I know you have lots of extra money just waiting to be spent. Here's how you can spend some of it- like $5. (or $100...) PC/TG is working with Against Malaria to raise money for treated bednets, and more importantly, develop and implement an education and awareness campaign to see that the nets are properly distributed and USED! (Crazy, I know) PC/TG has a goal of $40,000, all of which will go to purchase treated nets! (That's about 10,000 nets!)
So click on the link, give some money, and make sure you click the RED Sponsor Now! buttton, instead of the 'Donate' button!
Ashley vs. Malaria
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
I LOVE AMERICA!!!!
Flying into America was amazing. Flying into JFK you cross over neighborhoods with swimming pools, roads and parks! I couldn’t believe I was finally home! It always seemed like July was so far away, and now, here it is! The airport was a marvel! I was feeling reverse culture shock. Everything was so bright and shiny and clean! There were so many white people, and people of other colors! People were speaking English! And I understood it!
Atlanta was the same way.
Finally, the Rocky Mountains came into sight! Colorado! How I missed you! Beautiful mountains! Home of my soul! Hooray, I’m finally home home!
My fabulous loving awesome great family met me at the top of the escalator with a huge sign ‘Ashley From Africa!’ and hugs and tears.
Here’s what else happened in America, otherwise known as my Africa Bucket List:
Texas Roadhouse with Amy, Alison, Christina and Elena (Steak and Beer!!!!), Sweatpants, reading on the deck with iced tea, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Girl Scout party, Church presentation, church, no cavities at the dentist!, new contacts, nachos with Shivaun and Karl, haircut with beer on tap and facebook by Travis, Oreo Thursday with BCSO Fire Crew, Riding with Christina (2x!), Bars with Tyler, Brent, Alison, Christina, Shivaun and Karl, Wii and ice cream with Amy, pesto, glory burgers, giant chocolate chip cookies, rhubarb bread, banana bread, home time w/ family, Harry Potter in the theatre with Heather, house hunting and lover time with Heather, Rockies Game (Rox won!), bachelorette party in Denver, beer w/ Brady, wedding prep, hike w/ Alison, toast w/ jam, scones, cinnamon rolls, omelets, breakfast burrito, breakfast with Cowboy (and a marriage of convenience), the main event: Amy and Jeremy’s wedding, Ft. Collins w/ Lisa, Sushi, CB & Potts Bingo nights and Road 34, Millsite with Pam and Margie, climb Mt. Audubon (13er!) with mom, lunch w/ Kailen, Whistler’s Café w/ Mallorie and Christina, shopping w/ Mom, packing, internetting, chilling, eating, drinking beer,
…and a whole lotta loving from all my friends and family!
Atlanta was the same way.
Finally, the Rocky Mountains came into sight! Colorado! How I missed you! Beautiful mountains! Home of my soul! Hooray, I’m finally home home!
My fabulous loving awesome great family met me at the top of the escalator with a huge sign ‘Ashley From Africa!’ and hugs and tears.
Here’s what else happened in America, otherwise known as my Africa Bucket List:
Texas Roadhouse with Amy, Alison, Christina and Elena (Steak and Beer!!!!), Sweatpants, reading on the deck with iced tea, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Girl Scout party, Church presentation, church, no cavities at the dentist!, new contacts, nachos with Shivaun and Karl, haircut with beer on tap and facebook by Travis, Oreo Thursday with BCSO Fire Crew, Riding with Christina (2x!), Bars with Tyler, Brent, Alison, Christina, Shivaun and Karl, Wii and ice cream with Amy, pesto, glory burgers, giant chocolate chip cookies, rhubarb bread, banana bread, home time w/ family, Harry Potter in the theatre with Heather, house hunting and lover time with Heather, Rockies Game (Rox won!), bachelorette party in Denver, beer w/ Brady, wedding prep, hike w/ Alison, toast w/ jam, scones, cinnamon rolls, omelets, breakfast burrito, breakfast with Cowboy (and a marriage of convenience), the main event: Amy and Jeremy’s wedding, Ft. Collins w/ Lisa, Sushi, CB & Potts Bingo nights and Road 34, Millsite with Pam and Margie, climb Mt. Audubon (13er!) with mom, lunch w/ Kailen, Whistler’s Café w/ Mallorie and Christina, shopping w/ Mom, packing, internetting, chilling, eating, drinking beer,
…and a whole lotta loving from all my friends and family!
Friday, July 10, 2009
The only white person on the bus...
I caught the first ferry out of Banjul, at 7am, with my giant blue suitcase and my green bag. On the ferry I was save from having my cell phone stolen by a nice women who spotted the would-be thief and alerted me to his intentions!
Firmly in possession of my, er, possessions, I exited the ferry and made my way toward the bus to Senegal and Dakar. As I walked up it was clear to me that there was no way I would get on. It was over full and people were yelling and pushing to get on. But, a young man approached me and asked if I wanted to take the bus. ‘Sure’ and then I was being shoved on the bus with my giant suitcase. People yelled and the boy was getting angry at people. I was plunked in a seat and told to stay there, no matter what. So I did. The bus eventually started for the border.
At the border I was cleared by immigration (shockingly, I was the only white person on the bus!). Then 50 ft later I was cleared by Senegal immigration.
As we neared Dakar my seatmate asked where I was going in Dakar. This was an interesting exchange, since she didn’t speak any of the languages I speak. With the help of some other passengers they figured out where I was going. Another kind woman took me under her wing and rode in the taxi with me to the Peace Corps Transit house.
Although the experience was hectic and a little scary, kind and gracious people helped me all along the way! Both Gambians and Senegalese were great! Thank you to everyone who got me where I was supposed to go!
Firmly in possession of my, er, possessions, I exited the ferry and made my way toward the bus to Senegal and Dakar. As I walked up it was clear to me that there was no way I would get on. It was over full and people were yelling and pushing to get on. But, a young man approached me and asked if I wanted to take the bus. ‘Sure’ and then I was being shoved on the bus with my giant suitcase. People yelled and the boy was getting angry at people. I was plunked in a seat and told to stay there, no matter what. So I did. The bus eventually started for the border.
At the border I was cleared by immigration (shockingly, I was the only white person on the bus!). Then 50 ft later I was cleared by Senegal immigration.
As we neared Dakar my seatmate asked where I was going in Dakar. This was an interesting exchange, since she didn’t speak any of the languages I speak. With the help of some other passengers they figured out where I was going. Another kind woman took me under her wing and rode in the taxi with me to the Peace Corps Transit house.
Although the experience was hectic and a little scary, kind and gracious people helped me all along the way! Both Gambians and Senegalese were great! Thank you to everyone who got me where I was supposed to go!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Up and down the country in 4 days...
After All Vol and a BBQ at Rodney’s house I raced back to Hella Kunda (an all day trip) and adventured through the bush to Kurau and Kasey’s to take Pondo to Puppy Camp. The interesting part was that I took one road to get there, not the one I wanted, and then on the way back I took another road, again not the one I wanted… But I made it, and Pondo only got in a few fights with other dogs.
The next day, I planted some trees at the skill center, so if they don’t die I will be a successful volunteer.
Then back to Fajara, and then, Dakar!
The next day, I planted some trees at the skill center, so if they don’t die I will be a successful volunteer.
Then back to Fajara, and then, Dakar!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Toubabodu of The Gambia
Our All-Volunteer Conference was held at the Sheraton, and was very sweet. The Sheraton has: an infinity pool, a private beach, fluffy white comforters (my favorite part!), tubs and glass showers, balconies, beer, rich food, electricity, air conditioning, cable TV, and mini-fridges. It’s Toubabodu. And amazing.
We did manage to have several successful meetings and break-out sessions. The Open Mic Night was well attended and the performances were fantastic.
We did manage to have several successful meetings and break-out sessions. The Open Mic Night was well attended and the performances were fantastic.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Reconnect and All-Vol
July was a whirlwind month, to say the least! I spent only two days in Hella Kunda the whole month! Yikes!
At the end of June my group of Ag-Fo’s had our reconnect conference. For three days we talked about projects, the challenges and successes we’ve had, and our plans for going forward. At this point in our service we are done with Three Month Challenge and In Service Training. It’s the end of the hot season and the rains are fast approaching; upcountry they have already started!
Personally, I was at a low point on the roller coaster of service. My projects weren’t really projects, and I didn’t really feel like I was using anything I went to school for. Here I am, a forestry volunteer, not doing anything with a forest. What’s going on? I’ve promised myself that over the next year I’m going to find my sense of humor and joy again. I’m going to be an optimist and stop being so cynical. I’m surprised that my goals for the next year have so little to do with ‘work’ and my village, but living here has (at this point) made a negative impact on me, and who I want to be. So, if I can use work to regain these aspects of myself, all the better. It turns out I will not be saving the world as originally planned, but I think that’s ok.
Also at reconnect I took a language test. My current level is Advanced-Low. That means I can muddle through conversations and people can kind of understand what I’m saying, but I have a ways to go. It also means I’m improving (which I already knew) from my last test before swear in. I’m able to talk with my host family and joke with my host wife.
After reconnect I participated in the first Peace Corps/The Gambia Beer Pong Tournament. And lost in the first round.
At the end of June my group of Ag-Fo’s had our reconnect conference. For three days we talked about projects, the challenges and successes we’ve had, and our plans for going forward. At this point in our service we are done with Three Month Challenge and In Service Training. It’s the end of the hot season and the rains are fast approaching; upcountry they have already started!
Personally, I was at a low point on the roller coaster of service. My projects weren’t really projects, and I didn’t really feel like I was using anything I went to school for. Here I am, a forestry volunteer, not doing anything with a forest. What’s going on? I’ve promised myself that over the next year I’m going to find my sense of humor and joy again. I’m going to be an optimist and stop being so cynical. I’m surprised that my goals for the next year have so little to do with ‘work’ and my village, but living here has (at this point) made a negative impact on me, and who I want to be. So, if I can use work to regain these aspects of myself, all the better. It turns out I will not be saving the world as originally planned, but I think that’s ok.
Also at reconnect I took a language test. My current level is Advanced-Low. That means I can muddle through conversations and people can kind of understand what I’m saying, but I have a ways to go. It also means I’m improving (which I already knew) from my last test before swear in. I’m able to talk with my host family and joke with my host wife.
After reconnect I participated in the first Peace Corps/The Gambia Beer Pong Tournament. And lost in the first round.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Special Guest Appearance
For the last few months the baby, Amadou hasn’t been gaining weight. He is starting to eat solid food and breast milk just isn’t enough. This really concerns me; is it so important to maintain a healthy weight and proper nutrition for the first five years of a child’s life. Child mortality is a huge problem in the developing world. Children are more susceptible to malaria and other potentially dangerous diseases. So what can I, an Ag-Fo Volunteer do? Should I feed this child myself? Lecture my family on proper nutrition when I know that it’s a challenge to put rice in the bowl some month? Both those options didn’t really feel like options. In some cross-sectoral project work, I brought in my friend and local Health and Community Development Volunteer Marnie to assist me with a demonstration.
We coordinated with the village women’s group to pick an afternoon to gather at my family compound. Marnie and I demonstrated a version of Pap, which is baby gruel/porridge. The demonstration became a great social event, and over 20 women came with their children. Everyone loved Marnie, and joked with her in mandinka. Her presence made the demo more legitimate, since she works with the hospital. I’m sure the women were impressed that I brought in an expert.
As per usual, the women know how do make the pap, and what age to start feeding at. So why don’t they do it? I think the overarching reason is that it’s difficult to use a new method. At first it requires extra work to make pap, and the baby is the only person to eat the food, so it’s not very versatile. We discussed teaming up with another woman to trade off making pap everyday, to lighten the load. Also, the cost and availability of ingredients can be prohibitive. All the ingredients are usually available, and inexpensive, but it becomes another cost that a family may not have the budget for. At this point I am trying to really push my family to make and use pap, both to serve as an example for the village and, more importantly get Amadou healthy!
We coordinated with the village women’s group to pick an afternoon to gather at my family compound. Marnie and I demonstrated a version of Pap, which is baby gruel/porridge. The demonstration became a great social event, and over 20 women came with their children. Everyone loved Marnie, and joked with her in mandinka. Her presence made the demo more legitimate, since she works with the hospital. I’m sure the women were impressed that I brought in an expert.
As per usual, the women know how do make the pap, and what age to start feeding at. So why don’t they do it? I think the overarching reason is that it’s difficult to use a new method. At first it requires extra work to make pap, and the baby is the only person to eat the food, so it’s not very versatile. We discussed teaming up with another woman to trade off making pap everyday, to lighten the load. Also, the cost and availability of ingredients can be prohibitive. All the ingredients are usually available, and inexpensive, but it becomes another cost that a family may not have the budget for. At this point I am trying to really push my family to make and use pap, both to serve as an example for the village and, more importantly get Amadou healthy!
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