Monday, February 04, 2008

A Great Opportunity to Directly Support My Village and Its Women

I have been told that many of you have been asking how you can directly help me with my endeavors here in The Gambia...well, here is your chance:

Help Repair and Revitalize My Community's Women's Gardens

Above: Garden Fence

Proposal
The members of two women’s groups are requesting funds to repair the fencing of each group’s garden. Fencing currently exists, but it is in disrepair, due to a bush fire and general corrosion of barbed wire and nails. The funds will be used to purchase barbwire, nails and corrugate (for garden doors/gates and replacing roofing on pre-existing bathroom/rest house structure in one of the gardens). The larger of the two gardens has an area of 3.5 hectares (HUGE!). The smaller garden is 192 x 120 m. Repairing the fences will stop grazing animals and curious children from entering the gardens. Strong, durable fencing will help to ensure year-round gardening, which will aid in better nutrition and additional income generation for the women and their families. Total project costs are estimated at GMD 86,865/USD 3,948.42. The community will be contributing to $1,174 of the cost; I am seeking the assistance of interested family and friends in helping to fund the remaining $2,274. Donations can be made
here.

For those of you interested in knowing more about my village and this current endeavor, please scroll below.

I cannot thank you enough for all of your support---letters, care packages, emails, inquiries to my parents and sister, and your donations. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

History
The population of my village consists of 1200 people. The village is located in the Central River Region of The Gambia. Mandinka is the predominant local tribal language spoken there; however, many villagers are also fluent in Pulaar as the surrounding villages are Fula. Two larger nearby villages serve as commercial and healthcare hubs for the region.

Above: One of the various rice fields

Citizens of my village work primarily in rice cultivation, self-sustainable farming, and fishing. Some villagers are also skilled in carpentry, blacksmithing, and tailoring.

The women of my community (and interested men) have utilized the active women’s groups to embark upon improving the nutrition and well-being of the women and their families, particularly their children. The women of the community are very industrious and hard-working. Produce grown is sold at weekly markets in surrounding villages for additional income generation. The women also take part in adult literacy activities and many are involved with the Parent/Teacher Association at the local Basic Cycle School (where I teach Grade 9 English). Both men and women maintain several beds in both of the women’s gardens, but the women of my village are the most involved, with approximately 250 women working throughout the year in both gardens. The gardens are already equipped with several wells. The 3.5 hectare garden has a total of eight wells, while the 192 x 120m garden has four wells. The water table in both gardens is quite high and easily accessible by traditional water retrieval methods. This garden has existed for approximately 20 years and about 100 women maintain beds.

Above: Garden Well

Existing Problems & Needs
Currently, the gardens are not being fully utilized as many of their members do not want to plant seeds without a safe and secure fence that can protect against animals and children. Villagers want to ensure that strong, durable fencing is constructed, prior to resuming work in the gardens. The women (and men) of the village are hardworking and have tried to balance both work in the rice fields (majority of villagers’ main source of income) and the gardens. In addition to improving nutrition and diet, many members supplement their income by selling their own produce. Growing vegetables is beneficial to the community both directly and indirectly.

Ever since my arrival to village eight months ago, its community members, especially the members of the two women’s groups, have expressed their desire to repair their existing gardens. On several occasions, I have met with leaders of the women’s groups, as well as interested males who oversee the labor for the repair and subsequent sustainability of the women’s garden. While the women are the main workers in the garden, the village elders and men are equally excited about the revamping of the garden. All parties are motivated and eager to start the revitalization project.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Happy Anniversary!






I am once again back in Kombo after one week in my village. Since I pretty much spent most of January in Kombo, due to my being asked to assist with the planning for the arrival and training of the new Health and Community Development Trainees, I realized that I really, really do like village-life more than Kombo life. When I arrived in my village last week after my three-week work-hiatus away, my family graciously received me, and then began commenting on the following things:

Conversation #1 with Host Family
Family: Your body is not as big anymore. Kombo is not good for you; you've lost weight.
Me: (Smiling or more like smirking, which isn't always interpreted well)...It's because I didn't eat RICE for 3 weeks.

Conversation #2 with Host Family
Family: You stayed too long.
Me: I know; I had to, but I missed to see your faces.
Family: Don't stay that long again.
Me: I have to go back again in a week.
(They ignore that).
Family: Jalika, you like Kombo too much.
Me: No, I like here better.
Family: But there is sweeter.
Me: No, I don't agree. Here is sweeter because my family is here. I like it here.
Family: Next time, don't stay too long. You always travel.
Me: I know...I know...I know. (Deep Breath) I have to go back there in a week.
Family: What?!
Me: Sorry. I won't stay long, I promise, but work is there.
Family: But if you keep going there, you can't help the people here in village.
Me: I know. Traveling will stop soon, and then I'll be here.
Family: Don't stay long this time.
Me: I said I won't.

Despite these conversations that bring mixed emotions of my not being able to fully express that I really do like my host family and my village and want to spend as much time with them as possible and the fact that I continue to be questioned by everyone and their brother, second-wife, step-daughter, and family donkey where I've been, I have spent a lot of time this past week reflecting on the past year. ONE YEAR. One year has passed by since my arrival here. Time has moved so quickly, even though, for the first two months here, I wrote various desired achievements lists during what seemed-like an eternity of training; I sequenced 'Lists of Things I Want to Do Before I Die', 'Personal Goals for Peace Corps', 'Meals I Would Like to Eat that Don't Contain Rice', etc.

It's so weird to think that what was so abnormally strange has become so abnormally natural. When I'm in Kombo, I wonder if my arm strength will weaken due to my ability to turn on a tap and not fetch 20L of water and carry it on my head. When I'm in Kombo, I think about my host family, and baby Mero, who soon can no longer be called a baby. During my 3 week absence, I returned noticing how much bigger Mero has become. She can speak; she calls me by name and responds when I call her or ask her a question; she runs into my house and tries to help me sweep. Oddly enough, when I look at Mero, I can't help but realize how much I, myself, have grown since I've come here. It's incredible.

One of my good friends (who shall remain nameless here) said I look so much older or mature now. And I don't necessarily feel I look older, but I definitely feel older. I don't feel like a 25 year-old who is constantly trying to prove that I am old enough to have a job, working for a government official. Perhaps I feel old too because I'm constantly reminded (still) that I should already be married and have at least 2 children by now. But perhaps, I feel older, or rather more mature and more assured, that I can do things that I never thought I could possibly do. Or I am still doing this...and still with a (HUGE) smile on my face, even when Mero takes my overly large broom and scatters the neat pile of dust I collected in her efforts to help me sweep. Here's to another year of ups and downs, humility, joy, and discovery of self and the world. Perhaps this feeling of oldness should really be captured as coming into my own...