Friday, August 25, 2006

Assignment received

I am visiting my site starting tomorrow, a town outside of Tumbutu (Eng. Timbuktu). I already passed my language qualifications, so I want to brush up my French and maybe learn Fulfude, which is also spoken at my site. So far I only know my work is at a local community health center, my counterpart is a midwife, and I will be targeting nomadic people to come and get babies weighed and vaccinated among other tasks.
I love it here, I am incredibly happy, and learn something everyday. As always, there is a line for the computer.
One story before I go: When I was riding the local transport back to the training compound, the ticket seller hopped up on top since the bus was soooo packed. We went over a large rock and the guy flies off the back of the bus rolling through the dirt. He hops up smiling and gets back on the bus. We were going 30 mph at least!!! That is how things go here, problems are just shrugged off with a laugh or smile. Makes life easy.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Homestay life continued

I love my family here. My name is Mariama. Mariama Cisse. On any given day, I greet residents in my village of 3000 people in 5 different languages: Sonrai (Koyracini, my target lang), French, Arabic, Fulfulde/Peuhl, and Bambara. Greeting is the most important thing I do. Well, and learning how to conjugate verbs!
I have hosted tea at my house, one of my favorite cultural traditions. And I am getting good at making the most froth at the top of each small glass by pouring the sweetened mint tea almost a foot above the small shot glass. It'll take more practice, but we drink daily :)
My lang facilitators are extremely helpful. The goats in my village continue to be hilarious. They scream and stick their tongues out at me. The children have taken a liking to me, especially my 3 month old niece, Maimuna. I play soccer once and awhile with the boys in the village, though this tests gender lines. I have also learned a few card games and often play with my 26 yr old brother, Ousmane, and his wife, Mariama (my namesake). My cousin also likes to "kar maryasi" (play cards) now and then. I also shadow the women in my concession, learning how to do laundry by hand and how to cook. It seems as though they never rest but to eat or feed babies. And is this rest? I am getting quite a lot of exposure to Islam because my father is an imam and is often the muezzin at the nearby mosque. I often wake at 4:45 with the first call to prayer. I have learned what is good and bad in Islam with my broken Sonrai, and I know there is much more to discuss and learn. But so far I can see similarities with what is righteous and damning in Christianity as well.
As I expected, I am constantly challenged. I sweat. I itch. I jump at interesting creepy crawlies (but less freaked than I thought). I dodge free range animals. My health is tested, but all is well and for that I am thankful. My patience is really tested. "Malian time" takes getting used to. I am pretty much at the mercy of nature: roads turn to rivers in rain, I am up with the sun and go to bed soon after dark. Though I have come to appreciate the light of the moon and the number of stars in the sky. So much makes me smile. I am so motivated and excited for every new day. I apologize for I know there is so much more I want to share and I am sure this only makes you wonder more. I only wish I could tell more tales. Hugs to all!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Homestay life

I am integrating well into my host family. I struggle over words I don't understand, but the love, laughter, kindness, patience and care trump that. The food is more nourishing than I expected, carby, but enough meat and fruit to make it decently balanced. I went to the market this morning mostly to practice Sonrai, but also to restock detergent and find some head scarves. I do everything by hand: washing, laundry, cooking, fanning, sweeping, etc. Aside from the broiling sun and insects, I am appreciating nature more. The moon is a great flashlight, stars my map/compass, and the breeze my air conditioning. There is less waste here as a result. I do feel like I am living on one big farm. The animals all roam freely. I laugh at the animals, especially the goat who manages to get stuck in the fenced enclosure at the schoolyard. The goat screams, not bleats, screams like a little girl, sticking its tongue way out until it frees itself. This happens at least daily, and it never ceases to entertain me. The mommy chicken had babies in the courtyard so they are cute, too. I don't care as much for their dad who likes to cockledoodledoo at 5:30 am. I am up at the crack of dawn anyway with the mosque calls to prayer. Early to rise, early to bed. Our language facilitators ar incredible. I have learned alot, also about gender roles, respect for elders, and seasonal tasks. Really I feel at home and couldn't be happier.

Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Arrival

It has been akin to Girl Scout Camp here in "Tubaniso" (House of Doves), Mali as we orientate ourselves to the country and service. Language, cross cultural, safety, health, and development theory classes have taken up my days. We had a dance party last evening where I was able to begin to pick up the traditional dances of Mali. We each live in a hut, and I shower out of a bucket. The termites dropped their wings tonight, the toads enjoy watching me do my business, and the longest millipede I have seen is well, too long.
Big news: I found out I will be placed in Timbuktu (Fr. Tombouctou) once training is over. It is on the Niger River, but is serious desert. Thus, I have to learn Songhai (Fr. Sonrai).
Tomorrow I will be installed in my host family village as part of training. We live with the families and take culture and language classes by day. A rep from my village came to the compound today to introduce himself and answer questions, we shared a bowl of rice with peanut sauce...eating with the right hand. No silverware here! Between French and broken Bambara (the most common dialect in Mali) I understand that my host father is very well-fed and likes to laugh. I'm incredibly excited!
Some days it is tough to understand my place here, other days I just can't wait to start my assignment! We trainees are becoming fast friends, but naturally I miss you all incredibly! Pray for my strength tomorrow as I will be entering a village that speaks a language in which I only know one word: yes. No might be better with all the attention I am sure to get.

Disclaimer

All tales, opinions, and attitudes are those Joanna has experienced and subsequently composed. This Blog does not reflect the ideas or policies of the U.S. Peace Corps, its employees and volunteers, at large.