Three months in

Minnie N Majo
Some of the days during my first month at site have been extremely trying, from the times when children would stand outside my closed door and then, peeking in my windows, yell my name, after I told them that I was going to lie down, to the general lack of English language and good conversation that I had grown accustomed to during pre-service training. In these cases, the strangest things seem to be comforting and refreshing, including the taste of my favorite childhood snack: Peanut butter balls from my Minnie N Me Disney cookbook. Yes, all of the ingredients are here and readily available (minus the wheat germ) and yes, I now eat peanut butter balls all the time, made with the freshly produced peanut butter from the market. As I eat an entire batch, sitting at the table in my house, I think back to the times when I would do the same thing at home, but this time mom isn't here to yell at me...

African Frogs
My first pet as a child came as a gift from my aunt and uncle and although it wasn't a typical pet, such as a dog or a cat, it began to teach me the lessons of responsibility and patience. North country friends, you might remember Amy and Bill, our "African Frogs" that lived in an aquarium, first in my room and then in my basement. They definitely escaped more than once and died more than once (but we got replacements, Amy II and Bill II). Well, the frogs in Mali are multidinous and quickly reproducing, but look nothing like the African frogs I had so many years ago. It makes me think of the exoticism that we placed on the word "African" that actually leads to a generalization and grouping of the whole continent into a single place, a single idea. It also has allowed me to reflect on the idealization that I, myself, had of Mali and the "developing world"--that all of the issues here are completely different and not the social issues that I often complain about in America. But, no, perfection isn't here either, just like it's not at home. Again, I think that we're in need of some great compromises and meeting in the middle so that the world as a whole and the human population as a population can move forward.

Mothers are ba's everywhere
For those of you still worried about my health, I would like you to know that yes, I am still healthy with only the most minor of health concerns, including a one day horrendously sore-throat two weeks ago. I would also like you to know that mothers will continue to be mothers and care, almost too much, for your well-being.

After I had told my homestay family about my sore-throat and taken the morning to attempt to sleep it off in my house, I returned with some of my own tea and asked my dia-tigi or homestay mother to warm some water for me. That seemed to mean that I was willing to try to eat things (no, no I never said that) and do you know what is best for a sore-throat when you can barely swallow? Fish balls. Yes, pulverized whole fish (bones included) mixed with a flour-y paste and cooked in fish juice. Let's just say that it's not quite the chicken soup I was looking for and no, I didn't eat more than one bite. It's the thought that counts, right?

Okay! I have to go right now, right now... I have more to write, but it will have to wait! Ah! Talk to you in a few weeks!

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.