It's almost time to pull my disapearing act

Ok so this blog wasn’t the best way to communicate my learnings. Anyways, I’m going to put one more entry, maybe 2, here goes.

Socially

I’m pretty well integrated by now. I can get by with the essentials of the local language and people often speak to me in Moré. Most of the time, I don’t understand what’s going on… People on the streets call me by yelling out « Chinois », « Jet Li », « Jackie Chan », or Nassara (whitie). But, most recently, there have been people calling out « Wamikidou » (my Moré name), « Mr Ouedraogo », which pretty cool since it means that I’m not just the generic asian token anymore.

Bugs

Since the last time I wrote, I’ve seen had 2 more encounter with scorpions in my room. The first time, I squashed it with my sandal and watched with satisfaction as ants carried the carcass away. The second one got away, it might still be in my room, who knows. All I figured is that if I saw 3 scorpions in my room already, and since I only spend about 30 min in my room a day (excluding sleep), there must be tons more.

The other night, I slept outside on a foldable mattress and when I woke up, I realized it had bed bugs. Not just a few… I must’ve had hundred of bites on my back. I’ll put a picture of it on facebook. I twas so itchy, imagine having 200 mosquito bites on your back for almost a week. I’m never touching that mattress again.

Profesionnally

My department is on vacations for all of August. That means that I won’t be working on micro-finances with the Multi-functional platform project anymore. I really learned a lot from those 3 months. Working with rural communities very very complicated and it takes a lot of skill and motivation to get work done. Luckily, I have nun-chuck skills, computer hacking skills, and bo-hunting skills.

In August, I’ll be in charge of teaching around 30 people how to use Word and Excel. I’ve been really really busy lately preparing the reference documents, managing signups, making presentations, lessons, and exercices that I had to make up on my own. I even had to set up random computers in a room, find power cords, software, a projector, tables and chair, and everything. I never thought that I would have so much responsibility after just a few months at FNGN. I practically run and train the IT department of the largest NGO in Burkina. But, it’s challenging and I enjoy it… for now. I hope I don’t burnout.

Family

My family’s really great. I really feel at home. I even know most of their names and how they are related by now. Kids really like me, they think I’m an all-in-one entertainment unit. Everything I own is a toy, everything I do is awkward, and everything I say in Moré is a joke. Other than that, my little mud house is cozy and i sleep pretty well.

There’s a baby in my courtyard, Nema, that is terrified of me. When people sit her on my laps, she screams and cries. But, when her mom carries her next to me, she finds me hilarious. She turns away and laughs. Sometimes, she puts her finger on me and starts laughing like crazy. I never knew I was so funny looking.

Memerable moment

Last week was the last week of work for my department. In the afternoon, people were just chiling. At one point, people got in a pretty intense discussion about something. At the same time, there was some ganster rap playing and people were eating beef jerky. And right then, it seemed like a scene from a movie. The angry gestures, the cohesive ganster rap, and the spicy beef jerky in my mouth seemed seemed like it was all naturally resonating.

Things you’re wondering about me

I really miss sheesha.

There is no running water at my house, but there is electricity in my room.

I take bucket baths twice a day.

When at home, I eat with my hands.

I really want to see Transformers.

I’ve lost 8 to 10 pounds since May.

I get up around 6h30 everyday for work and I don’t take afternoon naps.

Latrines are much more convenient than toilets. The other day, I used my first toilet in 3 months, and I broke the flusher. So, I’m going back to the hole.

I don’t like to #2 around midnight because cockroaches like midnight snacks.

90’s pop canadian music is really popular. Think Brian Adams, Celine Dion, Sarah McGlocklan.

I do my own laundry and it’s like exercice.

I bike everywhere. My street has no lights, so at night, I don’t see anything, no.. seriously. It’s pitch dark and there are lots of cows and sheep that live on my street.

I don’t own a mirror, sometimes my asian mustache gets really asian.

My body getting used to the weather. As proof, I was cold last night because it was 24°C.

Boy, that sheesha is going to taste good, once it hits my lips.

Interesting things I noticed

Students studying at night under street lights because they have no electricity at home.

Houses crumble when there are storms.

Rain stops ALL activities.

Lizards do pushups.

Playing music at work doesn’t bother anyone.

Vultures are the equivalent of « des mouettes ».

When going to places, people measure distance, while we measure time.

There are babies everywhere.

So when do the nun-chuck skills come in handy?

Culture Shock

The strongest Burkinabe quality is human warmth. People always smile and laugh, no matter how hot the weather is or how difficult things get. Almost everyone is open and welcoming. It’s a great atmosphere. People work hard, but they always have time for each other. I really appreciate this mentality. Not like in Canada where everyone is plugged to their ipods and laptops and never want to be disturbed by other human beings. But, I have to admit, sometimes, I really miss listening to music and having no one talk to me…

Living conditions are measured on a whole different level of priorities, available resources, culture, and uncontrollable factors. For example, although we’re in the 3^rd largest city in Burkina, running water is a luxury. Everyday, women line up for hours just to get the water their family needs to drink, cook meals, and do laundry. A lot of things have pushed me out of my Canadian comfort zone, but no matter how much I get used to it, I can only admire how hard people work on a daily basis. I only have to live it for 4 months, but people here live it every day.

Everything comes in short quantity and in limited variety, compared to our consumer’s heaven. So, I better be happy with what I get, because no one likes a whiny complainer.

Bugs

Since the rainy season started, bugs have been crawling out of their hiding spots like crazy. Let me assure you that bugs here have nothing to do with the little insects we have at home. They’re bigger, meaner, faster, and ever unpredictable. I guess centuries of evolving under these conditions made them tough, not to mention they don’t hibernate/die for half the year. I’ve had a couple of unpleasant encounters in my hut, but nothing dangerous…yet.

I squashed my first scorpion the other day; it was really well camouflaged, but not enough to trick my wits. They say that if you get stung by one, you’ll live through the whole year. As for ants, they bite and it hurts. Flies are FAST, so don’t even try to squish one. I don’t have malaria since mosquitoes have not hatched yet, but my goal is not to catch it. I even had an encounter with this rare HUGE cockroach/scarab thingy (12cm by 6cm). It woke me up with a scratching/rattling noise, at 4am. I trapped it by putting a heavy bag on it because I couldn’t squash it due to its hide. Finally, I had to ask for help to remove it from my room. Turns out it was harmless, but I had no way to know this. My assumption is, the bigger, the worse. Tradition says that if you see one of these thingies, you’ll have good crops that year. So, I better get to the fields.

Socially

I've been nicknamed a lot of things since my placement in Burkina Faso began, such as Ouedraogo Wamikdou Dandare (which means that I'm an international vagabond). Lately, I’ve teased to be like the youngest in a family, because I eat slowy and always ask questions. I’ve been staying with a family in Ouahigouya for about a month now. This is where I’ll be staying for the rest of my stay and I’m really glad to have found such an amazing place. There are about 30 people living in this courtyard, all related.

There are a lot of students my age, they come and go over the years, but apparently, 30 people living in this courtyard is low. They’re used to having 40, 50 brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, uncles, grandmother, etc. Coming from North American standards where the usual household has 4 people who hardly talk to each other, this courtyard is amazing. I have the luxury of having my own electrified hut. It’s made of mud/clay and the roof is metal sheeting, so it gets really hot (40°C) in there during the day. It’s about 10” by 12”, which is really big. Usually, 3 people can easily live in this space, but they reserved it for the western dude. Besides, huts are only for sleeping and storing stuff. Even then, it gets too hot and people sleep outside.

Professionally

Some things really please me about how jobs work differently here than in Montreal. For example, if you get to work a little late, no one will lecture. Also, music in the work environment is a good thing.

My assignment in Burkina is with a program developed by the United Nations as an effort to eradicate extreme poverty. The program is called the Multi-Functional Platform (MFP). The program is based around a simple diesel engine that makes life easier if you live in a small and poor village. Basically, the engine can grind grain, supply power for a welding station, pump water from a borehole, and much more. The engine is managed by local women and it becomes their own income-generating business. This is a big deal for them since most of them didn't have the chance attend school.

My job is to work with these groups of women to assist them in saving money and obtaining micro-credit with the money earn with the MFP business. This credit will then be invested into more income generating activities, which will eventually empower themselves to win the battle against extreme poverty. My job here is also to evaluate how my co-workers use computers, to better equip them, and to train them in basic tools such as email, Word, and Excel.

It's been a lot of work, but I don't mind the 11 hour days. Most people take 3 hours for lunch and return home to their families, but I prefer taking a cat nap on my desk before continuing what I was doing. Besides, I don’t have the distractions I used have in Montreal such as watching TV, spending money in bars, and wasting time browsing the net.

First Impressions

The fan spins but its still 33C when we go to bed. In the afternoon, it is 42C, but I'm starting to get used to it. The food is good, but my stomach is a little upset. I've been eating the Burkinabe way; with my hands.
We've been in the capital city for a couple of days now for in country trainning with the EWB longterm volunteers. On Monday, I will be heading off to the city where my job is. So far so good. We've even met a group of Rastas that are teaching us to play the Yambe (tamtam), the local language, and traditional dances, they're good folks.
People are very nice, but merchants are a little pushy. But, zith a little humour, I've realized thqt we could get away with a lot.

Safely landed

After painfully watching a Hue Grant romantic comedy on the plane, I was ready to get my butt off that Delta airplane. The 7 of us have finally safely landed in Ghana where we will be spending the next 30 hours on various buses to get to our beloved Burkina Faso.

You might have guessed it, but let me reconfirm. Bus rides here are not your average Montreal/Trois-Rivieres Greyhound. Losing a drive-shaft (what connects your back wheels to the engine) is not usually planned. But, our adventures spent on countless uncomfy bus seats gave us the chance to see the countryside.

The pictures, videos, and stories you've seen on TV are true but taken completely out of context. Kids might live in mud houses, but you haven't seen such genuine smiles since Charlie found the golden ticket.

Time to go

We're leaving today!