Half way

I am now in the capital Ouagadougou for what is called in
acronym speak ... MSC or in words, mid service conference.

Yup, we're half way there and as the line at the intro of the
soapy 'Days of our lives' go or went ... like sands through the
hour glass, so are the days of our lives. Can say that's
been true so far.

Last Monday I went to the college (middle school) to
organize the sensibilization for the 4ieme B boys. As
written in the last blog post ... the Thursday before we
were able to have the 4ieme girls come in to the maternity.
So it was that we needed to get the boys up to speed.
When I went in the class to schedule a time, I was
surprised to hear that the boys wanted it that day.
Made we wonder what was on their minds!
So at 3 in the afternoon it was held.

Talking to the boys is different of course than that of the
girls but the main emphasis was condom use. The statement
made time and time again by the girls were that it was the
boys that were the problem ... as far as condom use is
concerned. So now they know the girls' opinion on it and
I asked them if they are the new young Africa ... then get
with it on the condom use.

You can see the Flag of Burkina above ...
That's the new flag we have flying at the health clinic.
We didn't have one so I got a hold of one for $ 3 USD.
Cut a eucalyptus trunk for the pole (maybe around 20ft long)
and in a matter of minutes we were looking spiffy.
The eucalyptus is a very handy tree and so far it's served
as the wood for the wooden penises I've whittled for use
in the condom demonstrations and now a flag pole.
It actually took about 30 minutes total from cutting it
with my machete to stripping the bark, placing the flag
and then raising the pole, with flag.
That was a lot of fun as when people saw the pole with
the flag on it before it was raised, they all came running over.
They took over and in 5 minutes ... voila ... as it was a mildly
windy day ... the flag flew regally as a bunch of
smiling faces were looking up.

It is a minor activity but it has value in moving the mind.
Brighten things up, make people smile and showing a
let's wake this place up energy which may pay off with
it being easier to motivate and participate.

The political situation has settled quite a bit and so far ...
to the Burkinabes' credit ... they've made what seems to
be a good transition. Of course there's always the
disclaimer 'as of now'.

This next upcoming week entails a few days of meetings
and the ride back to the village on Thursday. It is 80 km
or about 50 miles but I haven't traveled that route for a
bit so it'll give me a chance to stop in at the network of
boutiques (variety stores) which act as water stops along
the way. It's really a nice practice and it couldn't be
done in a social way if one takes the big mini-buses
(big mini? or midi).
It's just taking time for people .

With being in the capital comes different food other than
rice and sauce. So ... I'm out de door to grab the
opportunity for a schwarma (spelt something like that).
Going without makes the appreciation felt as that first bite
melts in the mouth, just a little bit sweeter.