Volunteer visit

Over the weekend on our visit
to a volunteer we were able
to go to a school to observe.
It was a great day and the kids
were just tremendous.
The topic of the class was
malaria prevention.
At the end the kids were given
a certificate (in photo).
We had a fantastic time and
Burkina is looking like it will
be a nice place to spend the
next two years.

Venturing out

In the second week of our
training we get the chance
to visit a volunteer at their site.
The picture was taken while in
a microbus en route to the capital
(Ouagadougou). This is the first
picture posted on this blog ...
nothing special but it's a start.
It will be good to see how a
volunteer has settled in and
living, here in Burkina.
We're starting to step out.

First week out of the way

Well ... it's week number 1 of training by
the wayside. It is a Saturday and that
means half a day.
For me it is heading back to the
village by 1 in the afternoon, pull
water from the well, hand wash clothes
and be seated by 3 in front of the village's
only tv to watch the soccer match
featuring the Burkina Faso team.
It is always pretty cool to sit in a
room of about 16 x 16 feet with over
50 or more people.
After that it is taking time in front of
the hut drinking tea.
For me, not a bad day.

In a village

We have been in Burkina for going
on two weeks. Our training will last
for 2 and a half months.
So far it has been days at the training
center and nights in our villages.
I have been spending the time in the
village drinking tea and it is the best
way to integrate.
I have been speaking French and
learning some of the local language called Grissa.
It is good to again be able to breath the
Afican air.

First Step

So here it is ... an early rainy Saturday morning and the official
beginning of the journey.

Today after arriving in Philadelphia it will be a day of meetings.
Meeting to receive information and meeting the members of our group
going to Burkina.

At this point enthusiasm is high and expectations great. Every journey
is unique and so the first step of this one, has begun.