Hello from the city of Sikasso. I just got back from visiting my site for a few days and I am more excited now than ever about my decision to join the Peace Corps. I live in a small village called Kouoro. It's 1 km from the main road from Sikasso to Koutiala. My banking town is Sikasso and it's about 75 km away from my town.
This is the first time that my village has had a volunteer and they seem really excited. My counterpart also seems very motivated and excited about working together. There are many possible projects I could be working on; one being building soak pits fo standing pools of run-off water near the village's three pumps. Other projects might be health sanitation education in the community and school, community gardening projects, well-building, and other projects with the school. The school in our community has levels 1-6 and the schoolmaster was interested in getting me involved with the students. My house is new and completemy unfurnished, I can't wait to put up pictures, I have plans for a garden and trees for my yard. My region is much greener than other parts of Mali and I hear that we'll never have to buy mangoes, they're so abundant.
This week I stayed with the Dugutigi or village chief, Yaya Sogodogo; he's really great and I'm optimistic about working on any project in the village.
If you want to send me packages or letters my new address will be:
Michele Lehman
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 227
Sikasso, MALI
West Africa
I won't be able to get them until the beginning of October but if you send packages that's when they'll probably get there. Sugesstions, I don't really need anything yet except food: beef jerkey, dried mangoes or apples; apple jolly ranchers and i heard M&Ms and recees pieces make it here ok, they also said the big padded envelopes get here with less problems than boxes. But these are just suggestions, I LOVE getting letters!!!
On the health front, my giarrdiah is better but I had a cold all this week which I'm still getting over.
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6 comments:
MICHELE,
IM GLAD YOU ARE HAVING AN EXCITING TIME.WHEN I COME BACK FROM HAWAII ,I THINK ILL GO WITH YOUR FATHER TO SEE LUKE BERFORE HE GOES BACK TO THE MIDDLE EAST. IS IT HOT THERE? ARE YOU CLOSE TO THE RIVER?WHAT IS YOUR ASSOCIATES NAME? DO THEY HAVE TRACTORS TO DIG WITH? ENOUGH QUESTIONS. IHOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER SOON WE LOVE YOU AND ARE THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU. LUV
TA TA ROJER
Michele,
Well, I will write for the fifth time and hope you get it. If not, I will sent a letter. What a great experience. I am enjoying your blogs. I was in contact with EBMUD Mary Hicks. She is the International contact for the Co. She said that if you access WATER FOR PEOPLE on your computer and then go to the heading AMERICAN WATER WORKS you might find some help. Evidentally they have funded some African Peace Corps Projects before. If you need help from Bob and Tom just e-mail them or even Mary. Well, Thursday was my last day at work and I was sad but am over it now. Andy and Tasha are living here until there house closes next week. It has been delightful. Will be sending something to you. I wish I could meet your new family. Hope you are feeling better. Some people on the corner got guiardia? and it was from a dead animal dying near their well. yuk Be careful.Well I guess Uncle Roger has asked you questions that I was going to ask so will wait to here from you. Also, did you notice that Aunt Gail mumbles. It's hilarious. I won't say why on the international highway. Have a great stay. Wish I was there. Love Aunt Teri MIss you
Hi chele,
I'm glad your your having a good time! I sure hope you start to feeling better soon. I think everyone is getting a summer cold here. I was trying to get sick,but I said I don't have time for this. Thanks for the address do we need a zip cod on that also or just what you wrote? I'm not use to no zip. I'll talk to you later
Love Aunt Ty OXOXOX
Hey Michele!!!
I jsut wanted to write and say hello. We are all very glad that you are feeling better here. Grandma and Grandpa talk about you are very proud of the roads you ahve taken. Don & I are heading off to Italy tomorrow...I'll explain later. ANyway, Hang in there and we'll be thinking of you!!!
Love, Auntie Tammy
high babee
Glad you are in the green zone
Wish I could be a fly on the wall to see you living in the empty mud hut
I'm real busy and getting ready for my trip to see luke
Everything is going well here
Kathy and I have both been diagnosed with extreme sleep apena
You should see what a sight it is with us both sleeping with hoses in our noses
Still getting used to the machines but it seems like it is working
We no longer snore!!!!!!!!!
Glad to hear your getting over your ailments.
Love Dad
Dear Michele,
Aunt Teri here. Well, we all are in awe of your accomplishments. Tom & Bob have been reading them at work. Ironically, your great-grandfather worked picking cotton when he was a young boy growing up in Louisiana. It has come full circle. Crazy world.
I just got home from Wyo.. We went to Jackson Hole but was unable to see Yellowstone as the South Gate is closed this time of year. We will try to see it in the spring.
Do you need any airborne? Are you getting enough vitamin C in your diet? Take care of yourself.
I realize that you will probably not get my Christmas card before Christmas, so I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Do you have anyone to celebrate it with?
I remember reading that a long time ago the main Caribbean Islands' export was sugar. The U.S. quit purchasing it from them and all those families became destitute. Terrible.
Well I am painting pictures for Christmas presents this year. I am enjoying Christmas music right now.
I went to see Diane and we went to dinner and a James Bond movie. Diane heard it was very good. I enjoyed it.
Well we love you and everyone says to say hello. Our love THE BALLEWS
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