Saturday, April 29, 2006

To Jayne & Steve March 8, 2006

Hey guys, How's it going? FOr th last 3 weeks things have been going pretty well & I have been enjoying myself a little bit while in village. Today however, was the 1st time I couldn't hold back crying.

Today is the national holiday for women of Burkina. A day of celebration of the women & fun activities. There was a footrace, a discussion on financial education & a traditional dance. All great & informative things, however, I just came back from a luncheon where the women still couldn't sit in the place of honor & they still had to serve the men. I also just finished a soccer game of women versus the service leads of each dept. of To. I played with the women & I hoped that some would know how to play a little. Not so much.

They've been denied the right to play all their lives & in this spectacle, they're supposed to play against men who've played all their lives. I know this game is a farce, but the little things got me even worse. The men's team had uniforms & shoes to play in, while the women had random shirts 7 most played with no shoes. Being toyed with, wasn't even a question, but I tried playing a litttle bit, but it soon became pointless to try. This position was so foreign to me while playing soccer that it caught me off gaurd. I knew getting angry would do nothing, so I tried to find enjoyment & I couldn't cause I saw how huge a gulf these women have to overcome to be taken seriously. Realizing the vast cultural difference in the middle of the game, I became incredibly sad at once.

I lost my joy of playing soccer at that moment. I couldn't breathe. The joy of sharing a play would never be experienced here, because the men would never think of me as worthy to play seriously. I grew nauseous & felt dead all at once. I decided to ask for a substitute & sit the rest of the game out claiming fatigure.

I sat on the sidelines as a few tears leaked out my eyes. Still, I resisted breaking down completely. I wasn't crying for me, I was crying for these women & the treatment they'll never get, but deserve wholeheartedly. The game gratefully ended & I walked quickly home. I got the door open & let a sob finally escaped. I've cried until I finally started writing this letter in the hopes to improved my mood. It has a little, but I'm not quite ready for company.

I honestly don't know if I will play soccer here again, the idea has no appeal to me. However, my respect for the women of Burkina has definitely been lifted a few notches. My trivial trails of sexism are nothing compared to the women of consequence here.

- LATER ON:

I ended up going to the clinic to see what was going on before I headed to the bar to dance & had a surprising conversation with my major (nurse). I walk in & sit down expecting ribbing about the game, but instead I hear the chief nurse (my major) and a member of the health committee complaining how the game was too ridiculous & how women will never be really appreciated with expositions like that. I was suitably surprised by his enlightened perspective, with no goading by myself. He stated much of my frustration. My earlier feelings were being soothed & hope again began beating in my chest. My spirits restored, I felt maybe the newer generations may have the potential for new direction & aspirations for women. After that short conversation, I felt renewed & ready to dance. Which I did until midnight. The roller coaster of a day at least ended on a higher note.

That's all for now, thake care & I hope you all are doing well.

Miss You!
Hopefully see you in June
Always,
Laura

Yo Nasara homeboys!

How'd you like that title, just felt like keeping it real.......yep.

Just poppin on to say, I am really happy to see so many posts, way to go! and thank you!!! I would like to also send out a big thanks to the Gerdes and Kulhavy's for their very generous packages that just arrived. The Gerdes package made me giggle quite a bit with the handy "mouthwash"(Jack Daniels), that arrived in perfect condition and will be used before and after every meal. ;-)~
Everytime, I get a package, I'm really humbled by the great people I'm lucky to be family and friends with. I hope in the years ahead I can repay your kindness and loyalty ten fold.
I would love to write more but right now I am on a french type-board, and my mistakes are too frustrating to keep a coherent flow of thought. Don't worry more bitching to come!
Take care,
L

Friday, April 28, 2006

Letter to Mom&Dad - Mar 31, 06

This morning I was woken by my cat. He was mewling about food and wanting to go inside. I've found that I'm not a cat person, so I promptly grabbed his tail and threw him across the courtyard where he bounced off the tree and landed on his feet. That's one way to turn off your alarm in the morning :) Yep, I'm cruel to cats, but I think he's gotten used to my aggrevations he causes. He's learned to stay away from me when I eat and he knows to come running when I snap my fingers (I usually have food of some sort.) He's starting to eat more buts and I'd wish he'd graduate to lizards and mice, but he's not quite there yet.

I don't get annoyed by the dog that frequents my house for some reason. He's more my buddy, whereas the cat, I feel no such affection. Ah well, at least I'm getting used to the cat and don't want to seriously kill it anymore. Boy, that doesn't sound very Peacecorps of me, but somethings just develop that way when you're stuck with a cat. Anyway, he's getting used to the throws and sometimes sticks to the tree like velcro and then comes back for more, mewling all the way. I may grow to like him for his tenacity and stupidity.

Recently, I discovered a source of my acne problems here. Ever since I arrived, I have had some serious acne that I can't seem to prevent or get rid of. The locals all think the pimples are sores caused by too much sun to my weak white skin. I don't care to correct them, so I stay quiet. Anyhoo, someone suggested to stop using soap when I wash my face. I fugured, why not, nothing to lose. Guess what, it worked! There's no chemicals or hard minerals in the water to make it drinkable or to dry out my skin after washing. So nature takes it's course and my skin has finally begun to balance out. The solution was so obvious because so many people here have truly beautiful, acne clear skin. I wondered how it was possible. I figured foolishly it was just the difference between black and white skin, but I guess it doesn't matter. I suggest people try it at home. Probably have to use bottled water unfortunately, but it may work.

It is also mango season here and there's so many mangos to be eaten you can't go two steps without passing a large mango seed that's been dropped on the ground after the fruit's been eaten. Many of the children and adults spend their idle time climbing mango trees for a snack. The truly ripe and cantelope size mangos are saved for market, but still only go for 5 or 10 cents, they are so plentiful. Mangos here are truly delicious, but after so many, one still gets sickened by them. I usually have at least one or two a day. If they weren't so good, I wouldn't bother with them because there is absolutely no dainty way to eat a mango with your hands. You have to use a knife and still, washing your hands and mouth afterwards is a must. I'll miss them of course when they are gone.

Well, that's a good enough ramble for now. Miss you and talk to you soon.
Love,
Laura

Letter to Grandma - Mar 30, 06

I'm sitting in my hammock writing letters and watching my clothes dry on the line. Thankfully, the leaves have grown back on the one tree in my courtyard and there's plenty of shade to be had in the middle of the day. The tree is a karite tree. It grows plum sized green fruit that is not for eating. They take the oil of the seed and fruit to make something akin to vaseline, but better. The product is the only thing that seems to take care of my poor feet in this dry, dry weather.

I've tried foot cremes, vaseline, and other soothing balms to mend my cracked feet, but the "beure de karite" (karite butter) works absolutely. I think I'll bring some of that back with me for gifts in June if I can.

Today, it seems a bit overcast, but really it's the dust coming down from the north of the country and covers everything. The "overcast" cools off the temperature a little, giving a little respite from the sun directly, but all the dust brings colds and respiratory problems. My current cold won't be improving for a while I guess.

There is so much dust in this country, sometimes I think that's all there is here. I have shutters but no real means of keeping the dust out of my house. Thus after a day of cleaning, the next day all the dusting and cleaning is replaced by more dust. It's a constant battle and keeping things covered in order to keep them clean and edible. It finally rained for the 1st time in 6 months and I about did a little rain dance to keep it going.

The last couple days have been pretty slow, as you can tell, I'm catching up on my letters. So, I hope this find's you happy and healthy. I miss you a ton and can't wait to see you again.
Love always,
Laura

Thursday, April 27, 2006

March 30, 2006 letter to Kights

Dear Kathy,

I'm standing next to the bandage station at the clinic watching the day go by. Here is where the gore and all of villages nasty cuts and infections are treated. So far this morning, a baby with an infected butt from poorly administered vaccination was treated, An old women who is getting both eyes treated for cataracts, a man with a cut from a motorcyle accident, and currently a 3 year old girl is getting a bandage cleaning after she got her foot caught in a bicycle wheel while riding with her father. The 3 year old's predicament is being loudly announced as to her it must feel as if the skin is being torn off a new. The old bandage had been left on too long and is thoroughly embedded in the wound. Pulling it off has caused pain for everyone involved, her father holding her down, the nurse in training attempting the procedure, and just about everyone within in earshot. Thankfully it's finally over and the next injury can be treated.

Today isn't really busy and it's made even less so, by the presence of 6 nurse trainees who are here for the next month or so. They have more than doubled our work number and literally given random things to do to keep them from getting too bored. Since their arrival my use at the maternity is more a nuisance, so all my mornings are free to do as I please. My job at the maternity was more clerical than anything, but the trainees are more than qualified to do everything I do, but better, considering the speak the local language.

The doubling of my free time is nice. It's giving me more time to write and sketch. I prefer to be more busy, but now that June is only 2 months away, the trip to the states doesn't seem too far away.

How are you guys? Kenneth? growing like a weed? How's Sarah dealing with the fact she's not the center of your world anymore? How are you? You feeling okay? How's Don's back? Hopefully better. Have you retuned to work yet? Hopefully everything's going well with that also.

I got your letter, it was from before the birth, so I'm sure plenty of things have changed since then. So if you have free time and need to bitch, just write to me all your problems and you'll feel better for it. I write to people all the time from here with my problems, doesn't seem to bother them, so I keep bitching away:) I also can't tell anyone your problems so I'm good for that too. Anyway, that's my not so subtle hint that I hope you keep in touch, but other than that, take care of yourself. I would think your pretty stressed right now so you need to remember to do that. Anyhoo, I'll let you go and hopefully see you in June.

Love Laura

Kathy's letter March 1, 2006

Dear Kathy, Don, Sarah and Kenneth

Hey guys, how are you doing? Congratulations on the bouncing baby boy. I hope he grows to be healthy and strong. I heard about Don's back and I hope it gets treated correctly and that Don starts feeling better soon. I'm sure you guys have been under a lot of stress lately and this new addition, although fantastic, may feel heavy along with all your other commitments. I'm sorry I'm not there to lend a hand, but I'd love to help out any way I can, even it's as little as scheduling me to babysit in Nov to Dec 2007:) I'll be there.

I'm sorry I couldn't talk very long to you last time but I would like to hear more information on how everything went and has been going for you all. If you have pictures, that would especially be nice. I like the name you chose. It's a nice solid name. I heard you were going to name a girl "Susan Lorraine". I somewhat shuddered when I heard this. I thought "oh no, Susan's ego as an Aunt will explode!!":) Just kidding, both names are quite nice.

I'm glad you liked the "moo-moo" I sent. I wasn't quite sure if it'd be something you'd wear around the house or not. Here, they wear 'em everywhere, but styles are quite different here also. I hope it doesn't fall apart. The quality of clothes here can be questionable.

DAY LATER:= Had to take a break. My daily schedule has thankfully started to pick up and I'm much more content with my current activities than I was, say, a month ago. The two week break and training class in Ouago was a real stress reliever.

However due to my increased working schedule I've fallen a bit in writing people. I don't mind when people don't write me anymore. I've seemingly discovered who cares if I'm here or not and I'm content to write those people regardless of frequency of letters at the momemt.

However, my mood may switch next week and all of what I've just wrote will be contradicted, who know:)

Well, I'll let you go and I you guys continue to be happy, healthy and safe. Take care.

Love Laura

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Letter to Kathy at Christmas

Sorry All - I am late in getting this posted.

Dear Kathy,

I'm sorry your going to get your X-mas present late, but I didn't plan well enough last time was in Ouago to get it sent. I was also sick one day so that cut into some of my time. I hope you like your African version of a Moo-Moo, but I think it's pretty funky so I hope you enjoy. Actually people wear these all over outside the house here, so feel free to do the same:)-- (She sent me a beautiful dress that is kind of a green marbled fabric - Mom says they use leaves to make the patterns - that is embroided on the top - VERY COOL - I will be wearing it in Wisconsin).

How's Ohio treating you? Oh, have you had your baby yet? How's that going? I work at the maternity here 3 days a week, just helping fill out forms to make things go a little quicker when it gets busy. However, I expressed an interest in watching a child-birth and mid-wives said yes and even offered to let me do one. Ha! How scary is that! They said they're gonna teach me how to do it. Oh my God!! Cool eh? I'm sure, I'm going to puke while watching or helping with the 1st one, so I'll let you know how it goes:). I've seen quite a bit working with the clinic here so far, it's a wonder what will come in next.

For example, 2 days ago a young man walked in with a growth literally the size of a bowling ball on the back of his right shoulder blade. Like, it just popped up there and he decided that day he should probably get it checked out. Crazy. People don't want to waste money coming to the clinic on small stuff, so they wait until it's really serious and then end up spending a bunch more or die. Prevention isn't even a thought for some folks.

I have to express how much next June is a huge goal for me. Paul's wedding and my vacation in the states with family, I am sooooo looking forward to. Almost too much, it's scary. So now I've decided not to think about it all the time, because then I get reminded of how long it is from now. Let's just say, I'll need the break after 11 months of being here. Oh yeah, and when I'm in the states I am eating only meat and vegetables and I reserve the right to have 5 brauts while we are in Wisonsin, no buns. It'll be anti-climatic to my dreams. Anyhoo, enought of that.

How's the pregnancy going? How's Sarah and Donnie? Good I hope, with no problems.

Thinking about needing a break from is funny because my days aren't hectic or overwhelmingly busy. They're just days of being in forgein country alone with a little work to do that may or may not do some good. The frustrations get amplifieda bit by being here alone, but it't truly a test of adaptablity and definitely not of so much skill. Patiencen has been important, but I've run out of that a few times already.

The worst times have been the days I let myself stay at home and di nothing but think or read. They're deceptive in their secure feelings, but insideous when it comes to feeling a lack of purpose in being here. And, sometimes I've definetly felt that way. But the good this, I go outside and visit folks, and I feel a lot better about being here, which is what I'm going to do now. Happy New Year and Late Merry X-mas. Take care.

Love Laura

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Letter to the Hedlund's - 3/30/06

I've found myself thinking of so many things to write, but lacking the motivation to put them down on paper. Or when I try, I get writer's block and forget the fabulous train of thought that gave the impulse to pick up a pen to begin with.

In general my thoughts have been good, but the trend lately has changed as a result of frustrations. However, this letter I would like to keep positive and reflect on some good.

The weather in the last few weeks has been decidedly warmer with a bit of humidity thrown in. Not that any of that is good, but it has brought a change in our ever monotonous weather. It brought us our first real rain in over 6 months. The first since I've been here and the first real proof that time doesn't stand still around here :) The rain was preceded by a powerful light show, with gloriously trumpeting thunder, quickly followed by a somewhat violent dust-storm that blanketed everything inside my house, despite the shutters being closed. The wind turned cool and then the rain came. The beautiful, rejeuvenating rain! The tapping on my tin roof heralded it's arrival and I rushed outside to feel the moisture.

No such downpour that pelted the body and made you gasp, but gentle, like a thousand sweet kisses that go too quickly to last. It could have been somewhat anti-climatic considering the blustery introduction, but the mere fact it continued for 3-4 hours quite satisfied me.

I brought out my plastic chair and sat outside in the rain for a good 30 minutes, enjoying the chill and goosebumps on my arms. I, of course, tasted the drops and wished for more.

Despite the excitement outdoors, I couldn't sleep there, so I sequestered myself inside my stuffy, hot house. The pleasure of falling asleep to rain overhead overrode the displeasure of sweat that dripped down my neck and head while sleeping. Around 1AM, I awoke in a pool of collected perspiration, but the rain had stopped. I gathered my things and headed outdoors to the cool night.

The next 4-5 hours, I slept like a baby. Despite the donkey's regular wake-up call, my day was decidedly brighter. Lord, at this moment, if it rains all week in Wisconsin, I wouldn't mind a bit. No jinx intended :)

Hopefully, I'll see you all in June!
Love, Laura

(NOTE: Snapshots were included. I will try to get them posted as soon as I can scan them!)

Letter from 4-20-06

Dear Deb and Kurt,
There are explosions in the night time here and I am writing by lamplight once more. There is no battle but an announcement of the burial of one of the village elders. He died yesterday and today I went to his funeral. His Funeral was frequented by the local government figures and friends from the capital city. He was a catholic, but religious lines weren't drawn and all factions came to pay respects. There were about 300 people present for the actual burial, but hundreds more are expected to come and pay respects in the next 3 days.

Sidenote: There are currently children outside my gate chanting Islamic verses to try and get my attention and receive money for their poverty. A practice that has gotten way out of hand here. They were attracted by the lamp light and have seen an opportunity to ask the Nasara for money. As you can tell, I haven't yet given them anything. It may sound hard hearted , but there are literally thousands of kids like that all over Burkina just asking for handouts as a right of Islam. It's annoying, they could be in school.

Anywhoo, the funeral of the elder seems to have touched many of my friends. Unknowingly, many of them, unsurprisingly, are related and were the grandchildren of this man.

The protocol for paying respect isn't much different from the states as long as you have someone to show and introduce you around.

Funerals here are the only place it's acceptable to show your grief publicly. Men are allowed to cry and women to wail. People still look, but with sympathy. The emotions were thick at the home of the funeral and I genuinely felt sorry for my friends. However, the wailing by the women and for men seemed staged. The wailing would start and stop abruptly and whenever it sounded it came out in a rhythmic pattern that sounded like a chorus to a song. It was somewhat incredible at the same time.

Admittedly, I was a relative tourist to the occasion, but my friends allowed me free access to all the ceremony. It was simple, disorganized and completely Brukinabi. I need to go to the traditional funeral tonight and pay respects once more.
See you in June,
Always,
Laura

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Bike a thon(BAT)

So the BAT was a success in the regards we went to villages talked with a bunch of people and had a good time. Of course, not everything went as planned, but we did it and a lot of volunteers also got trained in doing BAT in their own villages. I had a few run-ins with the local health committee, mostly because, the men on the committee became totally lazy(assholes, ahem, excuse my french) and didn't participate. Which put me in a lurch, but the two women on the committee showed up in shining colors and just impressed the hell of my volunteer friends, like I knew they would.
The way it worked, I met my volunteer buddies in Ouaga on Sunday, and I trained them how to AIDS sensibilizations. This particular group hadn't recieved the training in our pre-service training(long story as to why). The next day, Monday, we traveled to my village and got prepared for the next day. Tuesday, the volunteers met with their local animateurs/team for their village. This time the volunteers trained the local animateurs on the themes of AIDS I wanted to convey. That lasted about 3 hours and then we were done for the day. Each day I tried to make only half-days due to the extreme heat.
Wednesday, all the teams headed out to the villages, by bike or moto, and "stopped AIDS". I stayed in village(lazily) preparing for their return and make changes for the following days program due to lack of committe members helping.(Sorry minor bitch, they became my bane) After the teams came back we chilled and enjoyed each others company and made steak and egg sandwiches for dinner. Thanks to some fancy cooking by some of the other volunteers. Yum! We then went out to the local bar where I coordinated to have a little dance party for all the BAT participants and such. We danced to American and Burkinabe music and had a great time with everyone. We went home early and just crashed from such a buzy day.
Thursday, we headed instead to the market, where as it was Market Day in To, and set up smaller, but more, teams around the market and did spontaneous presentations. Sounds difficult, but the animateurs and volunteers did a fabulous job, of which I'm just incredibly proud. The Market day in To is very buzy and big. I placed, two person teams in spots around the market,(using our whiteness to gather a crowd, it worked) and started talking and giving information. Some had it harder than others, but overall the experience for all the participants was excelllent.
We finished at 11AM and then headed back to my house where I organized a taxi bush to come pick us up and take all the volunteers back to Ouaga, cause a few had some pressing matters to attend to in their own village.
I'm pretty stoked by the whole thing, but my next activity will be traveling a bit around my village, surveying the surrounding area for possible volunteer placements. Hopefully, by this time next year, I'll have some neighbors. :-) I'm spending EAster in Ouaga, I need a little break from village after some of the frustations I had with the health committee, but everything else is good otherwise. Hopefully, I'll be talking to some of you tomorrow. Happy Easter!
Take care
L

More pics


Ramatou, Mariam and Nyema, the excellent ladies of my village who did the sensibilizations.

A photo with another friend, Joelle, he was one of the animateurs who helped with the sensibilizations.

Many villagers found the numerus nasaras in their village too tempting not to check it out. So Elizabeth caught this little girl mid-peep.

Shot of us just chillin after a buzy day of talking to villagers.

Here's another pic of myself buying groceries from local girl venders that roam around selling them.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Hey Guys

me and my counterpart, her name is Aline Sawadego. She's my close friend in village.
all of the volunteers heading down to village via bush taxi
Us, letting go and dancing at a bar(what you don't see is about a hundred Burkinabe watching us go nuts).
One of the volunteers, Elizabeth, actually doing some work and "stopping AIDS".
Typical size group about to be "saved from AIDS".

The Bike-A-Thon was a success! and it was fun too. Here's some pics, hopefully more to come. Voila! That's it for now. I'll try to post again tomorrow. Take care.
L

Saturday, April 08, 2006

LCupdates

LCupdates
Letter to Susan March 6, 2006
Lately my schedule has been fuller, so my time for refelction(or bitching , some would call it) has grown a little more scare.
When I think upon the bad days or scenes that I've regarded, I can't help but remember the lack of feeling I've had. That singular distinction has me a little worried. A dead, or dying, child should be able to register on a normal person's emotional register, why not mine. Maybe it's a well practiced repression that I've attained here and the emotional side won't surface until later.
The fact I receive no physical affection or contact outside a handshake may be an indirect part of it alos. Sounds weird, but let me explain. The fact I don't have any physical form of affection while in the village and thus staying physically away from everyone, it helps me stay emotionally seperate also.
While I'm with other volunteers, I have a feeling they experience somewhat of the same seperation, because while we're together, we're all very physically affectionate, platonically most of the time. Plenty of hugs, backrubs, lap-seats, sharing pillows and playing with hair. I thinkit's to make up for what we don't receive in the village.
Honestly, I am more emotionally attached to the volunteer friends I have tahn anyone here in the village. maybe, after a while that'll change but I don't really see it.
Just a meandering, I thought I could explain my dettachment.
How did that interview turn out? Do you know if you got the job? Ignore the writing at the bottom of the page,this notebook is from Andrew and Michelle. cute eh.
I hope it doesn't sound liek we have orgie, once we get to gether, we don't. Hell, I haven't even done any marijuana yet, at least no one's offered. However, whenever I tell people That I've never done any drugs except alchoho; + cigars, they are quite amazed that I made it to 30 w/o trying anyhting. I guess I'm just an old lesbian prude. :) I want that on my tombstone -"Old lesbian prude" -that's all. That would be great to have in a cemetary.
"Where's the mayor's grave?"
'Just go down untill you get to the 'Old Lesbian Prude'; take a right and he's the st one on the left' :))
Good times. The tombstone should be carved in the shape of a toaster-oven or a pair of comfortable shoes ha ha Sorry another meander.
I'll let you go, so you can decipher the writing below. Take care nd see you in June
Love Laura
p.s. I almost forgot the reason for writing this letter to begin with. Thank You, Thank You for the outstanding care package. Everything in it is kick ass. All the chocolate, I'm taking little bits at a time and sharingw/ other volunteers. Thanks so much. It will reallbe well used and eaten. Great Stuff!

Editor Note - Laura told me she's tired of the taste of water - so SUGAR FREE drink mixes are high on her list.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA April 10th!!!