Merci dieu (Thank you lord)... Faith in Abidjan

To tell you the truth when I arrived in Abidjan... I did not know what to expect in terms of religion. I honestly thought that it would be difficult to find a church in Abidjan as I had assumed that the population was mostly Muslim (in actuality (facts from my boss): most people are catholic in the south part of cote d'Ivoire... about 50% while the north consists of muslims, buddhists, etc). But out of all the luck in the world I end up staying with a family that is catholic and they go to church every Sunday at 7 am. That is such a huge sign for me... a sign that the Lord is with me.

I am proud to say that I am a person of faith (even before I came to Abidjan), but my faith in the Lord has been 100X strengthened during my internship. When I feel scared (especially in my first few days) or even during my daily adventures I feel as though the Lord is always with me. I have come to realize that faith is a huge part of who I am and the actions that I take.

This past Sunday I got to finally go to church with my host family and it was such a wonderful ceremony. It amazes me that even being on the other side of the world, catholic ceremonies are exactly the same. Yes the ceremony is in french and yes the structure is not completely similar but the atmosphere of the community and the purpose of church is still there. It was just so beautiful and I cannot wait to go again in the next week. I hope this did not sound ignorant... but I am completely in awe of how much my faith has played a role in everything I do in Abidjan.

The following is a huge example of why I have reconfirmed the guidance of the Lord:
This past Sunday (May 24), we went to the market in Adajame to pick up fabric for an African dress that my Canadian friend wants to get done. Markets are extremely busy and "blanches or chinois" are most likely to get pick pocketed. Out of all my luck... it happened to me! I was walking in a busy crowd not paying attention to my bag when 3 guys supposedly tried to take my bag (that is what our "mama" said). But for some reason our "Mama" knew what was going on, turned around, grabbed the guy who had my wallet and rain coat and basically went all "what the heck are you doing" in french to him. Because of that...nothing from my bag got stolen. I am still a bit traumatized but we laughed about it yesterday saying that I had such good luck and that the lord is truly with me (it was by coincidence...or not that we just went to church that morning). And thus my faith has been reconfirmed!

I am just so grateful for all the fortunes that have happened so far during this internship and yes everything is not hunky dory but I can confidentally say that everything will be ok because I know I am here for a reason, I am here because the Lord wants me to be here. Amazing... just amazing.

Only 10% of OVCs get the proper resources and support

Finally starting work at Le Soutien this past week has really opened my eyes to the reality of Cote d'Ivoire. My heart hurts... it really does. I have probably cried 3 times this week (much less than I thought I would). I have been having thoughts of, why I am I here. What is the purpose of this internship? I don't know the language too well and sometimes  I just feel useless. But talking to my canadian friend living in the same house and working at the same organization as me has made me to realize... ok I am not here to change the world overnight (As I knew when I came) but I am here to open my eyes to a new culture and to open the eyes of the people I meet with my culture. It's a whole "global exchange". Just so that we know that we are all here for each other.

At le soutien I finally got to meet the kids (they only come on Wednesdays) but they were just so happy and kept on caressing my hair saying "chinois, chinois". They are just so adorable and I just am so sad with the reality that they live in... did you know that only 10% of OVCs (Orphans and vulnerable children due to HIV/AIDS) get the proper resources and support. It's a harsh but true reality. It will be so hard for me to leave August... it took an extra hour for them to say good bye this past week and I am going to see them next week. So I don't know how I am going to hold up when it's my last day. 

I've come to realize that really there is not too much you can do in a short 3 month developmental internship. I need to take back everything I learned here and apply it back home, whether that means a small motivation for myself to do better in my studies to get my masters in public health or even just sharing my experience. I don't know... I have come to realize that education is such a key factor in everything. When students go to school in Cote d'Ivoire, they are there because they really want to be there. They do not take the educational system for granted (as I find that some canadians do). 

I hope to open my eyes more during this internship and to gain a better sense of purpose.

Till the next blog... hope that you are all doing well!

One thing common in all countries? The love of FOOD

Right now I am at work, waiting for my supervisor (it's my first day in Le soutien) to come... I assume that she won't arrive for a few hours (gotta love africa time it is the same as filipino time). Since there is internet access, I thought I would blog about food in Abidjan. One word: AMAZING. The picture above is Foutou (basically mashed plantains that you eat with your hands and dip in fish and sauce). Other foods that I have tried so far is Attieke (sticky rice and fish) and Alloco (fish and fried plantains). Most things you eat with your hands, but who cares. I cannot get over how good the food is. The host family that me and the other canadian (Jaqui) are living with make such good dishes. Our "Mama" reminds me so much of my own mom because she is so proud of her food and wants us to always eat. And we both love the food so really their is no complaining going on!

I hope to taste more amazing cultural dishes and blog crazy about them! However, I have been getting a bad case of Diarrehea, I think it is because my stomach is getting use to the food. But I seriously hope to recreate the food here when I get back home (it will not taste the same at all but I will try!).

Till the next blog. *hugs* and loves from Abidjan

Hey I found the other Asians, Les petit amies... boyfriends and no longer being dazed :)

As I sit in the very slow but cozy internet cafe I find myself reflecting on the past crazy week and all the emotions I have gone through in such a short period of time. I hope my blogs are not too random for you guys but I should be heading back home soon so before I go here are a few more adventures that have happened the past couple days:

Socece
As I told you that everyone thinks I am chinese I think thats because it is the most popular asian they know but anyways I finally found the rest of the asian population their is a supermarket by our house called socece where all the expats are so whenever I miss home I am headed that way. I honestly thought their were no other foreigners here but its nice to know that if I ever feel homesick I can go there to get a taste of home and maybe have some ice cream :)

Boyfriends
No marriage proposals yet haha but I am pretty sure that I have been hit on at least 6 times since I have been here I have been reffered to as someones wife and have been asked for my number many times. I hope I do not give anyone the wrong impression when I give my number I just want to be friendly and make friends and NOT get a boyfriend. It is very amusing though and you know a tad flattering but I am happy to say that I have stood my ground and have made it clear that I am here to work... It does make for a funny story. For example this one guy told me oh we should be together and I was like uhhh Non Non Non and he was like oh we will work on that. Oh dear. I am still trying to figure out this mentality of la blanche it is quite an intreresting one

Daze be GONE
Today me and the other canadian finally figured out on our own how to get to the key places like campus and home using the cheap taxis using this system we now pay HALF of what wer did before... Thank goodness for WoWo WoWos. I am happy to say that I am finally getting in the groove of things and hope to get more comfortable as the days go on

Cheers to more adventures in lovely Abidjan and a few shoutouts:
FSA: Good luck on culture night I know it will be fantastic
AIESEC Calgary: Hope that Alvaro has arrived safely and that you are raising those TNs

hugs and loves to all :)

Culture shock, French sessions and my "daily routine"

*Picture: the AIESECERS in abidjan, my boss (in the middle) and the other canadian... sorry if it is backwards!

To tell you the truth when I arrived in Cote d'Ivoire I thought that I would have no problem getting into the culture, instead what happened was that I was in super SHOCK mode. I literally cried and complained the whole night to Jacqui (the other Canadian who is doing the same internship and living at the same house as me)... I just felt so isolated and the french was just too intense. I had thoughts of... can I really handle this?

But as It's been almost a week since I have arrived in Abidjan I have come to love this country and it's strangeness.... I have yet to master the roads and different transits and hope to do so before the end of the internship.

French sessions
I do not know why I did not think of this before but of course you are going to need to speak in french when giving sessions because english is not understood very well. I am trying my hardest to make sense when I speak in french, but at times I feel that the session is not effective unless the students understand me (of course). Hopefully as the months go on I will be more comfortable in french and can give better sessions sur le SIDA. But things have been well and the organization is more that what I expected. For some reason when the children/students see me in the class room they smile and are so nice and interested in why I am here. However... everything things I'm chinese.... weird!

Daily Routine
So far, my days go by at a medium pace maybe it is because the heat gets to me sometimes. Basically since I do not start working in Le Soutien until next week, I have been in the AIESEC office every day. I go here, say "Salut, comme ca va" then go do a session, go home, eat, prepare for my session the next day (need to translate everything in english). Basically I am hot, sweaty, eat a lot and have a constant french-english dictionary in my head... it actually is very WONDERFUL. And I don't know why but I just feel comfortable. What an experience... however next week will probably be a different routine (as each day is brand new)

This is all for now, Till the next blog *hugs* and love (beaucoup d'amour) from Abidjan!

Abidjan first impressions... Pays beau et tellement fou (a beautiful and really crazy country)

So I have been in Abidjan for about 3 days and have gone through 20 million types of emotions... the following are only a few bit little tid bits of my thoughts on this CRAZY but BEAUTIFUL city:

Family
My family is so sweet and they treat me and the other canadian like their own daughters... they cook for us, do our laundry. I love them so much. But one crazy thing is that because our boss is so well known we have a security guard.

AIESEC
What I have found is that no matter where in the world you are AIESEC will always be there. I have heard so many horror stories about the organization of development internships but everything has been so smooth and amazing here. I feel so safe as their is always a person with me. They have brought me around everywhere and even had a welcome party... I am able to confirm my love for the organization in Abidjan. The communication barrier between french and english amuses me and it's just so wonderful. I tried to teach them an AIESEC Canada cheer that did not work out too well... as they couldn't say it fast enough. Mais tres bon effort!

Weather
It is constantly hot, but I have gotten use to the fact that I will be sweaty the whole time... as long as I sleep in front of the fan at night, everything will be fine. I drink water like their is no tomorrow. But am getting use to the "groove of things".

Tid bits here and there
The roads are nuts and their are 4 types of taxis... red one (the safe but expensive one... converted it is only 2 dollars maximum... but it does add up), yellow ones that don't take you exactly where you want to go just on a certain road close by, roro - crazy cramped bus that I have yet to figure out how it works.

I am off to do a session (en francais... je suis tellement peur!) so will try to add more on this post later. Hope everyone is well.

Marcia

Airplane friends, Dubai and +37 C weather

Above is a picture of Dubai taken from the wonderful 12 hr plane ride. It is one of the longest flights I've taken but their was great service. Emirates really has great customer service: hot towels, great meals, endless list of music and movies. Plus they provided passengers with over night flights with a free hotel room and meal for the night.

Dubai is a very interesting city, however the bright lights and numerous stores in the air port remind me of las vegas. But when looking outside at the "non flashy" areas, I really feel like I am in other area in the world (perhaps because I am :) ). It's a wonderful 37 C right now but really is not too bad... it feels like a heater is on 24/7 but it's a nice change from the constant snow!

Being in the UAE, has really gotten me excited for Cote d'Ivoire. Right before my flight to dubai I was very scared... not knowing what to expect. But although it is true I am still scared I am also very grateful and excited for this wonderful opportunity. While talking to two airplane companions on the flight to Dubai, we had talked about how the world is quite small and that you never know what will really happen unless you communicate with people and discover/explore different cultures and parts of the world. The wonderful 61 year old lady I met informed me that she tries to instill 3 main characteristics in her children - Ambition (reach for the skies... never limit yourself), hard work and exploration (go and discover the world). If we all kept those 3 things in mind, imagine what we can each accomplish.

Going to cote d'ivoire, helping with HIV/AIDS is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am excited to learn not only about the culture of cote d'Ivoire but about HIV/AIDS itself and see first hand it's impact on individuals and communities. I sat in my hotel room yesterday reflecting on why I was doing this internship. I see this opportunity as an eye opener and that first step in "saving the world"... yes it sounds fluffy but helping (even just a little) such a huge cause as this is extremely soul fulfilling. I am not going to Cote d'Ivoire to instill my thoughts on how things should be done, I am going to learn about and engage in their culture. Obviously HIV/AIDS will not be fully prevented from the three months I am in Cote d'Ivoire... but getting this experience and bringing it back to Calgary will help towards this step. This really is the only thing individuals can do on short term developmental internships. We need to absorb in the culture, cherish the opportunity and bring back what we learned home.

I am off to my flight to Abidjan... cheers to 10 hours from ABJ!

Baby bird flying out of the nest Part I (Waiting for my flight to Dubai)

As I sit here at the Toronto airport waiting for my flight to Dubai, I find myself contemplating on this adventure to come... I feel like a baby bird flying out of their nest. Not really knowing what I am doing, dazed but still head strong on taking this "flight". This sentiment was further validated just a moment ago when I went through customs with questions and comments thrown at me such as: "Oh your going to Africa?" "How old are you?" "Awww, you look so scared". I am not afraid to admit that I am scared out of my body to what will happen when I arrive... I have a faint idea of what to expect of Abidjan but things are never what they seem and I guess that is the beauty of this adventure!

This is my little rant before I board my flight. So expect a little blog in Dubai on further thoughts and feelings on the internship, etc.

Cheers to 2 flights away from Abidjan!

Feelings on the final week in Canada (-4 days)

I am at the stage of pure excitement. It's true that I am a bit scared (as are many travelers when going to a completely different country and culture). But I am as prepared as I can be to leave the country and immerse in the culture of Abidjan. And I think that is the right mentality when leaving the country... I need to go there with an open heart, open mind and just completely absorb my surroundings.

The one thing that has really gotten my spirits up is an e-mail from a fellow Canadian who is already in Abidjan (we will be living in the same house and working in the same organization) and is having a wonderful time. It makes me want to just get on my plane tomorrow and start this adventure.

I know it will difficult, especially because of the language barrier. Yes, I can understand french better then most but I haven't practiced in over 3 years and hope that the 6 years of french immersion classes kick in. I don't want to go there and have them expect some one with completely fluent french (Je suis peur... tres peur pour ca)... as I am known to be an avid speaker of "Anglicism". But I am sure after a few weeks things will start to become "daily routines" and I will get use to the French.

Good byes have been said and I will truly miss everyone back home. Thank you to everyone who have been nothing but supportive of this internship, whether that means writing a heartfelt card, words of encouragement, random gifts , contacts and advice or a wonderful hug. These all mean the world to me and I am truly grateful to all of you. I cannot wait to share the experiences from these 3 months with you when I return (A&B je me tellement manque beaucoup LULT).

Au revoir Calgary, Salut Abidjan... Je suis prete pour vous et tous tes défis!
Good bye Calgary, Hello Abidjan... I am ready for you and all of your challenges!