Sully is getting very big and seemingly feeling very entitled these days as he gracefully prances across the road thinking that obviously the 3 ton rice sac trucks zipping by at 60 mph will stop for him. The other day he got his two front paws run over by a passing truck (he’s ok but hopefully learned a lesson)! Sully has also recently picked up the nickname “bandit” in Farakala as he has become known as the village baby chicken thief.
Sideways Sully with neighbor Drahman (sorry slow internet won't upload it again right side up)
Since I last wrote a lot has been happening in my service. My sweet little big blonde brother came to visit and we did a “map tour” visiting 4 different villages to paint world map murals with the villagers and some of my Peace Corps friends. We were hoping that this project would help with both geography and math (as tracing an accurate mural involves gridding) at the same time as promoting education through art and expression. During our map tour we even managed to squeeze in a snowball fight of fake snow that came in a volunteer’s package.
Painting map of Mali in my village
Snowball fight!!
I did a “Take Your Daughters to Work Weekend” in Sikasso promoting girls empowerment and encouraging young girls to get out of the house and open their eyes to the professional work world. I brought some girls from my village and other volunteers brought some girls in as well to shadow women in the professional workforce. We topped off the long weekend with some arts and crafts and a visit to the pool. None of the girls had ever been swimming before so you can imagine that this event was somewhat of a nightmare (picture to come later).
Discussion at "Take your Daughter to Work Weekend"
Beading necklaces at the pool
In terms of the literacy program, the project was finally funded!!! Thank you very much to all of you that contributed!! We broke ground the other day and I’m hoping the construction will be done before the end of September. I will be updating pictures as the process goes along to keep you all posted on its progress. Classes are still going on in their respective villages and students will soon be able to move into the new building.
Other than working on the literacy center stuff and trying to get some of the teachers certified in Bamako I’ve been doing a lot of running and gardening. Although rainy season is boring while Malians are working in the field ALL day leaving me lonely in my rainbow nugget hammock, it is also quite fun for me in the garden watching my greens grows. Right now, I have sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, a squash plant, some celery and a papaya tree.
Me watering my greening garden!
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