At the request of Grandma Helen (love you!) here's a much awaited update.
Life continues in Mamfe as it does everywhere. I've come to the conclusion that I'm experiencing something like second year volunteer guilt, along the lines of “crap, I only have a few months left! Should probably try to develop this place, or something!” To that effect, I've been working hard and playing hard (er?). So, I'm teaching a lot of normal hours, as I said. Teacher computer literacy classes are getting off the ground, with 2 teachers coming as regularly as the power is on, and several others who keep saying they will come, and who hopefully will at some point. I'm teaching basic word processing, to one, and working on basic Excel for gradebook purposes with the other. It's fun, and the two guys are definitely motivated, which is nice.
I've also started something like a tutoring program for the students in my science classes that are failing miserably. I'm attempting to do something along the lines of “reading in the content areas” instruction, as these are the kids that really just cannot read. We'll see how it goes, second tests are supposed to come up next week, if there's any improvement in performance, I'll be happy about it!
On the computer front, I think I've decided that torching the lab might be my best (read: least frustrating) option. The introduction of a few teachers with their own internet USB keys has made virus fighting a painfully difficult process, the record so far is 596 on one computer. I've been spending hours and hours working on the office computers, as the secretary and accountant really do need to have fully functional machines working for them. Unfortunately, Jared (my tech genius volunteer across town) and I haven't been able to manage to get a good copy of an operating system burned onto a disc, so all the reformatting that desperately needs to happen has been put on hold. The principal keeps talking about putting internet in for the entire computer lab, something that would be a blessing and a curse at the same time.
The power has also been extremely unsteady for the month of October, it's probably on 2-3 days a week on average, which means that some of the students are really getting ready to mutiny at some point, since they've missed so many lab days. Very frustrating. Oh, and I had my first near-actual electrical fire today, sparks were flying I'm pretty sure I saw actual flames, and way more smoke than usual. Cool.
So, that's the update on work, now for the update on play, since I've been doing a lot of that too! First, Teacher's Day was once again a good time this year. I marched in front of the grandstand, past all the important people, and I don't think I did too bad of a job—don't forget that marching is taken very seriously here! The school staff had lunch and drinks following the march, a little bit of spontaneous dancing, and a general good time. See pictures below!
Then, there was the school feast weekend. It kicked off Thursday with the Bishop giving mass in the morning, classes closed early on Thursday and Friday for the students to prepare themselves. Friday evening saw the Inter-house (think Harry Potter houses) quiz, speech competition, singing competition (painful, unfortunately), and the always delightful Miss QRC competition (which I judged again). Saturday, we had various sports, including your's truly kicking off the Football final. The evening was capped off by the whole school dance, which featured some very *ahem* stylish clothing worn by all the young ladies. I was seen busting a few moves myself, and Jessica and Jeneca joined me at the school to watch Miss QRC. Sunday began with Mass (yes, that's 2 masses for me in one week), and then the traditional dance and choral singing competitions, which were very well done by all the houses (when you can throw the word “laxity” into a song, you know you've done well). Someday, you'll be able to see videos of those things....
And then there's the other type of playing...The Manyu cluster has decided that we are scheduling a self-imposed break from the local nightclub, because we've been there 3 times in the last month. That's just too much good times. (and it's expensive). In any case, the biggest event there of late was my very own 90% of 30th birthday party! (that's 27). It started Friday with my good friend Stella giving up her day to do my hair in twists, which look fabulous, though they're starting to fall out faster than I would have hoped for (yes Melissa, she did boil them). Saturday, the girls and Jared took a shopping trip deep into the bowels of the Mamfe clothing market, and came out with some real treasures. Our goal was to look “nice” according to Cameroonian fancy Western dress standards, but scandalous according to our own. Mission accomplished. We got sooooo many compliments that night, through we probably shouldn't have stopped by that wedding....Anyway, we started the evening at Stanson's house in town, we made chicken tacos/fajitas (what's the difference?), and yes, that means we had to start with a live chicken, thankfully George, one of the best cooks around, dealt with that. We also made some AWESOME refried beans, and a huge mess of Spanish rice. And Cameroonians ate the food and LIKED it! So, gold star to Manyu division for some Goal 2 work. The theme of the party was fiesta, so thanks have to go out to Stanson for providing the Tequila....
From Stanson's, we made an ill-considered pit stop at a wedding (sooooo not appropriate, George, what were you thinking!), and then proceeded to the night club, where things, as they tend to do at the club, got a little silly. Danced the night away, my calves were killing me the next day, and I think a good time was had by all.
Next day, Jessica and I had some actual work to do too, which was perhaps also ill-advised....but it went well. We've been working with a cyclist union (read: moto taxi drivers) to teach them basic First Aid skills, so that if they are the first on the scene of an accident, as they may very well be, they can at least not cause any further harm, and hopefully provide some help. Sunday was the final class where we were to present their First Aid kits, and they were so grateful and cute when they got their stuff, it was really nice to see. We've been invited to become something like adjunct members in their union, what that means is that we'll get to wear their official uniform (matching fabric), to any occasion they are present at, which is really too sweet of them. It's been a really fun project, and it was nice to see the guys so happy about the conclusion of it. Less fun was the required cup of palm wine....but we managed.
And that's where I'm at now. 7 months to go, looking forward to all of them! If you've sent a package, it's probably still in Yaounde, cause that's just how things go during the rainy season in Mamfe...bummer, but I'm surviving. If you're thinking of sending anything from here on out, I can pretty much promise that it will be faster if you send it to my Dad and have him carry it in December. Let me know, and I'll see what can be arranged.
Also, keep checking back here, very soon there should be a link to our Books for Africa project that I mentioned last time—we're just waiting for PC approval, which should be forthcoming.
Love to everyone, I miss you all, I love you all, and I'd love to hear from you all! Keep in touch!
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