My 3 and 1/2 months of training are over and my training group and I were sworn in on Thursday. Our training was a little bit longer than normal so that our swearing in ceremony could be the kick-off of the 50th anniversary fair at the Maison du Peuple in Ouagadougou. It's was pretty big affair since the U.S. Ambassador and Prime Minister of Burkina Faso were there. Rain in the early morning blew over all of the tents right before the ceremony, but all of the volunteers got together and made it work by putting the tents back together and moving things out of the rain below the stadium. (To see more on the fair check out the youtube video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI2vFj3mvZw .) Our ceremony was followed by a really nice reception. It's a really great feeling to finally be able to start my service here. Best of all my host family from Sapone came and I think it was a really special occasion for them. I am so greatful for their hospitality and help with learning culture and language, so it was nice that they could celebrate with me. They threw a really nice party for me when I left Sapone and gave me an authentice Sapone chapeau (hat). They sell these all over Burkina Faso at tourist places, but I have a real original!
In front of me is the daunting task of moving to my village 75 km from the southwestern city of Banfora. As I've mentioned before I will being living in a small 2 room house with no running water or electricity. Although I've been living in Africa for 3 months already I had the added benefit of 35 other Americans in the same town and I got to speak English everyday. That safety blanket will be taken away tomorrow! (Not to worry, Americans are only a couple hours away by bike or bush taxi). I'm savoring my last few hours at the pool in Banfora with some other volunteers and free internet! We are planning on eating cheese for dinner tonight since that's a food that we can't have in village!
I'm really excited to finally start working. I found out last week that my supervisor, the mayor of the village, is a woman! That's pretty rare around here, and since my goal is gender equality that should help my cause! I'll be working with a lot of women who don't speak any french, only local language (Jula/Dioula or Senofou), because they never had an opportunity to go to school. AHH I need to study!!! I just reached advanced low in French only to start learning a totally different language.
I'll let ya'll know how it's going in a couple of weeks!
