What The Heck Do I Actually Do
Here?
Over the past few months I’ve written mostly of the humorous
events and aspects of life in Goumori. However I wanted to take a quick time
out (about 2 paragraphs) to explain what it is I actually do here. My day/week/month/yearly
schedule is almost entirely up to me. In this way an EA (Environmental Action)
volunteer can do next to nothing, or work a 120 hour workweek. It all depends
on your motivation. For me, I like a healthy balance.
Up to this point I’ve been exploring and integrating into my
new village and home. Sounds strange that it takes this long to do such a
simple thing, but when all aspects of your life change . . . you find that you
have to change with it.
I’ve just finished my first IST (In Service Training) in
Parakou with most of the rest of my training class. It signifies the end of the
‘probationary period’. Now I am able to start larger projects, apply for
grants, travel anywhere in the country for workdays and basically start doing
some of the things I came here to do.
What does this mean to you? Simple; one day, not long from
today, I’m gonna ask you for money. But be not afraid! I’m not going to try and
guilt you into giving; No sad photos, depressing stories, or 1st
world guilt tactics at all.
So how am I going to go about this without aggressive sale tactics? See for yourself. . .
So how am I going to go about this without aggressive sale tactics? See for yourself. . .
Examples of possible project titles (to be accompanied by
promotional art):
- Imprison the Avian menace!!! (chicken coops for local women’s groups)
- Everybody poops! But it’s better to do the deux in a hole. (latrine building project)
- Alternate title, “For only 9 instantly consecutive payments of $12.37 you too can have you name memorialized in the freshly poured concrete of a genuinely authentic, millions of a kind, poop pit in exotic Africa! Order now and receive a picture of your personally stylistic outhouse ABSOLUTLY FREE*!!!”
- *photo not available for 3 to 6 months after construction.
- BEEEEEEEZZZZZZ!!!!!!! (Apiculture – bee hives. Look forward to photos of my swollen face)
- Tree vs. baby – round 1 – Ding Ding! (Moringa planting and processing)
- Pay per kilo (meter) – Bike tour to distribute mosquito nets for malaria
Lastly, I’m not going to ask for money for all of these
projects (and maybe for none at all.) There are other grant sources, but I thought
this could be fun, plus it’s a great way avoid taxes (write-offs!)
Crikey!
I know its a pretty short post this time, so I'll see what I can do to up the word count for the next one.
A la prochaine.