They all passed the language proficiency. The swearing in parties are over (didn't the Peace Corps do it up right!). The members of the Crew of 2011 are at their posts. Our children have jobs for the next 2 years. Have you dropped in social settings that your son or daughter is working in Niger ?
John and I are struggling a bit on our Sunday calls with Will. "We made the tacos just the way you like them" - "Great Mums and Pumpkins on the front porch this year"- "We walked the Katy in under 60 minutes this morning". Our daily life simply does not compare, it almost doesn't merit sharing when we think of Will's daily activities. But we would not miss a call, or an opportunity to send our love and our support. We know that it is Will's stories and the stories of the other members of the Crew of 2011 ( do not miss any of the blogs) that will broaden our world views and enhance our understanding. Send your email to Karen with your child's address for holiday cards: regnitk@yahoo.com.
Place a story on the blog, applaud the Crew.
Patty and John
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I am so happy to see an update, I check all the 2011 blogs that I find, and updates are few and far between. I have heard some great stories from Alex, and I'm sure your PCV has shared some with all of you. I just sent Alex a Thanksgiving package, which may be a bit late, I better start immediately on his Christmas package.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any idea how Christian/Religious items would be looked upon. I was thinking of sending a 2010 calendar with a religious theme, but did not want to step over any line in Alex's villiage? Any thoughts on this topic would be helpful.
Thanks for the blog update and Peace to all.
We’ve had four telephone calls with Thomas since he has been in his village. We call him at 7 a.m. our time, 12N his time on Sunday morning. Noon is a good time to get out of the heat.
ReplyDeleteHis first adjustment was not having any privacy. After three weeks a door was put on his concession, but that doesn’t matter: we always hear kids chattering in the background during our phone conversations. They don’t interrupt the conversations. One time they were bringing food for Thomas’s pet goat that he was given. Another time they were sharing peanuts with him. One of Thomas’s first questions was how can I form friendships with adults.
As the weeks went by he took every opportunity to learn the whereabouts of the teachers for the elementary and middle schools. Part of his role as a community and youth education volunteer is to facilitate the education that is happening. He found out that the teachers don’t live in the village except when school is in session. When school is in session, they leave the village on weekends. The start of school on October 5 was demoralizing. The teachers don’t appear to be interested in their work or in the students. They spend time talking to each other. One of the highlights was talking to a visiting teacher who spoke Hausa, not Zarma that Thomas has learned. They could carry on very well in French. Thomas gained a perspective about African education that he did not have before.
Overall, challenges seem to overwhelm and then something happens that gives relief and hope. After so much ground sorghum porridge, it was wonderful to eat a giant cucumber.
PS We won’t be talking this weekend since he is going to Niamey to get supplies, meeting with other PCV’s, etc., this weekend.
PPS We really like the Stana-card for calling Thomas on his cell phone. One part that is special is that you can assign an US number to his number and clear various numbers to call. Thus, besides us calling, his brothers have/can call, and, even a very interested aunt of his has called.