Raison D'Etre.

Okay let's give this another shot!

I began observing classes this week at my primary school. I live right next door, and am awoken each morning by the noise of several hundred 6-14 year olds. My presence in the classroom has made it much easier for me to get through the day without kids screaming 'LE BLANC!! DONNEZ-MOI UN CADEAUX' (HEY WHITE GUY GIVE ME A PRESENT!). I am now associated with the teaching staff and therefore not someone to be messed with. More and more I find kids calling me Monsieur Johnson and giving me a polite 'bonjour' or 'bonsoir'. It is nice, and I feel that I am becoming more accepted in the community.

My second day observing, amid the general chaos associated with a class of 80 students, I saw a much older boy wind up and smack a younger girl. The teachers didn't seem to notice, but it was a knee jerk reaction for me to get up and stomp towards the young man. This froze most of the students; but the teacher continued with her lesson. I took the kid outside by the arm and layed in to him. His excuse: "But she was bothering me". Fair enough. I explained to him that as long as I am in the classroom he will respect everyone around him, especially girls half his size. I'm used to a bit of playful violence between students here, especially the young boys. Kids are a lot tougher here than in the U.S., and a certain amount of 'toughening up' is part of youth. The older kids smack around the younger ones. This kind of behavior is not at all absent in American schools, however it is more accepted as a part of childhood here.

However, I saw this incident as outside of that and decided to deal with it. The kid was taken off guard completely. He honestly didn't expect any consequences. I spoke with the teacher afterwards, and apologized in case I had disturbed her class at all. The school director was present during this exchange and told me that what I did was right, and that in Africa, it is the responsibility of everyone to raise a child. I was relieved at this, as I acted on instinct. There are certain things about me that simply arent going to change for the sake of "cultural integration". It's not right to hit your classmates, especially when they are too young to defend themselves.

Other news:

It has been off and on with electricity chez-moi. For four days now I've had electricity between 10pm and midnight only. The midday heat still is uncomfortable despite the supposed cold season that I am in the midst of. Thankfully there is electricity in downtown Dori, so I can still get internet access.

I'll be meeting tommorow with representatives from 10-15 NGOs here in Dori (depending on who actually shows up). The meeting is being organized by Japanese volunteers with JICA, another volunteer organization similar to Peace Corps. We are meeting to plan an exposition in early December. The theme of the expo is "Sustainable Societies". I'll be presenting some general info on PC as well as more specific information pertaining to my work with the GEE program here.

I'm just about finished with Isaac Asimov's Foundation series. I've enjoyed it immensely; though I can't believe that I've gone the past 4 years or so doing minimal (if any) reading for pleasure. Reading has become an enormous part of my life, as I have tons of time to do it. I also read Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs. The man is hilarious; and I plan on tackling Running With Scissors next.

I started a bit of a workout plan. I'm doing pushups and ab-work outs each morning in addition to riding my bike all over hell and back. Though this has been a bit difficult with the nutrition here. I don't recover nearly as quickly as I used to. I did 50 pushups one morning and was aching for 4 days following. I had to get kids to pump my water because I physically couldn't do it. Now that I mention it, I'm going to find a kid to get water every day; it makes life so much easier.

Kait, my neighbor, gave me an espresso maker. You put water in the bottom and fill this little disc with coffee and the steam rises into another container with a spout, a caféterra I think is the right word. Anyhow the caféterra and I are now involved in a very serious relationship, and are talking about getting a place together when I move back to the states. It's all moving very quickly; but it is very exciting and just feels right. Anyone who has been in love will know what I'm talking about.

It is still hot, I'm still covered in sand most of the time, and I still fantasize about food all day long; but things get easier and easier everyday.

Thanks for reading! Wend Na Kond Nidaaré!

SAVE OFTEN

I just wrote out a loooooong post and then LOST IT ALL! Not happy. Heres the abstract.

PCV Evan Johnson excited with windfall of activity lately. Between observing classes, disciplining students, putting on math help room, and preparing for expo planning commitee the days are rather packed. Spoke with woman who has 10 sisters and 1 brother. Her brother's name is Barka Wend Ye, Thank you God in Mooré. I don't have the patience to write it all out again. You'll just have to wait until next time!

The Desert Just Got Funkier

My desert home is now also home to The J.Bs, George Clinton, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and many many others thanks to some nifty Ipod speakers. I think that I am currently in the running for "most comfortable digs" among PCVs thanks to this addition. Though there are some (not naming names) with wi-fi, running water, and ceiling fans.

I returned from Ouaga last night. I was lucky enough to be accompanied by three other volunteers who are currently on their way further north to visit the dunes and do some camping. They asked me to go along but after being away I was glad to be home. Travel here takes a lot out of you, even if you are going with a major bus line. It is a little over four hours in between Ouaga and Dori and then another hour by bush taxi to get to Gorom-Gorom. Upon boarding a bus I find myself trying to figure out where the sun is going to be so I can choose which side to sit on. Then there is the debate of window (cool wind) or aisle (room for legs). Of course all of this consideration only offers marginal comfort, and doesn't matter if the bus fills up. In which case you are going to be crammed wherever there is room, hopefully not next to a baby.

Before Ouaga I spend a night in Bani. Bani is 55k south of Dori and known for it's mosques. While walking toward the mosques we came across several "guides" sitting in front of a tourists bureau. Guide is a four letter word for volunteers generally. We ignored their calls and walked around some hills until we found a trail leading up to the mosques. The view was really cool, but it was sad to see many of these beautiful buildings in disrepair. The minaret of the Grande Mosqueé fell down during the past rainy season, so the building is a lot less impressive now.

Ouaga was a great time as usual. I ate a lot of cheeseburgers, and hung out with some volunteers that are leaving in a few weeks. I stayed in one night while I was there and watched Casablanca and ate some care-package chocolate chip cookies (thanks Mom!).

It is certainly nice to be back though, and I am really looking forward to getting into all of the new books I've acquired. Also, a special thanks to Karen and Claudio for their care package; I'll be making some falafel and tzatziki with the dill you sent me tonight!