March has been a rather hectic month. It all began with another wonderful tribute to women for International Women's Day, March 8. Once again, we invited prominent women and men from Kaedi to visit our after-school girls mentoring center. There we discussed the origins of the holiday and the many struggles women around the world endured and continue to endure even today. In addition, 3 girls read essays on women they admired and their role in society. We also took this opportunity to display several of the projects the girls worked on, including the beautiful window panels they painted on various important topics such as health, education, nutrition, and work. We also showcased our continuing internet lesson plans, including researching about important women, reading about Mauritania in the news, and locating information on force-feeding, violence against women, human rights abuses, and female genital mutilation. The girls also compiled into a book original collages of their view of women in society. Check out all the photos at my website: www.kossenjfk.smugmug.com
In addition, we just completed a conference on resume building, career searches, and graduate school opportunities. Every year, all those volunteers who are about to finish their service participate in a close of service conference. Valuable information is exchanged about how to proceed with life after the Peace Corps and various options we may have for the future. Of course, this is also really the last chance everyone in my training group will likely be together before people start departing in July (I will finish September 15 and continue to travel until Christmas). As such, it is also a great bonding trip for us, kind of like summer camp. We may be much older and wiser, but we can still act like 8th graders when we want to. Let's just say there were a lot of pranks played and much fun was had by all. At the same time, I find myself consumed by a wide variety of emotions. On the one hand, I am definitely ready to get back to a more modern way of life. Yet, having so many choices and opportunities available in the US is a bit overwhelming and frightening. I have a fairly solid idea of what I would like to do when I return, but I know that I will miss the slow pace of life here. Afternoon naps away from the heat are a luxury I am not too willing to sacrifice upon my return. Of course, I will not miss the poverty, disease, death, and despair here. I just wish I could take some of my close Mauritanian friends and especially my little brothers and sisters back to America with me. They all deserve a shot at a promising life. I wish I could give them the hope and opportunity they so deserve. It really is quite unfair that people are born into cicurmstances they cannot control. Let us all be grateful for the wonderful opportunities we take for granted every day.
Until next time,
Janine
