Woo Hoo a Blog Update

This dog is named Buddha. He's a cutie pie.
Some health volunteers n Buddha.

Hey people,
First things first: My health-- c'est bon! Today for the first time since I got here, I ate full meals. Like full meals comparable to ones I would eat in the US. With each day that passes, a little bit more Lariam (the malaria meds Google it now) leaves my body and I feel better and my appetite returns more and my mood balances out too. Fun fact, did you know that the military is banned from using Lariam because of its history of side effects? Well now you know!

So what's new and interesting in the fun-filled and packed days we have here? This weekend we did what's called "Demystification" which is where they "De-mystify" what the life of an actual volunteer is like. I went with a group of like 8 which is too many to one volunteer's site in the South of Burkina which was literally sweet. Why? Because it's filled with mangoes! Sorry to use so many exclamation points, but c'est vrai, it's mango season all year long in Southern Burkina. And the climate is more jungle-like but with mountains and Shea Butter trees! And veggies and fruits growing, mango factories, chiller people than in the North and puppies playing on the side of the road. Sounds like some sort of Ashley paradise right? So you know Ashley's gonna try to influence shit so she can live there right? Mais oui!

And c'est moi so you know I took pictures right which I will post later of course.

Tired of my Franglais??? That's too bad I don't care.

-AF

Okay So...

Right didn't mean to scare people with my last post. I'm fine, but yeah I felt really sick a few days ago. I'm still not like 100% yet, but I'm 100% better than I was. Yeah, in other news, we've been moving a lot and we're unexpectedly back in Ouagadougou now and will be here for the next few weeks. At least I'll be able to get packages quicker =D.

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.

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.

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

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?

Sex Slaves at World Cup

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

By James Morrison

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."