We know we all thought of them all day long...Keep the members of the 2011 Crew in the forefront this week as each of them embraces a brand new experience. Great stories from Kerry, Karen, Mary Ann and Stacy....communication gives us all balance, keeps us connected, and strengthens the understanding of the outstanding service of these young people.
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Patty and John
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Will's sister and Dad reached him today at his remote post. They were thrilled. He seems to be acclimating to the village very well...has a fine system in place for filtering and sterilizing the water. Reports one of his staples is certainly to be mac and cheese made with laughing cow cheese ( as it does not need to be refrigerated ). Stated he will be in the city with internet access on Friday prior to getting on the bus and journeying back to the training camp. Speaks freely of the comraderie of the 2011 Crew. Two other bits of news: First he had picked up a text message from Skype from our house to his I-pod. ( 9 cents a message)and then when they are at camp there will be an auction of all of the finished PCV equipment that they want to leave in Niger. He is hoping for a solar panel generator to use to charge the phone and I-pod.
ReplyDeleteBig relief in our household that communication with Will will not be as limited as we once thought...as you know how much our household
values communication.
Patty and John
Brian had access to internet and sent a quick email .. He said, "i have the best place in all of niger! i basically live in a mansion with electricity, a water spicket in my yard, a garden with corn, papayas and a BANANA tree!!!! I also have a shower which is amazing - no more bucket baths!!"
ReplyDeleteI laugh at how he defines a mansion - we must all live in palaces!
I agree with Patty - it's nice to communicate with our loved ones.
~Karen
We spoke with Emily Wednesday at her assignment. Very happy to hear that her post actually matches her skills, community and economic development. She saw her offices and met the staff, got to read the development plan for the commune and feels purposeful.
ReplyDeleteWhen we called there were lots of children in her concession and it was very heartwarming to hear her explaining to the children in zarma who was calling. They all called out FoFo.
She described her village as "amazing". The village built her a two room house, which at present she has furnished with one folding chair. They had some rain and the roof leaked and her neighbors are "on it". She pointed out that the little house is larger than her efficiency in DC which cost over $1000 per month! She has a very high concession wall and can now take bucket showers standing up.
Her neighbors have been feeding her dinners and bringing her gifts. She predicts she may get a little sick, as she has she is now out of the protected area of their training where everyone knows how to prepare food that won't make the pcvers sick.
The scenery is lush for niger as there are rice paddies in addition to the millet.
Friday she will back in Niamey at the hostel and will have the opportunity to meet her "regional team" of new and current pcv staff.
Her dad slept through the night for the first time in a week as he was worried that he "sensed"some distress during her prior call! I had the opposite reaction, she sounded so excited, my mind was racing trying to imagine all that she was experiencing! Parents, we are a funny bunch!
I too, talked with Rachel this week. She was sick for two days with a sore throat and fever, but shook that off and totally enjoyed the rest of her week in Falmey. She is excited about the town which is fairly large (4000-7000 pop) with lots of trees, a really decent weekly market, a high water table (only 3 pulls to get the water out of the well), and electricity for 6 hours every day. Her house is not up to PC standards, but should have a new concrete floor by the time she gets back. The privacy fence will have to wait for the millet harvest.
ReplyDeleteShe visited her office in the local government building and was thrilled to see a ceiling fan, light fixture, and electrical outlet. That is, until she found out that the building is not connected to electricity. Apparently the Mayor's office does not have the money. But, the building is ready when they do! I told her that should be her first project.
In coversation with her I can sense she is already shedding some of her western priorities and is settling in to a simpler way of life. Although, she was happy to report meeting the local consortium of five Ghanian tailors who, refreshingly, speak english and french and just so happen to have satellite tv. Perhaps her new BFFs.
Spoke with Emily briefly on Saturday. She had made it back from hostel in Niamey.
ReplyDeleteHer regional team was went to their regional leader's house for a dinner. Said she had some tummy upset, but wasn't sure if it was from food at her future post village or gluttony of western food in Niamey including lattes, croissants, chili and a bit of "clubbing" Niamey style.
She was very upbeat about her colleagues in her region, which will include Kate, Katelyn, Chad and Robin.
One more week of language training which will focus on work vocabulary. Then the rumor is they will be at the center for the last week in preparation for swearing in and heading out.
The company we were buying Wild Africa phone cards from, no longer carries them. Any recommendations for cards you have been successful with ?
Hi Stacy .. I had problems with Wild Africa too and have been using Stanacard which gets a much better reception. If you're interested in getting this, email me at regnitk@yahoo.com and I can set you up with a referral code so you'll get bonus minutes (as Patty did for me).
ReplyDelete