Tomorrow I will attend the Senegal Gender and Development (SeneGAD) conference. This program is the one I am most passionate about and excited to get involved with. We work on gender equality issues in Senegal and empowering women and girls to continue their education. It is a critical issue here in Senegal while gender inequality is widespread. Some of our programs include scholarships to help low-income girls continue past middle school, and Girls Camps and Men as Partners camps for fathers and daughters to open discussion on empowering sustainable change in gender perspectives.
Following SeneGAD we have our All-Volunteer conference with sessions on project successes and failures to be shared between the 250+ awesome volunteers here in Senegal. Next comes the West African International Softball Tournament (WAIST), where I will be playing on a team with my region against other Peace Corps Volunteers, embassy workers, teachers, and ex-pats from all around West Africa! Then I have two weeks of hands on Ag training, which will hopefully prepare me a little more for my projects. And finally my wonderful parents Scott and Kristin will be arriving! A very busy but productive month.
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| Me carrying water on my head for the first time! Heavy. |
Some of you have been asking for more info on the projects that I am working on. So far, learning Mandinka has really been my biggest project, but after two months in village here are my projects and plans!:
Koupentoum Moringa Formation: In January we held a two-day long seminar for about 40 Senegalese in our area. We had discussions on the amazing health benefits of the tree Moringa Oleifera and went over how to package and sell the powder as well as connecting the farmers with a buyer. It was a big success and we hope to continue this training in other areas.
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| Moringa Training |
Maleme Niani Malaria Day: Also in January we held a Malaria info and bug-net washing and repair tutorial in my village.
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| Adam on Malaria Day |
USAID/Pepam Latrine Project: Partnering with USAID, the volunteer before me successfully built 30 millenium development goal approved sanitary latrines in my village. 75 families have signed up for the second round in Maleme Niani. I will work with USAID and the masons and families in my village and this project will probably continue for at least my first year.
Tamba Radio Show: I recorded a radio show on malaria (completely in Mandinka) with a couple other volunteers. I am excited to use this outlet to spread information and hope to participate in about one radio show per month.
Maleme Women's Garden: The previous volunteer in my village secured a hectare of space for a women's garden and got grant funding for a chain-link fence around it. I will work with my Eux-et-Foret (forest service) to clear the space for the women. We are discussing the women producing vegetables to sell to supplement their incomes and also working with fruit trees and Moringa intensive beds in the space.
Environmental After-School Club: I have been attending my village's environmental club and plan on helping the teacher Mr. C with demonstrations.
Observetoire EVDS: I will sit on the board of this USAID program aiming to keep at risk students in school as the assistante sociale.
It is starting to get hot again after the brief "cool" season. So much has happened in the last 4 months, and it is starting to get a little less daunting that I will be here for 23 more! I miss all of you wonderful people back home! Lots of Love, lolo
Dearest Lauren,
ReplyDeleteReading your post takes me back 2 years ago. I am reliving Nicky's experiences through you... I am so proud to know you and watch you continue the work that Josh did, Nicky did and now YOU will continue. You are a wonderful young woman with so much to offer the world. The 27 months go by quickly! xox Wendy
Morning Darling You!! ;-)) Carley has followed your blog and has been passing along some of the information about your experiences. Well I just read the entire blog and so enjoyed what you have shared. So well written, informative and endearing. We miss you sweetness, but know this is an amazing experience. Not sure your little lilly sister (Carley) could ever do what you are doing, but I know she is very proud and in awe of you. She was filled with such excitement telling us of your last post, but I could tell her heart strings were being pulled as she spoke about you. Your courage, strength and bravery fills her with pride, admiration and respect. Your journey will encourage us all to look within our hearts to find what we too are made of. I am so excited that you are working and know of the wonders of the Moringa trees. I have been reading and learning of the benefits of this magnificent tree for the last couple of years. We planted one in the orchard in Hawaii. I was curious about it and googled it. To my amazement it is one of the most incredible plants on the planet which I am sure you are learning. From root to leaf. Health benefits are quite vast. I have been drinking the tea and notice a difference. There is a woman here in So. Cal. that has been growing and packaging it for some years now. She is also the for runner in the growth and production of the tree. Many villages in Africa that are malnourished and poor are encouraged to eat, drink and grow these trees as they help with birth weight and over all health of new borns and infants. It also give mothers a crop to sell and raise funds to help feed and educate their families. It's all quite amazing and encouraging. I would like to start growing a full crop in Hawaii. The Kava Bar also sells it packaged. Remember the Kava Bar?? Well my darling girl we too miss your beautiful smiling face and look forward to our next hug. Take care of yourself and drink Moringa tea to keep you well and strong. Will keep a close eye out for your next post. Enjoy mom & dad, boy I bet they are so so excited to see you and hold you. You are held closely in our hearts and wish you safe and gentle passage daily. Love ~ Light & Peace to All. Nanc' Greg Courtney & Carley XOXOXO
ReplyDeletePS The seed pods from Moringa tree will cleanse water if the need comes up again. You put dried seed pods at the bottom of bucket of dirty water and in a short while you will have clean clear water. The tree should grow in everyones garden!! Hugs.