The Next Big Thing…
Wow. So much time in front of computers writing grants (SPOILER ALERT!).
Even when I come to the capital for some ‘America Time’, I don’t get terribly relaxed. Something odd about Peace Corps life is, while work-related stress is quite low, one is rarely certain of true down-time. I’m definitely not pushing papers 24/7, but I am ostensibly a mini-ambassador operating in two foreign languages and being interacted with at all points of the day. It’s kinda of like being a rock star, only the rock and leather pants have been replaced by mangoes and second-hand linen. On the days when you just want to, say, buy soap-making materials quickly and efficiently and not talk to anyone, the otherwise amiable stranger from Ghana trying to chat you up in the name of the Brotherhood of All Humanity comes off as a total damned nuisance and you want to scream. Which would attract a lot more unwanted attention and clearly exascerbate the situation. So you walk on and pray he will stop prattling on about how he speaks english, fondly remembering the days when you weren’t anyone particularly important.
Indeed, life is truly a struggle.
This e-mail will be fairly short and to the point, more of a ‘heads-up’ than anything else. The essential message is this: I am cooking up a very large grant application to supply an amazing theater troup with some very good stereo equipment. When the grant is funded, they will be able to have clearer and more effective performances, using clip-on mikes and speakers that don’t garble every third word in static. Said troup will then organize and execute a 30-VILLAGE THEATER CAMPAIGN (yes, THIRTY) addressing key health and human rights issues. We’re talking about combined audiences upwards of 15,000 people.
The grant is, as with many things in Peace Corps, unique. Once I proof everything to a satisfactory point, I send the application to the Burkina bureau. If it’s good/relevant enough (it totally is! you’ll see!), our country director signs of on it and the grant proceeds to Washington. Once the admins in DC say ok, the grant then goes up for funding. That’s right! Peace Corps doesn’t actually fund the grant itself – The People do!
Peace Corps Washington will post the grant onto a website, essentially soliciting online donations until the grant is funded for the entire dollar amount requested. Once we get to this point in the process, I will be once again asking many of you to pitch in what you can, and more importantly to spread the word to your friends, families, and professional networks. In the name of family planning, malaria and AIDS prevention, women’s rights, birth registration, and a host of other important issues that are very effectively addressed by theater forums in Burkina Faso, we shall do some beautiful work together.
For now, you can sit back and relax. I am including some recent photos for your viewing pleasure. But do please put this grant process in the back of your mind and think about whom we might ask to help out when funding time comes. The total request will be for around 5,000$, as good stereo equipment does not come cheap. If anyone over in AmericaLand is willing to work with me on a more 1:1 basis to organize fundraising, please get in touch! Based on experience from other PCVs using this grant, having a few key people back stateside to drum up support is a HUGE help.
On to photos
Isidore
1.) A boy named Isidore. He is 15 if you ask his age in French, 13 if you ask in Moore. Has failed kindergarten 3 times, or so the village gossip goes. Currently not in school. Very polite and talkative, and surprisingly good french for someone who has not had much schoolin’. He is basically my shadow in village.
Neimatou
2.) A boy named Neimatou. Currently in 4th grade, and second best student in his class. Super nice, with a very thoughtful demeanor. Tri-lingual. Grand-nephew ( I think ) of a village elder who I’m on very good terms with.
Rasmane
3.) A man named Rasmane. Bit of a tough guy for Aaron to deal with, but only by virtue of very awkward interactions. Good guy though. Asked me to come take some pictures of him and his animals. So, voila. He makes for a very good photo subject actually.
Puppet theater!
4.) Puppet theater with some sixth graders. That was an amusing little adventure. My current group of 6th graders doesn’t want to do puppets. Oh well.
Theater Truck
5.) This truck is how we get 12 members of a theater group plus stereo equipment and props to a village 18km in the bush. Part of a 4-village theater campaign on family planning. Tomorrow (monday) we will complete the venture.
Theater troupe in Burkina
6.) Shot from a theater skit on family planning. The man at the right is the troupe president, although he claims the troupe has no real president. More accurately I suppose he is the president of the association that sort’ve houses the theater troupe. Point is, he and I are working together on the grant initiative mentioned about.
Mango Tree Seats
7.) When there are too many people to sit on the ground, mango trees make excellent stadium seating.
Crowd of 400 for theater!
8.) See? THEATER IS HUUUUGE!!! This is like the entire freaking village that showed up to watch!!!
Aaron as MC
9.) I am pretending to control stereo equipment. Our generator broke down and everything was done without mikes. Several of the actors lost their voices the next day…. hmm….
All my best
Aaron
