Big Time

Time is absolutely flying. I've been jet-setting for a couple months now, heading N and S for various work reasons. Every so often I need to a take a breath and remind myself of a couple irrefutable truths:

1.) This is not going to last forever. In fact, my time here is nearly at an end. While 7 months may seem like a lifetime to some, I'm realizing more and more that it feels like I'm writing monthly reports every 5 days. Toss into the mix the complexities of a West African presidential election (coming to Benin this month), and we could be dealing with a dramatically shortened timeline. I thus made it my resolution to be happy in every minute of 2011. Those of you who know me will laugh at the prospect, and I must admit that the success rate has been spotty, but even in my most stressed times I can't help but appreciate the opportunity I've been given.

2.) I have learned more than I can ever realize. Maneuvering in West Africa is anything but straight-forward, but obstacles that once seemed insurmountable have become non-issues during the last year and a half. During a recent filming for a documentary, my fellow volunteers and I were surprised to find that we felt less eloquent when responding to questions in English than in French. Of course, it's difficult to speak well when you're staring into the eyes of someone who doesn't speak English, but still, it was a little jolting.

I recently had the pleasure of working with a local film crew to coordinate the filming of a 50th anniversary documentary for the Peace Corps. I was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of their work. Below is a picture of Brigitte and I in front of a presentation made in honor of the Peace Corps by the Beninese Volunteer Corps.





Here is my friend Ibrahim and I, sporting matching outfits, talking to a group of local women to start a microfinance club. We collect a set amount every three weeks in order to create an account large enough to give cheap loans to women with investment plans.


This is me being interviewed at the newly-built Institute of Fine Arts here in Parakou. My hand is on a massive drum used in ceremonies in the Atakore (NW) region of Benin. It was here that it first became clear that I no longer can speak English.

Ibrahim and I.

Work covers a wide array of activities these days. From microfinance groups to catching mice, from volunteer support to English clubs, how could any other job ever be as interesting as this?