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Published: April 25th 2006
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Atchontoe
Women of Atchontoe So, here are descriptions and links to two projects in which I am involved and for which I am politely and ever-so-honorably asking for money:
The first one is for the annual Camp GLOW- Girls Leading Our World. The camp will be in July, and will consist of one week of activities and fun things to do with young girls of Benin. I am taking Imelda from next door, Elisabeth because I can’t imagine going without her, and Aichat, a niece of Mathurin’s. All very intelligent and controllable girls, so I can make them behave, but not brainwash them. Elisabeth was so nervous when I asked her Dad and step-mom; she could harldly bear to eavesdrop! But going she is, and she wants to make a uniform, so we are all matching to arrive in Porto Novo. She and Imelda are worried one week of school vacation will be like school, but they still wouldn’t miss the chance to travel, especially with the local yovo whom they love so dearly (and who loves them!).
All of the volunteers included in the camp are asking all of their family and friends and money genies too, so give as you please.
Awakou
Women of Awakou For those of you thinking, “where is the equal opportunity? Is there a Camp BLOW?”, all I can say is, maybe in the future.
The second project is in Athieme, and is something I helped organize with As.P.E.L. The project is designed to award and encourage ten women’s groups who work to clean the streets. Even though the soil here is already rich, and the majority of the people know to rotate crops, I think encouraging compost is still a worthwhile effort- if nothing else, the waste will no longer be simply burned. The other main theme of the competition is tree-planting. I really like the project; that is, the idea of the project. I am sure it will have its problems, such as muddy roads and scheduling difficulties, but the important thing is that the women will be encouraged in their work.
With the Peace Corps Partnership program, the community has already agreed to provide 25% of the total cost. The rest of the money comes from my very loving and supportive friends and family in the U.S. and elsewhere. If the money that is donated goes above and beyond the demand, the surplus goes into the
Sazue
Women of Sazue global fund- sorry, no refunds- which is a pool of money available to Peace Corps volunteers anywhere in the world with a project requiring about $200 US. I might very likely tap into that fund as well.
So those are the most pressing news releases. I promise to take many pictures and do my best to express how wonderfully both projects will succeed. Thank you in advance!
This website is for the As.P.E.L. project in Athieme. There are many options on how to give, listed on the site. At the peacecorps.gov website, go to Donate NOW on the left side, then click AFRICA, then look at my name and click on the project!! It's so cool and efficient-
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.projdetail&projdesc=680-126®ion=africa
Here is the website for Camp GLOW, or you can go to www.peacecorps.gov, donate now, choose Africa, and then Camp GLOW/ Sara Wakild -
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.projdetail&projdesc=680-121®ion=africa
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