can burn them onto a disc, bootleg them, whatever!! I have the ability to watch and listen to things so please send them!

Girly stuff

Perfume
Make-up
Hair bands (for ponytail holders, the hard plastic skinny head bands that push back your hair, etc)
Pretty scarves and shawls
Fingernail polish and remover

Baby clothes
Toddler clothes
Any type of clothes that you are no longer using or want to give away
Softball equipment
Basketball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I play basketball with the boys!
Frisbee!!!!!! A good one that will soar for a whole football field! Haha

I think that this list is long enough. Let me know via email at hollymlarsen@gmail.com if you have any questions!

TEACHERS!! CHECK THIS OUT!

2007-11-05T12:51:00.000-05:00

Hey to all my Teachers!

I am writing to say that there is a program that allows classes in the USA to collaborate with a Peace Corps Volunteer in another country. The Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) becomes a pen pal for the classroom while the class becomes another life line of inspiration and encouragement for the PCV.

So I am writing to say that I would be willing to work with one or all of my teacher friends aka Bowen, Kinnamon, Glass, Moncrief, Fowler, Friends at GCC, GSU Professors, others who may be interested, etc.

Here is the information if you would like to start a program with Peace Corps.

I look forward to having constant contact with a classroom in the USA. The kids can write, send packages, give a phone call, email, etc. and I will appreciate it. I hope to start correspondence soon. God Bless!

Here is the website and use me as the person of contact.. My site is Banamba, Mali in the region of Koulikoro.

http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/

Letter Home: November 5, 2007

2007-11-05T11:59:00.000-05:00

I can not believe I have been in Mali for over three months. The time has flown by but at the same time I am a bit impatient. Yes, I am finally homesick. Of course it is not a big thing. It was inevitable that I was going to become a little homesick. I think about how difficult the day is going to be and I start to think about how easy it would be to do the same thing in America (aka washing clothes, cooking, conducting business).

For example, I observed my friend make lunch today (I assisted but I was doing things with my hands that I have never done; for example grinding leaves for over five minutes started giving me a cramp and washing clothes gives my knuckles blisters; CRAZY). She has made a traditional Songrai dish that is a special black sauce served with rice. We went to the market to buy the "condiments" (ingredients) at 9:30am. We started preparing the meal at 10am. We "pile" (crushed the ingredients) some of the condiments. We also crushed some leaves into a powder-like substance that we added to the sauce that was already in a "marmite" (dig pot) boiling with the meat (that we bought FRESH from the butcher at the market). We washed the rice and then made a boiler-like contraption on the small fire. We place a strainer on top of a pot of boiling water. The steam prepares the rice for the next step; the boiling of the rice. We are now waiting for the meal to be done. I can not name half of the ingredients in French or Bambara, let alone in English. I hope that one day I can make the same meal in America as a little show and tell BECAUSE it is a Songrai meal and I am "Songrai"-Halima Maiga (Maiga is Songrai).

The entire process has taken a little over three hours to prepare. Soon I will eat the meal but all the while I am thinking about how quickly the meal could have been prepared in America…a long with other things that I am starting to miss in America.

Taking a Shower with hot water
Electricity
Privacy
Communicating
Having something to do
Going and doing whatever I want when I want in MY car
Eating Meat!
Understanding the purpose of my work

However there are many things that Mali is teaching me through this transformation process. I have had the opportunity to sit back and reflect. I actually do not have as much time on my hands as you may think. I get restless too easily and HAVE to go somewhere and do something. If I sit in my house I start to think about home and then crave the stability of being in my comfort zone. In Mali I am starting to realize what is important and what is not. I am falling in love with the land. Once I have enough language under my belt I am going to become very integrated into the Malian culture. Here are a few things that I like and look forward to in Mali:

Reading my Bible at night instead of watching T.V.

(Look out for my reflection of the story of Joseph in Eqypt)

Learning two new languages

That I hope to continue using and learning after Peace Corps (French)
I also look forward to many trips that will be simplified because I can speak another language
Hopefully one day I will learn Spanish and travel throughout South America

Preparing Malian Meals

Cooking Malian Meals
Eating Malian Meals
Finding a good street food vendor in the city with Malian Food

Meeting and making friends with people from Canada, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Switzerland, other Americans, and Malians
Realizing that hygiene is really really important in Mali

Washing all your dishes right before you eat
Washing your face before you speak to anyone in the morning
Doing the holy wash before you pray (five times a day)
Flossing your teeth because the meat here is so tough

Sharing cultures
Learning how to work the land

I am going to learn how to tend a garden with my neighbor
Going to spend a few days in the "bush" with the Women's association(s) and work in the crops and hopefully learn what plants are what and how to cook and survive in the bush if need be…
Bring my experiences back to America and grow a garden for myself

Believing in myself and in the challenge of staying for two years

Ok here are a few inspirations:

Things I hope to do in America upon my return

Return to college for a master's in something (Foreign Language, International development, MBA, Foreign Policy, etc-I don't know yet)
I hope to continue to work with sports but I would also like to mentor and counsel high school kids
Share my experiences of Peace Corps and my life with children that don't think they can follow their dreams
Learn how to play a few new sports/activities to a point that I can play or watch a game without having to ask for clarification of the rules: rugby, row/crew, basketball, soccer, hiking, camping, hunting, gardening, surfing, a little construction, cooking
I hope that my life in America will become more fulfilled with everyday activities that I once took for granted

* * *

I am listening to Brooks & Dunn. I just took a shower (yes it was running water from a shower head but there is no tub nor hot water). We are already preparing dinner so that we can eat it in about three hours. I am about to write several other letters that will be posted along with this blog. I will be in Bamako for the week studying Bambara, fixing a few mailing issues, and using the internet to catch up with friends and family. I love you all and appreciate all the support I have received thus far. I apologize if you have tried to call and have not been able to get a hold of me. Sometimes my phone is dead and sometimes calling international can get complicated. I will send an email letting you know what packages have been received so if you have sent something and I have not received it, you will know…

Let's Talk: Religion

2007-10-14T11:44:00.000-04:00

Life here is good but different. I have a church but it is difficult to sit on a hard, uncomfortable bench for two hours meanwhile the sermon is in a language that I do not understand. I try to read my Bible as often as I can. I know that God is working in me.

Imagine if you can, I specifically asked God to not send me to West Africa because I did not want to go to a place that would persecute me for my religious beliefs. Afraid that the customs, religious beliefs, and traditions would hinder my faith walk. Guess what? HE knows all. He loves so much and knows us better than another. He sent me to West Africa so that I could grow and explore my religious beliefs. I was afraid for nothing. I needed to come here. I am in a country that is 90% Muslim. Some men will not shake my hand let alone even greet me because they are Muslim MEN and I am a woman. Yet those sort of things are so so so insignificant because I am growing and learning.

I have started re-reading the book of Matthew. I love reading the Lord's parables. I feel as though His teaching strategies are very similar to mine... Allow the student or pupil to figure out the meaning through a story/analog that he/she can relate to and easily imagine. I wake up in the morning, boil a bowl of water, make tea, eat a mayonnaise sandwich, and read my Bible. A wonderful way to start my day...sometimes I do that in the afternoon when there is absolutely nothing to do...

Ok, so Mali recently underwent Ramadan. A month that is considered Holy. They do not eat or drink from sun up until sundown. The fasting lasts a whole month. People are weak, irritable, and tend to sleep most of the day. People cheat the system and say they are sick so that they can have food or a glass of water. Others are steadfast... They pray five times a day, go to work, prepare the "breaking" fast meal at the end of the day. They become more spiritual throughout their suffering.

The entire month was odd and new for me. As a Christian, I know that we fast. Yet, how seriously do "us" Christians take this sacred act? When do we use it? Do we use it correctly? Is it something that should be done more frequently or not? These are questions I ask myself when I was eating my lunch while my friend (a mother of 8 and a very hard worker) sat patiently and watched me eat and drink. I felt guilty and did want to eat in front of her but she wouldn't allow me to go walk away or not eat... She understood I was Christian & besides her children were eating beside me in the communal bowl.

I am learning a thing or two about being a Christian in another country. It takes dedication, discipline, and a lot of faith. It is easy to let life "happen." It is easy to allow oneself to be shifted around like the sand dunes of the desert. The Lord is teaching me to question things and to not take for granted the commodities of living in the Bible Belt of America. It is a personal relationship between God and Me. We are becoming the best of buds over here in the hot hot hot sun. The next two years is going to be an amazing spiritual, physical, and emotional roller coaster.

"Lord, let's go for a ride."

Letter Home: October 14, 2007

2007-10-14T11:21:00.000-04:00

I have moved into my house. It is cement building with a tin roof and it is hot, hot , hot! I sleep in the "living room/salon" because it is the coolest room. However I sleep in a REI mosquito net tent and it seriously makes me another 2 degrees hotter than it needs to be. Guess what the hot season isn't even here yet! It is actually the beginning of the cold season... It is finally starting to feel nice and all the Malians keep complaining about how cold it is!!!

After spending over a week in the medical unit in Bamako I was eager to get to my site. Living in air conditioning and eating good food and speaking english all the time was beginning to wear me down... I mean really where am I living... Mali or America? jk, but seriously. During my layover in the capital I made some Rugby-fan friends. I am looking forward to learning all about the game!

My site is Banamba, Mali. I am located three hours north of Bamako. The entire road is paved! That is saying alot! I can easily get to the capital city and back to mine in one day... Again many pluses to my site! I have an apartment-esque place inside in a compound with one other family (pictures are due to come eventually but for now they are on stand-by). I have a cheif of the family, his second wife with her four children, two house girls (they cook and clean), and his son from his first wife. His son is Mory Kouma and says he is 18 but I think he is only 15. He has such a crush on me... He is so young that it is cute and annoying at the same time... Anyways Mory speaks French so he is the only one in the family that I can communicate with for the moment being.

I work with a credit union that is funded by an NGO called C.A.E.B. We are forming unions with the local crops in my area-Sesame and Henna. Sesame has a union with 7 cooperatives at the moment. Henna is still in the preliminary stages of having an union. My language skills make it hard for me to start any projects... Around Jan 2008 I will start working with the kids program, sports, women groups, etc. Right now I am learning the area (literally walking or riding my bike around the town), making friends, trying to stay in shape by running or walking or riding my bike around town :), i eat alot of rice (which I must say that I love the different types of food that they serve), I play with my host family's kids... Batossi is a doll and I would bring her to America... No not really but she is great!

The end of Ramadan was this last weekend. There was a concert.. A Malian Rapper with break dancing.. I felt like I was at a talent show in middle school. Yet these were big name rappers in Mali. They were like "hey white person, come speak with us..." It is weird being the token white person... it has its ups and downs. I have handled it well but I hear in other really tourist areas, PCVs are hounded by the locals!!!! They will grab your arms and skirts and demand money! My site is nothing like that! It is quaint, quiet, hospitable, hmmm sounds like Americus! haha

I am in Bamako for the time being to get some money, groceries (toilet paper), say good-bye to a friend that is already leaving Mali (in Peace Corps terms, He is Early Terminating aka ETing), say Hi to a friend who is sick, and watch a little Rugby!

My new address is still in the process of being determined...

Send mail to
Holly Larsen, PCV
C.A.E.B.
Bamako, Mali
West Africa

Call me, write me, whatever, just don't forget about me over here!

My "Friend"

2007-09-28T09:55:00.000-04:00

I have a parasite in my belly...

What is amoebic dysentery?Amoebic dysentery (amoebiasis) is an infection of the intestine (gut) caused by an amoeba called Entamoeba histolytica, which, among other things, can cause severe diarrhoea.

Want to know more go to this link: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/diseases/amoebic_dysentery.htm

I am on the upside. The medical resources are great! I am being very well taken care and sleeping with air conditioning... Dang little "friend" in my belly will not get the best of me!

"BREAKFAST CLUB"

2007-09-28T08:56:00.000-04:00

Hello ALL! I am now an official VOLUNTEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had an amazing time at the American Embassy. The place was magnificent! I really didn't know how to feel as I repeated the words... "I solemnly swear..." I felt a world of pride and responsibility well up inside of me. We took a ton of pictures and exchanged a lot of final hugs!

Next, we traveled to the Ambassadors house for a lovely brunch. It had an open bar and I am amazed at how well behaved we all were! I thoroughly enjoyed my Fanta!:)

The current volunteers coordinated a party for us at the "Pirate's Club." We arrived at our hotel went for a swim, got ready, and then formally met our family for the next two years! Seriously, we have bonded through this experience and it is only the beginning! Each new Stage (group of volunteers) is given a "name" from the Stage prior to theirs... The one before us are known as the "Belushi(s)." There was dancing, laughing, joking, crying, sitting, and many other things... THEN it was time! Over 90 people crowd onto the veranda to hear the annoucement of our new name! Drum roll please..........................................................................

BreakFast CluB

We, the Breakfast Club, were thoroughly pleased with the name...

The girls tend to range from crazy to goody-goody two shoes! Or possess both qualities!

The boys tend to range from insecure, jocks, know-it-alls, tough, or arrogant and even, geeky...

Yet the most important quality is that we do not fall into one category. We were all so different that the most appropriate name was a name that represented how diversity can still bring you together! We are happy!

Hooray for Breakfast Club!

P.S. I apologize for any of my photos. It seems as though PCVs seem to socialize at bars and therefore the photos can be misleading to the type of life I live in Africa. One can socialize but NOT partake in the festivities. I already see how people may be setting up for a downfall......

Letter Home: September 16, 2007

2007-09-18T13:49:00.001-04:00

Today was the final day at my home stay village. How can one grow so attached in such a short amount of time?

My little brother walked with my gigantic army bag; the bag was more than half his size! My little sister balanced my duffle bag on her head while I walked side by side with my host mother, Zaharra. I carried my backpack with my precious computer and said my final good-byes to my neighbors and friends. I had already bought gifts for my family and wrote an elementary-ish French letter to my mother expressing my gratitude for her hospitality. For goodness sake, she let me cook some American meals for myself and THEN mimicked the same meal the next day for lunch-Spaghetti. I will admit that her meal was ten times better than my lame effort, lol.

The other host moms said their goodbyes with tears in their eyes. Madam Toure (Katie's mother) shook my left hand… Fauxpas! The left hand is considered dirty and unclean so now I am forced to come back and right the "wrong." Cute, huh? However, all I wanted to do was stand next to my "mom" so that I could bask in our silent understanding of each other. As I write these words I fondly remember my first night at Droit…. Tante (Zaharra) struggled with her broken English while I tried to gesture everything. She was kind and patient. I felt slightly awkward. I did not know the language the culture-NOT A THING! However my family's genuine curiosity and kindness subsided any doubts that were bubbling inside me.

My "mom" approached me with open arms. Really, OPEN ARMS! People do not hug in Mali so that amazed me. So I figured it would be ok to hug my little sister. I placed my arms around her shoulders but she did the awkward arm thing against my chest… Imagine a small child that gets scooped up by the annoying Aunt that always leaves lipstick stains on your cheek… The good byes continue and my "mom" says that my little sister will probably cry all day following my departure. I am not sure if she is making a joke, question, or statement. At least not until I see my little sister's eyes become blurry with tears. I grab her arms and place them around my waist. I caress her lovely braids (which is an affectionate way to touch somebody you care about aka your li' sis) on her small head. Her arms are limp but yet I can feel that she doesn't want to pull away. I sit down on the bus and look out to see my little sister's eyes silently pouring tears.

If you can imagine… Picture me circa ten years old. A child that thought she do anything if she put her mind to it but add a couple gallons of kindness and sweet innocence and you have my little sister… I can not imagine leaving Mali in two years. It is going to be soooo rough!

Letter Home: September 16, 2007

2007-09-18T13:49:00.000-04:00

For the Kids: Chapter One

2007-09-18T12:35:00.000-04:00

So my dear OC/RAD/RYLA kids... I want to let you know what life is like here in West Africa.

Everyday I watch children who are definitely not over the age of 10 years; walking with boxes on their heads, babies on their backs, and a soosoo in their hands... (the thing they mesh all the ingredients up with). However, the children are never sad or angered by the magnitude of the workload.

A young girl called Mama is always smiling but you would never guess that she lives in substandard housing and works majority of her day. She cuts wood, cooks food, cares for her little sister, AND plays with my little sister, gets her hair done, walks with us to parties, jump ropes and dances to her heart's delight.

I am writing to say that our children in the US could take few pointers from these children. Of course, I could say there are starving children in Africa that would love to eat your food but that is not at all what I am trying to say....

I am saying that there are happy and content children in Africa that are not depressed or rebellious or angry about their lives or workloads. They are completely satisfied with their lives in Africa AND they have helped me become a more wise American.... Children try not to complain next time your mom asks you to take the trash out or wash the dishes. Be happy that you have so much in life and SMILE!

9/11 2007

2007-09-18T12:33:00.000-04:00

Letter Home: September 11, 2007

I can not believe how easy it is to forget days, months, or any concept of time altogether. Today is 9/11.

My daily routine did not change. We (the trainees at Droit 2) are all SED sector volunteers. We are conducting an Income Generating Activity (IGA) at the moment. We decided on a product (no-bake peanut butter cookies). We received a loan (25,000 CFA) to buy our ingredients, which I must mention is quite an adventure. Have you ever tried to find quick cooking oats in Mali, West Africa? The recipe called for sugar, butter, cocoa, salt, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. We just had to skip the vanilla because the rest of the "les condiments" cost way too much! Our adventure started this morning when we tried to find the ingredients in our village. We found most of the things except cocoa and oats. We travelled into the capital on the "sotrama" (a green van that is used as a taxi but reeks of B.O. and exhaust-It can get sooo cramped). We grabbed lunch and the missing "condiments."

Some where in the day we all realized today was 9/11. I could not help but remember where I was when the incident took place. I was a junior in high school. My teacher at the moment was being a tool would not let anybody disrupt her class until another teacher entered and explained the situation. While we were watching the TV during Trig… We watched the second plane collide into the other trade center. There was a gathered inhale, "ahh", as we all realized what just happened. Our mouths were wide open and eyes were glued to the screen. We were all asking ourselves, "why is this happening, how is this happening, what can we do to make this horrific nightmare end…." Since I was pretty much the official photographer for our yearbook I took to capturing the moment. I took a lot of photos but my favorite ending up being quite symbolic. My friend, Justin Alexander, was sitting with his blue jean cut-off sleeve shirt. His hand was lackadaisically caressing his chin all the while his eyes were glued to the tube. His eyes gleamed with curiosity and remorse. Yet it was his overall image that stroke me. He was and is Southeast America. A young man who will probably work the blue collar life so that his family will always have food on the table and shelter over their head… The type of man that help build America. The type of man that is greatly offended by the idea that "we" ( I mean Americans) are being bullied, attacked, harassed, misunderstood, etc….

However I finally have a little experience to go behind my American influences. I am walking the deserts of West Africa. I am living the life of a Malian. I am starting to see life from another perspective. For example, well I was listening to BBC today, a former Army General used an "American" football tactic with an European correspondent to describe a strategic tactic of the US Army. I totally got it BUT earlier today my "college educated" language teacher got rugby and American Football confused. I did not know how to react. I could laugh, become embarrassed, or just accept it. I have not quite decided yet. I am just pleased that at this point I can sense cultural sensitivity with certain subjects. The iraqi war can not be compared to American Football and that is that.

My 9/11 is almost over but for you it may not be. Let me know your thoughts and concerns about the war, cultural sensitivity, Americans abroad, a "true" American or if there is such a thing.

Letter Home: August 29, 2007

2007-08-29T18:34:00.002-04:00

I have survived my site visit!!! I just spent the last week in Banamba, Mali. It was my first glimpse of my next TWO years.

I do not know where I should begin… Where did I leave off last time? Oh yeah a lot of updates. Yes I do have a phone available. I know that many people thought that it would be difficult to contact me (including myself) but it is relatively simple. I have decent reception in my site… Thanks for the call-Mama, Matthew, Dad and Dennie!

So I changed my name again… I really liked my last name-Maiga. It is a Songrhai name and comes from the cultural group of people from Gao/Niger. I changed my first name to Halima. It is relatively close to my real name-Holly. It is so difficult for people to pronounce "H" because it is silent in French. Yet I understand them when they mutter "Ally"!!

My site is reminiscent of Statesboro and Americus. A small town with lots going on. The people in this area are known to be prominent and rich business men. However they may come from this area but they do not stay there. The men generally move into the capital, Bamako, and send money back to their families. I was not able to perform protocol because I was there during Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The weekend generally starts around 11am on Friday. It is the day that Muslims have mass. Protocol is generally meetings with the mayor, chief of the village, police, women groups, my service/counter-agent, and counterpart. My counterpart is Hamed Traore and his family was so pleasant. His wife is nice… his son is spoiled!!! He is about 3-4 years old and has a snotty attitude. Madam Traore will say "stop doing that" or "do not say that" and he responds in Bambara with a smart comment. I can not figure out exactly what he says but it is with this really whiny voice that he says "No I am not gonna do it" or "I don't want to eat that!" It is cute and annoying at the same time. Children are the same everywhere :)

My job is primarily working with a Microfinance lending organization- C.A.E.B. We provide loans and savings for those who can not afford to do business with the bank. People have no concept of savings so we are lacking in that area. Also I do not know the percentage of those who actually repay their loans and if it is on time. I will work with the women groups in the area to help upstart businesses and sustain them. Yet, C.A.E.B can not reach all the people of Banamba because the loans require collateral and large deposits. So I am going to try and start a mobile bank… I do not have enough time to describe what that means right now. Also shea butter is an amazing resource in Mali and USAID is throwing money at Mali if it is able to produce an adequate and properly managed amount of shea nuts. I am going to inform the women on how the process works and how it can be beneficial for them if they follow the procedure for preserving the shea nut for exporting. Also I have not lost my interest in sports. I am going to try and start a soccer league with the middle school. It is going to be difficult but so worthwhile. My PCV and I discovered an amazing stadium-like area that has a soccer field, track, basketball court, handball court, and stone bleachers with shade. It dumbfounded me that the PCV had no clue that the stadium existed! It is not that large of a town plus she had to pass it to go to the high school!! Don't worry I will upload photos once I am settled in at site. So I have several projects I am working on and many more in my head that have not manifested.

Oh yeah I went to church! It was completely in Bambara so I did not understand a word but it was amazing neither less. The children have Sunday school and use resources from 1980 something. SO another project would be to get my hands on some French Christian material for children's church. I will specifically email Jon, Josh, GCC youth group, and Roland (if anybody else would like to help please respond).

I was slightly disappointed to find out that the Renovation of a Sport Complex has already been completed. It was done rather quickly and I would have been highly upset to see that the project was not given all the care and consideration it deserved since it was meant to be a memorial…

SO I am going to integrate sports into my everyday activities at my site…

What else would you like to know? A PCV has been sent home due to a broken ankle. A group of trainees traveling back from their site had to stop and form a convoy because armed bandits were ahead of them. Sickness is still extremely prominent among all trainees (including myself). BBC never says much about the States but I did hear that Michael Vick plead guilty and he is indefinitely suspended from the NFL. A PCV, not in our group but one before us, was gorged in the butt by a bull. Another volunteer was stung by a scorpion. ALSO piles of trash are everywhere. People urinate anywhere. Kids are usually always naked. Women have no shame when it comes to breastfeeding… I think that is enough to keep your jaw on the ground for now :)

Love for all,

Halima Maiga aka Holly Larsen

Letter Home: August 21, 2007

2007-08-29T18:34:00.001-04:00

Here are some important updates:

I passed my French Test with Intermediate Low; that is very good because I only have one more level to go and I am always practicing my French if I get a chance (even if I never study lol). I am confident that I will be more than capable to pass the last language test so that I am allowed to move to my site.

I met my counterpart today, his name is Hamed Traore. He changed my name to Fatamata Traore so I am no longer Saouda Maiga. I am traveling to my site for a visit tomorrow. I will meet the PCV that I am replacing tomorrow. You all will know more about my final site and plans for the next two years next week when I return to our training site and I have access to the internet again.

I have a phone!!! My number is 011-00223 < style=""> I can make phone calls to the states but I do not get paid much and the phone cards are expensive. However YOU can call me and it will not cost me a CFA! LOL Call me anytime I am four hours ahead of the East Coast. Please do not hesitate to call because I love to have phone calls just try to make it after 4pm my time if you can but if not it will be ok!

My address is still:

Holly Larsen, PCT

Corps de la Paix

B.P. 85

Bamako, Mali

West Africa

(Bit of advice, if you want to send me a package and worried that somebody may try to go through it-write a bible scripture on it. People are very superstitious and respectful when they think it may religiously connected to something)

Also I am really doing well here. I have other PCVs coming up to me and telling me that they wish they had the same charisma that I possess. The culture here really requires you to be social and all-around a really nice person…which is very difficult for many.

I am will respond to as many emails as possible this evening and make sure you check out the new photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/hollymlarsen. I uploaded about 30 new photos!

Again do not be afraid to call me (Especially my GCC Rad kids/RYLA kids ~ I love you all and willing to answer any questions that you may have!)

Letter Home: August 15, 2007

2007-08-29T18:12:00.000-04:00

It is a Wednesday evening. My Language-Cultural Facillator (LCF) just left my home. I have two people that are teaching me French and the culture of Mali. I have a huge language test Friday (August 17, 2007) over my progression in French. I am halfway confident that I will do well. I am gonna cram so much French into my vocabulary between today and Friday morning that I will probably recite phrases in my sleep. Anyways I want to let you all know what life is like in the village of Droit 2.

Ma famille est petit (My family is small). Ma mere est gentille (kind/nice). She looks after me very well. My little sister is precious and I believe she admires me. My little brother cares for me and shows me off to his friends. It is not really obvious but I can tell when friends show up so they can see the "tubabo" (a foreign person or a white person). My room is truly a cement block compiled of four walls and a tin roof. My bed mattress is a foam pad about 8 inches thick. I have a nice indention for my body it has only been a couple of weeks… Yippee I look forward to the next two years of an indented bed! So let me explain the living situation here. I live in a compound. It is a barricaded or wall that surrounds a courtyard that contains three "homes." Each home contains a porch, one entrance to a living room and bedroom and another entrance to a single room (my room). The second room would probably be a storage room if I was in the states. My family of three now four share this small space. I have actually only been in the living room of the rest of the "apartment" because I do not want to intrude their privacy. However the other families that share the compound are actually grand. I have no clue on the exact number of people who live in the apartments but I believe it is at least 6-7 in one family and no less than 10 in the other family. It is quite different. The space is so small that one person would have a difficult time living in it. It is hard to imagine that families of 4-5 or greater share a "college dorm room." I can see that the small space does encourage unity and cooperation among the families. Every morning all the girls sweep the compound. Contrary to many perceptions; Africans are quite clean! They sweep and mop (a wet rag not a mop) their areas every morning. I mean every morning and they bath at least two to the three times a day. Most Africans think that Americans are dirty because they usually see the dirty tourists or Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) that do not want to pull water from the well. Plus Maliens think we are dirty because we do not use a salidaga (the teapot to clean our behinds when we use the bathroom). They feel that toilet paper is dirty and unclean…. Different way of doing things.

Anyways here is a typical day:

I wake up around 7am to a rooster crowing or the neighbor girls "pile" the "les condiments." Imagine a wooden bowl with different ingredients and a young girl pounding it all together so that it can be made into a sauce that will be used over rice .
I take a bucket bath in the bathroom which is a outhouse (remember it is a cement hole) without a roof. So on morning like today, it was raining and cold so I skipped my "bath" and it had to come across to my family as though I am a dirty person. But hey I am sick and I am not gonna make it any worse!
Then I have breakfast - peanut butter and strawberry jam on bread with powdered milk (I am not allowed real milk plus the fridge does not keep anything cold).
After the same breakfast for umpteenth time I ride my bike to class. I am actually pretty good on my "velo." I am pleasantly surprised. I am trying to get it to jump the railroad tracks… I hope that I am able to do a few tricks by the time I return to the states so that I can impress my "action sport" friends hahahahaha (that one was for Rod!).
I have school from 8:30am until 12:30pm followed by lunch. I return to school at 2:30 (14:30). We usually have a cross-cultural session during the afternoon with a little French. Class is typically over around 6ish. I head home and play with the local kids. I dance, jump rope, watch really bad Brazilian soap operas subed over in French, French exercises, read my Bible, and integrate i.e. I pulled water from the well and I have "washed" my own clothes twice.

I have no clue what you all would like to know… I have photos available and totally not afraid to give more vivid details if you are interested. I know that these emails must be boring so I apologize. Here are a few more topics that may peak your interest if you are interested:

Relationships in Mali
Drinking
Muslim vs Christian
Dress code
Gender roles
What is means to be Tubabo
Education (what people do one another because they lack the knowledge to know better for example female excision)

I enjoy hearing from you (any of you). Please continue to respond and I will try to answer your emails. I normally write a reply later (like I am doing now) and send it the next time I have access to the internet.

I travel to my site next week for a week. I will find out more about my job and how I will be living for the next two years THEN! I will also find out more about the renovation of the sport complex. I am not sure how far along the project has progressed but there is an opening ceremony on Sept. 6. I do not know if it is the opening of construction or the complex but we will all know soon enough.

Alla ka duwawu mine! (May God grant all your wishes ~ in Bambara),

Saouda Maiga aka Holly Larsen

P.S. Dr. Burden I have not seen Mitchell!

Letter Home: August 7, 2007

2007-08-29T18:00:00.000-04:00

Letter Home: Real Quick I am serving with Peace Corps Mali, it is located in West Africa. I am training in Droit. I will find out where I will be working for the next two years and so on TOMORROW!

Dear Mama, Dad, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, etc,

I love you dearly. I have not found any replacements for those that matter so much to me. I try not to think about the two years. I have learned that the only way to keep one's sanity is to take it day by day. So I am obviously already learning how to adjust to the environment. Let me try to recap my steps…

I spent a few crazy days in Philly. The sessions were long and very intense. I was extremely bored but the sessions were quite informative. Our group is so large that we are not able to come together as one. We had 82 people. We have already lost four - one during training because she didn't have dental clearance, one because he went loco-no seriously he was an older guy that just was NOT right in the head and tried to run away from training while in Mali and get to Egypt without a visa/passport, one girl and one guy because…while it wasn't for them. Anyways we were split into two big groups and had one roommate each. I roomed with Kate and we really bonded. She has lived in Madagascar and traveled throughout Europe. Anyways we found an awesome pizza joint and had salad… I also visited the Liberty Bell while in Philly… Some people went out but I took my butt to bed and repacked all my luggage. BTW-Hey Uncle Tim have you received a package from me? Another PCV parents were gonna mail it to you. We started our vaccinations in Philly and have continued to receive them in Africa. It has not been that bad… So we finally arrive at the airport with another 60 people who headed towards Benin for Peace Corps-needless to say that the airport was packed. Yet it was another opportunity to bond. People were trying to meet the weight requirements so we were all stuffing random peoples' stuff into our carry-on. It was so funny!

So we are now headed towards Paris, France. My roommate Kate is also my roommate in Paris so I am following her around like a sad puppy dog because she knows French. I am so lost! I just hand my passport to who she says and then the guy tries to ask me a question… Ummmmm I was so lost so I just stared at him. Kate took over and ushered me away. I made it through and slept at a day-room at a French hotel. I could barely understand their English. The French accent is soooooo thick! So we are now headed towards Bamako, Mali, West Africa. I slept the whole plane ride. I woke up here and there to eat and use the bathroom but I just slept. I actually sat next to one of the guys that ended up leaving… I had no clue that he would early terminate (ET).

We arrive in Bamako, Mali. First things first… I can not even see lights on the runway!!! I am like where are we landing? Is there a runway? We step off the plane and it is insanely humid but I am so good… You know that I am a GA gurl through and through!! People (Malians) are breaking us in line and moving us out of the way. The airport is small. I mean really small! It is about the size of a little house (like two of my Dad's houses). It is hot and we are lugging our bags off the belt and guys are trying to get our luggage so that we will have to pay them to take it to their taxi and then pay for their taxi. So PC is repeating "Keep your luggage. Do not let anyone get your luggage."

We then pack 5-8 into little SUV's and head to our training site. It is pitch black and we have a random PCV narrating the whole way. We get to our rooms and crash…

The next week is packed full of meetings and briefings. "The objective for today is…." I can not remember half of the stuff we learned and I was seriously bored!!! We had a language class on Bambara and were placed into our homestay villages. Meantime we are adjusting to bugs, mosquitoes nets, crapping in a hole, being sick non-stop, the humidity, drinking tea, and feeling really out of place.

I went for a run and felt so at home and at peace! It was just great to get all that anxious-ness out through a run. My surroundings reminded me of home! I just absolutely loved it! I was pumped that I was not feeling out of place. It is the little things like this that allow me to know that the Lord has blessed me. I know that I am suppose to be here because I feel as though this is suppose to be MY HOME (for the next two or three years).

Anyways I find out I am going to Droit. It is slightly north of Bamako and has a market, electricity, and the people are pretty urbanized. So I am not getting the "African" experience! However I still have no running water and our "houses" or "compounds" are not what you would call extravagant. There is absolutely no infrastructure. There is one main road that runs through the center. It follows no rules or guidelines. People pass each other all the time and I always think somebody is going to die because people are passing when there is another car coming!!!! It is absolutely insane!

My neighborhood kids love me because I provide them with games and sweets. I do not know if I would have made it this well if it wasn't for the kids and all the jokes we make about our misfortunes…

Life has been really grand. I want to share my computer with fellow PCT (peace corps trainees) so I am going to jump off for now. So I will pick up next time describing my perspective of the African life in village. It is so amazing… I am so blessed but please continue to pray for my fellow PCT and myself.

I love you all dearly and God Bless,

Holly Larsen aka Saouda Maiga

The journey has begun

2007-07-24T19:13:00.000-04:00

We arrive with our bags in arms and our hearts unguarded. We are strong but vulnerable. We are new trainees. We do not know what to expect and things are moving too fast. Like for instance:

Naygen - (which is pronounced with a very nasally "nay") is our "new" bathroom

The "bathroom" is a hole in the middle of a cement block surrounded by cement walls with a tin door. We luckily have toilet paper and electricity but we do not flush! We just keep our "hole" covered with a tin top. Let's just say that you do not ever want to look down that hole. By the way, the cement hole room is also where we take our shower!! Nice, huh? Proper etiquette also requires you to not ask if anybody is in the naygen but just cough or clap therefore if anyone is in there they will respond with a cough. …cough….cough… Malians use a "salidaga." It is teapot that they pour down their "crack" with their right hand and wipe with their left. Really so therefore the left hand is considered unclean. Point blank. Do not ever shake with your left hand!

Comunal bowl - We learned how to eat with our hands.

I ended up with half the rice in my lap and not my mouth. You only use your right hand. Do not look at the other person as they eat-it is rude. Do not shake your hand over the bowl. Do not lean over the bowl as you eat. Only eat the food that is in front of you. Hold the bowl with your left hand as you reach for your food so it does not move around. It is nerve wrecking!

Laws - You will love this!

It is against the law to insult somebody to their face. You can not ride your bike at night without a light. You must always, always, always carry your ID card with you.

Shots - Yes I am vaccinated! Yellow fever, typhoid, rabies, malaria pills and many more to come!

Come on you rabid raccoons that do not exist in Africa!

Lectures - One after another after another

We all understand that the lectures are needed so that we will be able to integrate into the environment. However our spirits, hearts, and minds just can not handle anymore stress.

What else would you like to know?

I have many photos and I will try to keep you all updated as much as possible.

Wish me luck on this cultural journey!

The heat is not hot

2007-07-23T16:33:00.000-04:00

I have finally placed my feet on the sands of the African sudan. The differences are unmistakable as soon as the first gust of humidity blows up my dress. The smells are distinct and foreign but not overwhelmingly unpleasant. The sounds are gibberish but the smiles are familiar. The stares are not present but expected.

However his smile is obvious as it spreads across the face of the young Malian boy. He tries to help me with my luggage but I make it clear that I am "strong" as I jokingly point towards my wimpy bicep. He persists but I do not back down. He seems to be interested in me. Yet he does not want to make it obvious so he looks at me from the corner of his eye. However I am already checking him out so he blushes and out of embarrassment he turns his head. We exchange smiles, giggles and gibberish that seems to last for a hour but really only a few minutes. Then our "rocks" of luggage starts to arrive. We start hauling our bags off the belt into a pile that soon comes to my shoulders-81 people have a lot of luggage!

The young boy continues to persist that he can help by helping me lug the bags into a high pile. Soon mass chaos ensues as 81 people try to find their luggage in a very small airport. I mean a very small airport. The language barrier makes it difficult to get where you need to go or know where you need to go. Yet obviously we sufficed and made it to our training site.

The airport "luggage rush" and humidity has me sweating. I mean I am pouring sweat out of my pores.

Yeah I know I am wearing a jacket but really? I am sweating A LOT!

We place our luggage into the RVs and start to head to our next destination.

The expectant heat was present. The humidity was thick. However I never experienced any "harshness" from the reality of what is "Africa." I was not overwhelmed but encouraged to know that I feel comfortable in my new home.

The landscape and architecture is definitely different. Yet I feel positive as I face the next two years and the not so "hot" heat of my service.