Busy month of May

I have visited 11 out of 12 girls from one school, six from another and have yet to see the girls from my third middle school. I have scheduled appointments to meet with the rest this week. It has been rather stressful arranging all the meetings times and places but well worth it. I believe I am the only volunteer doing three schools alone, so that’s why I am so busy, but truthfully, if I have enough time, I will do the same thing next year. The principals chose the girls based on grades and financial limitations. I just get to read their essays answering questions about their futures, and visit and talk to them at their houses. Results have been fairly mixed, but I have mostly been quite impressed with the girls. Many want to be doctors, writers, and other want to be business owners and politicians. They never get the chance to answer the question about their futures so the essays were much harder for them than would be for an American kid, and I have asked one girl to re-write her essay since it wasn’t specific enough, but otherwise these girls are great. When I have some more time to breathe, maybe in the month of June, I may start up a few girls groups just to hang out and talk. They give us some very good ideas for capacity building and some of the brightest and most motivated girls have now fallen into my hands.

Last weekend was Jazz fest in St. Louis. I was up there for New Years but just wasn’t as impressed with the festivities this weekend. It was nice to get out of Bambey and see everyone, but I ended up coming home a day before I planned. It is expensive to be out of site staying in hotels and eating every meal out so after I bought the most expensive purse that I have ever purchased, (it’s beautiful !) I came home a day sooner. Played at the beach, in the pool and enjoyed everyone’s company, but am glad to be back.

This way, I have the day off and get to catch up on the internet and my plans for the next few weeks. I am trying so hard to organize all of my projects. I make lists of what I need to accomplish on the internet and who I need to call and where I need to visit. I know people in all corners of Bambey now. Thank goodness it is just a city of like 25,000 and just about a 30 minute walk from one side to the other. I just won’t make the mistake of walking home at 1:30 ever again! I had to cross the main road where there are plenty of boutiques and bought a cold yogurt and drink and came home and enjoyed it rather than a hot plate of rice and fish.

I am really starting to miss the updates on all of your lives! I feel like I am telling people all the time what I am doing but never hear about you!! Fill me in! Please send me an email or a card in the mail. How crazy are the elections? What are the headlines? Any good movies come out lately? It’s only 8 months in and I am officially disconnected! Help!