Volunteer
Despite being nestled amid lush greenery that slowly inches its way closer…to the house, the walking path, the garbage burn pit…my job is actually encased in cement. Cement walls and floors and an imposing enclosure engulfing it all; a dingy wall – with once-bright pictures depicting safer sex and mosquito nets to prevent malaria. It […]
Despite being nestled amid lush greenery that slowly inches its way closer…to the house, the walking path, the garbage burn pit…my job is actually encased in cement. Cement walls and floors and an imposing enclosure engulfing it all; a dingy wall – with once-bright pictures depicting safer sex and mosquito nets to prevent malaria. It […]
“My pe kin.” Gutz is always calling into the distance, “My pe kin,” as he fishes in his pocket for money or finishes a meal that requires the plate be taken in. My pe kin (I very well may be spelling that wrong) and the female equivilant, “small girl“, are bestowed “generously” on any child […]
There were four dead. The branches in the middle of the road told us there was an accident ahead. The number of branches and the distance they spanned before we could actually see the accident told us it was bad. As we inched forward, we noticed a wall of cars in the other lane parked […]
I sound like tubercular Theresa or something. I’m not sure where the hack came from but it appears to have put down roots. Wednesday I was under the weather and stayed home from work- sore throat and sleepiness my constant companions. But after BushDiva squeezed me some orange juice and I got some rest I […]
The fireflies blinked close to the ground in a game of silent hide and go seek as two boys pumped vigorously to fill their buckets. I sat on the steps peering up beyond the silhouette of the palm trees at my front door. Tonight was the first night since I’ve been here that I’ve really […]
The laughter emerging from the back porch was continuous. And loud. Raucous even. Strands of conversation in different voices bounced off the screens and escaped on the cool breeze snaking its way between the mesh – keeping us cool. The “us” was me, BushDiva, Wry-ly, Emme, and Benin*. Emme is an IFESH scholar working in […]
“I think I’m gonna like it here…I’m very very glad to volunteer…” Ok… so things are definitely looking up here. Meeting and hanging with LA (aka Gutz) has been a source of both entertainment and networking. He has gotten in the habit of introducing me and BushDiva to everyone he knows as his colleagues or […]
Where can I even begin on this? I didn’t pack many clothes. I was told before-hand that I could get stuff made and I was ecstatic. Some simple skirts and shirts would serve me well and would also provide some souvenirs upon my return home. So into Gbarnga to buy lapas (colorful cloths) and then […]
"where my christmas?"
She greeted me, her hand reaching back to touch my arm as she walked by. The younger one, lagging just a little behind her, hands occupied with bucket and basin for water, greeted me with a mumble I couldn’t quite understand. “what?” I stopped and looked back at her. “my mom died,” she smiled at […]
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