A penny to you is nothing-a penny to me is worth a million smiles!

Planning my life in Benin is quite a relay race! Always something to do; always another turn to take. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life and out of breath at the same time! I just finished my application process for the Scholarship Girls program. The program consists of paying of tuition, uniform, notebooks, pens, along with anything else is needed for one girl in Lokossa, Benin (my post). The Peace Corps volunteers can choose to do this project and I wanted to, no I needed to do this for a girl. If, I could I would try to get all of the girls in Benin the scholarship, but sadly there are only 20 scholarships for Benin. We (PCVs) work hard every year with GAD (Gender and Development) projects to earn money for the girls and women of Benin. Slowly, but surely, every girl will have the help and support to at least go to school. The girl that succeeded in the application process at my school is a 9th-10th grader. She lost her father due to an illness that included urine in the blood. Her mother just works out the house and earns very little. The girl is named Gisele and she works really hard during the summer vacations just to pay for school for a year. It is only 15,000 cFa which is about 30$ in US dollars. Can you imagine? 30$ is only a couple hours of work for us.  Anyways, she is very happy, her mother was almost in tears. She didn’t speak French, but I could understand everything just from her happiness and facial expressions. I almost cried, but I was strong for my Scholarship Girl-Gisele! I am now going to have the time to work with an English Club at my school. We are going to write letters to America and work on English grammar and such. ALSO!! We are going to take pictures for the “Where’s Matt?” from The Today Show. We are going to make signs that say, “Bonjour America” and “Matt is in Lokossa, Benin!” I give all the props to my mom though. She is the one who sent me the link to “Flat Matt.” I hope we can get on TV or something. I think the kids will just have a good time with the taking of pictures. Just to see them smile makes my service worthwhile. I am still teaching for the UNHCR in Cotonou once in awhile. Teaching the refugees is always a treat! I have been to two days of teaching the beginners, intermediates, and advanced children and adults and one day of conversation hour. Another project that I am GOING to do is a hand-washing station or two at my school. The kids use the WC (latrine), pee, eat, drink water, etc and DO NOT wash their hands. It drives me crazy! And then there is me with my hand sanitizer and the kids going EWWW that stinks! I say OK-but my hands are clean. Another problem or may I say misunderstanding?... is that people say they wash their hands; but it is only with water! NO SOAP! So, I am going to do a sensitization (talking to a group of parents and kids) on how to wash your hands properly with soap and water in both French and English and maybe, just maybe local language from a translator! Haha! I am not that good in local language! ;)

My second year has been going pretty smoothly. I have started my classes with no problems, had a couple of days off due to downpour of rain, All Saints Day, and “Tabaski” holiday for the Muslim religion. But I have seen two rainbows I believe, interesting, yet scary cloud formations, and unbearable sunshine along the way. I keep telling the locals that I am not made of sugar and I will not melt because you know everyone and anyone is afraid of the rain. But, I think they have that right. There was someone who got washed up in the rainstorm-fell off his motorcycle and into a ditch and passed away. We have to think-the roads are sand and dirt. When we mix it with water it is a huge mud pit! Quite dangerous to walk in, drive in, etc. So, normally we just stay indoors and play Skip-Bo, UNO and watch movies! Oh yea and I have read so many books! If you don’t love reading-it is going to be a long service in Peace Corps. I have a book with me when I travel in the taxi, stop at the mechanic for the motorcycle problems, at the radio station, at school meetings that don’t start on-time, when I have insomnia…umm probably could go on and on. It is not that we have free-time, it’s that we work at a slower pace here. I just kind of get used to it. Who knows how my time in the states will be after my two-year service here. But, I always remember, the “turtle won the race!” and that is all that matters.

I am counting down the days until I get to see SNOW!! Who would of ever thought I would say that! Okay, I probably do not have a choice in seeing snow, I can’t wait to see family and friends! It is going to be a great time. We are going to have Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all in the 19 day period I am going to be home. Is it possible? Oh yes it is! I know I am going to gain a lot of weight from being at home, but so be it! My pants are falling off of me here-maybe because of hand washing or the food and water. Who knows? Cream sticks at the airport, Cracker Barrel right after along with whatever else comes along…I won’t refuse anything…will do my some good. Also, I will be able to see the Steelers vs Browns game on Christmas Eve! Go Steelers! I think a couple of my family and friend members might come to Benin and choke me for saying that! I have been working on getting presents for the family from Benin. Let me tell you how hard it is to find things that people are actually going to use in the USA. The clothes, shoes, everything is different here. The style is so different in the states. But, I have been quite imaginative and creative! You WILL see! It is a secret.
Let me end this blog on a weird malaria medicine dream that I had. Yes, my medication gives me weird dreams-sometime s hallucinations and nightmares, but it is all right. This particular dream that I had was so interesting that I still remember it one week later. There were a lot of PCVs who were losing teeth here in Benin. I was one of them. I lost one of my molars-root and all and I could not find any milk to put it in. So, instead a nurse (old lady) who I do not know took my tooth and put mayonnaise on it and wrapped it in a napkin. So, after this, the PCVs and I were running around everywhere with a certain doctor/dentist-again I don’t know him-to get the teeth put back into our mouths. He had to call in and get the building opened. During this time, my tooth was turning into a moldy carrot because of course it was covered in mayonnaise. I NEEDED MILK! Evidently, this problem was normal for Benin. Anyways, we finally go into the office and I got my tooth back in my mouth. I was showing everyone around that I was finally cured of my missing tooth. There was no mold and such-I think I forgot that part of the dream-anyways-I woke up feeling all my teeth! All were there. Okay, so you ask why I had that dream. I asked myself the same thing and I came up with something. Here in Benin, the water does not have fluoride like it does in the states. So, our teeth do not get proper care and I am always worried. But, we never know why we have the weird dreams. I always blame the malaria medicine. But then I thank the medication for saving me from MALARIA!

See you all soon! Love you!

P.S. Thank you for the post card from Holland! That was very thoughtful of you. It made my day!

Little life of randomness

Well today I had my first little bout of culture shock in Benin-culture shock like coming back to America shock. I went to the American embassy. We, 2 volunteers, walked into another world-air conditioning, metal detectors, and escorts to wherever we need to go with visitor passes. Yes, there was a health fair there and I heard of a nice cafeteria where I can buy cheeseburgers and good stuff like that. While there, waiting for my food, I was just drinking some warm water-normal-hearing everyone around me speaking great English with accents then all of a sudden I was paying for my meal and three American military men came walking in. I really haven’t noticed how huge our men are-we feed our military service men a lot more I believe. The Beninese military men aren’t even close to the size of our men! They were really nice, tall, and handsome…lol. And you would think I was just wearing a panya and my Mercyhurst green shirt from Carli! I was like I am underdressed but normal for Benin. Yeah I was shell-shocked. I didn't know what to say. I just shook hands with all the men and told them my name. They were interested to know why we were in Benin. I think they are in Benin training other military men. I really have no idea. It was just weird for me. Then when I was leaving…the heat just HIT me-back to normal!

I am at a point in my service where I am constantly thinking “what next?” What am I going to do after service? Am I going to go back to school, get a job…what? It is so hard to think about it-you would not think it would be so hard, but after being in the Benin for so long and living in the slow-paced day to day life, it is hard. But you know what? I think I can handle a little thinking outside of the box for a minute or two out of my French, Cotafon speaking, loud kids, unbearable sun and heat, and farm animals gallivanting about day. Every once in awhile I help a Mama kill little snakes, rangle pregnant goats with papas on motos, and teach kids how to say a new phrase in English on the way home from school. But ya know what? I get more headaches here than I have ever had in life. But, I would not trade my life for the world today. I am having a great time. Life is good, my kids (hundreds) are doing well, and holidays are coming up very soon. Time is going to fly by and I will not know what hit me when the first snow flake hits my nose. No matter how much I complain, I love my job; just do not know if I could do it forever.
I am getting a mole removed tomorrow morning! I guess it grew a little and is super squishy now…hmmm ANYWAYS… I hear the doctor is a pro lol….I have to admit I am kinda scared but people have gone through much worse so I shall not complain or be scared!!! I will let everyone knows how it goes. In other news, I am getting a new puppy. Yes, I am sorry to say I am a puppy woman in Lokossa. I had a hard time liking dogs in the states and now they are my best friends!! Haha funny how life changes and it is interesting how people (ME) get through my days…I get greeted everytime I get home from school or just from throwing the trash out in the big trash can about 100 feet away from my door. I get kisses and we play basketball all the time now! Yes, she bounces the ball with her paw! I laugh so hard. I am sure you can ONLY imagine! Well, that is enough randomness for the day….welcome to my life haha! Love ya! Miss ya! See ya soon! :)

dum dum dum....

Well, I just feel like writing today and thought I would talk a little bit about my last couple weeks at post before school starts again. It has been quite the couple weeks, let me tell you. Like I said before, I wanted to start my playground project this Friday. I came the morning of and there were a million bricks in my plot of land. That was a problem. So, I said I will be back on Wednesday (because of mid-service appt) to start the playground. Michel and the kids said that they would have the ground all level and ready to go! Okay, so they promised me. Maybe promises are true. Just maybe. Well, today is Wednesday! Let’s see if the ground is ready. Are the bricks all gone-relocated? Hmm. What do you think? A BIG NO! I stayed with the kids-put bricks on their heads, and they hauled them to another location. I have the scratches and dirty hands to prove it. These kids work like machines! Yes, they carried the bricks on their heads. Two at a time sometimes. Intense. Little baby mice and mommy mice were found. The kids are so determined to kill them as well as any lizards that came pooping out of the bricks. They move like Speedy Gonzalez and get the job done-but then they have to show me. Yea, nice huh? Anyways, we moved bricks in the rain. Okay, now Thursday is here. We have started the playground. The kids surprised me and went out working on the land once again starting at 6:30am. I was so happy! They made it all nice and pretty. The kids and I put 15 tires in the ground-one is actually used as a trampoline. Check the pictures out ;) I have to go to Cotonou once again to see a special doctor. I guess I have a weird looking mole on my side. Better safe than sorry-just do not like traveling back and forth to Cotonou all the time. This will be the 4th time in one month-not cool. Anyways, it feels kind of nice to have a sore back, calves, and battle wounds on my hands and feet. Work hard; it will pay off eventually. Saturday, we are going to start on the balance beam and stairs with the tires and hopefully be done for the time being. Hope it turns out okay. The kids seem to enjoy it this far. It was nice to see them laughing and enjoying themselves. They were being so imaginative-pretending to be driving a car, motorcycle and even tunnel crawling. It is so fun!

Fall is coming in America-THE SUN is coming back in Benin!

September is finally here! The last month of school vacation, but trust me it has not felt like a vacation. This month alone I have been gathering tires and organizing my playground project with the orphanage. I explain and go over the logistics with Michel, the orphanage caretaker. Everything was ready, the spot I was going to use was cleared for flattening out and starting the playground and guess what?! The next day there were three huge piles of sand in the spot! Are you kidding me? Now, I have to get the orphanage to clear that out of the way. I went this morning to get started on clearing the spot and putting the tires; monster truck and tiny tires; under the mango tree at the orphanage. But you guessed it; he is nowhere to be found! He knew I was coming this morning. When he arrives, I have a child coming to get me at my house and am going to be “beeped” on my cell phone. He is a nice guy, but he is hard to get a hold of for sure. So, yeah I have to stay home all day waiting and praying for someone to let me know they are ready. I feel like I am aging quite quickly these days lol. YAY I got word that Michel is at the orphanage. Gotta run! Well, that was a great experience. The kids worked hard, even the babies. They were picking up big rocks and relocating them away from the plot of land we are using. They were very protective of their rocks. Some were stealing rocks just to have the “most” in the bowl. What really touched me is that there were kids with braces on their legs who were working so hard. They were not thinking about their disability; they were there to help Madame Kay. The lesson for me here is: No matter how tired I may be or how much I think no one cares about my playground, just know they care! Every single one of those kids worked hard, in the sun, with the supplies we were able to find. We had one hoe, one rake, a MTN sign, two shovels, and a couple of big bowls and some plastic lids that we used to clear the land. It looks nice and ready for building. Tomorrow, I am going to go back in the morning and show some examples of how we are going to arrange the tires. I have to go to Cotonou Wednesday so I will be coming back Thursday to get the tires out and ready for building. Hopefully, we can get the playground up within these next 2-3 weeks. I told the kids that I would give them gifts for helping me; for working in the heat. I will be giving them notebooks, pencils, pens and whatever else I can find for school supplies. (have tons thanks to MOM!) Yes, it is a big gift for the kids. Every year they have trouble finding the money for notebooks and such. I really hope this project turns out to be a success! God willing everything will work out as planned. Yesterday was September 11, 2011. It marked the 10th year of the terrorism attack on the USA. Here in Benin, the people would ask me if I enjoyed my day, if I partied well, why I was so quiet and calm and I do not think anyone can explain how hard the day is for the world. I had to explain, we do not celebrate this day; we remember the people who lost their lives, the firefighters, the police, the military; anyone who wanted to help. We thank our troops have been fighting for ten years. We will never forget . The second plane hitting the World Trade Center will never leave my head. I was in 8th grade in Advanced English class. I cried. God Bless America. So, I will be traveling to Cotonou three times this month. I already went once to teach UNHCR-the refugees-English. I actually taught with Julia; PCV for the environment. There were refugees from Togo, Burkina Faso, Congo, and the Ivory Coast. I taught Intermediate and Advanced levels. At the Intermediate level, I taught the difference between Simple Present tense and Present Continuous and at the Advanced level I taught/debated global warming. I will be teaching only once every couple months. There are many other PCV’s who will come teach English as well. It is a great program. The refugees were very nice and very interested in learning and speaking English. I will heading to Cotonou again this week for a Volunteer Allegation training. Next week is my mid-service physical. That is going to be an experience in itself I believe. Three mif-kits, blood work, etc. I really hope I do not need to stay there too long. But, you know life goes on. Have to take it one day at a time. We should not sweat the things we can’t control too much here in Benin. But, wish me luck! ;) P.S. I am starting to sweat just looking outside...lol ;)

Training and a little bit of that! :)

Week 5-6 Training the newbies
Back in Porto-Novo after a very long time. I forgot how much I do not miss it. It is just not my neck of the woods. The little children need to get back to school is all I am saying. One day I will be saying that about my kids. Funny what age and experience with children does to you. Anyways, the reason Porto- Novo and I do not get along is the men always cat-calling me, hissing at me, just annoying men. And the children literally hang all over me as I am just walking down the road. I have to pry them off. It is just really sad, but their parents just laugh and sing the yovo song along with their kids. Also, you might see a little girl or boy and absolutely no one; no parents, no big sister, no one to watch the girl. What if she gets hurt, abducted, lost? Coming from Lokossa, my part of the woods, it can be difficult to handle and accept. Also, there are a lot of so called “fools” here. Most of the time they will not bother you as they really have no idea where they are at in the world. On my ride over to the market to buy some fabric to make some new clothes, I saw a man probably around 20 years old just running around in a big circle in the middle of traffic. What do you do? Mom and I were talking about these kinds of things on the phone the other night and it just shows how much we take advantage of in the states. No matter how much money you make, you can get into see the doctor in the states; people are just not left on the streets with nothing. There are shelters. There are places for the mentally ill. Here in Benin. There is nothing like that. It is super hard to watch that go on here and go about my daily life watching the people. It is something I am used to seeing, but I will never be used to it.
Well, I have hung out with the trainees for one day and they seem pretty outgoing, afraid of the water, eating and getting sick. Sounds normal to me. This week, I am going to be teaching about CBA-Competency Based Approach, Giving and Receiving Feedback, GAD panel questions and answers based on my experiences thus far, teaching a model lesson on greetings and introductions, lesson plan writing, talking about post visit anxiety, and cooking in Benin. Yea, glad I will be with other volunteers because believe it or not…dum dum dum I can’t cook! Haha I think everyone knows that. Anyways, I taught the trainees what CBA was with a power point and an example text comparing effective and ineffective teachers. Here in Benin, they have an old system and new system of teaching. The government is training the teachers to lesson teacher talking time and increase student talking time, include more activities such as group work, pair work, individual work, role play, and write lesson plans which include a warm-up, presentation, practice, evaluation and an assessment for each class period. This proves to be difficult for many teachers as they were taught with just lecture and being talked at all of the time or supplies are expensive or hard to come by or the skills are just not there to teach in that way. So, our volunteers will help a lot of villages to train the teachers and help build the education system up. It is USAID that is helping/providing money to run the program for Benin and other countries around how world. It was a boring session for me last year, so it might have been boring this year as well, but it is good to understand what exactly CBA is and the history behind it. I now see the importance of the CBA session. I believe I was able to make it quick, yet informative.
Victoria and I are staying in a house together for RCH-Health and TEFL-teaching. It is an okay house that I can handle for a week or so. It lacks supplies for living such as bowls, rags for cleaning, etc. I am sure it will all come together soon enough…by next year’s training at least. We went looking for food today and we went to a place where they have schwarma which is a big sandwich with veggies, meat and such inside heated up. They are amazing in Cotonou, but you know what? The waitress was like we do not have those today. We said okay, what do you have? She said we have some eggs. And then she said at 18h (6pm) we will have your food. I said okay, please write that down somewhere on your sign so people know next time. She said it is…I asked where? She said oh right here in this small print at the bottom of the paper. All you can do is laugh and find another solution. Live and learn.
Oh, how I have missed so much in the States this week. For one it is shark week and another, I missed Fatima’s baby shower through webcam. She is going to have her baby very soon. I bet he is going to be a cutie!!  Celebrating my 2nd Independence Day here in Benin. It has been 51 years of Independence for Benin. Good for them. Bon fete!
Finished my first week of training. It was fun being at the front of the room explaining the technical sessions instead of being the one in desks learning. I feel like the MAMA and then next year I will be the GRANDMAMA. Haha To end the week, we had a cooking session where we and the trainees prepared chili with wagashi cheese, tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc. It was super delicious thanks to the other trainers who are excellent cooks unlike me! We also prepared a salad where we had to bleach the veggies and salad dressing was made. (vinegarette I believe!) Everything was eaten. The trainees in TEFL have a two day seminar with their supervisors and then they get to see their posts! Post announcements went well for the most part, I believe. I hope TEFL has a good time as well as a stress-free trip. The northern sites might have to take a two day trip to get to their posts because the roads and such are not up to par. Bonne chance! (Good luck)

The last days of summer vacation for Benin. There are volunteers who are leaving and more who are coming in. Puppies are being born and leaving the house soon. The rain is going away and the sun is coming out slowly then quickly. The cool nights are ending and the sweating nights are coming. The months are quickly passing me by. Four months and I will be home for a three week vacation. Starting new projects for the orphanage and going to work with PSI by handing out free condoms to those in need. Going to try and get every sector in my Peace Corps experience; Education, Health, Environment, and Small Enterprise. I will have a post mate that will help me with the Small Enterprise stuff I hope. People from home often ask me, “How ya doing? “ My answer as of now is, “I am doing great! I am very happy and motivated to do well in my projects.” It is true after the first year, everything seems to come together one way or another. I hope it stays on the positive track. For all those who want to know-Sylvain and I have been together for 5 months now. Doesn’t sound like a long time, but seeing how we come from totally different cultures and share different points of view, it is going great. He is a great guy and would do anything for me. He has helped me with a lot of projects along the way. I can’t wait to get the tire playground set up for the kids. It is a long process. For example, we need tires. Tires are just lying around all over town. We all know this. That is not the problem. The problem is if I go asking for these tires, they are all of a sudden going to cost a fortune! Even though they are free and just lying around! Ugh. So, I have to do some talking and asking around to get this done. Baby steps.

Just a little chit chat :)

Just sitting here at the radio and enjoying another great book. It is vacation here for me and things can get pretty boring around here. No school, kids are in the fields and I read books. Lots of books and shed a few tears once in awhile because of the books… No worries. Things are going really well for me. Nice and smooth. Cool and calm literally. It is the rainy season. I have now reached my one year mark and have moved up in the ranks of grandma. The new trainees are here and it is now time for me to answer those random questions, share my experiences, and breathe oh so well. Despite the constant air pollution from passing dump trucks, motorcycles, mini scooters. You know the people can buy gas like we do in the USA but most of the time it is better for the pocketbook to buy from the side of the road. Yes, they sell the gas from Nigeria in plastic and glass bottles. Just imagine the giant Kool-Aid plastic containers used as gas holders here in Benin. You know if a little flame comes close to the gas area, everyone around could hurt; there could be an explosion. That is just a little chance people take to save a lot of bucks $$! I have been to village and attended many funerals during my vacation. I really enjoyed CAMP GLOW and the Spelling Bee as I said before. I believe I am going to do more camps next year. We shall see. As the days pass, I find time to reflect on the past school year and how I am going to change it for the better. I have many ideas of using less French in the classroom and more visual aids. I believe that the visual aids can really help the students better understand. It is so hard to believe that I am half way done! Goodness gracious. This coming up weekend, I am going to be travelling to work with the trainees for a couple of weeks. I am going to be teaching a model lesson, lesson planning, and trying to get the trainees through another week of STAGE! Been there done that. Glad it is over. HAHA. Once STAGE is over, I am going to Savalou for the yam festival that happens once a year. I will have to take a taxi and a bus to get there. But it is not too far away, but it will be a traveling day for sure. I mean what day of voyage isn’t? You never know if there is going to be a problem: accident, flat tire, slow driver, lost items, etc. I mean, that may sound rough, but I am really used to it. I laugh at the difficult things a lot of the time because if you don’t, you will cry. In other news, I am going to be handing out tourism brochures at one of the many tables that the PCV’s will have. Other tables will include, but not limited to moringa, shea butter, and health and nutrition. It should be a fun time right before school starts back up. It will be nice to have another activity to put on my resume of Peace Corps Benin 2010-2012! Before school starts, I am going to attend a wedding, get some more clothes made and get my hair done, maybe. I kind of enjoy being able to wash my hair in the shower with some smell good shampoo and conditioner from home and not have an itchy head from the braids. LOL!  By new clothes, I mean MORE BUMBAS! They are easy to put on and absorb a lot of the sweat for the walk to and from school, classroom time, and afternoon sun. Yikes, you guys thought you had a hot July in the states. Just kidding, I am sure you guys wanted to do absolutely nothing but sit and sweat to death. I am really sorry you have to suffer through the heat that I sent from Africa. Hahahaha….just wanted some rain for a few months. Okay, I think I have said all I need to say for now. Thank you for the packages and letters! Very nice, thank you! Love you all! Miss you and see you in a few months. December is a great month for me! I can’t wait to see everyone and see all the babies who are growing up so fast. Bye for now. See you soon.

There goes one year...one more to go!

I have made it to the 11 month mark and I can’t seem to believe it. I have finished my first year of teaching in Benin and boy let me tell ya I kind of like the whole being a teacher thing and getting my summers off. But, really I do not get a break. I am taking two kids to Nati for the National Spelling Bee June 24th-26th and then taking three girls to CAMP GLOW in Porto-Novo for a week. Should be a lot of fun! I, personally, have not been further than Parakou so I am pumped as well. I am going to meet with the parents today and Monday before taking their kids all the way north. I went to Cotonou and got the money for travel to Nati. And I struggled to get the money from the mayor for CAMP GLOW travel for the girls. Everyone/thing moves so slowly here or is it that we move way too fast in the states? Hmm good question. Anyways, got all the money I need for the kids and we are off and running to catch the taxi, the bus and maybe a moto here and there. It is so funny, Benin is the size of PA and we have to take so many means of travel just to get up north. The roads can be atrocious, but I guess it would not be quite the voyage otherwise. Thank you to all those who made the trip possible and donated!!! The kids really appreciate it! 

Saw a lunar eclipse here in Africa the other night. It was so neat. I guess the villagers chant and scream at the sun to leave the moon alone for hours and hours until the sun moves away from the moon. Haha I think that is so interesting, but I can’t see myself doing that….all in the name of culture/village life. I have been super busy…tried to get some new chalkboards up in my school because the others were falling down on teachers, including me, hard to read/write on, and teeny tiny. BUT you know what they were like how about in October and you will pay for it-it will be a present from you and we will put your name on it and everything…and maybe throw in some English books for the kids. You know why I am here—to help the school to organize ways to make their school better so when I leave they can DO IT on their own…so no I am not paying for it. It will cost maybe 40$. They said yea yea we will get around to it..the amount it costs is not enough to get a grant from Peace Corps and it is such an easy project….I will keep on them because they promised me that the chalkboards will be up by October. I just want the kids to have a decent/safe learning environment for goodness sake. Sorry for the rant. The Directrice is not longer at our school anymore due to a strike during Cultural Days at CEG3. Now, the Censaur is the Director and we have a Philosophy teacher from CEG1 who is the Censaur. I am going to have to get used to him now for my last year teaching here in Benin. When I went to do the averages and report card, he was being very pushy and asking me/over my shoulder to make sure I was doing everything right. I have only done it a million times, no one else had a problem with what I was doing. I spent 4 hours on a Friday to finish all the grades..had a headache. C’est la vie ici au Benin! Tomorrow is always a new day….keep looking ahead-never look back!

I attended two GAD (Gender and Development) dinners. They were very successful. Because of GAD and its supporters, the girls of Benin are able to attend school and learn how to be successful women in the future. The girls got to go to work with a MAMA and learn about her job and how she makes a difference in the world. The girls said they would like to be nurses, doctors, lawyers, and even teachers. I was very proud of them. I can’t wait until CAMP GLOW when we get to hang out with tons of girls for a week! It is going to be so much fun. We are going to talk about health, play games, independence, technology, etc…yay! Thanks to all those who have donated! 

Life in Lokossa has been great. The day I have to leave is going to be a hard one for sure. I have suffered through one hot season and now I am loving the rainy season. But, sometimes it can still be unbearably hot here for me. The sun just takes over. The cockroaches tend to come out more at night, so I have my cockroach sandal that I use and kill them. Then of course the giant ants come and eat them up and leave no trace…maybe a wing or two but that is it. Gives me hope to never see them again, then night comes. Since school is done for a few months, I find myself super borrreeeed!!! I read books, clean my house, listen to music, go for walks, went and took pics of Lokossa the other day so everyone can see a little bit of my town, and play with Kea, my dog. She is expecting to have some babies soon. I feed her and then she gets sick…prego for sure! Now, that should be interesting with a bunch of puppies around. Yikes! Haven’t been sick like before—seem to be used to the food and water or something. Who knows—just count my blessings. I still get the normal weirdo rash on my body—right now it is on my lower back and left forearm..weirdo for sure. Don’t worry, I have powder coming out my you know what, medicine for the itch…etc.

Well I just came from CEG3 because I had parents come to me and say they talked to the administration guy who deals with the money for the school and he has no idea/clue about CAMP GLOW and what I am doing with the girls….why didn’t I come to the admin first etc with my ideas…that is absolutely crazy-everyone knows about it. I talked to the Directrice a million years ago/Director, Surveillant, Secretaries…everyone…so I do not know what he is talking about and he was not available to talk to me today…he is never available…just wanted to clear the whole “situation” up. He doesn’t have a say in the situation anyways since Peace Corps family and friends have donated and the mayor has paid for transportation. OMG! I have done everything to get these girls interested, money from the mayor, and permission from the parents-tout-. The parents are fine with them going and it’s all paid for so….no one communicates here-erks me to no end. Anyways, everything is fine. I just can’t stand the communication issue here. I communicate with everyone-everyone says wow that is a cool idea—thanks Kayla that is nice of you. Whatever. We are going to have a great time and that is it! So enough of my jabbering/anger talk. LOL :P

I named a baby Jayden. It means “thankful.” He is super cute and his is very light skinned for an African baby. They called him Yovo at first. Now, he wakes up about every hour to eat. I hear him cry. Yea, Mama Mayo wakes up every hour to feed him. Here, sometimes the babies are force fed/when they breast feed sometimes it is not long enough. Water is also given to the baby…not good. I try to talk to the Mamas around Lokossa and in village that it is good to breast feed until about 2 years old for the nutrition factor and water should not be given…etc. I have also talked to families to try to get them to put Moringa in the foods that they give their children for added vitamins. We can put moringa in the sauce, boille (bwee), grind it to make a powder. The idea has made a lot of eyes open a little wider because it is not difficult to find moringa. They can just pick it off a tree. Some people can even use it for income if they have moringa trees close to their homes. People will come buy it. Also, peanuts are very important for protein that we can eat with boille (bwee) or tapica which btw is amazing here. Never thought I would say that. The secretary just had a baby boy on Tuesday. She now has four boys. Boys, boys, boys, we need some baby girls around here.

List of things I miss from the states:
1. Pizza
2. Chicken Wings
3. Cream Sticks
4. Washer/Dryer
5. Snow
6. My car/any vehicle
7. Hair Straightener
8. Fast internet
9. Sleeping in on Sundays (too many drums!!!!)
10. YMCA/GYM
11. Margaritas
12. Wii
13. Applebees
14. Apple Pie/any pie
15. My bed
16. Vacuum
17. No bugs in the winter
18. Holidays
19. English language
20. Reeses/Candy Bars-so expensive in Cotonou
21. Traffic Laws
22. Watching Basketball on TV
23. Eyebrow Waxing at Wal-Mart every couple of weeks
24. Wal-Mart
25. Save-a-lot
26. Walgreens
27. Shaving my legs regularly

Could probably go on and on….respect from men…etc….

I will be home in 6 months for a couple of weeks. How exciting! Can’t wait to spend Christmas and New Years with the familia! Yes, I miss speaking Spanish sooo sooo much! Well that is all for now! Everything is going as good as it can go! I am going to be quite busy with Spelling Bee, Camp GLOW and training with the new volunteers. I can’t wait to meet everyone! Bon voyage!
Miss and love you all! See you soon!!! Check facebook out for pics...

9 month comin' up!

Life in Benin is coming along after a few potholes in the red, sandy paths. I am presently watching “Bambi” 1942 edition! Yes, please believe it! I have actually been watching quite a few movies lately. They help me fall asleep. I think the meds I take to prevent malaria give me insomnia or something. Have weird dreams, I can tell ya that! Anyways, I had the local Spelling Bee in Lokossa and have my two winners. That was def. a struggle because most of my kids got stage fright or something. One of my girls actually was shaking so much, I had to hold her hand. The more ya think about it, the more you see the kids are all the same in 7th and 8th grade all over the world. Kids will be kids. I remember being that young, now I feel like I am getting old, but always young at heart. We are going to travel to Nati in June for the National Spelling Bee. Should be interesting. Now, I am going to pick my girls for Camp GLOW. I plan to get some good chalkboards for my outside classrooms soon. Just having trouble talking with my director. She wants a new classroom and she will not let up. I tell her all the time, that is not what my first priorities are. The kids need chalkboards in the classrooms they do have now. They need lights that actually work, FIRST. She is constantly comparing me to previous volunteers; that sometimes erks me. But hey, everything happens for a reason. I am going to do the best I can and hopefully I can help many people; especially my kids! So, things are coming along as good as “good” can be here. Love it. The food is really loving me for the most part…we eat a lot of things with peppers…the kind of peppers that make your lips numb and your bum…well ya know. Haha I eat a special sauce with la pate called “Kling Kling” which is slimy, yet satisfying…Hakuna Matata! On another note---OMGoodness it is SOOO HOT HERE! Showers don’t help much either as my pipes usually make the water warm!!!! NEED cold WATER!! And maybe a towel to wipe the sweat off my face, neck and back during the walk to school and during class time! Never will say I am hot again in the USA haha! It has a rained a few times, but that doesn’t last very long…but I sure do sleep well when it falls. Actually had to go to school one day and it was pouring..but I was loving every minute of it. I had my poncho and I was set to go. All the zems refused to take me to school, but I got lucky and found one on his way. Yes, he went through the biggest mud puddle on the huge road and yes, he laughed the whole time. I was like BE CAREFUL- but I laughed all the way to school! And get this! I get there and my vice principal was like why didn’t you stay home? HUH!!!!!! Learning my share of local language--love greeting and talking a little here and there. I cant stress how nice people are here. They keep saying that I should live here forever and have at least 6 kids…oh boy not 6 kids! This year is the election year and boy has it been a roller coaster ride for the Beninese people here. The Presidential election date was changed several times and many people are not happy. But, life goes on. There is a lot of fighting going on in the countries surrounding Benin, such as Burkina Faso, Niger, Cote de Ivore. Libya, and in Egypyt before. But do not worry, Benin is actually pretty calm for the time being. I feel safe and sound in Lokossa, so please don’t worry. I would come home the first second there was danger! ;) Great news, I am coming home in December for a couple of weeks! I am going to spend Christmas and New Years in the STATES!!! I am so happy! It will def. be a good break to come back and finish off my service in Benin in Aug. or Sept. 2012 (at the latest). I spend a lot of my nights watching the shooting stars up in the sky! They are just so beautiful. I believe I also see the bright satelites that are up in space. It is a fun game to try and count all the stars…that will def. get you a little tired! I wish I could share the same experience of the stars here with my whole family and all my friends! It is so amazing! Miss and love you all! I appreciate all the support from family, friends, and teachers from home! Xoxoxoxoxoxo See ya in 8 months or so! Haha J Bisou Bisou!

Chuga Chuga Choooo Choooo...umm yea! ;)

My roller coaster ride is still going strong at full speed ahead. I have been through a lot since my last blog post and I would just like to tell you a little about my journey. People are really nice here, but you have to be careful. Always be cautious; pick your friends wisely. Keep your ATM card hidden away from any other eyes or sticky fingers! That is all I am going to say on that! Trust me--fingers are like glue around here. But then again, that is def. everywhere in the world. There are good, trustworthy people and then there are the bad, sneaky people. Period. As far as school is going, the kids are driving me clear up a mountain side (rather than the wall). We are coming up on our 3rd test out of 4 for the year. Time is really flying by! I am pretty much at the same level as the other teachers…just a little ahead…and classes go pretty smooth otherwise. Imagine one day at school with me: Good morning Madame, give me 25 cfa, Madame, Good afternoon, I am thirsty….I am hungry….Do we have class today? Are we going to have a quiz? Madame! I am sick, I want to go home. Madame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How are you? In a whisper from the girls? Speak up I say…you are intelligent…Madame Kay--He stole my pen, he hit me..she hit me..I need to poop…please Madame…etc…etc…etc…you are beautiful madame! Madame…I am coming over to your house and we are going to prepare la pate….what are you going to prepare for me? Here is some chalk…a present for you! Please do not leave us…stay in Benin! If you cant follow my mummble jumble….welcome to my life! It is a giant mummmmbbbllleee jummmble! Hahaha I go to bed and wake up with a headache…there are times where I dream my kids came over and I wake up and there is noone there. They are def. stuck to me like glue. I am never alone…and they see everything…when I have a pimple…they are like don’t you sleep with a mosquito net?! I was like yea…the sun and sweat does this to my face! That is so funny…the idea of a pimple is not normal around here….just everything is from the mosquito…hmmm. Now, to the life in the USA. Is everyone having a baby or what? My neighbor here is actually going to have a baby soon! Tis the season for babies, I guess. It is super hot here right now! Heat rash on the hands does not seem to want to go away…but sometimes I do think it gets better…it has rained here a couple of times like Noah should bring his Arc for me to float on! My puppy is no longer a puppy anymore…someone cut off her tail….she loves to chase the chickens and goats around…she is my little shadow, but she does like to travel around the neighborhood a lot…she is probably Prego or going to be soon! So, she will join the club of babies--yikes! Coming on 8 months now in Benin…going to be busy with Spelling Bee, BESA which is a test for the top students from each school district around here, Camp Glow, GAD Dinner (Gender and Development) tutoring, and English Club (where I have to explain that Antartica and North and South America are all continents). They are taught that North and South America are just America (one continent) and where is Antartica? Huh? What? Oh south…end of the world…down there…la bas?! When do I sleep? On Wednesday mornings until about 10am. I have been eating pretty well…noone will let me even be a little hungry…I am always about to EXPLODE with constipation sometimes! Too many carbs! Very thankful for great friends around here. Got some more clothes made! I love wearing the traditional clothes here…but then there are days where I just need to wear my good jeans and a nice shirt! I miss everything from the USA….but I know it will be there when I come home! I will be coming home December for three weeks! Yes!!!!!! Oh one last thing…if you have a store or an outside bar (buvet) then you should always include God in the title! Ex: “God is good.” “God is here with us.” “Thank you God.” “God will do it.” They use these names rather than “WalMart, “7/11”, “Sheetz” etc….haha and one of the gas stations I saw was called “Bonjour!” Miss and love you all….still hangin in there…doing the best I can..that is all anyone can ask for…until next time! xoxoxo

Walk with me...

Hello, readers!! Everyday is different here in Benin. I learn a new local language word almost everyday. I practice with the Mama's that live around me. It is fun to be able to meet and greet with another language besides French. Monday-Thursday I walk to school down a dirt path where I meet up with a bunch of my students...even though they arent in my class, they are still my students. The kids are from the ages of 11-23. Yes, very different from the states. Anyways, they are very nice. Some kids actually buy me "bien glace" water and some snacks sometimes. I havent braided my hair in awhile so on the walk, I hear about how the girls want my hair and how we can switch for a day. They can have it...it's so hot on my neck! We also talk about when we are going to go to the market and get the ingredients to make a very popular meal here in Benin (LA PATE) I actually went to the market last Wednesday and bought corn, peppers, salt, klin klin (plant leaves), and a cube of something.....it was delicious. But, you know it's a ton of work. Had to go pay 100cfa to grind the corn and then had to cook the klin klin sauce...then have enough muscle to stir the PATE! Once we were finished cooking it, we ate it up with our right hand! Never the left---dirty hand---. Anyways, it has been kind of chilly on our walks to school and chilly I mean around 65 or so. I love the chilly weather...I am able to sleep well without sweating to death...but I have to take a cold shower in the morning and the shower is in the outside part of my house.....a bit chilly if you know what I mean...haha 6 months later I can finally enjoy it! The warm weather will be coming back in Feb/March....by warm I mean unbearable sunshine! This is Africa! But, back to today...I have my first cold...cant stop coughing...breathing the dry air from the desert...it is getting better no worries.With the "cold temps" there have been quite a few BIG spiders and scorpions...BIG ONES...just have to have shoes on and be prepared to take your shoe off REAL QUICK...I MEAN REAL QUICK and smash him up! The kids come and check on me every once in awhile...they love just to stop by and say hey! I am tutoring a student Weds and Thurs and a brother and sister on Sunday evenings. I am doing the Spelling Bee at my school this year (CEG Lokossa). I will have one girl and one boy winner and we will travel to Natti (north) for the National Spelling Bee! I hope the kids work hard...everyone wants to travel up north! It's beautiful up there! I havent been there yet, so I am looking forward to it as well :) We just had a strike at my school...the week before exams...ugh! The kids will not be prepared for the test....I pray they do okay....I still taught all my classes..."work hard, fly right!" The BIG 23 is coming up! Going to spend my birthday here in Lokossa with some friends! My neighbor is going to make salad and maybe find a choc. cake for me! Cross your fingers for me!! I need some chocolate cake! Yes, Yes I do! haha Well, I think that is all for now...things are going great...getting to know a lot of people, having fun, getting over this cough cold thing I have, and teaching some English here and there...lol English is my life...who would of thought...I can hardly speak English well and here I am teaching it in Africa! Okay, love and miss you all!!!

Holidays in Benin!

So, I have officially survived two of the biggest holidays, yet hardest holidays to be away from home! :( They were very interesting though....I stayed in Lokossa for Christmas; ate rice, salad, drank Sprite, and one can of beer at the park. I ate with my neighors and friends of that family....really anyone who was hungry stopped their moto or car and joined in on the feast! After we ate we were greeted by a photographer who by the way was taking pictures of me eating or for better words "filling my face!" Haha We took lots of pictures around the park; I took pictures of some kids, got some smiles out becuase here "Benin" they do not like to smile in pictures because it will "ruin" the pictures! ummmm Idk...I showed them the pictures and they were like wow! You didnt ruin the pic with your smile! Yes, I know thanks! haha After the big meal and a lot of guys hitting on me: "Tu sais: tu est belle...give me your phone number!" Umm no sirrreeee!!! haha welcome to my life!!!! Everyday! Doesnt bother me so much unless the guy is old and drunk and annoying! That is when I get a little upset and threaten to smack in local language even though I would never!!! I was super full! Then there was New Years in Porto-Novo. I was hoping to spend some time with the BF but he had to leave quite unexpectily to Parakou...boy was he mad...mais ca va alle! It is going to be okay....so I spent the couple days with his family....they fed me and talked to me....I had a great time...took some pictures..updated the pics on facebook for my readers...haha and then got to come back to Lokossa with the BF's brother and father...his father works in Lokossa and his brother goes to school where I teach...weird how things work out like that! :))) Trying to plan a trip to safari ASAP and of course to Parakou <3!!! Have a good reason now!!! Oh side note--I have been told I got a little fatter since the holidays started..hmmmm.....ppl can notice the slightest weight gain or loss here...it's interesting..Oh, the BF...he is super nice, caring, and has helped me out a ton! Dont worry, he is great!! Miss and love everyone! Happy New Years! Hope the New Year brings you lots of happiness, love, money and good health!