November I found myself caught up in the politics of Farakala. We finally arranged elections for the official literacy committee. I wasn’t prepared for the amount of chaos that went down in the foyer that day; however, it was good to see that people were concerned enough about the program to be that engaged. The election day finally came and 7 hours and a few overturned tables later, the committee was decided upon. Discussions of the elections days’ events and the turnout of the committee are still trickling into the daily gossip in Farakala.
The month of December was one of fun-filled voyages and far too little time at site. I started off the month with a PC-paid visit to Senegal with two other volunteers for a West African Volunteers conference. I did a few presentations on starting a literacy program and witnessed a lot of other successful Peace Corps projects in West Africa. The conference was a great success and many interesting development ideas were shared. Once the 2-day conference was over I went with my two friends to a beach house in a peaceful village called Popenguine. We spent the time mingling with a few sculpture artists and ballroom dancing to djembes on the beach with a Senegalese-French restaurant owning couple.
Upon returning to Mali, I had about a week to get back to site and get forgiven for my absence before I took off to meet the family in Kenya for Christmas. Our safarical journey started off in a Jurassic Park-style tour of the multi-green colored rolling hills of Chylu. While there, we saw many animals but I was most impressed with the enchanted fairytastical landscape. While in the hills, we stumbled upon a young and friendly female pilot who took us for a birds-eye view tour of Kilimanjaro. Our next stay was in the Serengeti where we were showered with wildlife. Our first jeep roll consisted of a run in with a cheetah, a mama leopard n cubs, a giant pack of yawning lions, zebras, lover birds, elephants, the whole gang. We wrapped up the trip with a visit to the spice-filled island of Zanzibar. Hakuna matata (no problems) what a wonderful journey.
All my African mamas dancin' with their grains in Farakala
Come January, I’ve found myself getting more and more nervous about taking care of all the loose ends before my quickly approaching departure. The month got off to a great start with our first literacy class graduating (unfortunately there were no women in this class but they’ll be coming very soon!). This good news was followed by a very successful two-day training for literacy teachers, delegates and the newly elected committee, on assuring the sustainability of the program. Committee members were able to do hands-on activities to prepare themselves for their new roles in the community. When that formation was over, we began planning for the literacy teacher’s training in Senoufo, which will take place in February. After this training, classes will be conducted not only in Bambara (the most commonly spoken language in Mali) but also in Senoufo (the most commonly spoken language in this region of Mali).
January formation led by me Sylvain and Mama
Students of teacher Abubocar Sanogo - our first graduated class!
Right now, we’re on a wild goose chase for funding from the government and or NGOs so that the teachers may be reinforced for their hard work in bringing about a more literate Farakala. In addition to seeking outside funding sources, we will be starting an income generating activity within the program called “Literacy Fields”. In this initiative, each village in the commune will set aside land to cultivate and sell crops to get revenue for the center. Students, delegates and teachers will rotate working in the fields.
The building of the center is coming along slowly but surely. We have finally finished the first building and will be starting the director’s office and resource room next week. I have arranged for a group of 25 highschoolers from the International School of Bamako (kids of expats working in Mali) to come do labor on the center for a couple days. Hopefully this will expedite the process and allow us to do the inauguration before I come home for a visit in March!
Rooftop powow
Veranda/ Sitting area at entrance of classrooms
Finished (besides paint) literacy building - unattached office and resource room to be built on the right
Hi Kat. I'm a Mali RPCV '89-'91 and came across your blog when poking around looking for hand pump drilling & installation costs. We're building a school in the Koulikoro region and are looking into including a pump if we can raise the funding. I'd love to know any info you might have to share. I ni baaraji! Katie
ReplyDelete