The Year of the Homecoming

I kicked off the holiday season by partying with 50-something preschoolers! One of my most enjoyable and successful activities since last April has been monthly meetings at a nearby preschool where I meet with the mamas of children under 5, and we discuss how to improve family health. From nutrition seminars and cooking demos to techniques of hand washing and good hygiene, there has been steady attendance among the mamas, and we’re starting to incorporate income generating activities like soap-making! The school director has become an enthusiastic and supportive work partner, and she made sure to have me as an honored guest at the Christmas party. All of the children received toy dolls or trucks, donated from a local NGO, and Santa Claus even showed up! Apparently the idea of a black Santa is outrageous here, because all the Kris Kringles I saw last December had their hands wrapped in wrapping paper and wore creepy white Santa masks, 3 of them, to cover the whole face… No wonder so many children screamed while on his lap.

I suppose I wouldn't be a true PCV without a picture of a bunch of African children around me... 

The little boy in the middle with his tongue out, Manzouk, is my favorite. I can rarely get through a session without him climbing onto my lap or tugging on my pant leg. They're a wild bunch, but a good time!

The festivities continued with a much welcomed visit from Megan, James, and Dad. We enjoyed many a Beninoise on the relaxing beach at Grand Popo, nearly sweated to death one night in my little house in the village, over-ate at my farm (seriously, I think they killed all the animals and harvested all the crops we spent 2013 raising…), and sought comfort from the heat and sickness in the lovely abode of the lovely Marie-Elise. Megan got adorable African baby fever and confused small children when standing next to me; James became an expert greeter and taught idioms to my English speaking friends; and Dad was recruited to give a certificate of completion to a woman he’d never met before. There are now many pictures of my father, random yovo chief man, validating a young woman’s graduation. Awkward for us all, but instigated with good intentions… We were made to feel like honored guests wherever we went, and I felt so honored that they came all the way here to spend their holidays with me!

To soften the blow of my family’s departure, I celebrated the New Year with Peace Corps beau and his family, Beninese style. January 1^st in Benin is Halloween for adults, where people walk from place to place and are given food and drink until they can’t walk / eat / drink anymore! An enjoyable start to 2014, the Year of the Homecoming.

And so here I am, month one nearly down, and 8ish to go. January passed quickly, as I attended a 5-day training in Natitingou for my Amour et Vie team, and celebrated “WemeXwe,” the Festival of the Valley, with my friend Antoine. A four day event, WemeXwe brings people together from all over the region for cultural celebration, feasting, and awesome matching outfits!

Amour et Vie team field trip to Kota Falls in Natitingou

WemeXwe Festival with Antoine and Zoe - picnics, matching outfits, and crowds galore!

It’s hard to believe that the rest of the year won’t pass quickly as well, as 2014 is shaping up to be a busy year! I’ve got vacation days to use up, and each month brings a major event:

• February – Burkina Faso road trip!; Helping out as a female counselor at a basketball camp!
• March – 5 day bike tour through the Mono-Couffo region, educating high-schoolers about the importance of family planning.
• April – World Malaria Day (04/25) mural painting at the preschool
• May – Close of Service (COS) conference – a milestone, where I will find out my departure dates!
• June – National Spelling Bee competition for high school students; Fundraiser with other volunteers, for which I will be running 40k across the country to raise money for gender equality efforts; Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World), for which I am a coordinator this year! I’ll keep you all posted within the next few months about how you can help with these awesome activities.
• July – Camp BRO (Boys Respecting Others) for high-school boys
• August / September – Homecoming?!?!?

I’ve heard that year 2 of service is infinitely more enjoyable, more quickly passing, and more productive. Of course, the next 8 months will still include many long, slow days, which somehow amount to the lightening flash that is this whole experience – a series of time sucks and in no time at all. Now, the current struggle is to remain present to this place and these people, and truly commit myself to the two year commitment I made. While at the same time, I know I should prepare for what lies ahead in my post Peace Corps life. As I complete this journey and prepare for the next, grand merci for all of the love and support from home. Heureuse Année, 2014!