The Scoop.

The ides of September are upon us and all I can say is, "finally."

This blog is coming to you all in the spirit of urgency. After spending a summer with frequent access to the Internet, I have taken for granted the fact that I can write a blog, at practically any moment, updating you all on my misadventures. Sufficed to say, I have made a few entries since May, but it is by no means proportionate to the frequency in which I have been connected. So, urgency. I say this, because in one day, I return to my village, for good. As in, I have no more summer conferences, no more trainings to facilitate, no more trips to Ghana, no more Internet at my disposal to type up a blog, no more High School friends showing up to get a taste (or rather an odiferous whiff) of Burkina.

It is time to go back home and actually do what I am supposed to do.

Here's a news-ticker layout of what's been and what will be going on in my life.

Shannon visits Burkina Faso amid mosquito bites and threats of e.coli

My wonderful and tall friend since 8th grade Shannon made her way down to Burkina in August. While we didn't see all the exotic sites, I am so happy to know that she was able to see a little bit of the life here. She battled mosquito torture and gastrointestinal acrobatics in the name of visiting a friend in a far away land. Thank you Shannon for making the trip!

Rain Continues to Fall, Villagers in the North Happy and Saturated

Even though the wonderfully temperate month of August has passed, the rain continues to fall as the temperature begins to rise once again. Reports from up north suggest that this should be a strong harvest, high yields and the like.

Workshop in Ouaga Leaves Joel Enlightened and Exhausted Beyond Belief

Today was the 5th and final day of a collaboration-based workshop including 9 Girls Education PCVs, members of our APEs/AMEs (Association of the Parents of Students/Association of Mothers of Students), and key members of the Ministry of Primary Education. It was our attempt to devise tangible strategies by which PCVs can work more effectively in Primary Schools and with our APEs/AMEs. It was an exhausting week, and while much of the work we have done is in the roughest of draft form, it is still exciting to know that efforts are being made to make our sector, the education and empowerment of girls, a more focused and effective branch of the Peace Corps Burkina program. In time, the work that we have done this week will reveal itself in the form of a manual for both volunteers and their respective APEs/AMEs. To this date, we have no such manual to help guide us in the field. We're like the Continental Congress of GEE Burkina, if you will. Except I don't wear tight pants and a white wig.

Joel Returns to his Site.

That's right, in one day I will be returning to my village, with no real intentions of leaving anytime soon. The school year is to start in less than two weeks. That should be enough time for me to settle back into my village routine before putting all that I have learned this past summer into good practice.

A few work ideas I am throwing around:

1. Women's Association: We finally turned in our paperwork to the government powers that be in an attempt to receive official association status. I have taken on a much more behind the scenes role in this project, mainly because I am of the belief that if this Association is to survive, they will need to show motivation without my presence. I do not, nor should I be, the figurehead of the association (never mind the fact that I am a guy).

2. APE/AME training: I hope to hold a series of meetings with both my APE and AME in Pobe-Mengao in an attempt to re-train the bureau members on their roles and responsibilities. In doing this, I hope to garner a higher level of motivation and responsibility on the part of the positioned members.

3. Birth Certificate Bonanza: For whatever reason, students must have a birth certificate in order to take the CEP exam (the exam necessary to pass out of Primary School). Furthermore, students must obtain their birth certificate before their 2nd year of Primary school if they wish to continue on to secondary school. Everyone follow? SO, it is my hope that in the following months, we can develop a practically fool-proof system of ensuring that EVERY student in their first year of Primary School acquires their birth certificate. Easier said than done, and while the logistics are not completely hashed out, the President of my APE and I have drafted a proposed plan. The main issue is the cost. It currently costs 600 f.cfa ($1.30) to obtain a birth certificate. While this isn't an impossible sum for a village family, it is certainly something, and given the relative lack of understanding on the part of many parents on the importance of obtaining Birth Certificates EARLY, it makes sense why there is such a high number of students without B.C.'s. I'll keep you all posted on its progress.

4. Debate Club: Same as last year. Plan to start the club in October with interested secondary school students.

5. Other stuff. I'll keep you all posted!

America. iPod Nanos, Big Macs, Ryan Seacrest...December arrival imminent

Tickets. Bought. Sitting in the book I am reading. I'm coming home for the holidays! I plan to arrive in Motown the 19th of December. I'll only spend a few days there before heading with my family to KC for Christmas. I should be in the land of everything one needs until the 3rd of January. I will then spend 4 days in Morocco, soaking up the sights before my return to the Faso.

Obituary. Summer 2007-2007.

It's been a long road since May. But all seemingly endless things must eventually, in theory, come to an end. I think the Summer of 2007 is one of those things.

For those of you with the means, enjoy Autumn for me. What I wouldn't give to rake some leaves. Be well, everyone, and thank you for reading.

Joel