P.S.

P.S. Check out the other pictures that I've posted to the right of this on my blog. Click "Sara's pictures" More will be coming when I have time to sit at a computer and upload them.

An ka taa

Here we go...

After successfully swearing in on Friday, I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer to serve in Mali for the next two years. You have no idea how excited I am to get out there and get busy getting to know my new community.

What will I be doing there, exactly? Good question. A lot of just integration and hanging out in order to best assess the needs of the community. Although I have a few projects already in mind and a few suggested to me, it's not my job to tell the people what they need. I will be working very closely with the women's association and the economic development committee in the small community in order to improve the current conditions of the town. In other words, I'll be doing community development, but in Mali-- an environment with which I am completely unfamiliar.

Dooni dooni

I would write the phrase with crazy o's that are present in the Malian phonetic alphabet, but I can't find them on this keyboard. "Small small," or "slowly slowly" my Malian counterparts are always telling me. That's how I intend to work towards becoming a part of my rural community. The first three months at site, I'm technically not allowed to start any funded projects, but that's okay with me! I'm planning to spend a lot of time improving my language skills and just becoming Majo Bagayogo. This time at site, I will be able to explore the surrounding towns and see what role they play in perhaps organizing with my own community.

On my own

Being on my own is a pretty daunting thought right now, but I also can't wait to just get out there. I'm not sure the next time I'll be able to write, but know that you are all in my thoughts. Take care across the ocean! I know that I'll have a lot to say very very soon...

And a few more before I become a volunteer

Took my language test yesterday and received an Intermediate High level!! I'm more than excited that my skills have progressed so much in such little time. Ah, it feels good. I might, just might, be able to communicate in my village when I arrive next Tuesday. Here are some more pictures to hold you over.


Picture 1: The gwabugu (kitchen hut) at sunset. Also, see our awesome corn crop that I will be eating soon.

Picture 2: And you thought that we prepared a lot of food for our weddings. I doubt that I could have ever gotten the proportions right for this much rice....

Picture 3: Host family picture (it was late at night, sorry) Try to figure out which one I am. My mom and dad are seated, mom in front of me and dad in the brown shirt. Picture 4: My host brothers and sisters are adorable. I can't wait to watch them grow up over the next two years. :o)

That's it for sisan (now), as PC has brought one member from each of our homestays to come eat dinner with us the night before we swear in. I'll be spending a few days after swear in back here at the training center, so I'll be writing a final entry before making my way to site.

Promised Pictures

Still more to come, but it just started raining and I have to get my clothes off the line!!!

Sunrise over homestay fields one of my last mornings there. Absolutely gorgeous.

My host sister's wedding day-- it was great, but I was really sad to see her go.

I'm still alive... this is proof: A picture of me and one of my favorite host nieces with a clothesline of fabric in the background. She didn't quite get to look at the camera.... oops.

Quick Update

Hello loyal readers! I have a very quick update. Pictures aren't uploading right now, but I might be able to post them later.

I just finished the last portion of my Peace Corps training and in just a few days I will swear in to become an actual Peace Corps Volunteer. That's right, I've made it-- take note all of you non-believers out there...

We left our homestay in style, with everyone arriving to our meeting place as part of a parade. Mine consisted of a homestay brother and nephew who had strapped my luggage to the back of their bicycles and my little sisters who helped to carry my wash buckets; my mother followed along behind us. The night before, we had a photo session at my concession with everyone posing and then pulling me to the next set of people to take their picture. It was tons of fun knowing that the next two years I will always be able to return to this group of people to hang out, laugh, cry and feel very very welcome, regardless.

My other sister got married last week... something that I was not expecting AT ALL. I was actually quite shocked and didn't believe when they first told me, but then sure enough, there she was in her wedding dress. Just a day earlier, this had been the young woman who had cooked my dinner. Just a week earlier, she had been pulling my water for me. And just a month ago, she had been the first family member to really befriend me by teaching me local games and answering all of the now ridiculous questions about how to survive. I'm so glad that she's only moving to the other side of town to her husband's house and not to a different village, so I'll be able to see her, too, whenever I go back.

I'll write more later when I can add pictures.