Courtney visits, Mama has a baby, and All Volunteer Conference!

So I am being transferred to Somalia to complete my service. April Fools Day.

It has only been two weeks since last writing, but some significant things have occurred during that time span.  I had two intense days of teaching before spring break started.  Even though I technically only teach 12 hours a week, I definitely find my self putting my absolute all into every iota of it, whether that is planning, developing things to bring to class, or just presenting the information in front of the class with intense enthusiasm (just as when you perform, you must act like it is the first time for every audience, I often feel like that with each class with my students). And with the clubs and teams I am involved with, I do feel like I am usually pretty productive and working on some aspect of community development, and thus, rightfully tired.  Especially with just taking care of my own living space, and doing and participating in just everyday life.

 In addition,  I have to say that the weather has turned so that at post it is often too hot do anything but sleep during mid day. I have not felt like that in awhile, but now when it hits 1 or 2 o’clock I begin to understand the real need for the African siesta from 12-3, or as they call it here, “repos”.

Anyways, big news. Mama Krystal – one of my favorite people and friends here in Azove and neighbor in the next concession (living area) – she had a baby! Nathanial! (NA-TAN-IEL). When I returned from IST, I found out that Nathaniel had been born the week before. Now I truly feel like an idiot, but I honestly did not know that she was pregnant. When I think about it now, it all makes sense to me. The aches and pains she complained about, her body, her lethargy and slow movement…it all makes sense now – and now I know what too look for in pregnant women here! However, most women wear their ”panyas” (cloth they wrap around themselves as a skirt like thing) in such a way that it is honestly hard to tell if they are pregnant or not, and no one talks about it! But now I know, and Nathaniel is just preciously small and beautiful. I held him for several hours during that first week – I don’t know the last time I have held a baby that small – truly beautiful A wonderful addition to one of my absolute favorite families at post

So more and more I am realizing how passionate and interested I am in girl’s issues. Obviously I am enthused by the girls soccer team and the change I have seen in many of the girls attitudes, but I really think the girl’s club meetings are going well as well.  Last session, we discussed the best things about being a girl, and hopefully dispelled the notion (which one of the girls aired) that boys are smarter than girls! Uh uh! They had a ton of fun I think drawing their names and things they like to do, and writing positive attributes about themselves. I am currently working on self-esteem issues, and hopefully later we can tackle some other heavier stuff. I definitely would like some Beninese women to be involved in this club and the team – I really want to find someone who is willing and able to assist with the club and provide a better sense of a role model than I can do an outsider. Cuz the kids are super excited about all this, I just know it needs to be more sustainable and more integrated into the community. Hopefully with time…

So March 21st was Good Friday and March 23rd was Easter. I have to say these are two holidays I really did not have much interaction with in the States, besides the usual American presentation of Easter. But man, it’ s a big deal! Good Friday was also market day in Azove. I just happened to be standing in front of the Catholic Church mid day that Friday, when all of a sudden the “scouts” started blocking off the roads and basically the entire Catholic presence in Azove began parading down the road. Behind a huge, massive cross covered in red cloth. I am telling you this parade of people went on for 10 minutes as they walked from somewhere down the market into the entrance of the church area. Crazy! Another good day at the marche…Good Friday parade, seeing my favorite marche mama’s and teachers and basically everyone! I often feel the most a part of Azove at the market…

I was in Cotonou for Easter as my good freind Courtney arrived to visit that night! It was so wonderful to finally share with someone a bit of my life here – so maybe it is not so strange and foreign to freinds and family. We spent the night in Cotonou the night she came in, and went back to my post Monday and Tuesday. We drank “sucreries” (soda pop ) and ate beans and rise and wagashi (cheese – both soy and from the cow) – which she both seemed to love, went to my school during correspondence club where she awesomely helped out (with only a small knowledge of French), went to the marche, and even went to the post in Aplohoue with me. Even though I was not in school teaching, I think she saw some of my community and life here which was somewhat surreal and really cool.

We went to Ouidah for the night on Tuesday so she could see the place in Benin well known for it’s part in the slave trade, and also known for voodoo and the beaches. I had been here during training – but it was a super quick and rather uninformative trip. This time we went to the museum, went on a  “tour” of the slave route, with a local guide, and hung out at the beach. Really interesting, and a nice getaway for sure.

The next few nights were spent at Hotel du Lac in Cotonou for the All – Volunteer Conference for the Peace Corps Volunteers here in Benin.  Hotel du Lac is a really nice hotel in Cotonou – best accomedations we will ever have while staying here! Basically the conferance was a time to hang out with everyone, air our grievences, concerns, and suggestions for improvement with the administration, have some regional meetings, and take part in some sessions on development. Courtney was super patient and just stayed poolside while I was in my sessions – some of which were a waist of time, some of which were actually really interesting.  Hotel du Lac itself was so great – it is located on the other side of Cotonou than most of us are used to seeing. Who knew that Cotonou actually had the potential to be beautiful? Usually it just seems like chaos (regarding the city planning of the ville), but Hotel du Lac overlooked the ocean and a bridge which reminded me of San Francisco. It reminded me there are always two sides to the story, haha Cotonou isn’t that bad -once just has to get to know it a bit.

Unfortunately, Courtney left a few days earlier than planned on Friday – but it was great to have her here!

Friday night we had a “male auction” (male PC volunteers up for auction) to raise money for GAD, with a talent show, and Saturday was the big GAD dinner and auction.  Took a lot of preperation but it was really fun and I think that GAD raised a lot of money. Thanks to all who contributed for the GAD auction and helping support gender focused projects!

Alright, back to post tomorrow and to proctoring the big tests again (“surveying devoirs”). Wish me luck. Hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Peace and Love,

Jordan