Sam In Cotonou
Trip Start
Feb 02, 2007
1
4
18
Trip End
Mar 30, 2007
Cotonou,
Benin
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
So as you've already seen, the girls are living in a different town than me and they like it more than here in Cotonou. Well they have good reason! Here there are around 1 million people... and traffic everywhere, with a nice blue haze of gasoline... vendors everywhere, no street signs... it's taken some getting used to. So far I'm doing alright, to get home I say that I live in " le cartier de Fifadji" close to the Bar Roitelet... and they know the way. My host family is great. A mom, dad, their three kids, another girl who's the daughter of the father's brother... The fathers sister, with her two little boys and the grandmother. In total there's ten people not including myself, it's fun! I have my own room and shower everything made of cement, and an outdoor toilet... it's made of cement as well... J
Work so far has been difficult as communication isn't always the best, you say one thing and another thing happens. But we're learning that quickly, my NGO is "RACINES" which in English is ROOTS. They have sectors for those that are sick, for treatment, social work, psychologist, a pharmacy, and outreach into schools, they have five of which they run as of now, so when they have the funding they are able to do more... when funding runs out they have to recoil on some of the things that they have already started. Today we meet with the Director of RACINES, and again with the youth that are taking part in our programme. It should be interesting and great to make some connections with the Beninoise.
Oh did I mention it's hot here? The worst is at night with the humidity... if the power is off you soak all night... with power it's sleep with a fan! This weekend we hope to go to a place called Grand-Popo - a beach, with boat trips and hopefully for my sake some fishing, I want so badly to find someone who can take me fishing (safely).
I wish the program team the best and already can't wait to see everyone and share *the experience. Hope to talk to everyone in the upcoming weeks!
Cheers
Sam.
Comments
hello from YCI in Toronto
Great to be reading your blog! I especially love hearing about the weather, since Toronto and the GTA woke up to up to 20 cm in snow in some parts. Plus there's a severe wind chill so the snow is blowing EVERYWHERE!
I will be sure to keep checking your blog as you update. Say hi to everyone for me!
Cheers,
Rebecca @ YCI
OHHHHH SAM
Hey Sam,
Glad to hear you are settling in ok. We do miss you in Owen Sound, especially Lucas from Leader Corp...hmm..go figure. Great to keep up to date with your shenanigans on this site. Hurry back and be safe!!
Patty
To Sam from Sam
Sitting in the program office with Chrissy and Josh looking at the clean newly fallen snow in the bright sunlight - hmmm what a contrast from your high humidity and 27 degrees...at night. We can relate to the 27....only MINUS 27 (windchill!). Thinking of you lots - stay well!
Sam
Mississauga YMCA - Survivor V West Africa
Hi Sam:
I'm delighted to be reading your blog and hearing about your amazing trip to Africa. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for you, and the memories, work experience and being an ambassador for the Y and Canada and all your family and friends will be something to treasure forever.
You probably know that I'm a huge EPL fan, and a lot of soccer players from Africa are currently playing in England. I'm wondering what the buzz is from the local children about their favourite players.
I find out that you want Survivor V to be called West Africa, which is quite appropriate to your current travels. As usual I will help facilitate the event and have already mentioned this to Chrissy. What are your thoughts about how we can make this a fantastic event. I'm looking at the map of West Africa and and can identify 10 countries that we could use.
Stay fit.
Brian Peacock
Volunteer Group Fitness Class Leader,
Running Club and Marathon Clinic