Training in Ouhahigouya

The Peace Corps training is impressive and extensive. For the next 8 weeks I will be learning about language, culture, medicine, and safety from a Burkinabé staff. The Peace Corps also provides experienced volunteers to answer questions during the training. Its nice to have them around because the Burkinabé staff primarily speaks French and Mooré. My French will have to improve quickly for my classes. However, many local people do not even speak French, so hopefully I will be proficient in a local language as well!

I love my host family, which is comprised of Sanata (Mama Africa, as she prefers to be called), her sister Maria, and her two daughters, Fieda and Nadia. I spent the first day calling Nadia, "kukunadia", only to find out that "kuku" means little in Mooré. It sometime takes us more than ten minutes to communicate a simple idea. When we finally connect we all feel relieved and laugh hysterically. Imagine playing charades to find out which bucket to use to fill up your water filter.

I find a familiar comfort in my bicycle. Its not exactly the high-end bikes that I'm used to riding, but it does closely resemble them! I gave another volunteer a biking lesson today, and I am thankful for what bike maintenance experience that I have. It will help me out considerably!