Mac Wisdom, Volontaire au Corps de la Paix

So, I have done it. Tomorrow I will officially be a volunteer, a dream come true. This training has been hard, and yes, I am sick again. Just a little, but it still sucks.

That has been the worst thing, being sick. We moved out of the host families houses the other day and back into ECLA, our training base en ville in anticipation of swear-in. Being sick is the worst because of course you just don't feel good. Secondly, your surroundings are so alien and not as comfortable and commode as in the States. Thirdly, my family just didn't understand why I was sick. I guess it's hard to describe to them. I wasn't even about to start trying. So many times I get started with my French, then I get into something to complex, and I arrete. It's all good. When I come back to see them en Decembre, my French will be better and then I can explain to them.

I am traveling up north on Sunday, then going to site probably on Tuesday. It is gonna be fun and crazy. I am one of the only people who has not been to site. That makes it a little more interesting. Most new volunteers have seen their site, met a lot of people, including gendarmes, policiers, les autres fonctionnaires, etc. Me, I have met my proviseur and three fellow teachers. They all seem like great guys and they are going to be the main avenue for improving my French, if they don't mind practicing with me. Plus, the Peace Corps has a tutor fund it will pay for a year for further languaga tutoring. I am definitely doing that, in French and Fulfulde. The local language will be really good for when I talk to the community about secondary projects and also for when I talk to the APE. I need to pay attention to the girls needs too. That is super important in a developing country like Burkina. The girls must be empowered. My opinion is a country is only so powerful as are its female citizens. That is the overwhelming truth in the world today.

Much love goes out. I hope to speak to you all soon. Take care!