So this weekend, I went with a few other PCT to a PCV's house about 10km from Ouahigouya. This PCV, Christina, just happens to be my future neighbor, less than 2km away from Aorema, my home for the next two years. I biked into Ouahigouya Saturday afternoon with Ilana (also my future neighbor - about 7km away), and we met up with Christina at the cyber café and biked to her village Youba, where we then met up with three other PCTs from an nearby village. We intended to visit my site that evening, but unfortunately Christina forgot her key in Ouahigouya, so we had to change our plans a bit. We hung out in Youba while a neighbor went by moto back into town to retrieve her key. By the time he came back, it was already dark, so we decided to go the next day.
Sunday morning, we biked the short distance to my future village of Aorema. There we met my counterpart, the head nurse of the CSPS (health clinic). He seems like a cool guy, so it should be fun working with him, though he does spe
ak French at a rather quick pace for my tastes. We also met the other CSPS workers and got a brief tour of the clinic. From there we walked maybe 50 yards or so to my house! It is located right next to CSPS grounds, in a walled-in compound that also includes the homes of the head nurse and another CSPS worker. It is not complete yet, but they were working on it while we were there. One man was preparing my hanger (similar to a porch) to be cemented as you can see in the photo here, and another man was digging my latrine behind my house. After this is taken care of, they want to build a fence around my courtyard to give me some added privacy. I think once it is all done, it will definitely look great, and I can definitely picture myself here for the next two years. My friends said the little bumps on the roof make it look like a castle. I have to agree.
Sunday morning, we biked the short distance to my future village of Aorema. There we met my counterpart, the head nurse of the CSPS (health clinic). He seems like a cool guy, so it should be fun working with him, though he does spe
It has never been more real than now. I have seen the men who have spent months (since April) building a house specifically for me. I have heard the women in the maternity building at the CSPS thank me for coming. I really felt welcomed into Aorema, and now I've seen the people I am here t
When we were about to get on our way, the important members of the village (including the chief) presented me with two chickens. I was really honored, but may I give a word of caution. Riding 20km on a dirt road with two chickens tie
On a completely unrelated note, since Thanksgiving is this week, and today I am thankful that the cyber café computers are uploading photos relatively fast, I've decided to share a couple other pics from around my current village of Somyaga. Enjoy!
This is one of my best little buds in village, little Sayouba. You may recognize him from my last set of photos from village. Whenever I pick him up in the air as I often have to do, he just laughs and laughs. He's such a funny kid!
And this is one of the village elders in my quartier. He is always sitting on the ground making something - rope or calabash bowls or the like. Whenever I visit him, he shows me what he is working on, but because he is only speaks Mooré, he just keeps saying ¨Yaa soma¨ (It's good) and ¨Barka¨ (Thank you) to me. We started actual Mooré classes today, so maybe I will be able to talk with him some more after awhile. He is such a nice man though. He asked me to take a picture of him and his family, and when I should this to him, I don't think I've ever heard so many ¨Barkas¨ from one person. I think it turned out pretty good too.
2 comments:
Hi Erik -
We just love the pictures and your writing/comment's. Sorry about your chicken! Your new home looks fabulous like a little castle, as you noted. It's wonderful. A big, big thank you to the workers who labored on it for you. They sound so warm and loving. We are thrilled that you are happy. Great to have your own privacy.
Love,
Mom & Dad & Kyle
Erik
I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving man. It sounds like you are adjusting to your surroundings well and already having a big impact on the community. I have to give you much respect for the job you are doing and hope things continue to go well for you. We miss you man.
Peace,
Austin
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