The last month and a half through my pictures

What's up people.

It’s been almost two months since my last blog post. I’d like to say that much has happened in-between, but personally I feel like it’s been the same week after week. So instead of boring you with my sub-par story telling capabilities I’ll showcase the past month and a half using pictures.

Malaria awareness-raising using students as facilitators. The two students who I took to the youth conference back in July ran a few malaria activities. During our market day they went around and gave villagers a course on malaria 101. I really enjoyed seeing them do this because it was a great leadership activity for them while also providing a very valuable service to our community.

The vegetable garden that I’m doing with two students is coming along nicely. We’ve ran into our fair share of problems but for the most part it’s been a success. My village has enjoyed a surprising injection of vegetables into their daily diets and we will hopefully make enough profits to cover the tuitions of my two student helpers.

Last month I went to G29’s COS Conference Prom (The 29^th group of volunteers to come to Burkina; Close of Service). It’s sad that they will be leaving by the end of this year but after two years of living here I bet they are ready to go home. Here I’m with my regional neighbor Leanne who lives 40k west of Ramsa. We danced the night away!

Rainy season has been in full swing, with some weeks having rained 3-5 times. Unfortunately the showers here aren’t pleasant, but more torrential with gusting winds. But it could be worse. The drop in temperatures is nice and I’ll take the rain over the heat any day. 

It's funny when we see these rain clouds start forming. Everybody is out in the fields and suddenly the small clouds become HUGE and overtake the sun. It's always a game to see how long you can stay outside before making a mad dash back into the house before it starts pouring. 

If I build it, will he come?

Korean Food in Ouaga. Just discovered that this restaurant is an “authentic” Korean restaurant owned by a Korean woman. I recognize almost everything on the menu. I’ve been dreaming of Korean food a lot lately so it was blissful to actually be able to eat some while here in Burkina.

Drinking with the boys in Ouaga.

My work organization members started preparations for our Moringa garden. Here’s a picture of them digging almost 200 holes in which we will plant the trees. I just submitted my moringa grant and hopefully the funding will come in time for us to put the fencing and plant the tress so that we can use up the last of the rains to help feed the trees.

These men can dig!

One of my fellow volunteers just put on a youth camp focusing on sexual education and gender equality. I was lucky enough to be able to join and help run a few of the sessions. I had a great time and after doing this camp, it’s so clear how important gender equality education is in this country.

Playing a game and learning about HIV/AIDS and STDs.

The boys and I prepping for a condom/balloon game.

Having a relay race between boys and girls. Girls carry traditionally mens "things" (cigarettes and farming hoe) while boys carry girls "stuff" (a skirt, a backpack representing a baby and a basin for water). This activity is to show the boys the difficulties of being a women and all the daily responsibilities they have.

The volunteers who helped run the camp.

A family planning mural that the students are helping paint as part of the camp.

A random picture, but these small cuts finally just healed after 1.5 months. My bike pedals glanced my ankles, and since it’s extremely dirty in my village these cuts got infected. It’s almost stupid how easily cuts can get infected here, which is why now I’m OCD with even the smallest scrapes.  

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Many more to come in the future.

Until next time,

MB