Tourist or Local?

Traveling is well meant for traveling. But an internship is meant for fully integrating into the society. I have been having a very hard time lately thinking about my purpose and my actions here. To tell you the truth Cote d'Ivoire is not a "touristy" place... especially Abidjan, there aren't museums everywhere or even extremely special places to go. The last two months I have been here, I have been fully integrating into the local. And you know what... I am happy with that.

I do not have a billion pictures of Cote d'Ivoire but I do have lasting relationships with individuals here (which I think is something much more special). 

But of course at times my inner "tourist" comes out and I long to look for things to do but just end up sleeping or going to campus. We ended up going to the zoo last weekend... which is a strange concept, a zoo in Abidjan. But like all zoos it was a bit depressing... the animals were not well fed and were practically roaming around with no cages. It was quite the experience. And this upcoming weekend we get to go to the famous Yamoussoukro with the largest Basilica in the world... It is apparently more stunning than the vatican.

6 more weeks in Abidjan... It has gone by so fast and in a sense I am ready to leave but in another sense I am not ready to leave this wonderful country. My Canadian sister Jacqui is leaving in 2 weeks so it will be quite the experience being truly "alone" for my last month here. We live and work and the same place so it will be quite the drastic change. But although I will miss her terribly and will probably break down more than often without here, I am excited to experience being by "myself". 

My heart is truly in Abidjan... Mon coeur est vraiment en Abidjan <3

You have to toughen up

I am hitting the half way mark of my internship and I had my second major break down yesterday night. The trigger of it all I think was my canadian sister Jacqui (I really do not know what I would do with out her support here... probably be more crazy then I currently am) living with me who started to cry because she was thinking of the shock that will happen when she goes home... the comfortabilities of Canada and our safe reality. As well a few of the kids at work expressed that they would miss me when I left and asked if I would return. I really cannot stand to be emotional here because it will "eat me alive" as my sister in Amsterdam has politely reminded me. But I do just some times need to cry to get it out of my system.

Its not right to be full out depressed when you get back from an experience such as this but we are just human. I know I just need to channel my emotions into something positive such as continually promoting the NGO I am working with back home. I know I will keep in touch with the kids by sending letters and packages. They are in my heart now and I will never let them leave it. At times I think I am too fragile to be here but then at other times I know I can tough it out and learn to focus. But that is all a part of the self discovery of this internship eh? What a wonderful but sometimes painful concept.

Have to be strong, Have to be tough have to focus on what needs to be done. Oh Abidjan... why do you do this?

"Be the change you want to see in the world" - Ghandi

As I am hitting my one month mark in this country I find myself constantly questioning the purpose of this internship and the purpose of me being here. It frustrates me when I feel like I can't do anything productive and the only thing that I have to give is my love. I know I cant say that me being here will change the world but at least making some sort of difference would be fantastic.

But if you think about it what does it mean to "make a difference". In a sense this internship is selfish (it has a lot to do with personal growth). But in another sense there is that element of cultural exchange, for individuals from different parts of the world to share their ideologies to know that we are all looking out for each other and that the best thing that we can do in new societies is to have an open mind. Yes this sounds fluffy, but it is true.

I have just gotten out of a meeting with all of the staff of Le Soutien (www.lesoutien.org) ... the organization is currently going through problems with finances (a constant problem for many non for profits) and they are going to have to shut down their main office in Deux Plateaux (area in Abidjan) but that doesn't mean the organization is going to stop. The hard core work (base) is done in Youpoggoun (Another area in Abidjan). I am constantly amazed with this non for profit and wish that I could give them finances myself. Le soutien works in many areas and in particular with OVCs (Orphans and vulnerable children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS). Basically every Wednesday the children come to the bureau and have a day of activities, they play, eat, learn some lessons, if they need medicines they can get them here as well they can get counselling (depending on their age group: there are three age groups... the first is 1 - 5 years the second is 6-11 years and the last group is 12 - 17 years). But the whole purpose of them coming is to create a family, a community of non-discrimination. It is a time where they can just be kids. And really my role is to play with them and to be a part of the activities. Many times I am discouraged because I wish I could do more but then thinking about it through a sustainable view, that is the best task that I can do. Because taking on a huge role will not work for a 3 month internship. I really need to take all the experiences I learn here back home.

Another project that Le Soutien is working on is Project NUNSSEU (The child is the future) this is a project based in Danane (Village in the North of Cote D'Ivoire)... in a period of 3 years (10 villages each year). What Le Soutien does is that the counselors in Danane go to each village and help to mobilize the village. What I found out is that... Women are the key factor in everything. So Le soutien provides Womens groups with land so that they can make money and feed their children. Since the village sees this positive impact that Le Soutien does then they can trust the organization and are able to be mobilized on topics such as SIDA/VIH (AIDS/HIV). It is quite a complicated but logical system.

One of my co workers told me that hopefully we will be able to go to Danane before the end of our internships. They go at least once a month, depending on funding and talking about finances at the meeting today their probably will not be a trip this month.

This organization is so amazing, and I really hope to learn and make as much of a contribution as I can. It also makes me want to create my own non profit organization (if only it was that easy :) ). As Ghandi amazingly put: "Be the change you want to see in the world". Sometimes, that is the best thing that we can do.

IMPORTANT Side note: As for all non for profits, funding is a big issue and that is the main problem for Le Soutien (www.lesoutien.org), they are providing such a necessary and great service to OVCs (Orphans and vulnerable children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS) and to many villages in Cote d'Ivoire. In Africa, the reality is so different from the "western world". Non for profits and passionate people are necessary here in order for the reality to improve. My heart hurts for this organization... please if you know anyone or if you have advice on how we can find funders contact me at marcia.tiro@gmail.com or post a message on this blog, It's a big task to under take but all we can really do is try.

NLDS 2009 (AIESEC Conference in CI) - In the interesting city of Taboo

*Picture: At the barrage (dam) by Taboo... this dam is a network of several other dams that provide electricity for all of Cote d'Ivoire! L-R: Me, German intern, Paquom (Outgoing LCP of Cocody), Canadian Intern

I was able to spend the last 4 days at an event close to my heart - An AIESEC conference. It was quite a gong show. The conditions of this conference would of not been tolerated at all at a conference in Canada. And through all the mixed emotions, it was quite an experience being at a national conference in Cote d'Ivoire (there are only 3 locals here and 1 MC... you can see the difference in Canada which has 27 locals and 1 MC). With that being said, there are way to many things that need to be said so the following are the most important highlights of the conference:

AIESEC Time + Ivorienne time:
What does this mean? How about going to campus at 10 am but leaving at 5 pm... Yes that is Ivorienne time. The cause of the delay? A very bad mis communication and of course because of the wonderful rain. Apparently when it rains, everything stops until the sun comes back up... oh you have to love Cote d'Ivoire. I have concluded that if you are a high maintenance person, you cannot survive in this country, things are just very laid back and "laissez-faire" as they call it and you can't really do anything but laugh, smile and go with the flow (which is the type of attitude I have been adopting). But to add on to the waiting, we had to cramp into a bus with 50 people (3 people per seat) for a long 2 hour ride to Taboo (at least it was suppose to be 2 hours but we ended up not getting there until midnight). Although the ride was cramped it was actually quite amazing with the endless songs and energy from the AIESECERS. To add onto their strong passion, once we arrived in Taboo at midnight they STILL HAD SESSIONS until 3 in the morning.

3 am sessions:
Yes, admidst the long bus ride and all of the waiting their were still AIESEC sessions to be done at midnight until the early hours of the morning. I am just so impressed that these passionate young individuals could stay awake and with smiles... while all of the stagaires (interns) ended up going to bed.

AIESEC Canada Cheer:
Two of the AIESEC values are "Living diversity" and "Enjoying participation" so of course I had to show them how it is done in Canada and teach them the AIESEC Canada hot to go cheer. It was very adorable because by the end of the conference they had recited it... not exactly the same (the song was a bit butchered and very slow) but nonetheless it was very sweet. "AIESEC Cote d'Ivoire is HOT-TO-GO H-O-T-T-O-GO HOT-TO-GO". This is where the language barrier of French and English kicks in...

Sessions:
The sessions in this conference were quite similar to those back home during NLDC, of course focused more on the realities of Cote d'Ivoire. But also focused on leadership, best case study sharing and a lot of development. At times I wish that things would have been more organized but then at the same time sessions were done and the drive was there so really no complaints. I did find that being an international delegate at sessions really did not make too much sense especially when you do not speak too much french and they are talking about the realities of Cote d'Ivoire. Therefore, those sessions for me were left for sleeping :/. However I did have a favorite session: Hosted by JCI. They had done a session on how to manage an organization (the key elements, etc.) which was actually very well done.

Integration - World Wide AIESEC:
I have realized through this conference that I am adapting quite well into the culture and can proudly say that I am an official Ivorienne-Canadian-"Chinois"-Filipino. What has kept me sane and extremely patient is just laughing at all the crazy things that happen (or the slowness of reality). The culture is so much different then in Canada and the best thing that we can do is smile and laugh it off. One thing that I did find was world wide in all AIESEC conferences was AIESEC Dances. Cote d'Ivoire loves them and their energy during the dances rubs off on everyone :). I hope to show some Ivorienne dances when I get back home.

In a nut shell this conference was quite the experience, our rooms were cramped and the water/electricity didn't work sometimes but people still managed to get up everyday (from the late nights and sessions) and learn and develop themselves through the new sessions. All I can say is that it was a different but interesting conference :)... one that I am happy to of experienced.

Stay tuned for my next blog on work (yes I actually do work on this internship... (kind of :)), I wouldn't call it work but more of a learning experience) and the amazing NGO: Le Soutien.

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