tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88973840373516431902024-03-13T04:50:52.784-07:00What Am I Doing In The Peace Corps?This will be my main way of keeping track of all my Peace Corps adventures for the next two years. The thoughts and feelings expressed on this blog are mine and mine alone, so please don't assume or attribute anything you read on this blog to Peace Corps itself.Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-68236472189614434952012-12-01T17:02:00.000-08:002012-12-01T17:02:40.146-08:00Ebben Wiley's back in the States?! Say what?!Hello faithful readers...<br /><br />Sorry I did such a terrible job of blogging while in Burkina. I am now back in the States, and will be returning to my old blog http://ebbenwileybell.blogspot.com.<br />
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Peace Corps was amazing, and with out a doubt, will remain one of the most more memorable experiences of my life!<br />
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I grew much more than I ever expected. It's so odd... I was in West Africa for two and a half years, but if honestly feels like I just left the States. (I went to Paris for a week and went on a two week cruise from England to the Canary Islands; aside from that, I was in Burkina Faso.)<br />
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I expected things to be so different upon my return to home...I guess I expected too much. Because so little has changed (for the most part in terms of how America is) it's very hard to reconcile that I was actually gone for two and half years. THAT alone makes it even harder when it comes to where my friends are in their lives.<br />
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Gone are the days of dropping everything on a whim to hit the mall, or bar. Hello responsibility!<br />
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That said, I have some awesome stories/ things to share with you all. I am working on getting photos of all the fun things I bought in Burkina, and creating a post on my main blog.<br />
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I am also in the process of applying for a really cool grant that I will link everyone to in the next couple of days. I will need you to like my post on the sponsor's site for me to win.<br />
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I promise to get that post up before Monday morning!<br />
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Thanks so much for keeping up with me while I was in Burkina, and PLEASE continue reading on my main blog!<br />
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Happy Holidays!<br />
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Ebben WileyEbben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-32043555952703547602012-02-03T11:34:00.000-08:002012-02-03T11:37:09.698-08:00How does one make liquid soap?!<title></title> <style type="text/css">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I can honestly say that I have never thought about how liquid soap is made. I simply go to the store, buy, use it, then repeat the cycle. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">WELL, upon moving to Burkina Faso, that definitely changed!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Soap making is a great way to increase the income of women in the developing world. True, in some areas, the soap market has been flooded, so one may not be able to demand as high of a price, but it seems to me that the women are still happy. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I recently started working with a <a href="http://thatguyinthepeacecorps.blogspot.com/#%21/2012/01/what-is-ame.html">mothers group</a> at my neighborhood primary school. They, like most people, are interested in increasing their income. I personally enjoy and prefer income-generating activities (IGAs) because you it is easier to track your progress and see results from all your labor. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I doubt I have peaked your curiosity about soap-making, but you're going to have to read my step-by-step (that probably left a few common-sense related steps out) guide and look at my pictures nonetheless. I LOVE my MOMS! They are incredible, and even if I don't understand a fraction of what they are saying (because it is in Moore), I still look forward to phone calls asking about soap-making...</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here we go....</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1) Gather your materials... You'll need a bucket that can hold at least 15 liters, one kilo of tansigex </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(no one really knows how to spell this, but its the chemical we use that starts the soap-making process), </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">a cup to take water out with, two buckets that can hold at least 7.5 liters of water, a kilo of rock salt, and a big wooden spoon! (Note: everything should be plastic or wood... DO NOT use anything metal!) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2) Dissolve one kilo of salt into 7.5 liters of </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dS-xWJYWEqQ/TywvLtbD7UI/AAAAAAAAAZU/jzrqqaxLUq0/s1600/DSC00781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dS-xWJYWEqQ/TywvLtbD7UI/AAAAAAAAAZU/jzrqqaxLUq0/s200/DSC00781.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3) Whip the tansigex until it looks like marshmallow fluff. This usually takes about ten minutes if you are working with one kilo- fifteen seems to be sufficient for up to three kilos of tansigex. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYCK0ewX3Tg/TywyFM3jHRI/AAAAAAAAAZc/nerhfOd0IpY/s1600/DSC00800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYCK0ewX3Tg/TywyFM3jHRI/AAAAAAAAAZc/nerhfOd0IpY/s200/DSC00800.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4) Starting with the salt water, add in water one liter at a time (alternating salt water, regular water) until all water is used. While you are mixing it is VERY important to add the water in in small quantities, and stir until the contents of the bucket are homogeneous (the same). Totally learned the hard way that this is necessary. <br />
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5) After all water is mixed you, cover your bucket, and let sit over night. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">6) [When you come back the next day] Uncover bucket, and add perfume(specific to soap-making, not the type you wear) and coloring. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWL7c5D8TXI/Tyw1jLSmOoI/AAAAAAAAAZk/ep4rh3UjutI/s1600/DSC00815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWL7c5D8TXI/Tyw1jLSmOoI/AAAAAAAAAZk/ep4rh3UjutI/s200/DSC00815.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">7) Bottle, and then you are ready to sell, Sell, SELL!</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
So there you have it... This is how to make liquid soap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Until the next time, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy blogging, </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ebben Wiley </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, and sorry about some of the action shots... taking candid photos here is an art that I have yet to perfect. </span> </div>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-56869537723874173362012-01-30T06:50:00.001-08:002012-01-30T06:50:40.555-08:00What is an AME?<title></title> <style type="text/css">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">What is an AME?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you are thinking AME stands for African Methodist Episcopal, you are oh so wrong... well at least here in Burkina you are. AME, in Burkina, stands for <em><span style="font-style: normal;">Associations des Mères Educatrices (Mothers, and Female Educators Association). </span></em></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Due to dated traditions and what not that exist here in Burkina, Women tend to be left out of important decisions when it comes to their children's schooling. With these associations, Women are now able to have more a voice when it comes to the scholastic environment. </span></em></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">At the primary school I am working with, the AME was non-existent. I am proud to say, that since my arrival in November of 2011, we have established an association with an executive board. We have also started doing income-generating activities. The larger idea is that we will be able to establish a center where children from the primary school can come on free days and holidays to learn trades skills. Yes, it is very important that these children receive an education, but it is also very important that they have work skills other than farm work to fall back on. </span></em></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">In this society, the most sought after jobs are NGO jobs and government jobs. Unfortunately, due to how the school system is organized here, few individuals actually make it into these jobs. The idea of the mothers is to equip their children with unique skills to make them stronger candidates for employment later in life. I LOVE IT!</span></em></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">We have started VERY small. Right no we are doing soap-making, and neem cream. There are countless problems with hygiene here, so soap is definitely something that makes money. Neem cream is also something that makes money here. Think of this as OFF, but natural. We boil down leaves from the leaves of the neem tree, and then mix it with shea oil to make a lotion of sorts. It ends up repelling mosquitoes, which in turn, helps prevent people from being bit by malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Its really cool, and I promise to come back and add photos, and better explain all of this. </span></em></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">All in all, I am VERY proud of my AME! They are kicking ass, and making giant steps every weekend!</span></em></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">I promise to keep you all better updated in regards to what I am doing. </span></em></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Take care, and until next time, </span></em></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Ebben Wiley</span></em></span></div>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-14848699474669521662012-01-30T06:20:00.001-08:002012-01-30T06:24:48.518-08:00Where in the world is Ebben Wiley these days?<title></title> <style type="text/css">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SO, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A great deal happened between rainy season and now. Obviously the fair happened, but I also changed sites. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am no longer down in the East near Togo and Benin... I am not in the North not far from Mali. I have been at my new site since November 9, and I absolutely LOVE it. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I meant to post about the site change around Thanksgiving time, and got distracted by the super fast internet at our library. It is actually easier for me to work from site these days, and I take complete advantage of that. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I now have a house that is at least two and a half times larger than my old house, and a private courtyard that is , no joke, the same size of the courtyard I used to share with at least 13 other people, and God only knows how many animals. (<a href="http://thatguyinthepeacecorps.blogspot.com/#%21/2010/09/whats-my-house-like-in-africa.html">Link to first post about my old courtyard</a>.) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This new site feels like it always meant to be, you know? I mean, don't get me wrong, I am thankful for all my experiences at my old site. I learned a great deal from my old site, and if it were not for that, I don't think that I would be enjoying my new site as much. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am currently working at L'École<span lang="fr-FR"> National pour les Enseignants Primaire (the National </span><span lang="en-US">Teachers</span><span lang="fr-FR"> School). </span><span lang="en-US">It is an interesting match. I am now more closely aligned with my original assignment, which was Girls Education and Empowerment (now known as Non-formal Education). </span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">I work with the AME ( Student Mothers' Association) to help bring money into the school— I'll be posting on out income-generating projects soon. With the women, I also advocate for the rights of the children, and will be working with them to help teach their children income-generating activities during their free time, and school breaks. </span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">Another project I am excited about is my work with the student teachers. During this time of the year, the student teachers from the teaching school go out into the field to observe teachers. I will be working with the student teachers at our school on Thursday mornings. Every Thursday, I will teach the student teachers a Life Skills lesson. It will then be their job to write a lesson to teach the students the next day. I feel this is a more effect way of teaching Like Skills and what not because it will be coming from a host country national. It is also a great opportunity for the student teachers to get some practice. </span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">I am working on doing a big sibling/ little sibling exchange between the local high school and the primary school I work with, but that may be a little down the line. </span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">All in all, I know that February is going to be too short. It's all good though, I am totally up for the challenge... I can honestly say that I have never gone to bed angry/anxious, nor have I woken up angry/anxious due to problems at my new site since being here. In fact, I feel far more integrated into my new community that I ever did at my old community. </span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">Can't wait to tell you all more about life at site!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US">Ebben Wiley</span></span></div>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-34064769096766243752012-01-30T05:52:00.000-08:002012-01-30T06:19:04.895-08:00How did the fashion show go?<title></title> <style type="text/css">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hey guys, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I am so sorry that it has taken me over four months to bring you up to speed on how the fashion show went... I am pleased to inform you that it went REALLY well!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The weaving association we worked with made over 300.000CFA (over 600USD) by the end of the fair from the fashion show, accessories, and orders for fabric at the fair. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Moussa (the shoe guy) made over 100.00CFA (over 200USD) by the end of the fair. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My tailors did pretty well as well. They brought in around 50.000CFA (USD) from the fair.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Work backed up, so the video footage that was taken has not yet been edited. Hopefully I will have that up soon though. Until then, here goes a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101394834083131.3497096.2063641&type=3&l=23b610d9ec">link to a few unfinished photos</a> from the fashion show. (I will post the other photos by Feb. 4, 2012. Promise.)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy bloggin, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ebben Wiley</span></div>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-5908747223548235122011-09-06T06:03:00.000-07:002011-10-17T15:24:36.054-07:00A Fashion Show in Bukina?!<title></title> <style type="text/css">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was taught it's never good to start a thank-you with an apology, but oh well, here it goes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am so sorry that it has been so long since my last post... Things in country got away from me, and I am just now coming across the the time to sit down and SORT OF collect my thoughts...</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll start with the most overdue information, and work backward from there... The fashion show is going GREAT! I wanted to do one of those Mastercard things where I total everything up like total meters of fabric used for clothes, total of tires used for shoes, total amount of money in CFA and USD, etcetera, but I simply don't have the time to do all that right now... I'll knock it out for the brag sheet at another time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBQ4FfwTc9E/Tmh6NvfGlEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/2HtEwaaK3ks/s1600/Austin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBQ4FfwTc9E/Tmh6NvfGlEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/2HtEwaaK3ks/s200/Austin.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">We have about 28 looks in the show— I say about because three looks are still in the works. Once I have made a decision on if those looks are going to stay or go, I will have the final counts down. The outfits, for the most part, are being made from the fabric woven by the association <a href="http://kalailey.wordpress.com/">Kailey</a> works with. To the left, you see one of the looks that will be modeled by Austin--a fellow PCV. (Althea and Naeta have been a God-send with their kick ass drawing abilities. They seriously knocked out all the sketches on pretty much a moments notice to have sent out to tailors, and models. Without their aid and talent, things definitely would not be where they are now.) </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RudQRPDqd_4/TmiCxzSV7ZI/AAAAAAAAAW8/WQHoN5yd-Do/s1600/Kaileyswomen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RudQRPDqd_4/TmiCxzSV7ZI/AAAAAAAAAW8/WQHoN5yd-Do/s200/Kaileyswomen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">When I say “for the most part” I mean that probably 75% of the material for the show came from her association. It's SO cool. I've actually passed more time at her site than my site over the last six weeks. Her women are AWESOME, and I intend on blogging about them at another time. They have really helped us out by giving us a discount, and a payment plan to purchase everything in time for the show. Their fabric is beautiful, and will not only be showcased as clothing, but also in accessory forms, such as scarves, head wraps, and bags. (Click <a href="http://kalailey.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/for-your-viewing-pleasure-snipets-into-a-fete-and-some-daily-life/">here</a> to see more of their products and pictures from Kailey's site.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjwBNVvt7Uo/Tmh87Ye5UaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/If_E0inX-pA/s1600/Moussa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjwBNVvt7Uo/Tmh87Ye5UaI/AAAAAAAAAW4/If_E0inX-pA/s200/Moussa.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> All the shoes for the show are also being made here in Burkina. <a href="http://jamesetjulie.blogspot.com/">James</a> works with a guy (Moussa) who makes sandals, flip-flops, and accessories from used tires. It's actually pretty sick— I'm getting my laptop bag at the end of the month. What I really like about James and Moussa's project is that when people order shoes from <a href="http://www.laviecherefootwear.com/">Moussa's website</a>, he donates a pair of tire shoes to a deserving student in the community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My tailors are going to have a few of <a href="http://thatguyinthepeacecorps.blogspot.com/2011/04/what-is-this-bag-project-ebben-keeps.html">their bags and accessories</a> in the show, but I have also collaborated with two other associations/ sewing schools to ensure we have enough bags for the show, as well as to sell afterwards. "</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I must say, this project is FAR more ambitious than I realized when I started it, but I am rather pleased with how things are progressing. I have also found PCV's who enjoy cinematography, and photography to shoot the show so that we can create a look book, and video once all is said and done. This will be an amazing marketing tool for all the associations we have worked with to help sell them selves to investors and what not. </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">The countdown has truly started... the show will be at 17h the 23<sup>rd</sup> of September... </span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ebb</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-62412650009116132882011-06-03T00:34:00.000-07:002012-12-01T16:44:07.594-08:00Burkina Faso, je t'aime... mais pour quoi?!<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">(DISCLAIMER!!!!!.. I kept this post 100, so if you are reading these to a group of kids, you may want to read through it first, and make key word changes as to not piss off their rents. Also, I apologize for the cursing... I completely understand that an intelligent individual should be able to express their thoughts and opinions in a manor appropriate for any audience, but as I was writing this, I chose to truly let you all in, and not hold back...As always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone, and are in no way, shape, or form reflections of Peace Corps Washington and or Peace Corps Burkina Faso. Disclaimer now finished, the time has come to sit back with your favorite snack and beverage, and enjoy!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">For reasons unknown to me, I have chosen to watch films that dealt with world travel the last two nights. The first, “Eat, Pray, Love”; the second “Paris Je Taime” (the film from which I got this blog entry title from). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I thoroughly enjoyed both movies, and spent most of my viewing time envying the characters because of their awesome experiences. Oddly enough though, as the characters were having their epiphanies, I was having an epiphany my own... My life is truly awesome!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">My service in Burkina has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least... The first “wtf am I doing?” moment (that I remember) came around Christmas time. I was feeling extremely homesick, and cut off from everyone, so during my Christmas phone call with the family, I ranted about how “I suck at being poor”, and how “poverty just isn't my thing”and culminated with asking for my parents to send my BlackBerry to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">My second “wtf am I doing?” moment came in January when my laptop broke. I'm pretty sure I called, emailed, texted, and AIMed Momma Bell till she responded and basically asked for a new laptop to be sent to me. (I actually forgot an earlier WTF moment when my laptop broke for the first time, and Momma Bell ordered me a sick laptop for Christmas. Then right before Christmas, I changed my mind and decided to “rough it” and asked for money to start the Bag Project... which is probably why the Christmas call was such a mess, and why the second time my laptop broke was even more tragic.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The third moment(s) all deal with money—or the lack, there of. As a result of the protest, I have not been able to access my living allowance when I needed to the last three or four times I have needed it the most. Last month, I ended up contacting Momma and Daddy Bell to have money deposited into my American account so I could have money. This month—today actually—I tried to get money so I could travel to Ouaga for work, and the people at the post refused, citing the connection in Ouaga being down as their reason for not being able to help me. Needless to say, I was furious, and called anyone who would listen, to rant about how “these fools at the post refuse to do their job!” <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The fourth major moment just recently passed. To say I have a love-hate relationship with my site is the understatement of the century. Don't get it twisted, I LOVE my work, and all my projects, but there comes a time every stay at site, that everyone at site becomes “these fools” or “these effers” or something of that nature in venting sessions with other volunteers. That said, I can't help but love everyone at site... even those effers who insist on talking to me only in local language, even though they are fluent in French.(Side note- I am rather impressed at how well the village has learned to read me... they know days when I can take more of their shit, and days that I really am not down for it...Kudos to Pama for that!) <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The list can go on and on, and in fact, some volunteers have list of reasons why NOT to do a third year. All my grievances aside, I find that for reasons unbeknownst to me, I effin love this country...even when I hate it. In a twisted, twisted way, the Burkinabe are seriously the best clutch players you'd ever want on your team. They ALWAYS come through... even when they don't. There are seriously no words to describe this phenomenon, you'll just have to take my jumbled words for it. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Take my housing situation for instance... I HATE it. I've dealt with it for almost ten months now, and it's doing nothing but driving me nuts. After an hour and a half heart to heart with the PCMO (Peace Corps Medical Officer) steps were taken to better the situation. I also did my part, and worked to establish more boundaries. Unfortunately, I feel things are just mad awkward, and I'm pretty sure my homologue has noticed. I don't really say anything, because in this culture, one doesn't express themselves the way one would in America, and everything is “third-partied” to resolve issues. That may work here, but I'm an American (really, a Bell) first, and that's just not how I was brought up. I was brought up to “speak my mind—within reason” and that “one has not, because they asked not”. Pulling from the latter life lesson, I went about doing my own version of “House Hunters” and found an AMAZING house next to one of the schools I work with. After a little chatting, I was able to secure that house as my house for next year. Needless to say, I am STOKED!My homologue is seriously THE S!, and sensed I was unhappy, and is totally helping make my move happen. She's so sweet, her main concern about the new house is that there is no electricity... Keep in mind, she doesn't have electricity herself. That is just one example I can think of that shows how amazing the Burkinabe are.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Another success story is Aisa. She's one of my favorite tailors to work with. She makes the most amazing bags—without my direction—and is already plotting ways to increase production, and variety. She grossed 62000cfa (about $120.00) last run, and is planning on investing 10000cfa into her next batch of bags. The estimated gross from this next is 75000cfa (about $150.00). The net is something ridiculous... I need to sit down and get it all in one place, but I know it's HUGE. She is the only tailor that understands that one must spend money to make money. I am SO proud of her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">My computer students are also inspiring...when they aren't “those little effers” that is. I am teaching a group of 9 kiddos computers. These kids found me in March while the strikes were going on, and asked me to work with them on English. Because their English was already pretty solid—and because I get tired of helping people with English—I thought it would be cool to do some stuff with the computers. We have class three nights a week, and open hours whenever they call me and I am free. They seriously come rain or shine, whether I am there or not. Some of them can actually already type properly better than I can type properly. (When I say properly, I mean with home keys, and proper finger placement.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I'm also in the mist of starting this rad project with the schools in my community. My counterpart at the hospital is going to teach “life skills” and “gender empowerment and equality” lessons to the middle school and high school students once a week. The middle school and high school students will then go out into the community, and teach the same lesson they learned to the 5<sup>th</sup> graders in each primary school—with the help of the 5<sup>th</sup> grade teachers of course. I love this project because I don't even have to touch it after September; it'll all be taken care of by community members. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Next year, I plan on working more closely with the Parent/Teacher Associations in the community. I believe education is at the base of the development pyramid, and I don't see the parents doing enough to help their kiddos. Unfortunately, it's not exactly their fault, they honestly don't know any better. Rather than continue ranting about how “these fools don't give a whoop about their kids education and future”, I'm going to actually do something about it, and educate the parents on the importance of their kids' education. I have three school gardens planned to helped with nutrition at the school canteen, as well, as chicken coop to help fund school improvements at one of the schools. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">A group of volunteers and I are also in the beginning stages of planning a fashion show that will make “<a href="http://ebbenwileybell.blogspot.com/2010/02/whats-new-with-fashion-show.html">Take Me There</a>” look like armature work. I'll blog about this new show later this week...we are going to need your help financing certain logistical aspects...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> honestly do not know why I love it here so much. Everyone I have spoken with since being in country has commented – in some way, shape, or form—about how healthy and happy I sound. Yes, even when I am ranting about something. I feel like that says something, you know? Burkina Faso and I should not work, but we do, and for that, I am eternally grateful. It is my opinion that too many volunteers romanticize life in the States. They seem to forget that we have good days, and bad days alike back at home. We have the same “fools” and “effers” there that we have here. It's just easier to handle all that stuff because America is our home. We grew up learning the customs and they are so en grained in us, that we don't even think twice about them. When I take time to cool down from whatever erked me, I realize that whatever erked me here, isn't any worse than anything that would have erked me at home, it just happens to piss me off more because I'm thinking of things in the American context.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I don't mean to come off as one of those “bien integre fools”/BIFs or anything (see, even Americans get the “fool” derivative) because I'm not—to all my BIFs, I have nothing but love for you, so please don't take offense to the term. Here are a few of the many reasons why I am not a BIB: I hate courtyard living, I'm not to keen on sharing EVERYTHING, I stopped working on my national language in December after a week of intensive study, I don't respect cultural norms when it comes to pomp and circumstance, I keep to myself at night instead of going out to just chat, and I probably spend more time on the phone than half the volunteers in Burkina Faso put together. All that said, I do feel I am extremely well-integrated in my village. Part of the whole Peace Corps thing is the exchanging of cultures. I may not be the model American, but most days at site, I am out in the community literally working my butt off for them from dawn til dusk. As I alluded to earlier, when I first got to site, I made the mistake of compromising who and how I am, hoping to be a BIF. It's kinda funny, because I feel that being fake here is the same as being fake in the States. I'm pretty sure they saw right through it, and treated me accordingly. Once I started behaving how I would in the states, I feel that all my relationships got better, and we truly started to understand one-another.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Poverty may not be my best look, but somehow I have managed to make it work—minus a few trips to the ATM here and there. There is a saying in the Peace Corps circles that “Peace Corps is the hardest job you will ever love”. I seriously believe we need to change that saying because it doesn't even begin to paint the picture of what service in the Peace Corps really is. Everyday, I experience either a new emotion, or an emotion so extreme I match it to it's name, but even the most intense roller coaster known(or unknown) to man, I can honestly say, that I have NEVER been so happy in my life! And with that sentence, I believe I have found the answer to the question that inspired this blog post. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Well, it's 23hr15 here, and I need to wake up at 4hr to clean,pack and prepare for my trip to Ouaga tomorrow morning at 9hr. I also have two 7hr meetings with tailors, so I'm kinda already screwed. It's all good though...things always have a way of working out here...even when they don't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Be on the look out for a new blog post soon!<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Ebb</span>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-56379964311535375682011-04-25T18:37:00.000-07:002011-04-25T18:51:09.715-07:00What is this bag project Ebben keeps talking about?Ok, so after months and months of promising you all, I have finally sat down and put together a post about the bag project I am working on. <br />
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I am working with tailors in village to create bags and accessories from their left-over material. You see, here in West Africa, appearance is extremely important, so people spend a sizable chunk of money on clothing. (Some volunteers have found that families will spend upwards of 25% of their total income on clothing and accessories--needless to say, we need to design and execute a proper experiment, but I am pretty sure we'll confirm this estimate.) For the most part, these clothes are actually tailored, which is where my project comes in. <br />
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You see, the tailors tend to just throw their scraps out with the trash. Throwing stuff out is rather common actually, so I guess that's why the tailors thought I was crazy when I told them they are throwing money away. After spending a few months getting to know them and their businesses, I decided it would be fun experiment to start mixing some of their scraps to make a patch-work item. I then had that patchwork made into a bag.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1j0Ogxmaqt0/TbYZsmhoVLI/AAAAAAAAAVo/j6AYbDuhq8s/s1600/THE+Bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1j0Ogxmaqt0/TbYZsmhoVLI/AAAAAAAAAVo/j6AYbDuhq8s/s200/THE+Bag.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Bag...</td></tr>
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After the tailors saw that you could make patchworks from their scraps, we started to run with it. I decided to ask Daddy Bell for a sewing machine and a little bit of cash for start up for Christmas so I could really dig in and learn the trade with the tailors. Turns out I may have been a little premature in that request. I didn't end up buying a sewing machine, but I did buy a great deal of pagne (colorful printed cloth used to make clothing) and made some kick ass contacts in the pagne world of my region. With that pagne, I then went to the tailors to start working on simple bags. We made at least 20 simple drawstring bags for a store in Ouagadougou--the capital city of Burkina Faso-- and ended up selling all bags in less than two weeks. With the money from that order, we were able to turn around, and do another order of about 15 items for another customer.Unfortunately, my camera was broken for those orders, so I don't have the pictures to show you the first simple bag.(The tailors know nothing about the start-up money, but it should be noted that all start-up money has been made back, and now we are dealing with shear profits for the most part.) Eventually, we will start buying pagnes to create coordinated patchworks. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208482_10100955402043461_2063641_77531907_6658919_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208482_10100955402043461_2063641_77531907_6658919_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallets </td></tr>
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The good news is, with those two large orders, the tailors started coming around. Here, seeing is without a doubt believing. With the third round of bags, we switched from the simple two-sided/two-pagne bag to a rice-lined patchwork bag. We also added a smaller, more city-friendly bag for women, along with accessories such as cell-phone covers, iPod covers, and mens wallets. Due to circumstances out of my control, I was not able to get that order to its intended buyers. That said, the bags are still selling! More than half the the order has moved, AND the store owner in Ouaga (short for Ouagadougou) has placed another order for the beginning of May.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216813_10100955400152251_2063641_77531886_2426459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/216813_10100955400152251_2063641_77531886_2426459_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City-friendly bag</td></tr>
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Needless to say, I am SO proud of my tailors! Oh, I completely forgot! THE TAILORS! <br />
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SO, I am working with three men and two women"en ville". In addition to these motivated individuals, I am working with the Maison des les Femmes' sewing room which is home to 16 girls and one extremely talented and motivated instructor. The plan is to use the proceeds from the bags to help buy sewing machines for the Maison des les Femmes. We are also going to be buying blackboards, as well as repairing whatever needs to be repaired. We are then going to have people come from the local micro-financing institution to teach the girls basic business skills! I think this is what I am most stoked about! Not only are these girls learning the art of sewing--literally couture in French--they will also be learning how to be good business women! How empowering is that? Over all, it is my hope that all who participate in the project will then turn around, and help lead the charge for the development of the community of Pama.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216610_10100955402846851_2063641_77531913_6356347_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/216610_10100955402846851_2063641_77531913_6356347_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Draw-string bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I am sure I have left a million holes in this post, but feel free to hit me up if you have any questions. I am working on actually typing everything up nicely in a report form. Once I have more data and what not, I'll post it as a pdf or something for you all to read. <br />
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Well, it's late here. I just wanted to get this post up before I go back to Pama. <br />
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I really am interested in your feedback so PLEASE comment, and send this link off to any and everyone you know! We have some sick models and what not coming out in the next month or so, and I am working on figuring out how to get stuff to the states. <br />
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Till the next post, <br />
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EbbEbben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-72451335957569189702011-04-25T16:19:00.000-07:002011-04-25T16:19:48.921-07:00What have I been up to since last post?Hey guys, <br />
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Sorry it's been so long. I decided in January that I would update you all more often by typing up blog post while at site, and then posting them when I had the opportunity. Well, that totally ended up failing when my computer went on the fritz in mid January. In addition to my computer crapping out on, my camera also broke, so I really had no motivation to post anything. WELL, Momma and Daddy Bell totally went above and beyond the call of amazing parenting and hooked me up with a new camera, computer, and my BlackBerry! Needless to say, life in Burkina just got a whole lot better for me!<br />
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That's not to say life in country was miserable or anything--sorry if any of my letters or correspondence made it sound that way--it's just so easy to get frustrated here. My projects are all over the place for the most part at the moment because of student striking, and government worker striking and other random stuff that we--as volunteers-- have no control over. It's all good though, because things are back to life as usual, and work is starting to pick up again. <br />
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My main project is to work in the community to help lower the number of unwanted pregnancies. I plan on taking a multifaceted approach to helping achieve the community-identified need of lower the number of unwanted pregnancies. We will be establishing a school supply bank, as well as coming up with extra-curricular activities for the students to participate in. Hopefully, we will also be able to plan a summer camp for the kiddos. Summer here is something completely different than what we think of, so all I can do is hope that it works. <br />
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I will also be working with parent/teacher organizations to help improve the actual school grounds. We will be working on school gardens, school chicken coops, and things of that nature. I also have other kick ass projects going on, but I'll devote a whole post to that. <br />
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All in all, I must say, I have been very happy here in Burkina Faso. Yes, there are a great number of things that I miss from home, but those things a side, life isn't bad here. We are gearing up for another stage(training group) this June, so that is exciting, especially because I have been selected to work it! I really don't know what to write... I guess I now see my life as boring, because I have been here for so long.I'm going to go a head, and close this post, but if you have any questions what so ever, feel free to comment, and I will make sure to answer your question in another post. <br />
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Till next post, <br />
<br />
Ebb<br />
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Oh yeah, totally forgot... I created a Facebook album for all the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10100971415941481.3379039.2063641&l=f0f7212eda">random photos</a> I take with the BlackBerry. I suck at loading pics and what not, but at least this way, you can see them as I take them.Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-23829725180041106192011-01-16T15:31:00.000-08:002011-01-16T15:31:00.656-08:00What is Bitchassness?What is BITCHASSNESS?<br />
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I'm not sure I know how to describe the word bitchassness, but I can tell you all with out a doubt that my 2011 will be bitchassness-free!<br />
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You know, I'd like to think I was able to navigate the social waters of high school pretty well. Seeing as college ended up being nothing but high school on a larger scale, I'd like to think I was able to fair the same, if not better in college. When I applied to Peace Corps, I guess I expected something to be different, you know, I guess I expected people to be more mature, and for the days of high school to finally be over. Guess what? That expectation was too great. <br />
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One of my good friends in country and I are starting to realize that it's a tall order for people to change. People seem to spend WAY too much time comparing their situations to that of others, and not enough time just dealing with it. I mean, don't get me wrong, I do the same thing in regards to things such as my housing situation, and the number of Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) neighbors in my region of the country, but you know what, I'm done with that. My complaining, does nothing but work me up, and put me in a funk for a day or two. From now on, I'm just going to suck it up, and do me. <br />
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I have some kick-ass projects going on, and despite whatever problem I have at any given time related to Americans, I realize that I truly do love Burkina Faso. When I just think to myself, “Ebben, NOBITCHASSNESS”, everything becomes that much better. When I really do examine MY SITUATION, and I'm not comparing myself to others, I realize that I have a pretty sweet thing going for me here in Burkina Faso. I am actually already considering doing a third year, and I've only been here six months! Yeah, there is a whole lot of bitchassness in country on all sides, but hey, show me a country that doesn't have some bitchassness. <br />
<br />
Bitchassness takes what form in your life? Do you have a crazy-ass boss who you can't stand? Is there someone at your place of work that does jack shit, but just got that promotion you were up for cause they are in with the crazy-ass boss? Does your name keep coming out of other people's mouths for reasons unbeknown to you? Dude, that's all bitchassness, and you know what you can do to fix that? Next to NOTHING. The ONLY thing you can do is not give into the situation by wasting time stressing about it. When you find yourself experiencing what I like to call “the bitchassness”, just laugh at it, and remember the phrase P.Diddy made so famous years ago on “Making the Band”, “NO BITCHASSNESS!”Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-74385873540770623192010-09-30T18:16:00.000-07:002010-10-01T01:50:19.018-07:00What's my house like in Africa?So,<br />
<br />
I know it has been a good while since I last posted, and I totally apologize for that. Stage (training in French) was so crazy, and it was so hard to make time to post things.<br />
<br />
I have been at site for a little over a month now, and am really starting to love it. There are a few things that I don't think I'll ever be 100% used to--such as the donkey that cries outside my front door every morning between 3:30AM and 4:00AM, or the sounds of the other countless animals that live in my courtyard.<br />
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A courtyard is a rather hard thing to describe, so I figured I would create a diagram for you all and post it with a key--this way, if I ever refer to something about my courtyard, you'll have a better understanding of what I'm talking (or complaining) about.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TKUsP17SObI/AAAAAAAAAUs/ZPgU3ZSzkj4/s1600/compound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TKUsP17SObI/AAAAAAAAAUs/ZPgU3ZSzkj4/s1600/compound.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u>Key to My Diagram</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*It's probably going to be easier to open the image in a different window, and then look at the key side by side</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CXPS%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
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</style> </div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Family Latrine</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">My Douche (shower area—I share with Host Brothers #2 and #3) </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Brother #2’s House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">My House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">My Porch (soon to be lanai)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Brothers #3 and #4’s House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Grandmother’s House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">The “Kitchen”</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">The Women’s House</li>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal">Host Mother</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Sister-in-law</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Sisters #1 and #2</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Cousin</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Nieces #1, #2, and #3</li>
</ol>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Father’s House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Host Brother #1’s House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Family Douche</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Goat’s Hut</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Rabbit’s Hut</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"> Pigeon’s Hut</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Bull #1</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Donkey</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Bull #2</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Sheep</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Bull #3</li>
</ol><br />
<br />
It seriously took and act of God to get this to post, SO I am going to count my blessings and turn it in for the night...I'm going to be lazy, and put a link up to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3144037&id=2063641&l=38f5a0c333">photos</a> of my house, and I will come back, and make a true post later explaining everything.<br />
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My first month at site was rough to say the least, and I'd have to say that decking my house out Gator style made the month go by so much faster. I have a few more finishing touches to do, but I think the end result is going to be amazing. <br />
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Happy blogging!<br />
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Till next time--or really in the morning when I wake up,<br />
<br />
EbbEbben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-89306711948187773072010-07-04T11:02:00.000-07:002010-07-04T11:02:21.252-07:00What about those latrines?!This post is might be a little T.M.I. but I have to post about the latrines!<br />
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It seems that anytime a group of trainees gets together, shit is the topic we bond over. Some people have stage-fright when it comes to using the latrines, but most people have come to embrace the freedom and functionality of the latrine. If you don't know what a latrine is, it is a hole in the ground that functions as a toilet. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TDDL6U4g5UI/AAAAAAAAAUc/x0yRP3skLZw/s1600/latrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TDDL6U4g5UI/AAAAAAAAAUc/x0yRP3skLZw/s200/latrine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
At first, most of us were totally against the idea of using a hole in the ground as our toilets, but once we got used to it--because use of the toilet-toilets were band at the training site--we started to love it. Nothing is better than your nightly latrine visit under the stars. In fact, our nightly latrine visit is one of the most missed things about being with our host family at our training site. (We are now in a new location due to some unforeseen circumstances.)<br />
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I think the other thing we miss the most about our training cites are our daily bucket baths. Here, it is the custom to shower as soon as you wake up, as well as right before you eat dinner--once we get our own homes, it is also rather normal to shower at lunch. I've also come to appreciate and prefer the bucket bath over a normal shower. Who would have known that less than 3 gallons of water is needed to clean oneself? The mornings here are very brisk, so it feels AMAZING at 5:30am.<br />
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I really can't wait to be back in a smaller city, where it is possible to bike everywhere, and where we'll have host families and all that good stuff.<br />
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Well, I need to find my camera, but I do have some AMAZING pictures of Burkina that I will put up tonight--assuming I find my camera that is.<br />
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Take care y'all,<br />
<br />
Happy Bloggin'!<br />
<br />
Ebb<br />
<br />
Sources: I used Bing Pictures to find the photo of the latrine. I was unable to photograph the latrines at the training site, and at my host families house--or the night sky above the latrine for that matter.Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-56781576946478406172010-06-24T10:46:00.000-07:002010-06-24T18:59:56.089-07:00Où sont les mangues?! (Where are the mangoes?!)<h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ouagadougou (Wa-ga-du-gu) is absolutely gorgeous! Today, some fellow Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs) and I ventured out of our hotel courtyard to experience Ouagadougou for the first time. Our main motivation for our adventure was to learn how to barter by purchasing mangoes. You see, a group ahead of us came back with some of the largest, sweetest mangoes we'd ever seen; the catch was that they paid FAR too much for them. </span></h1><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCQMtJuFtzI/AAAAAAAAAT8/DSgmNUYuRDU/s1600/CFA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCQMtJuFtzI/AAAAAAAAAT8/DSgmNUYuRDU/s200/CFA.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">We decided to use some of our "walk-around money" to see if we could do better. Burkina uses the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFA_franc">Central-African Franc</a> (cfa-pronounced "say-fah" ) which exchanges at a rate 500 to each US dollar. The biggest, sweetest, out of season mango should cost no more than 100cfa--the girls paid about 500cfa each. It's all good though, this is why we have "walk-around money", so we can learn how to bargain,and get the best rate for our dollar--pardon a moi, notre franc. (20USD=10,000 CFA)</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCQLevjHdkI/AAAAAAAAATs/wGgcNuHWzV8/s1600/BF1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCQLevjHdkI/AAAAAAAAATs/wGgcNuHWzV8/s200/BF1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> WELL, we ended up going out the hotel, and going the wrong direction, and stumbled upon this really cool garden of sorts. It went on for what seemed like forever, and was full of little growing areas. We never found our mangoes, and decided that the other group must have got them from a street vendor who moved his cart.</span></h1><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even though we found no mangoes, we are EXTREMELY excited to move to the training location, and meet our host families. I am more motivated than ever to learn Moore (the main language of the Burkinabe) because the girls I am most likely working with generally don't know French. I came into this experience with the idea that I was going to help my girls learn English--turns out, I'll be helping them learn French first. You know what though, this just gives me more motivation to learn/master Moore, and get my French back to where it once was. </span></h1><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">OH! I have found out more about my assignment though. Ok, actually, I haven't; BUT at least I have met my direct supervisor of sorts. She is extremely personable and embodies everything I envisioned of an African woman. She carries herself with such pride, confidence, and humbleness that the word "elegance" cannot even hold a candle to her. She's actually the person who first started the Girls Education and Empowerment (GEE) program here in Burkina. Our interview went well, and I am extremely excited to work with her. (I purposely say with, because she has made it clear that we can only accomplish our goal by working together.) </span></h1><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I actually need to start getting ready to go to the Country Director's (CD) house for dinner and a reception. </span></h1><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow, we head to the training location, so I don't think I'll be able to get on the internet for a while. I will make sure to take more pictures though and post them as soon as I get a connection fast and strong enough to handle it. </span></h1><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Till next post, </span></h1><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
Ebben Wiley Bell</span></h1>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-77845354853627333442010-06-21T22:04:00.000-07:002010-06-21T22:12:30.129-07:00Has the time really already come and gone?!<div style="text-align: left;">I can't believe it! It's early morning 22 June 2010 and I am in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for staging.</div><br />
Sunday night was ridiculous! I was able to knock out most of my packing Saturday, and just used Sunday for fishing touches. Unfortunately, I ended up going a little over-board, and packed a little too much. It's all good though, I am still with-in the airline limits, which to me, is all that really matters.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCBFMcU6zkI/AAAAAAAAAS0/T04DOSjYcyU/s1600/117119080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCBFMcU6zkI/AAAAAAAAAS0/T04DOSjYcyU/s200/117119080.jpg" width="200" /></a>This is what I started with--a giant, hot mess of a pile.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCBFWXPFB2I/AAAAAAAAATE/iToYCpDE7p0/s1600/First+Transfere+of+Pics+%289.22.08-11.23.08%29+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCBFWXPFB2I/AAAAAAAAATE/iToYCpDE7p0/s200/First+Transfere+of+Pics+%289.22.08-11.23.08%29+018.jpg" width="200" /></a>From that hot mess of a pile, I then organized everything into groups and bags.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCBFRwd52kI/AAAAAAAAAS8/1FkGz4hFMb4/s1600/First+Transfere+of+Pics+%289.22.08-11.23.08%29+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TCBFRwd52kI/AAAAAAAAAS8/1FkGz4hFMb4/s200/First+Transfere+of+Pics+%289.22.08-11.23.08%29+001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>After everything was properly sorted, I then packed the bags, and was done. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ended up putting my camping bag in this HUGE green duffel, along with my tent, and other random things that didn't really fit nicely anywhere else. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Staging has been a blast, and I can already tell that I've met some amazing people who will no doubt be a part of my life in some way, shape, or form till the day I die. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I really should be peacing out. We have to be checked out by 7:00am, and I still need to re-arrange some stuff in my bags--go figure. Tomorrow will be a LONG day. We have a three-hour bus ride to NYC so we catch a seven and a half hour flight to Paris, where we will then switch planes for a five and a half hour flight to Burkina. I am SO screwed. It's not like I'm claustrophobic or anything, I just cannot fathom being in the same spot for so long. I do plan on using the time to learn some of my local language, as well as brush up on some French. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next up-date, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy bloggin'!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ebb</div>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-38056149644124526292010-06-17T00:38:00.000-07:002010-06-17T00:48:21.031-07:00What will I miss while over seas?Well, my departure day is around the corner everything is starting to finally sink in. I will not be in the states for at least two and a quarter years! It is so crazy to think that!<br />
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Inquiries have been made as to what I'd like in a "care package" and I think I have finally started to figure out the "<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/things_will_miss/set?id=19769254">Things I will miss</a>" from the States and wouldn't mind discovering in a box with a lovely letter from the sender. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TBnHwNAveVI/AAAAAAAAASE/E7JGDaDhf0M/s1600/things+i%27ll+miss.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TBnHwNAveVI/AAAAAAAAASE/E7JGDaDhf0M/s320/things+i%27ll+miss.bmp" /><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have always loved reading, but there are times when I just don't feel like reading a book; during those times I enjoy reading magazines. I read everything from US Weekely and People, to Vogue and GQ, to TIME and The Week--hey, it's all about balance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IyH4Rfl3q-I/TBnHwNAveVI/AAAAAAAAASE/E7JGDaDhf0M/s1600/things+i%27ll+miss.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I read, I tend to much on stuff. I love, Love, LOVE OREO Cookies, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Reese's Fast Break bars, Twizzlers (strawberry), and Whoppers. I have no idea how chocolate will hold up in a trans-Atlantic, trans-Saharan journey, but I'm so down for finding out. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
I'm pretty sure I'll be reading a great deal, because of the whole little or no electricity thing, but when I'm at the Peace Corps House, I would love to catch up on my favorite shows. Bethenny Getting Married, Bones, Brothers and Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Dexter, Glee, Gossip Girl, Greek, Grey's Anatomy,HOUSE, Keeping Up With the Kardashian's, The Real Housewives of (anything but the OC), Royal Pains, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Spartacus: Blood and Sand are just a few of the shows I can think of off the top of my head. I have no idea how I've been able to keep up with so many shows, and some how managed to graduate from college.I mean, it could be because I used the shows as background noise while studying and what not, but who knows? If you are feeling charitable, and find yourself wanting to load show or two to a 2-4GB flash drive, you'll find no objection on my end. ;-)</div><br />
On a more serious note, I know what I will miss most is each and every one of you all! I seriously want to keep in touch with as many people as possible and can't wait to hear about all the amazing things going on in you all's lives! Even if you don't feel like writing out a full letter, just scribble a note or something on a post card, and include the post card with your letter. I'd love to get postcards from all over- Texas, Tennessee, Gainesville, DC, South Florida, The Carolinas, just wherever. It's very likely that my villagers have never heard of any of these places, and I'd love to be able to show these places to them. <br />
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Well, I have a busy day of packing ahead of me tomorrow so it's probably best for me to turn it in for the night.<br />
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Happy blogging,<br />
<br />
E.W. Bell<br />
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Sources: Sources: Click the link above, and it will direct you to the polyvore site where the polyvore itself is deconstructed with links to the websites I got the content from.(It is worth noting this is not my typical polyvore creation, so the prices and what not are extremely off. I just wanted to make sure to cite my sources.)Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-109366934857451542010-06-05T11:40:00.000-07:002010-06-05T11:40:21.940-07:00What CAN I tell you about my assignment?!Sorry its been so long.<br />
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I've known where I was going for a while now, but had so much to do that I am just now able to sit down and blog. I will be going to the West African country of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkina_Faso">Burkina Faso</a>, and will serve as a Community Education and Development Outreach Agent in the program for Girls Education and Empowerment (GEE).<br />
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As a GEE volunteer, it will be my job to work with community leaders, and parents, to see the value of educating and investing in their girls in terms of education and responsibility. My country is extremely patriarchal, and because families must pay for schooling after a certain age, they opt of out sending their girls to school, and only educate their boys--I'll be working with about 32 other volunteers across the country to change this. <br />
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I leave for Philadelphia June 21 (two weeks from Monday) and have yet to buy a single thing for my trip. It's all good though, I think Daddy Bell and I are going to knock everything out as soon as he gets back from Canada on Wednesday.<br />
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I'll post more later, but I wanted to get my address up you all can write me. This week I found out that I will be so far in the middle of no where that Verizon can't guarantee good international browsing on my BlackBerry, and the conditions over there kill about 80% of all laptops. If you want to write--and I hope you do--write to:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ebben Wiley Bell PCT</div><div style="text-align: left;">S/c Corps de la Paix<br />
01 B.P. 6031<br />
Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It takes about four to six weeks for letters to get there, so PLEASE hit me up now, so I'll have a reason to check the mail about two weeks after I get there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll be blogging more in these last two weeks in the states, so get excited. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">EWB</div>Ebben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897384037351643190.post-78613367294227632462010-05-03T19:38:00.000-07:002010-05-03T19:38:00.434-07:00What will my country be?!AMAZING news guys!<br />
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I got a phone call from my Peace Corps placement guy in DC today! I am 99.99987% sure that I will be receiving an invitation to a program that leaves June 22; based on information provided by a wiki built buy current and past Peace Corps Volunteers, I have narrowed down my country to two possibilities.<br />
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Words cannot express what I am feeling right now! All I know at the moment is that I will be doing Female Youth Development and Empowerment (or something along those lines) in my country.I was somewhat apprehensive to accept the invitation, but my placement guy put me at ease about it. He said that it's actually better to have a male in the role of empowering women in societies where males hold the power, because I will be taken more seriously.<br />
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I can't wait to hear where I am going so I can spend a day, or three, at the library learning everything there is to learn about my country and program. I also want to start looking into grants I can apply for as well as coming up with program outlines/proposals for my soon to be community! I also plan on spending as much time as possible on French and Arabic, and I guess whatever new language I will have to learn. <br />
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Well, I am just not able to center my thoughts right now, so I'm going to continue flipping out and post later. I just wanted to fill you all in on the good news!<br />
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Take care y'all!<br />
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Ebben WileyEbben Wileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14988680263353111483noreply@blogger.com0