Ditinn, Guinea, West Africa
November 1999
Greetings from Guinea: Happy Halloween,
Thanksgiving, Christmas! I've had a pretty decent amount of time on
my hands lately, thus I've been writing a bunch of letters.
Lately, I've really been enjoying my site (Ditinn).
I just didn't leave my house all that much at first. I think most of
that had to do with the fact that my French was a little weak, people were
acting weird towards me (to be discussed later.) Oh, and it was very
hot! (Actually, it gets pretty cool in the night which is good for
sleeping - less than 55º F).
At first it was difficult just realizing that I was going
to be at this place for 2 years (at least) -- a world that is quite
different from our own. Yet people had always seemed friendly,
although they are monotonous (in their salutations). There was a
point where I thought everyone wanted something from me or were angry with
me. For example, there was a day when I went to visit a waterfall
and this kid followed me around. Eventually I realized that he
wanted money from me. I then offered him 500 Guinean Francs (GF).
That was not enough for him; he wanted at least 1,000 GF, but I only had a
5,000 GF bill on me, besides the 500 GF. I didn't want to give him
that much money, because it really is more than most people make in a week
or two or three. Then he told another kid to follow me and 'guide'
me home, which required me to give him money for a haircut! I didn't
have change for him so he followed me to my house. Then he asked me
for more cash and asked to come in my house and see my room. I was
weirded out. It was just a bad day. This experience wasn't too bad,
it just stayed in my memory for awhile. It was a bad couple weeks --
people asking me to teach them English, asking to borrow my bike, etc.
Some individuals are rather demanding.
However, lately I've been doing a decent amount of work.
I gave a little speech, 30 minutes long, in French. It was a very
good thing for me. I told all the teachers of 2 primary schools and
the principal what my job is, and what we can do to work together. I
talked about ecology clubs and putting environmental education info into
their lesson plans. Although half of my audience fell asleep, they
wanted to get started right away. Unfortunately I had to tell them
to wait a while - until after December - because I want to learn Pulaar
better, and I need to set up my lesson plans in French.
Recently, I've been speaking Pulaar better. Mido
windaude neene an leeter = I am writing a letter to my Mother.
I feel confident that I will be able to understand this language in
several months because I was able to pick up French rather quickly with a
fair amount of proficiency. Fortunately, I also have several
market friends that I can hang out with and listen to.
Another work project I've been involved with is
international AIDS day awareness (December 1st). I'm having all the
students write essays about AIDS. For the best essay for each
grade I'm giving out T-shirts as prizes. Also, in the next weeks, my
Health Center and I are going to talk to the students about the virus.
We'll define it, talk about symptoms, how to get it, and how to protect
against it. Yes, I will be doing a condom demonstration.
I recently acquired a wooden penis for the students. It's going to
be great, or a disaster. I'll be sure to tell you how it goes.
There are several good prospects that I have been noticing
lately. For example I am thinking of doing a girls' study
group at the primary school. In Guinea, there is an extremely
low girl-to-boy ratio in schools. Very few women are educated in
this country. After primary school, the percentage drops
significantly - for example, there are only 11 girls out of 170 students
at the junior high, yet at the primary school the numbers are much better:
about 15 - 20% girls. However, in order to get to the next
level, the girls need to pass a major exam, like an ACT for grade school
and junior high. It's the French system of education.
Other work that I've been eyeing is men's and women's
agricultural group development. I can help these groups use more
environmentally sound practices, help them learn how to make tree
nurseries, use compost, etc. I will always be able to keep myself
busy here.
Honestly, I must say, that I am having a great experience
so far, maybe the best I've every felt. one of the most important
things is that I try not to look too far into the future, also, learning
the local language is KEY!
Here's a list of things I have desire for, if possible to
send:
good pens for writing (example: Pilot Razor Point); Vladimir Nabokov
books: Bend Sinister, Look at the Harlequins, The Gift,
Invitation to a Beheading, Pain; coffee; ear plugs; 9-hour
candles; meditation and/or yoga books; and an English
dictionary. Thanks for anything you can send.
Mike
