I'm back posting

It's been a bit since I last posted. The reason

for the absence has been that it's been a slow

time of the year. A lot of my activities have 

centered around the schools in the area. 

But school is back in session and I'm back in

business. I have kept myself occupied during

but it's been only baby weighings (mal-nutrition

based activity), promoting a cleanup campaign

(definite challenge), beautification (planting 

flowers at health clinic) and getting around and

visiting the kiosks and boutiques in the 8 villages

I pass through during my bicycle rides.

We had the feast of Tabaski a few weeks ago.

It is a Muslim holiday and I went and prayed with

the villagers. Also, received a new name in front

of about 700 people. I can now be called 'Abraham'.

The picture above is of a few girls who live

in the area. They just returned from praying.

I had no trouble being a christian and attending

the Muslim prayers.

It is picking up with plans for sex education

classes (mainly against teenage pregnancy) at

the middle school. We are at the organizational

stage but within the next week or so, we should

start. It is actually a continuation of what we

started at the end of last school year. 

It worked out great with at least 8 girls coming

for family planning and several others coming

for condoms, both male and female. 

This has been one of the best activities I've done

so far and it has demonstrated some success.

Also talking to the teachers about things like

mathelete competitions and spelling bees.

One teacher I tried to get into spelling bees last

year (but was hesitant) saw 'Akila and the Bee'

and now is interested. I guess my explaning what

a spelling bee is in my French didn't work but

thanks to the movie.

The teacher who was in charge of last year's 

theatre group left. So, us not being professionals

like he is, have come up with plan 'B'. Which is to

have the kids write skits and then perform them.

The goal is of letting them be creative and build

confidence. It's at the drawing board stage but

this is one activity I'd like to see happen.

 The sports teacher has returned and I am talking

crap about getting a kid from the village up to

the capital 'Ouagadougou' to compete in the 

100 meter final sprint races. Just trying to

motivate him but this is one area where lack

of resources hurts. We'll figure how to make decent

starting blocks with no cash in hopes of making

the crap talk a reality.

For now that's about it and I've got to say that 

I'm happy that things are starting to pick up.