Thursday, July 15, 2010

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The Routine of a Stagaire

The rainy season of West Africa has begun. Nightime is characterized by heat lightening or a cool breeze. The thunder in the distance gives the impression that B-52 bombers are laying seige to the city of Ouagadougou.

The routine of daily life in West Africa has its postive and negative aspects. The heat and lack of creature comforts make the most simple tasks seem daunting. Peace Corps training is centered around a full schdedule of language classes, health seminars and security briefs. Dehydration and fatigue make a full day of classes a long day.
Training is a 3 month period before a Peace Corps trainee or "stagaire" becomes an official volunteer. Before being sworn in as a volunteer you must prove your ability in French, a local language and various other components. Training is equivilent to a West Africa boot camp. Our training includes: how to take transport throughout the region, use local currency, bargain in the market, bicycle training, and various techinical and cultural classes. Malaria is a real danger and we take weekly Lariam pills for adequate prevention. A side-effect is vivid dreams. My latest episode consisted of me... "laying in a bed of leaves, eating bananas with gorillas".
The other day we had to poke ourselves with needles to create malaria slides. The concept of "prevention" is key in West Africa and we need to be prepared for malaria.

As a health volunteer in West Africa I am charged with implementing better health education and sanitation throughout the country. The Peace Corps uses our first few months in country to give us a in-depth look at healthcare in Burkina Faso.
We spend our days learning to make soap from materials in the local market or visiting maternity clinics. The end of the day is characterized by a cold bucket bath under the stars or a luke warm shower at a hostel in the capital.

The country of Burkina Faso is very poor and extremely low on the development index yet the people of this country make up for the lack of infrastructure. Our Peace Corps trucks are often greeted by warm smiles and a friendly "Bonsoir". The concept of greeting strangers in the street is almost non-existent in the United States. Burkina Faso is the complete opposite. It is a cultural expectation that when you cross someones path you will greet them, ask about their family and discuss how work went that day. The volunteers and I often find ourselves greeting almost everyone that crosses our path.

While walking in the capital the other day. I was followed by a street "petit". The little boy didn't beg for money or food. He just calmly strolled through the market with me. He followed us for an hour or so, chatting in French and giving useful bits of information wherever he could. In the end, I bought him a 20 cent street ice cream called FANMILK. He smiled and downed the special treat. I came to Africa to help the people of Burkina Faso but I'm not an idealist. I understand that I alone will not be able to bring development and healthcare to Burkina Faso. Yet, in this boy I have come to understand why I came to Africa. To exhange ideas, culture and smiles with the people. To show them the best side of America and in turn learn from their culture. I want to understand the lessons that West Africa has to offer.

Until then, training continues....