Saturday, October 30, 2010

I Can Make a Difference

I can make a difference
Little steps at a time
Kindness here; smiles there
Joviality everywhere

Exemplify good nature
Fueled by sincerity
Harmony promoted
Bright moments created

Exuberance contagious
A ball of chain reaction
Goodwill spreads
The world a better place

I can make a difference
By developing potentials
Productive, fulfilled, joyful
One more able to shoulder the weight
I am but a tiny seed
Within a multitude
But like a purple heart
I can make a difference

-(taken from Classroom Management page 90, a Peace Corps book)

"A Child Learns What He Lives"

If a child lives with criticism
He learns to condemn
If a child lives with hostility
He learns to fight
If a child lives with ridicule
He learns to be shy
If a child lives with shame
He learns to feel guilty
If a child lives with tolerance
He learns to be patient
If a child lives with encouragement
He learns to try his best
If a child lives with praise
He learns to appreciate
If a child lives with fairness
He learns justice
If a child lives with security
He learns to have faith
If a child lives with approval
He learns to like himself
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
He learns to find love in the world

-Dorothy Law Nolte

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Finally Found my Groove

I finally got back to my village on September 1st after three months of being away. That's a long time when I'm only around for 24 months total. Luckily for me, my village wouldn't be upset about that because they're used to teachers not being there during the summer. In fact, I got more surprised reactions than anything. Plus, I wasn't gone from village on frivolous affairs, so I'm trying to cut myself some slack.

I was welcomed back by my friend A.S. by a beautiful garden he made for me in my courtyard complete with moringe, beans, onions, hot peppers, okra, aloe vera, citronel, corn, etc. etc. Amazing. It makes it that much homier and comfortable to be there.

It was great to see him and my other friends again, including my colleagues who were there. I got a visit from our PC directrice that first week back which was nice. It was fun to show off my village and stop in to say hi to a bunch of people.

Toward the middle of September I left to visit my buddy L.S. in her new village before joining the bike tour in Bobo. I spend a day there with my fellow PCV's and attended a ceremony they held for us as international volunteers. The following day, L.G. and I were bike buddies, the 80km to Orodara (about 50 miles). I ended up spending the night at Sita's with L.G. and I.T. It was great. I especially enjoyed that evening after being disappointed by my fellow PCV's when they opted out on our dinner plans with a woman who has been like a second mother to me. It was a lack of awareness coupled with poor communication issue, but I was still hurt. They tried to solve the situation like many US Americans do by throwing money at it. People sometimes think if they pay for something, then everything is okay when in reality there are times when people and relationships should take precedence.

The next day was a much shorter ride to Takeladougou to be present for a big party thrown for us and also to honor a PCV there. I enjoyed it and was bummed that I was too exhausted to dance.

Next day was a car day, although half of our crew decided to bike the 160km instead, that's how crazy hardcore they are. I enjoyed breakfast at McDonald (no, there's no 's!) where L.G. and I split an omelet and French toast (pain perdu) before the 5 of us left on the bike tour not biking took that bumpy nauseating ride to Loropeni. We walked the market for dinner and slept soundly at a school. I biked my best time that last day into Gaoua, 36km. I visited my village friend's brother and his wife's mother. It was nice meeting them and having the time to stop by the market where they worked to say hello. I saw a few friendly PCV faces I hadn't seen in a while and spent the day enjoying their company. We celebrated a fellow PCV birthday that night and he and I slept at the home of a newly wed husband of an RPCV who just returned to the states.

I headed to Ouaga to spend some time working on a grant application to build a library student center desperately needed in my village and to run some errands, including filling out forms for the guitar I had brought back for a friend that Air France lost. It was a very productive few days.

Back in village, I started the school year off right going over school rules and expectations with my students. I made it discussion based instead of authoritarian and think it went well. The participation from my 5e kids pleased me to no end. I got through my first week and for the last time and headed back to Ouaga for a Youth Development meeting.

I did a short stint in Ouaga and will be heading back to site tomorrow to start week number two.

I find that I've hit a groove here, finally. I'm comfortable with my language, with this culture. I have friends, a support system. I know this place. And I really like it here. Most days I'm very happy to be alive and to be here. It's funny thinking back a couple months ago when I was wishing my service were only a year long and that I didn't want to teach again. And now, here I am, already worrying about how fast this time will fly and how difficult it will be to leave. If you had asked me two months ago if I loved it here, I'd say no, but I like it here. Now, I still don't know if I'd say I love it yet, but I could see myself getting there before my service is over which by the way is in 10 months or less. Insane.

Plus, things are really great with my partner right now. Whoever said you can't maintain a healthy long distance relationship with someone back home while in the Peace Corps was wrong. Now, perhaps we're one of the exceptions, but if you want it badly enough and you're willing to work at it knowing that all relationships take work, then it is completely possible. It's just a matter of what you're willing to sacrifice and go through not to lose someone who is so important and irreplaceable in your life. Food for thought.

Enjoy life. Live each day to the fullest. Push yourself. Do something you want to do even if it's a little crazy or makes you a little uncomfortable. Don't be complacent!

Until next time.