The babies are here

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  Forecariah, Guinea
Saturday, December 13, 2008

In the last three weeks I have worked harder, been more stressed and emotionally and physically drained than in the previous year put together. But that's been set off by so much fun and a sense of accomplishment. Why? First it was preparing for the new group of volunteers that arrived on December 4th, my groups one year anniversary. With the help of one other health volunteer and two Guinean technical trainers, we re-vamped the public health training. I practically rewrote the entire syllabus, trying to make training more effective. I hope it is. I also planned the first four sessions. Top that off with no air conditioning . I had thought that after my training in Forecariah I'd adjusted to the heat and that's why I didn't sweat as much. But that turned out not to be the case. Forecariah is just hotter than my site! The south Florida humidity does not allow the sweat to evaporate, it just drips until every article of clothing is soaked through. At night I had to dump a cold bucket of water on my head so I could sleep. Add that to living in close quarters with the same 14 people for 10 days and it gives you a recipe for disaster. There were a few bright moments though. I played softball with a group of ex-pats and my team won. I was able to go to the embassy three times to play basketball and volleyball with the Marines. Thanksgiving was amazing with over 40 people, each making what they make best so the food was superb.
Then it was time for the newbies to arrive. Six of us volunteers met them at the airport. They walked off the plane completely wide-eyed, smiles plastered on their faces with the "What did I get myself into" look. It was maybe 95 degrees with 98% humidity and one trainee walked off the plane in a fleece and wore it for at least 15 minutes. I almost passed out from heat exhaustion just looking at her. They were so clean too, fresh from America, it was so obvious. They were good sports the whole time we were in Conakry. We had a dance party 45 minutes after they got to the house. For three days there was no water in the house. I don't mean drinking water; I mean we couldn't shower or flush the toilet. But everyone took it in stride. TIG, ka? They were bathing using water bottles and trying not to use the toilets much.
So we've had 11 Public Heath, 12 Small Enterprise Development and 6 Agroforestry volunteers added to the team. Which brings us to 80 something volunteers in country. And they really are an awesome group. They absolutely hang on every word we the volunteers say. It's kind of a lot pressure. I'm naturally a very honest person so I've found it hard keeping certain feelings about Guinea from them. But they are just babies in Guinea. In the states you wouldn't tell a baby or young child about prostitution or genocide. They can't handle or process that sort of information. It's the same thing with new trainees. We as Peace Corps volunteers undergo and interesting metamorphosis during our service. You arrive as a baby; you have to be careful about what you eat and drink. You're learning and absorbing everything around you and though it's not necessary (G-15 didn't have it) its nice to have someone more experienced to hold your hand. Then after your first year, where I am, you're middle-aged. You know what the world of Guinea is all about. You're probably a little jaded but for the babies you put on a bright face because they'll learn soon enough on their own. You are the parent of the babies, doing training and sharing your hard earned wisdom. Then comes the second year. When the December 2009 group arrives I will have three months left in country. At that stage you are an elderly person. Getting ready to leave you'll be worried about leaving a legacy of your own, something that means your time in Guinea was worth while. You won't be as involved with the babies. You will pass on your wisdom if asked but it won't be forthcoming; it just doesn't matter anymore. The torch will be passed on. At least thats what I imagine it being like.
So we made our way to Forecariah after a few days in Conakry. The Adoption Ceremony went smoothly but I was so happy I was on my end watching it and not going through it again. That was one of the most awkward days of my life and it was pretty awkward for them as well. Training began the next day and at this point I was the only health volunteer so I had a huge responsibility of leading tech sessions. I think they've been going pretty well. I think absolutely nothing of getting up in front 11 people now and telling them what they need to know. When I first arrived I was terrified of public speaking, some of you have witnessed my freak outs before giving a presentation. Now it's seriously nothing. It's a wonderful thing not to have sweaty palms and a pulse of 180 when giving a presentation.
Things were really going well and then I got a call. My grandma passed away. I was glad it happened while I was at training because at least I had other volunteers there and some sort of distraction. But to the trainees I still had to smile and act positive when all I wanted to do was crawl in a ball and cry. It's been a long time coming and she was ready to go so its not that. But I really wish I could be home to hold my mom and my aunt. I hate being stuck over here when they need me to be there. It's really not even worth thinking about because I can't do anything about it.
But my training time is over and I go back to site for a couple of days. Then I'm off to Mali with 5 other volunteers for Christmas and New Years. We're doing a lot of hiking. Only problem: I haven't worn my hiking shoes in 8 months, only flip-flops, and so my feet are fatter and flatter and don't fit in my shoes! They give my terrible blisters! So we'll see how that goes. I'll try to blog from Mali. If I can't Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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