What Mali has taught me...

So I have been in Mali now for what seems like eternity but in reality it has been 4 months! I have learned so much though in these 4 months, had an experience that very few Americans can say that have had.  I have been living as a Malian which is one of the hardest things one could do, but yet a Malian does it every day.  Mali taught me that people do not need all the amenities in the world to be happy, that electricity is not necessary, or material items do not make you better than another.  In this culture, it is a culture of sharing and family, what is mine is also yours.  My host father is a very fortunate Malian who manages to have more than many other, he has a car, a motorcycle and is building another house, but yet he does not feel superior to another, he shares what  he has with everyone.  If someone needs a ride, he will give them his motorcycle, or drive them anywhere they need to go.  If he sees someone not eating and he is, he will offer food to them.  This is the Malian way, any time anyone is eating, they will offer, even if they can only offer a little.  This culture has taught me a new appreciation for humanity, to be able to see people who are the poorest in the world, give the little they have to others so another can be happy.  I am an American who would be considered very wealthy in Malian standards because I have disposable income to buy ipods, computers, abundant amount of clothes, but where does this make me better or superior to a Malian.  Malians have no need for these items because they have what many in the world desire, they have family, and what I mean my family, its not just a mother, father, sisters or brothers, everyone is their sister and brother.  It is a confusing concept for me to grasp, but as a form of respect, one calls each other n balimamuso or n balimace which means this is my brother or sister, even though their is no blood relation between the two.  This country has created a joking cousin in which you are allowed to tease someone with a competing last name.  This creates a sense of harmony and teaches everyone not to take life to serious.  Mali compared to most African nations is one of the safest there is, also the most stable.  The violent crime rate is very low here compared to many of their neighboring countries, because they have this since of community and everyone gets to know everyone.  It is amazing how it works out. I wish  that many Americans could have experienced what I have in my four months here, I believe they too would grow an appreciation.  Nothing is better on the soul than watching a small child running down the street with a smile on their face while using a stick to balance a rolling spare tire.  Many Americans are simply spoiled and our children expect toys that in reality are not needed, not to say that we need to give up our way of life to live like Africans, but I think we all need to have a better for of appreciation for all the gifts and privileges that America has offered us.  We are all fortunate to be Americans, we have choices, whether it is for clothes, entertainment, food, culture, or leisure, we are so blessed to have all of these at our opportunities that most of the world does not.  I will never take a toilet for granted know that most of the world doesn't have one, as I take my morning shower, I will appreciate the fact that I did not have to walk 10 minutes to get a bucket from a pump or well and carry it back to my house so I can bathe.  Everyone who reads this, please take 5 minutes or an hour, and think about all your problems and realize that you can work through them, that you do not need to work 100 hours a week just so you can get the new Ipad, remember that as long as you have loved ones in your life, that is what really matters!  In my first four months in Mali, I know I have grown beyond what I thought, through all of my complaining, I appreciate the fact that I am here, and the most important thing that I have learned and hoping to keep when I return to America is patience.  It has always been my biggest flaw, being impatient, but I hope I can take what I have learned from Mali and adapt as much of it as I can in America.  Until next time, peace!

Another travel to Bamako!

So once again I am in Bamako, I have another medical issue so I came to Bamako for a check up.  It is quite crazy since I have been here less than 2 weeks ago.  It is also crazy to think of the time gone from site. I will be back in Bamako the 11th for IST training which last for 2 weeks.  The first 2-3 months is suppose to be time spend with the community for integration, to learn their culture, and start inquiring into the needs of the village and what projects I could do for the next 2 years.  Yet I have been getting sick quite often that I have missed a lot of this time for my integration!  It is taking its toll on me physically and mentally being sick, it is very tire some, but being here in Bamako, I have been able to catch up on sleep that I haven't had in the past 2 weeks.  I have stomach issues, insomnia, and my viral infection still, it is very difficult dealing with this at site, especially dealing with it alone.  It is difficult to discuss the issues you are having at site, because a lot of your illnesses is lost in translation with the locals as well as the lack of knowledge of common diseases.  The other day a girl in my village was having hiccups but they took it as a serious disease, I told her why she had her issue and she was like no, it is a sickness! Also, since many of the locals are very strong and tough people, they have to be, so many illnesses are just ignored because it could interrupt with their daily lives and lively hoods.  There is no such thing as a paid sick day in most villages, if you are sick and forced to take a day off then you lose that days income which could bankrupt a family.  It is difficult to experience when you see people with disabilities caused by injuries and illnesses that were just ignored. So with that said, they acted that it was odd for me to go all the way to Bamako just to visit a doctor but we as Americans and even as Volunteers, it is very imperative to take care of ourselves here. African way of life is very tolling on Americans and Western Civilized people, everything we have is difficult since it is very foreign to our bodies.  Lets hope I get better soon, although I know I will get sick again soon!

Birthday in Africa!

So today is my 26th Birthday!! Its a crazy place to have a birthday to say the least but I appreciate my fellow volunteers who came to Bougouni especially Clare and Marlow, and celebrated this with me.  I have never been a big fan of birthdays, they generally depress me, but this one I think is nice where I am able to just chill in a hotel with Clare and enjoy some A/C, a shower and a good old porcelain throne. I went out to a local bar last night and enjoyed the luxuries of whiskey, and just was able to relax a little. I know that if I celebrated in my village, this would have been a devastating day, so all round a good day! I also appreciate all those who called me from America, I know it is expensive but I really appreciate it and love and miss you guys:) You know who you are!  Tomorrow is back to site which is going to be once again tolling on me but it has to be done!  I have some plans to make the next couple of weeks entertaining before IST so it should be okay!

Woke up and guess what, I am in Africa!

This entry is different for all others, it is not a rant, these are just my thoughts.

I know I have been here for several months now, but every so often through all my discomforts I have to wake up and remember, I am in Africa. I feel there are days where I will be back in NYC at my apartment on the Upper East and think of all this as a long dream.  Guess what though, every day I wake up on my mattress enclosed in my mosquito net wishing I was some where else.  Its not all bad as my dramatics may make it seem. I am really appreciating the experience.  I was on a bus this morning headed off to Bougouni for my birthday weekend, and while looking out the window, I had another moment where I was reminded I am in Africa.  I look out and see children running in villages chasing tires, I see women carrying their livelihoods on their heads, I see donkeys in the  roads and farm animals roaming every which way, I am on a bus with no A/C surrounded by people who have not heard of deodorant, through all of this, I remember I am in Africa.  I really do appreciate all of this, it opens my eyes to a whole new world; one can forget that we share the same planet! Do not get me wrong with previous posts that probably seem to just be a long random rant of bitchiness, I appreciate this experience and encourage people who are interested in the slightest to try it out.  I am told by many volunteers that this is not for everyone, and I agree it is not.  I will never regret my decision to join this wonderful organization, it stands for everything I believe in.  With that said, whether I stay here another 2 months or 2 years that is to be foreseen,  no matter how much I love this experience, I do have to listen to my body and mind.  It is very tolling on my as you can see from previous entries; I am not sure if I was ready for such an endeavor. This is my question to myself, How would I know when I would be ready?  Tomorrow is my birthday and I will be 26! I realize here that I was not ready to leave NYC, not sure if I was ready to make a 2 year commitment, but when would I be ready?  I am realizing there are so many things back home that I am not sure if I want to miss... my nephews first birthday, my moms 60th, more holidays more anniversaries. I understand that I will have to miss something no matter what I choose to do, but to be unhappy and miss out on the lives of my loved ones.  I am not homesick, but I do think about what I will be missing.  As I said, whenever I choose to leave be it in July or April 2013, I appreciate the fact that I got to meet some amazing people, not only volunteers but the Malian people.  Malians are extraordinary, they live in such adversities with a smile on their faces!  They are some of the most hospitable people, yet they have next to nothing. If I asked, they would give me the shirt off their backs.  There are the annoying ones of course, especially the children who stare and taunt but as a whole, this is a wonderful society.  I just wished I was ready to accept it and be a part of it!  I could only hope with time!

More Adventures... or not!

So I am currently in Bamako, about to leave actually after being here for a week.  I have been sick with some unknown disease, they call it a viral infection but not 100 percent what caused it.  I had major pains in my lungs, my chest, I had a migraine that lasted for 14 hours, nausea, fever, major headache and other such fun symptoms.  They do know that it was not Malaria though which is good.  So I have been in Bamako which was a nice break, hanging out with other volunteers, enjoying the air conditioning and have some good food, only thing is that I spent a fortune here but it was worth it.  I do not feel 100 percent yet but I feel it will be good for me to go back to site and see my villagers, I haven't seen them since last sunday!  Plus I will be going to my regional capital next weekend for my birthday celebration, big 26!!!

Before I got sick, things were going okay...  I have been trying to find ways to motivate myself to stay, I had an LCF visit for 6 days which was a great help.  He helped me find a tutor which will make Bambara a little easier to learn.  He also talked to my villagers to let them know that I do not eat fish so they will not make it for me anymore which I am so happy about.... I hate fish! As for nothing to do, I find out that the reason I have not visited my service since I have been at site is because they will not be opening this year.  They did not pay taxes or electric last year so they will be shut down.   I wish I knew this before hand but my homologue (local counterpart) decided not to tell me.  He has been avoiding me at all costs which is annoying since he is the one I am suppose to count on to meet my community start my work.  Only reason I found any of this out was because my LCF told me...

At site, I have been reading a lot and watching a lot of tv shows on my laptop to help get by the boredom.  I read in front of the boutique so the villagers gets to see me.  I have been trying to spend significant time with them and show them that I do care.  I really like my villagers, it is still taking some time to adjust to the life here.

I managed to get a lot of new downloads for my ipod as well as tv shows for my computer.  I am starting to get into glee which is an awesome show!  I have a lot more to watch at site.   I will be going to ist in less than a month which will be another nice break! Then we are allowed to travel to other areas.  We will have a 4th of July party in Kaye which will be awesome and then I will probably go to Sikasso and visit the waterfalls.  I need to plan these trips so it will help me stay here as long as possible, nice little breaks from site every so often!

Well next Saturday is my birthday and I will be going to Bougouni on Friday to Sunday... I will be with clare and some other volunteers, it will be nice to celebrate it with other volunteers, versus alone with my village which just sounds awful!

Until next time...

Week in Hell?? We will see!

So I finally have a little time with the internet access which is nice to catch up on the world. So this has been quite the past several days! I have been at site for about 9 days now and man it has been very difficult. To start, I was very fortunate to have Peace Corps drive me to my site which made me happy, I was suppose to take the bus but when they saw the amount stuff I owned, they offered to drive.  When I got to site, nothing that was suppose to be done was done which was a little upsetting but then hey I am in Mali during hot season, things run a little slow.  Then the week started... It was very difficult for me, it has been hot season so being warm may play into a lot of my unhappiness but here is my rant.  First off, I really really love my host family and the locals that I spend time with everyday, this is nothing against the locals.  I am having a very difficult time adjusting to the life here, everyday I am taking a bucket bath with visible dirt and dead bugs in it.  After I bath I am still dirty which is very difficult to get use to.  Then there is the fact that I can not properly communicate with anyone, my french is decent but most people do not speak French and I do not understand Bambara very well yet, this makes it difficult to get to know everyone.  I also have not been eating a lot because majority of my food consists of fish, which I do not like, and there are bones in the sauce which makes me very ill.  There is also a constant bug problem in side of my room, for example the other night I was awoken by a cockroach crawling on me.  I am also still very homesick, I really miss my friends and family.  I realize and started appreciate the aspect of having them in my life.  I called my parents and they give me all the encouragement to stay, explaining that I will get use to my life here sooner or later.  I really hope so, a lot of people explain that I can go home, and my friends would like me to, but I feel it might be too soon to throw in the towel.  There are moments in the day when I feel I can do this, but it is greatly outweighed by the moments of wanting to run away back to America.   I may just be being dramatic or overly critical, but everyone experiences thing differently and adapt differently. 

I have found a new appreciation for America while being here too!  I really miss it, and everything it offers.  I like the variety of foods and will never take it for granted again.  I am really trying hard to stay here for a while still, I need to work this out and I really hope I can.

Until next time, Happy Easter!

What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger

So yesterday I became an official Peace Corps Volunteer.  We went to the Presidential Palace where we were sworn in by the US Ambassador to Mali.  It was quite the occasion, the President of Mali presided over the ceremony and he had a formal speech with us. It was quite memorable and I have tons of pictures.  The only thing is, we all decided to don mustaches which was super creepy so when you see my photos, they are creepy!!  So today I left training site and on my way to Yanfolila for the next 2 months before In-service training. I will be in Yanfolila on Friday. I am currently in Bougouni for some last minute shopping.  I am really nervous for the next 2 months because I will have minimum contact with all my friends and other Americans.  I hope everything goes well for me and the rest of my Kennedy family members.  This is going to be a very difficult time, but as they say "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger."