Reflections of a half-starved nearly-finished Peace Corps Volunteer

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.