Wednesday, June 30, 2010

I'm On Limited Time!

What the title said. Ok I didn't write this post out beforehand like I shouldve knowing I have to pay by the hour for internet and the keyboards here are very different. Anyway, I'm in Ouahigouya near our training site and I just moved in with my host family two nights ago and they are reeally sweet. Every morning my mom makes me tea and leaves bread out for me for when I go to training. Also one of my little sisters and my Papa wait for me to come home at the end of the day. My Papa speaks fluent French and Moore. At least one of my sisters speak French the rest speak Moore only. The first night I thought mice lived in my ceiling but it turned out they were just bats. A giant National Geographic spider crawled into my bed. My family has several sheep but they look like goats. Health volunteers live in villages and have to bike to training which stinks like dog poo. Our village is the closest one and its still 10 km. I have been very ill and unable to eat for the past week or so but today Im much better. My appetite was low when I got here and Im sure some of you have heard of the wacky shit many people go through taking anti-malaria pills. A few have hallucinations many have vivid dreams and and extremely small number experience psychosis from this med but most people are fine. Well the malaria shit destroyed what little appetite i had left and my body began actively rejecting food. Some days I couldnt have more than a banana and a piece of bread that was all I could take. The nurse was very understanding though and now i can eat fruits and and small portions of regular food. I cant stop taking the malaria med though so there is no alternative. Its much better and i dont fall asleep in the middle of the day anymore because ive had nothing to eat or what i ate my body threw it back up.

I can check the internet more often now during training btw so i'll be on at least once a week.

Monday, June 21, 2010

ZZZzzzz

Hey everyone it's me. Obviously I should be in bed right now, but again, it's me so I'm still up.

2 things:

1. I seriously fear how stuffed my luggage is. I fear in the airport my duffel bag will spring open and the contents inside will fling open and injure a small child. It is possible. I tried weighing my carry-ons. The limit is 50 lbs for one and guess how big my first one was. That's right Jimmy, it was exactly 50 lbs. I just realized I have to dump shit out of my second bag at least 10 lbs worth in order to board the flight.

2. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who thought of me and made me feel special my last days in the U.S. I truly appreciate people who took time out of their schedules to drive across the state and drive me to a theme park (no names) and people who came from the northeast visiting relatives and made their relatives come pick me up so we could hang out in Richmond (again no names). And people who gave me a crap-ton of music including Jamiroquai that I could bop my feet to on the plane (...). People who made time to Skype and wish me well in various ways I will do my best to stay in touch and update you with "the happenins". I fucking need to sleep now. Out like a trout.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Books, Books, Books!



Now, I'd like to take a minute to ask people if they have any suggestions for good books or any good reading I might be interested in, in case I have lots and lots of free time on my hands.

Big ups to Meagan who recommended The Bottom Billion by Paul Collier. I generally read nonfiction exclusively, but I might want some escapism from time to time so if you have any book suggestions for me, I would be much obliged.

Also, don't recommend any of the books in the picture above because they look like they're dulllll.

-AFT


Sunday, June 13, 2010

One Week, Bitches, One Week Left!!!

UPDATE: I lied. I will still be in training for 3 months, I'm pretty sure. You can send me stuff in August.

That's right.


Also, P.C. keeps sending me e-mails with new stuff I need to do even though it's the last minute and the last email they sent said my Pre
-Service Training ends August 24th not September like I thought. So if you were planning on sending something in August, that is too late. The latest you can send stuff now is like mid-July, before my address will change. Regardless though, I'll post my new address when I get it and keep you posted.

This probably will not be my last post before I go...

Also, important question:

Is my hair to the point where I can wear it out yet? No? Almost? Thoughts?


Thursday, June 10, 2010

Sex Slaves at World Cup

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jun/9/embassy-row-852059191/


SEX SLAVES AT WORLD CUP

The co-chair of the House Human Trafficking Caucus is urging the South African government to crack down on the country's widespread sexual slave trade during the World Cup this month, when a half million foreigners are expected to attend the international soccer tournament.

Rep. Kay Granger, Texas Republican, this week introduced a resolution calling on Pretoria to expand its law enforcement efforts during the tournament, which opens Friday. It also urges South African police to arrest any tourist engaging in the sexual exploitation of men, women and children.

Mrs. Granger on Wednesday also acknowledged South Africa's first two convictions for human trafficking. South Africa has only weak laws dealing with sexual exploitation and forced labor, but a tougher bill was introduced in parliament last month.

"I am pleased that the government of South Africa has had its first two successful convictions for human trafficking," she said. "We must continue to work to ensure that we protect men, women and children enslaved in this vicious cycle. Light is being shed on these disgusting acts against humanity, and justice will be served."

The State Department considers South Africa to be a source of sexual slavery and forced labor, as well as a destination for human trafficking from other countries and a transit nation for the modern slave trade. It said girls are usually sold for sexual exploitation, while boys are frequently used in forced labor. South African human rights groups estimate that 38,000 children are trapped in the country's sex trade.

South African President Jacob Zuma also has warned about a possible increase in the sex trade during the World Cup.

"While we are excited about the World Cup tournament, we are mindful that an event of this magnitude unfortunately also opens up opportunities for criminals such as those who traffic in women and children," Mr. Zuma last month during a ceremony to mark children's protection week.

"We must therefore work closely together to curb this crime, which is in essence modern-day slavery."


Sunday, June 6, 2010

T- Minus 15 Days and Counting

Me gets on me flight in 15 days! Started practicing Moore which is supposed to be a useful language to know throughout the country. Although, at my site , they may not speak Moore they may speak something else. Confusing huh? Notice how short my blog posts are getting. They will get even shorter probably until I leave, I just gotta really focus on packing now. After I get in Burkina and find a computer with internet, my posts will suddenly become long again watch and see.