Wow! Anyone else surprised that it is November already? Well, as you can tell from the title, one of the hardest aspect of cultural integration that I have found to date is that I am a woman in a man's world doing some rigorous labor. Please, note however, that many times it is not the opposite sex completely left dumbfounded by this idea of me toiling over the dirt, but instead, my not-always-so-empowering fellow women cohorts that are completely astounded to see me starting my compost pile and digging out the beds in my garden space that are insulting, but sometimes do raise good questions (which requires me to take a breath and use it as a teaching moment). For me, this is difficult because unlike other women volunteers trying to make it in the male-dominant powerhouse of this region (and let's face it to much extent the world) I am almost nearly surrounded by the women at my site all day with hardly any males in my presence. So, unlike the difficulties of other PCVs trying to make themselves heard and respected in the view of their male counterparts I am spending most of my time trying to get the understanding and a level of approval from the women that I am attempting to integrate into their daily lives. Recently, upon encountering many of my fellow volunteers (mostly women in this part of my region) we were able to share some of stories and hardships over the past month and one case in particular stands out in my mind. In short, this PCVs story is that she is married and lives en brusse (out in the bush) with her husband. She desires to work and truly just be addressed in her field and to be acknowledged, as she is well-educated and has a level of fluency in French, which can be found spoken by nationals here. However, since her husband is generally found with her in village it is he who gets their attention and ear (EVEN though he hardly understands much of conversational French at all). Needless to say, she seems to spend much of her time trying work with her husband to blur the lines of gender norms for both the men and women. The women villagers seem to take her desire to work with the men to mean that she considers her status as above that of women nationals, and they have made sure to point out her true place is "over there" with the other women. Either way, we are both constantly hounded with questions always beginning the same way, "Can you...?". Can you shovel? Can you handle going over this road? Can you manage to continue greeting? Can you weed? Whatever it is I suppose it is just plain amazing that we, as the lazy white race perhaps, can (actually more like will) perform these tasks almost daily. Of course, usually once we do they laugh and then tell us to go sit down in the shade or when the unfortunate instance occurs that we cannot accomplish a basic chore (or perhaps just not as easily--since many times they have been doing it since they could walk, whereas we have never had to) then they claim we must be tired/just do not understand what we are supposed to do.
On a different note, I have found that working in my kitchen creates a great sense of personal accomplishment and independence that I crave daily in my life. Thus far, I have baked pizza, brownies, cookie cake, apple crisp and a sweet potato casserole all to share with my host family (btw: my homologue/host mom/jatigi is a Keita too! Bonus!) who have flipped over backwards and enjoy watching, and of course, the eating process as well. I have some fun pics up on FB where everyone was introduced to the Fruit Roll-Up candy Stickerz! (my sister had sent some in a package with a pic of her and mom with some on their faces) and had a blast one hot, lazy afternoon sticking them on each others' faces. I have been working on my garden plot and continually adding to my house. For instance, I have recently purchased a full tea set so that I can host guests and serve them rounds of tea (I have had several visitors already!). I have killed tons of crickets, ants and flies within my home; found one dead scorpion and have disected one with a shovel; and, spotted two rodents around the kitchen area.
Currently, my main goals have been interviewing/integrating/greeting the locals and trying to get a better grasp on the history and existing projects, as well as, work the community would invest in fully in the future. Again, after coming together and sharing our various village experiences I find though that drama seems to pop up occasionally it is just the norm. A short compilation of events, would include; drunk teachers, attempted rape of village chief's third wife, being almost forced to leave village and asking others what help they need, having two language tutors instead of just the one (who is not sure what of he is even doing, but again it seems like many don't), and the question being raised about getting a new jatigi (host fam). Crazy, random incidents just are every day events and I am just trying to reflect on them without losing my mind and control in the process.
Well, I guess I should be heading back to site and the reality of living in the beauty of the middle of nowhere! Please, feel free to leave comments, questions and spread the word to everyone of the link. I miss you all and would love to hear from each you!
