Everyone and their mother here in Benin seems to want to leave or get a job and go to Cotonou working with embassy. So when I was approached by someone in my office asking help writing their resume I knew exactly where it was going. I give him this look like what the hell, and before I could respond he turns to his friend and says, she doesnt understand what I said, This is one of my more least faveorite phrases in french because for the past 3 months everytime someone has said that I did actually understand I was just stunned at the remark. So not only have you just asked me for a favor but you also insulted me in the next sentance. I then tell this tool that no I understood perfectly and I just thought it was fishy that you were asking me to help you with this and trying to exploit the peace corps volunteer. I then ask why he wanted me to help him with his resume are you looking for work? He then shuffles his feat around and looks guilty, no no why would I be doing that I have a good job here, and his friend who is sitting next to him says no tell her the truth, shes not stupid its obvious that youre looking for work, say yes I am. Yea you jackass you were trying to pull one over on me, and youre going to have to do better than that feable attempt if you want to trick me, did you honestly think I was that stupid? What I said in responce so this was, why do you want to change jobs? knowing full well hes going to give me some stupid excuse of how he doesnt make enough money, when hes got a nice moto, a girlfriend who lives with him, a nice TV, satellite hook up and a nice phone, this guy is not what I would call lacking for money. His reponse was just that, so would I help him? No. I did not come to Bassila to help the educated people leave and get better jobs elsewhere, that and youre a jackass so thats a double no. Actually I came to Bassila to help Bassila and by help I mean to focus my efforts on environmental protection not helping jackasses get jobs at the embassy actually. I then went on to tell him that hes a college educated person, he has a book on resumes and the like, he would like to think hes a smart guy so heres his chance to prove it, figure it out. No Im not helping you. He was less than impressed. His friend though thought it was hilarious and agreed with me I think.
On to a slightly more uplifting topic. So the women who have mud stoves have told me quite a bit how much they really like their mud stoves. For example one woman I went to say hi and she went on and on about how cool her mud stove was and about how she is telling other women about it, she doesnt have to spend as much time in the forest looking for wood and her food heats up so much more quickly with the mud stove. Before I asked her what the amount of wood she used each time she made a meal she said 10 sticks now shes down to 3. Thats quite a bit of wood that is now staying in the forest. I thought it would only be like 5 or 6 not huge, but I was pleasently surprised. It would be interesting to do a study on the average change in the amount of wood that women use with and without the mud stoves, I know Im a nerd. So they really like the mud stoves, which means that Ive had a positive impact on the people of Bassila, its a good feeling. I have another group of women who Im going to teach how to make mud stoves and Ive been invited to the first place where I did mud stoves to watch while the women who took part in the first demonstration teach other women how to make mud stoves, my project is sustainable!! VICTORY!!!!!!!
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Bon travail!!!!
That is really awesome about the mud stoves.
You have definitely had a great impact.....and now that you have their confidence you can do ANYTHING!!!
Well, at least with the women. The men may not be teachable (much as it pains me to say that)!!!!
We are very proud of you and happy for you.
Best, Mark Loehrke (Carly's dad)
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