May, 2009

Well I guess it’s been a while since I updated my blog and a lot has happened so where to begin…

Politics
Always popular topics so why not begin with the ever complicated Guinean political system. When I arrived it was a dictatorial democracy. President Conte had taken power in a coop that had followed his predecessor’s death. He was largely considered brutal and considered by all to be one of the most corrupt men in the word. Elections were occasionally held so; despite accusations of widespread election fraud you could have still considered it a democracy. In December of last year Mr. Conte died of old age among other things effectively ending his two decade rain. Another military coop and Guinea has a new President. Although there has been a lot of reporting of military abuses and road blocks have made most travel near the capital a trial in patience. For the most part the government appears to be less corrupt. At least they are tying, sort of. Improvement projects are being implemented and some of the mining companies that fed the last presidents bank account are being shut down so all and all people are hopeful.
The U.S. election did not go unnoticed here. Rather than people shouting “Whitey”, at me now I here “Obama!” Obama’s face can be seen on Backpacks, shoes, notebooks, belt buckles, name tags, and stickers. Even the most uneducated villager knows that the new American president is black and the difference in their confidence is Amazing. School kids say they want to be president when they grow up and adults that once told me black people aren’t as smart as white people are changing their tone.
Projects
I have spent a lot of time with the ladies in my village at the gardens. In the dry season the village wells go dry so all gardening takes place in the low lands. These are areas that are flooded in the rainy season and used as rice fields and in the dry season are converted into gardens where the wells never go dry. I have made valiant attempts to introduce new vegetables into a very limited diet, unfortunately the limited diet corresponds with limited taste buds and my attempts have been less then successful.
Right now I am coordinating two youth conferences that will take place in Kankan in August and September. Volunteers from all around my region will bring kids from their village to our regional capital of Kankan to discuss health, environmental, and educational issues that affect their lives. If this project is successful it will be my first so keep your fingers crossed.
Weather
Another dry season is coming to an end which means it is hot and the mangos are out. It should start raining in the next couple of weeks. I love watching the dessert turn into a savanna. There are more bugs but the weather is worth it. I love falling asleep to a thunder storm. I am so much more in tune with the weather here. I can predict a thunderstorm two days away just by the movement of the clouds and the smell in the air. The weather is so important to every aspect of life. Without a weather man or calendar every villager knows how many more weeks it is until a heat wave will break or can tell you with confidence in will not rain even if thunder claps over head.
Moose moose
Early one morning I could hear my cat crying in the distance. When I found her she was trying desperately to make her way home on three legs. She collapsed the moment she saw me and looked at me with very sad eyes. Her leg was hurt badly. There was so much blood I couldn’t get a good look at it. Her lower leg was obviously broken but it was her thigh that seemed to bother her the most. I don’t know what she did and without a vet I didn’t know what I could do for her. I tried to make her as comfortable as possible but by that night the infection was so bad I could smell it across the room and she was going into shock. She stayed with me for a day. She went outside to lay in the sun, or so I thought. My village brother told me to just let her do what she wants that she knows what is best so I didn’t stop her from going outside. Ten minutes after she walked out I went to go check on her and she was gone. Most people told me she went off to die because that’s what animals do. A few people told me the kids ate her because that’s what kids do. My village brother told me she would come back when she was healed. I left the village the next day, I hated waiting around to see if she would come back and in three days she did. My brother called me from the village and told me they had found her so I rushed right home. She was better. Still on three legs, still bleeding, still in pain, but she was better and without infection. I don’t know how many lives she lost with that one but I imagine it was a couple.
Two weeks later she had babies. Big brother was right after all.
Home
Thanks to the generosity of my wonderful parents I was able to take a vacation home and it was great. I don’t know how to properly thank everyone that made an effort to make those three weeks so memorable. I felt so loved going home and don’t think I will ever forget that feeling. I wish I could have seen more of everybody but there will be more time latter. I was able to participate in my dear friends Sara and Brian’s wedding. After missing so much being able to be there for their day meant so much to me. I felt oh so honored that they wanted to include me and share their time with me. I wish them both the best of luck and all the happiness in the world.
I also ate, a lot. Returning to country 25 lbs heavier I feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle anything that come my way. So again to all those that made it possible and especially to mom and dad, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Well that’s it, a very quick view of six months of my life. I’m sure I left a lot out but I’m sure I will be annoying everyone with little “well when I was in Africa” stories for years. I’m sure eventually you will hear them all. With all my love, until next time,
Binta