passing the torch

I have the pleasure of announcing that Benin now has an official government recognized volunteer corps. They are the first registered group with NGO status in Benin. It’s called Corps des Volontaires Beninoise or C.V.B. and is headed up by a student named Ibrahim. Saturday morning a handful of Peace Corps volunteers had to opportunity to go to the opening ceremony, a necessary official act of all organizations here in Benin (it’s called a lancement). This is quite possibly the best demonstration of the actual goal of Peace Corps in the host countries we inhabit; showing how an organization like ours would work and someone tailoring the idea to his own community. Ibrahim was an instrumental part of our 2007 AIDS education bike tour and has proved time and again that he is committed to the idea of selfless service in the name of nothing except good old fashioned humanity. It is so refreshing to see a student as busy and privileged as he to take the initiative to grow his own project from an idea he got from outsiders. Projects they’re doing include typhoid and cholera awareness campaigns at the grand market in Parakou, organizing blood drives, and general youth awareness of pressing issues affecting emerging adults here in Benin. There ceremony was a few hours long with the usual important people giving their blessing, there was even a group represented called “Les Sages”, literally the Wise-men. No idea what these guys do but it’d be pretty cool to be in the “sage” group! Spliced into the program were songs and dances. We all wished him much success and I really can’t wait to see what this kid does with his future!
In other news, the salad in our garden is done and I’ve switched back to akassa. I still hold a special place in my heart for that meal but it just can’t compare to actual vitamins. Proposals for the library and this year’s Camp GLOW are in so we’re waiting for the paperwork to filter through…ohhh bureaucracy. Chaleur (the hot season) is definitely here. Heat rash is in full force and it seems to rile the kids up even more than normal. Oddly, I have welcomed the season this year. It feels familiar the second time around and it just means the mangos are coming! Not much else to write as of now, day to day is moving right along.