back to life

and back in Kaolack.

So I'm writing from the lobby-area of a campement (hotel) outside of Kaolack. Most of the Fatick-Kaolack-Kaffrine PCVs (Kaolack Regional House) are here to discuss our Regional Strategy. A Regional Strategy is basically a set of goals that the PCVs of the greater Kaolack region has created based on the needs of our area, loosely based on the UN Millenium Development Goals (oh Capstone...), for the next 10 years. Some of our goals include: Reducing the incidence of Malaria (death and general illness), improving educational opportunities, income generation, food security, natural resource management, and health and hygiene. As a set of Volunteers, we have spent the last 9 months creating a 16 or so page document with goals, specific numbers, structured wording, and ways of measuring the work of the Peace Corps in Fatick, Kaolack, and Kaffrine. We met and argued over such numbers and wording, did surveys of our communities to serve as baseline numbers, and now this weekend is about creating projects and turning our goals into something real. The strategy is also about encouraging collaboration across sectors (Health, AgroForestry, Urban/Rural Agriculture, Environmental Education, Sustainable Business Development, and Eco Tourism) to make the most of our skills, resources, and opportunities. The Kaolack Regional Strategy is the second attempt of its kind (after Kedegou) in Senegal (now Kolda and the North are also writing strategies), signalling Peace Corps Senegal's larger movement towards cross-sector collaboration and a more-inclusive development strategy. Good stuff will come of this, especially in the domain of reducing incidence of Malaria, Inchallah (God willing).

I had only been in the village 3.5 days before returning to Kaolack. My return to the village went better than I had thought; everyone loved the gifts I brought (earrings for my sisters, pens for the school kids in my family, tictacs for my brothers, candy for everyone, etc); and my Sereer actually seemed almost better on my return than it was when I left (or so it seemed...I at least felt more comfortable with it). It was nice seeing everyone in the village, especially my sisters (1 of whom gave birth while I was gone and 3 others who are pregnant) and the kids, Sally, and the teachers. Sally saw me from a distance and actually came running to hug me. She didn't think I would return, but I did. Everyone who saw me asked about my trip, my family ("Mbaa mbiee dara?" "Mbiee tous." I hope they aren't doing anything. No, they aren't doing anything. IE they are fine, in peace), and the cold. My excitement at being back in the village after such a great vacation showed in my face and everyone knew I was happy because I had just seen loved ones. They all understand that 9+ months is a long time not to see one's family and they didn't seem to outright blame me for taking such a trip, because they know I've missed people. They are right.

The wrestling tournament also started this week. Maybe I will post about Senegalese wrestling tomorrow--it's quite an experience. The village, however, is quite annoyed that I am not there for the entire 4.5 day tournament. Oh well.