I love the blog, especially the header image and layout. I have to ask, did you start with a template or do the whole design from scratch? I’m just getting a blog up after months of hand-journaling. Things are progressing here in Banfora little by little. I can relate to the circling, jeering, neighborhood kid-hooligans. Hang in there.

Cheers,
Brad

What other choice have we? If we wait until some group of academics publishes proof that whatever method is sane, how many more girls will marry before their bodies can safely carry babies? We don’t need to consensus amongst the whole of western academia or humankind before one woman can say to another ‘I can teach you read’ or ‘I’m here to listen’ or ‘Hey Kid, let me show you a map of the world.’

Also, if we never ‘compartir’ - that’s what we call ‘cultural exchange in the DR - how else can we be brothers and sisters in the world? I think its an everyday miracle that you may leave your service knowing a couple people well as you know your best college roommate. And the next time you hear about that person’s country in the news… you’ll actually have an idea what the f* that news really means. The same way you know what the fall colors mean in Pennsylvania.

I ask myself whether I should be here, regardless of whether I can survive roughing it in Africa. Personally, that part was a factor for week 1 of training and then it never again crossed my mind - I am ready to put myself through hell if it means that I get to accomplish what I want, or think is right. However, I was reading Christine Rhodes’ blog and a reader left a comment regarding technology, and the lack thereof during her PC tour. I think that the fact that we can access the internet, own a cell phone, and catch glimpses of the news on tv plays a roll in our integration here - notably taking away from it. This reader mentioned being forced to turn to her community rather than family and friends (either back home or from stage) during tough times, especially at the beginning of her service. She said that she would never have come to love Ghana, her country of service, as much as she does if it hadn’t been for those first couple months where she had very little if not no contact with home.

I may be rambling on but I guess what I’m getting at is that I think the majority of Burkinabe want us to be a part of their communities. I have yet found anyone who has not generously thanked me for being here and “coming from glorious American to help their poor country”. I think those comments are genuine, and they really do thank us for being here. However, we may be victim to a comfort bubble that comes with the use of technology that may prevent us from really getting to know our communities and breaking the privilege and cultural barriers. Because of that and for some the language barriers, it may lead you to question whether you should be here. Ask a Burkinabe you’re getting to know well whether they think you should be here and I doubt they would say no!

You can’t avoid competition in any work environment and I think PC is in sorts a work environment. You have bosses, colleagues and a “clientelle”. It is normal to be proud of your achievements and like Claudette said, we all have similar thoughts with regards to ETing as well as reasons why we’re here and if we’re really going to help anyone in the long run. I think at a very basic level we’re evolutionarily predisposed to be in competition with each other, and it doesn’t stop just because you’re a volunteer and have altruistic goals in mind. As much as we try to support one another, we’re also each aware of our own and our peers’ struggle to make it through the tough times. It might seem like Stage is one of those times, maybe the hardest one. We want everyone to stay; we value each others motivation and commitment to coming to joining PC. Hence don’t ET, phone home. But when the situation arises that a loved one is sick, or you have other important reasons requiring you to leave, ETing might be the only option. I think in questioning whether someone is going to ET or not, we are testing the reasons they came here in the first place. Again, I am proud, and honored to be here, but I want to feel the same way about my fellow PCVs.

I might not have touched on what you were getting at, but I’m interested in continuing this discussion - i think its an important one to have with oneself.

Its really fun and interesting to hear your thoughts, I remember feeling the exact same way. Well, as for the people in the States, I think their questions and reactions often are gutteral responses to how they would feel if it were them making the committment. As it takes a village to raise a child, people who have had a hand in your life will take your service personally, as they should. One of the beautiful things about this program, really.

I guess what I’m saying is be patient with tactless comments that may be made… you’re doing something so unfathomable to most, people are practically speechless except for these vague stabs at relevancy. I don’t think many people who have not had to make the choice themselves will actually judge you, even if it sounds like it.

As for your colleagues, its so stressful to be in country, especially at first. I think there’s a culture of pressuring each other (at first) as a defense mechanism on all the thoughts in our own heads about ET’ing. Also, not really a judgement, see?

I write mines by kerosine as well.