Hi everyone!! So I just finished up Mid-Service Conference which is mostly medical and even included a dental cleaning and x-rays. I still can't believe how time has flowing by... one year down and one to go. I know it's not just me Colin and my mom have both said that the year has flown by... I will be back before you all know it... I just hope that I can accomplish all that
I want to before I leave.
So what is going on here in Burkina Faso....you all know because of my last post that it is rainy season here however I hasn't been raining as much as it should .... so I know a lot of people are worried... normally their fields are their livelihoods. I am just hoping that it is going to rain soon.
Speaking of farming...everyone is in the fields SO I have decided to plant a field of peanuts. I had a lot of help because well frankly... I have never planted peanuts let alone have a field of my own. However everyone seems to think that I will get a good product and they are happy that I am planting and cultivating... It is a HUGE part of their culture and I get to experience that on a small scale, needless to say I am excited about my field and will keep you all updated on my experience. :)
What do you plant... the peanuts you eat. Side note: shelling that many peanuts is NOT easy and hurts your thumbs... again... someone, my friend Monique helped me.
What to do next!
What does a peanut plant look like?
Other news, Ramadan started Friday. This is a time of fasting for Muslims... They don't eat or drink during the day however I believe children and pregnant women can eat during the day. I was downtown when the Friday prayer was happening... (Friday's at 1pm is when everyone goes to the mosque to pray). It was so beautiful. They closed off some of the street because there were so many men. The devotion is what's beautiful.
OH and I biked to Ouaga with my friend Katie. It was about 60 km. It went relatively smooth so I thought it was a success.
WORK:
We opened the new maternity and I planted 4 Moringa trees there.
I also made NEEM cream with my friend to practice because I am going to do a small training with a women's group in my village and the surrounding villages. Neem c
ream is made from the leaves of the neem tree.
It is used as a mosquito repellant and hopefully will help women with their small commerce and help prevent Malaria too. :) It was rescheduled but it will happen when I go back to site.
Lastly, another thing I am working on is trying to find out if people are interested in hand washing stations and trying to decrease the amount of standing water because that is were mosquitos breed.
Okay and a I want to send out a special THANK YOU to all how contributed to the PCPP. I am waiting for the money to be put in my account so we can go ahead and buy the door and windows! THANK YOU for all your help!! Everyone is REALLY excited and I was able to announce that we received the money at the end of the school year ceremony.
