“Sirri, you’ve been missing!”. I tend to get that phrase when I have been out of village for a bit of time, whether it being 2 weeks or 2 days. Though its true, I have been missing and haven’t posted an update in months. It’s slipped my mind; also I have noticed that things whatever it may be from day to day have become a normalcy in my African life. We are about to hit our 7th month mark in a few days, and in that time we have all adapted to so much. Cramming 9 people into a car suited for 5, and being proposed to for marriage daily doesn’t really turn my head or shock me anymore. The things that used to baffle me have become everyday normalcy. In fact, if I could walk down the main street in Bamenda without a proposal I would be disappointed!
People say the first 3 months at post are the most difficult, funny they say that after those crucial months are over. Trying to find your place in a tiny African village has been quite the task. Some days are better than others of course but in the end it all counts for something. Work is finally starting to take shape. With a new matron of the hospital I have been able to take more imitative with the patients. In the next few weeks I am beginning a series of lectures for the staff along with continuing health talks with pregnant/new mothers. Speaking on the importance of nutritious food is nice, but weighing the babies is one of my new favorite hobbies. After baby 36 last week I was hurting! It’s a great chance to speak to the mothers one on one, which I enjoy the most.
The 2 health clubs are going well. I find that allowing students to speak and talk about health topics is most important with them. The African system of education doesn’t allow for much critical thinking and group work, so I feel fortunate to work with the girls in that manner. It’s my hope to see the members trained as peer health educators, which will be the main focus this term. My assistance with the Compassion Campaign, Mambu-Bawum Water Committee, Frisbee/sport clubs, women’s groups, art classes at SAJOCHA, counseling diabetic patients, and extending to more rural health clinics will continue.
As many of you may know, or may not know. Cameroon faced a series of strikes due to the rising fuel/food prices. The strikes/political lasted about 5 days, at the end of February. Most people rely on the public transportation system, which is mostly small taxis. Once the cars stopped, so did the country. It remained peaceful for a bit, then got ugly. Lives of protestors were lost, though the true number may never be reported. The small village I live in remained safe, I was fine. Once it was safe to move volunteers, all of those living in the N.W. province were consolidated to Peace Corps headquarters in the main capital city of Yaounde. This was done as a precaution in case it became worse. Luckily, all returned to normal the following week. Peace Corps and the US Embassy do a fine job of monitoring national security, which is comforting.
The rainy season has begun, which means planting season as well. My postmate Cate P. helped me plant my garden last week. We are both anxiously waiting for sunflowers, pumpkins, carrots, peas, and corn in the coming months. The past few months have been full of ups and downs, folks always explained Peace Corps as a roller coaster…though I feel like this quote suits it just fine:
“Shopping for a wedding dress is like joining the Peace Corps of Couture – it’s the toughest retail you’ll ever love. The process is rigorous (back to back appointments without lunch), pressured (how many Saturdays can you spend with your Mother?), invasive (septuagenarian seamstress manhandling your breasts), and unforgettably rewarding (seeing yourself for the first time in “your dress”). But you’ll do it, even if you’re not a full-time princess because you’re not just buying a dress; you’re living out your dream.”
-Francessa Castagnoli
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