PST: Work, Food, and Diarrhea. (And a lack of pleasure in all of the above)

November 9, 2011

I know Britt has been posting updates but I think that I should give some details about what we’ve been up to here. 

Today, we spent about 4 hours in language and then two hours of technical language.  In my language class there are two other health volunteers who also placed into Novice High

Side Note: (It is pretty embarrassing that I only placed into novice high after studying French for 5 years as a kid and then taking a semester of college level 2. Although another of the girls in my class also studied French for 5 years, but then we have a novice who speaks fluent Russian with no French background. Go figure. Ca va Aller. )

 Most of the trainees in our stage placed into Novice Intermediate but we do however have a couple advanced and then a couple of intermediate highs as well.  Of the two advanced, both have lived in French speaking countries before (France and Cote D’Ivoire) so I don’t feel tooo bad about my own level.  Note to future PCTs out there, training is a lot easier if you have language experience. If I were better at French I would have already begun learning my local language, which is Gourmantema (s/p?). 

After 4 hours of French language, we transitioned to technical language class which is where we learn Health technical terms in French. After an hour and a half of this we headed out to a local primary school (Elementary school) where we interrogated/greeted the headmaster.  The purpose of our visit was to get an idea of what needs and health issues children and schools face in Burkina Faso.  Ultimately, we want to come back and do a few sensibilizations, which are educational PSAs done in person. My group for example will be working on educating the children about Palu, Malaria. 

Some interesting things from today’s field trip:

• 1.       At the school, while speaking with the headmaster, we learned that the school of 500 kids does not actually have a functioning latrine.  While they do have 3 latrines, they are inaccessible because there is fear that the structure would collapse. A latrine is a huge hole in the ground that is about 3-4 meters wide and about 5 meters deep.  The top of the latrine is covered in cement with a small round hole in the top.  The fear at this school is that the cement will give in and students could potentially fall into a rather deep hole full of… crap, urine, and everything that grows in the above.  The students, and staff, therefore relieve themselves anywhere/everywhere (which is fairly common for village life). 
• 2.       There is no place for the students, or staff, to ever wash their hands.  So, they simply don’t (which is more common than one would like to accept). 

• 3.       Sitting in on a class of 10 year olds was AMAZING! One professor for a class of 70-100 kids was insane, but the kids were all well behaved and amazingly respectful (a direct result of socially acceptable corporal punishment?).  I wanted to snap a picture of the class because it was truly something special.  Although the kids were all dressed in rags and fairly dirty, they had a brilliant spark in their eyes.  This observation holds true all over the country.  Although the people may be poor and may also lack basic amenities and privileges, they are all exceptionally bright, friendly, and aware of their surroundings. 

Food.

So it has been leaked that my future site wants to focus a lot of resources on nutrition.  AWESOME!! I love nutrition! But, it is fairly impossible to maintain a well-balanced diet here.  People usually live off of TO, which is a carb derived from maize and is then eaten with various sauces.  Pretty much zero vitamins, minerals, or proteins. Straight Carbohydrate. This diet does not at all reflect what is actually available in the country because a stroll through any market reveals a plethora of vegetables and fruits.  The trouble here is not the lack of access to healthy foods, but is instead the lack of understanding and interest in healthy alternatives to TO.  For example; my family (being the positive deviants that they are), served me white bread for breakfast…. And straight spaghetti for lunch.  Yes, strait spaghetti is exactly what it sounds like. No sauce, no veggies, and no meat.  Simply noodles boiled in water.  Although surprisingly tasteful, not very healthy. My mom, being the health nut of the family, would have a serious issue with the amount of carbs/sugars we ingest here.  It is truly a struggle every morning to get out of bed and look forward to white bread. No jelly, jam, butter, or peanut butter. Always a struggle, but I am really trying to get my family to expand their diet.  Even further, I am looking forward to working with my village to expand their diets to include other nutritiously delicious alternatives to TO, bread, rice and noodles. I am anticipating that child malnutrition will be a huge issue at my site and I am all ready to get to work.  

The opposite of eating is excreting. A topic that is all too close to some of our hearts. Not a day goes by without both jokes and discussions about diarrhea, amoebas, bacteria, parasites, urine, and all of the colors that come with the afore mentioned. Some of us who have been sick have even had to prepare… samples… to be checked for bacteria and such.  Not a comfortable…. Or neat… experience…

(From what I hear)

Although I spent some time in the infirmary and was sick the majority of last week, I am part of a lucky majority that have not had to prepare samples yet.  It’s tough being sick here but it is most definitely comforting to have 22 other trainees here all going through the same thing. Oral Rehydration Salts and all!  Never before have I ever been so familiar with other’s bodies. On that same note, never have so many people been aware of my body and health.  We’ve all shed noticeable pounds and most of us guys have lost a lot of muscle weight. Between the heat, food, and constantly being sick, we’re all thinning out and beginning to look the part of PCVs in BF.

Well it is now 8:19pm and I’m exhausted. Time for bed. Mefloquin dreams to look forward to tonight! OH BABY!

Good Night!!!

Ps. We had a trainee versus staff soccer game. We would have won had the staff not recruited local talent. SMH. Final Score: 3-2 Staff.  It was great playing with everyone.

PPs. Random fact. Burkina Faso as a country has the third highest incidence of diarrhea in the general population.  (Of all the countries in all the world.)