FOUR months left.
Four out of Twenty-Six.
Home Stretch.
15%
So close I can taste it.
I have learned I am strong.
resilient
flawed
but compassionate.
I have learned Senegal is beautiful.
violent
on the cusp
young - in it's understanding of equality and independence,
but
venerable - in it's celebration of family and unity.
Senegal,
You have opened my heart and left it exposed... The thrill and pain of this devastating lovely adventure is my forever-teacher.
My perspective is widened,
My humility is strengthened,
Thank You.
The answer to my ever-present question is, yes, it was worth it.
Happy Summer to my friends at home! It is a busy time for Agroforestry and the rains are FINALLY starting to show themselves.
Lately I've been up to:
- Mango Grafting and Tree Nursery trainings
- Finishing up my villages first library
- Painting the Tambacounda Peace Corps house
- Attempting to fast for Ramadan...
Fasting:
Seriously Delirious.
Throat dry and rapacious,
The dirt looks like tasty cereal, taunting me.
Hinges coming loose.
Until--
Glorious Break Fast
So grateful
For a taste of water
A morsel of bread.
I love sharing this simple joy with my family.
Every evening I get to meditate on the abundance I have grown up with; it bring tears to my eyes.
I am deeply fortunate.
Weeding my tree nursery: Cashew, Acacia, Jatropha, Gmelina, and Eucalyptus.
Murals with my wonderful Koumpentoum Work Zone - The 5 volunteers within a 60km radius of me. It is amazing how close I have become with these crazy people- sharing joys, heartaches, low points, and celebrations. Wouldn't trade em for the world :)
Baby Mariatou !!
Gettin' dirty filling tree sacks with a mixture of manure and sand.
Cleaning and Painting the oh-so-dusty Tambacounda Peace Corps house.
