When I applied for Peace Corps, the only thing I requested was an adventure. The gods of the sky must have heard my plea. I got more than I bargained for.
Back in December, I moved to Guinea, West Africa into a small village in the 'basse cote' of Guinea. Perched in the midst of palm trees and mountains, the village of Koliagbe became my home. I can't even explain the challenges I faced but after 10 months, I was fully integrated in my community and projects began to launch.
Then, the thunder began to rumble. On September 28, 2009, pre-election, thousands of peaceful protestors gathered in a stadium in the capital of Conakry to voice their opposing opinions against the president, Dadiss Camara. The military bolted the doors and began shooting. 157 men and women, raped and tortured, were killed that day. A massacre with the blood of their own stained on the hands of the military. Yet, it didn't stop there.
Meanwhile, I was in the fields with my family collecting the peanut crops and basking under the African sun.
Three days later, I was evacuated to Mali along with 70 other volunteers. I was allowed to pack one bag and was caravanned over the border and dumped into the deserts of Mali. Well, not dumped, more like dropped off at summer camp. I've swam in a swimming pool, watched movies in a home theatre and played tennis on ' vrai' tennis courts. It's practically Camp America.....for 70 volunteers.....every...single.....day.
Emotionally, it's been a rollercoaster. There are moments of happiness (buying my crocodile skin handbag, getting henna on my feet, rock climbing). Then, there are moments of utter dispair, where all I've done is cry and scream over the uncertainity of not knowing what's going to happen next and wanting to go back to Guinea. I never wish this life of limbo on any of you.
A week ago, the State Department informed us that our program in Guinea was suspended. Meanwhile, twelve more people from the opposition party in Guinea were murdered in their homes.
Fully overwhelmed and utterly emotionally exhausted, I somehow organized the rest of my life in just under a week. I knew I didn't want to go back to America. I had mentally devoted two years of my life to Africa. I mean, I'm practically African; what would I possibly do in America? I decided that if it was possible I would seek a direct transfer to continue my service in another country. I perked up my resume and wrote a lengthy discription of my service in Guinea. As luck and a whole lotta praying would have it, the chance appeared.
Within the next two days, I will be jet-setting to Senegal, bordering north of Guinea. I'm reassigned to a small village 10 kilometres to the border of Guinea.
This is all I know thus far. I am just absolutely thrilled that a plane is taking me out of the desert sun of Mali.
I asked for an adventure, and boy did I receive one.
Stay tuned.......
