Bye Bye Cote d'Ivoire...

Back from Assinie and last few days in Abidjan. My adventure has come to an end and what an adventure I had. My eyes have had its best meal yet. The medical campaign was a success. The villagers came and the doctors did their job. I helped in the pharmacy department of the hospital and Yolande made sure that everything went according to plan with the president of the campaign. Assinie is a beautiful little town by the lagoon that gives access to the Ocean. It’s the little Hampton’s of the Ivory Cost. Two more days to enjoy, maybe shop, relax and visit Yoland’s family before our 26hr plain ride back home that i’m not very excited about. In the mean time, i finished TWO great books, which is rare in my case because when it comes to reading, I don’t do it often. “ City of Thieves” and “The reader.” Couldn’t leave them alone. My literate friend Margaux would be very proud of me!
I am going to miss the people that I have shared three weeks with: Lybrone; Yolande’s 8 year old brother, Yanise my two year old buddy, Nadege, Bea, Thomas, Mr kulaï who are adorable workers at the house, Dieu Donner the amazing handsome cook that can bake darn good pastries, and Yolande’s parents who have welcomed and been so generous to me. I do miss home, and can’t wait to give my Papa a kiss, but these three weeks was a dream that came true. I came, I saw but didn’t conquer… no stolen babies for me!
At least I’m coming back with a little Cote D’Ivoire, mosquito bites!

After three weeks of fighting, I am the happiest Girl in the world! The picture speaks for itself.

Cassandre

Bye bye Yacoli...hello Assinie

Last day in Yacoli, then Abidjan, and direction Assinie on Thursday the 5th.
I am being given a very a nice tour in scenery of the Cote D’Ivoire. I have seen the urban city, the forest and now the Ocean. Assinie is a small village by the Ocean. We are going there for the medical part of the organization. We're joining and collaborating with a wonderful group called the Jedas (young association of Assinie) for a sanitary campaign. These young doctors open clinics to help medicate, vaccinate and inform people about asthma, HIV and other. Yolande and I will not be nurses, giving shots or trying to pretend to be Doctors but informing people in the city about this opportunity to get tested and vaccinated. We are as I can best describe it “the main attraction”, two white girls distributing flyers! Even though Yolande isn’t white, we have been told that we were both white.

My last few days at Yacoli were educational. On Saturday, I visited a plantation of Hevea trees, which is one of the main agriculture production other then cacao and rice. The tree sap is the main component of Latex. We visited the factory where they transformed the harden tree sap into raw latex with the purpose to build Michelin tires. I tell you, the smells were very pungent! Sunday we visited the Nawa water falls of Soubre (big town 20 mins from Yacoli.) Spectacular! The energy of the falls was breathtaking. We walked through the forest to get to them, which made the anticipation more exciting. There was also great progress with Yolande’s budgeting and financing meetings with the young men of the village. Thanks to her determination, we were able to discuss their money management despite our rough start.

The end of my journey of teaching was a one of a kind experience. The schedule was not bad either. No school Wednesdays and the hours, 8am to 11:30, lunch till 2:30 and we ended at 5pm. I know! Would I do it again? Yes, if the conditions were different. I was disappointed at myself that I couldn’t enjoy the children as much as I wanted too and give them the full attention they needed. The fact that they were 30 with a short attention span, who hit each other every minute, was at the end very challenging and frustrating to maintain calm. It wasn’t easy. What the school needs is a concrete wall to separate the younger children and the older one. Two classes of 18 children at the most, so that the teacher can give them what they need, where they can learn correctly and where the violence (hitting) can be controlled. It isn’t fair to them nor is to the teachers who tend to loose patience with the chaos.
However, they are my little Angels when they sing!
Here’s a sing a long:

“ Les Dolphins HEH! Les Dolphins HEH! Secom coma Whoa! Secom coma Whoa!”

-- CASSANDRE

School is starting...

Thursday the 29th was the preschool children and my very own first day of school. I don’t know why the younger children start so late because the 1st to 5th graders have been in school for two months now, but anyways they were very surprised to see me. I'll begin with the school, it is one long big room with no closed doors or windows, but a roof there is. It’s been in this condition for two years. You can imagine how difficult it can get, especially when all the older children from the other schools who have never seen a white girl can distract the classroom. They pop their heads, laugh, cross the classroom, and get in and out of it. A little frustrating, because of the disrespect and distraction it can cause, but I can understand their interest. Not necessarily because of my color but for the reason why I am here.

Anyways to continue with the preschool classroom, it doesn’t have much other than a small round table, mini desks and chairs (adorable by the way), a small chalkboard and a mat for the children for circle time. The assistants made wonderful decorations, which brings life to the dark cold room. There are two assistants, and no permanent teacher for about 30 children. The teacher who hasn’t arrived yet, stays for a short period of time until the next rotation. I was told that since the school is about only two years, the educational board waits until the third year before they send a full time teacher. They want to make sure that there is a solid demand in the village; Not very assuring if you ask me. I forgot to mention the restroom situation which in my society would be considered shocking, but to for them, it works. The children must do their business outside in the bushes. As for the boys, lucky them, they have a concrete structure on the floor with a hole to go number #1. Hey, at least they learn quickly how to aim a target. It isn’t as bad as it seems and yes they wash their hands. My lovely students, have big eyes for me. Let’s just say they listen during singing, dancing and snack time. Other than that you can imagine what 30 children can be like. First day though!

For being someone who doesn’t like attention, I came to the wrong place. Whenever I step outside the house, it takes only 1 child to attract an other and by the time you know it, I have 20 children behind me following every step I make.

-- CASSANDRE