Getting to grips with it all
Trip Start
Jun 30, 2008
1
6
17
Trip End
Sep 04, 2010
Porto Novo,
Benin
Monday, July 28, 2008
week was also a bit anxious because on wednesday we had a second french
language test to gauge how much we learned and rearrange classes. The pressure was taken off a little bit, as I
had thought before that everyone needed to get to 'Intermediate High' level,
but apparently those who started with nothing at 'Novice Low' only need to get
to Intermediate Medium to swear in after training (we have another language
test just before swear in). I must have
done pretty well though because I jumped up 3 levels to Intermediate Low. So with only one level to go and 5 weeks to
do it in, I'm feeling better about the language.
The
next big announcement was on friday morning when we got told our posts for the
next two years. They did it by sector,
with people getting called and told geographically, with those in the north
getting told first and working their way south. I was the last in SED to know. I only spoke to Jacques for a brief amount of
time, but I'm in the south east corner of Benin, in the 'Department de
Plateau'. It's in a 'large village'
called Pobe which is about and hour and a half drive north of Porto Novo and
right next to the Nigerian border (where PC volunteers are not allowed to
go). I have a rural health volunteer in
the same town who's already been there for a year (called 'Sunny' - I've only
met her briefly but she seems very nice and chatty). I'm taking over the SED post from a volunteer
who was forced to ET a couple of months ago (she broke a rule that you really
shouldn't break, and hence was 'administratively seperated'). There's a few other volunteers in surrounding
towns. There's also electricity, running
water, and cellphone coverage. I've been
trying to find out what my house will be like - but it's unclear whether I will
inherit the old volunteers house, or somewhere new. If it's the old volunteers house apparently
I'm in for a treat, with an actual toilet! (no latrine)! and potentially a lot
of inherited furniture. As soon as I
have a clearer idea I'll let you know.
I'm a days travel from cotonou so that's nice to know with regards to if
I get badly sick or an emergency. I'm
curious about what Pobe will be like being so close to Nigeria (a lot of
Nigerian products make their way into Benin, legally and illegally).
As
to what I will actually be doing, Jacques was vague about what I'd actually be
doing. My main work partner is a 'very
strong women' who's president of a local artisans association, so I guess I'm
going to be doing some business skills teaching, but also Jacques was
persistant that he would connect me with some microfinance groups in the area
too. Because of the circumstances with
the SED volunteer before me, I'm not sure to what extent I'll be carrying on
her work.
As
for my other friends, they're very much dotted around. People are spread out, but there's work stations, and Cotonou
headquarters for meeting up, so I imagine I'll see a lot of people at regular
intervals. Good things about being in
the south is the improved communication (although I'm not sure about the cyber
cafe situation around Pobe), and the more ample supply of fruit and vegetables
all year around - with whole pineapples for 15 pence I'm not complaining, and I
intend to eat one a day. (We're using a
new PC Benin version of 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' - 'A pineapple a
day keeps the peace corps medical officers (PCMOs) away'). And at the moment I am yet to get sick -
which is more than some people in our group can say. *knock on wood*
On
friday night, to celebrate numerous birthdays and post announcements we had a
party at the TEFL house where the PCVT (some of our trainers - current
volunteers) are living. Learnt how to
make a 'dutch oven' on the table top gas stove using a large pan and lid, and a
small can. We cooked two cakes,
including a mango cake (kind of like banana bread - which I can also probably
make here - but with mangos). Nice to know I can still do some baking here,
although limited.
Saturday
we did a large excursion to Ouidah, which is an important historical place in
Benin with numerous tourist attractions.
Historically it is a sacred place for Vodun, so we got introduced to the
religion, the various gods and such - interesting. Ouidah is also famous, and haunting, because
it was a major port for the trading and shipping of slaves by portuguese slave
merchants. They have a monument looking
out over the ocean, called the 'Gate of No Return' and various mass graves for
burying alive those considered to be too sickly to make the voyage. This darker side of history was also
interesting, but definitely haunting.
Next
week should be another big week. Monday
is slightly anxious as we're going to be put into pairs and are teaching a
group of 15-20 artisans personal investment plans and encouraging saving - all
in French. Although I have some experience in teaching children, the thought of
teaching adults, and my guess male, makes me slightly more anxious. I'm thinking
it's going to be a bit of a reality check, but we'll see. Then on wednesday we're going off for a few
days on 'technical visits' to shadow current SED volunteers for a few days and
see how they live and work. It'll also
be a first opportunity to see smaller town Benin and use in-country
transport. We'll be travelling in groups
of at least 3 or 4 volunteers, but as of yet don't know where we're going.
