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.)
