Whats up
Trip Start
Feb 02, 2007
1
17
18
Trip End
Mar 30, 2007
Cotonou,
Benin
Monday, March 12, 2007
So only how many days left here in Cotonou? I think about 17. Since I last left a blog quite a bit has happened. Like I said we have a big event at the beach, which is coming up fast, this Sunday. My job has been and is the logistics, so I went ahead and made the logo for our group, which I then went to a Print Shop. T-Shirts are being made with the logo, including the YMCA's logo, Youth Challenge International, Club 2/3 and Racines. On the back it will say "Les Jeunes Benadiens en Action Contre le VIH/SIDA" which in English is Benadien Youth in Action Against HIV/AIDS. Should be great! Also getting hats and stickers made. Things are coming along. With all of the event planning we are also doing alot with the NGO. Mondays we plan out the week, Tuesdays we have a kiosk somewhere in town where we talk about the obvious, and tell people where RACINES is located, goes well every time. Wednesdays we also go out into the public and set up a film projection. The film is about HIV/AIDS, and at the end of the film we ask the crowd, many many people, some crucial questions about the film. So far we've done this once and it was very well received. Thursdays are the same as Tuesdays and on Friday we have mini skits which are performed by the Beninois youth in their native tongue, and we help at the end to answer/pose questions and of course hand out condoms. The skit is showing the importance of the use of condoms. The rest of the time is dedicated to working on our event! I can't wait until we have the event, as we will be able to put all our hard work into the day and it will feel so rewarding as well. Not to mention once the event is over, the rest of our time here in Benin will be coming quickly to a close, saying goodbyes, and packing to come home.
This weekend was spent up in a town called Abomey. It is where the most influential king lives, and also where Voodoo is apparently still the strongest and most practised. Saturday was spent getting our bearings and going to the market. Sunday was great, I set up an appointment for our group to meet with the king at noon. We were told to bring him money and a bottle of liquor, so we bought some Black Schnapps, whatever that is!! When we came back we were asked to take off our sandals and when we approached the king, the women had to kiss the ground and I had to touch my forehead to the ground. The girls went to the left of the king and myself to the right. He asked us about our project and told us that it is a very good cause, we asked many questions and soaked the moment in, it was pretty cool, then some pictures with him were taken. After the meeting with the king we went to the Abomey museum, it was really great with many cool artefacts including the kings throne, on which at the bottom at each of the four corners were human skulls, all representing his enemies...pretty neat. Then back to Cotonou!
I should be able to write again soon to tell everyone about the big event at the beach!
Cheers
Sam
PS. Photos to follow shortly too.
