Gotta be Politically Correct...

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Saturday, November 20, 2010

1 month into it

   We had our 1st language proficiency 'test' today which means that our language classes will change so that we're matched with other trainees that are at the same level.  Despite feeling like I am understanding the language to some extent, I feel like I did poorly on my 'test' which means could be a good thing as I'll probably be placed with a trainer that speaks some English for the duration of my Pre-Service Training.
   I feel like my body is starting to catch up with the change now: the heat, food, learning, and sleeping pattern (or lack there of at times).  I am starting to realize how important yet difficult it is to find fiber in the Nigerien diet too as we eat a lot of carbs: rice, millet, corn, sorghum, and fried dough, with the supplemental foods being beans, yogurt in a bag, oil, a little bit of meat, and some veggies (onion, potatos, peppers, okra, and eggplant).
   So far I've been able to start a garden which only has tomatoes now and a tree pepiniere with an assortment of different trees, but we won't be at the training site long enough to get to reap the benefits of them before we get placed in our posts.  They've been teaching us all kinds of things that we'll be able to use so that we're actually 'qualified' in our technical field before we leave.  The most impressive thing being a tree called Moringa ore. that I will hopefully get some seeds for before too long as I have an idea of creating a 'portable and reusable' pepiniere system.  Oz. for oz. Moringa provides more Vit. C than oranges, more Calcium than milk, and is possible the most nutrient dense food in Africa, and what's more, it's adapted for the arid climate that Niger has.
   We don't get much time for internet service at this point so this is it for now, but maybe after PST, I'll be able to be more elaborate.
  Lastly, my roommate is quite the popular one and has put together a short bio on all of us PC Trainees that are in the same Stage (FARM and Community Health 2010).  So check out his website if you want to check out our cool and diverse group...  jacobmbarela.wordpress.com
   Thanks for your support and prayers,
       Michael

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

3 wks in

Hey everyone,
   I'm doin good and enjoyin Niger while on a pretty tight schedule.  We have lots of training (language being the most intense, then medical, safety and security, cross-cultural, and technical) which keeps our minds movin and processing things all day long.  We stay with host families during the week and meet up as a whole group of trainees a couple times a week, otherwise we're in small groups for our language training. 
    The most shocking things have been the enormous quantities of trash (esp. plastic bags) that is strewn about everywhere: in the streets, fields, and even living quarters.  The environment is very much like what I've seen in AZ with red rock, lots/mainly sand, trees and low-lying shrubs stewn about, hot (90+ after 9:30 am) and ~75 at night, 12 hrs of sun 6:30-6:30, and millet grown wherever possible (with sorghum, beans of sorts, and and peanuts).  Right now it's going into cold season which means that people are starting their gardens with tomato, cucumber, corn, beans, lettuce, onion, peppers, eggplant, and other garden plants being sewn into the community or personal gardens.  Some common sights are Trash Everywhere, sand, millet, stucco or millet stalk houses, children all over (some with, some without clothes), goats, donkeys and donkey carts, bulls, chickens, sheep (short haired w/ the tail), pigeons, street vendors, and lots of curious people starring at the white people.  Typical meals have been rice and sause, rice and beans with oil, millet fixed many different ways, different types of fried doughs for breakfast, bits of goat meat, pasta (maccaronni or spaghetti), different types of potatoes, okra, and water, coke or a local pop to drink.
    I have 6 more weeks of training before I will be assigned to a post.  It's fun getting to be in the place in life that I've always wanted to be; I realized this the other day that I'm truely living what I've dreamed and talked about for quite a while. It's difficult, really organized and intense for training, but the other 40 trainees that I'm here with are going through the same thing and it's a good time getting to know knew friends and a new culture. 
   I hope all of you are doing well and thank you for all the support and prayers you provide me with.
   LIVEITUP