I've seen a few videos that talk about the Peace Corps so thought I'd share them.
Here is a recent interview with the PC Director and JFK's great-nephew who was a volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Check it out!
Interview with Former Burkina Faso Volunteer
"What's Your Calling?" Ad
"How Many People?" Ad
PC Ad narrated by Matthew McConaughey
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Burkina Overview
The following information was adapted from the Peace Corps' Welcome Book.
History & Government
Most of the area known today as Burkina Faso was once dominated by the Mossi people, who established their empire around 1500. In 1897, France imposed its rule over the people of Burkina Faso, but it was not until 1947 that the French colony of Haute Volta (Upper Volta) was created.
Full independence from the French came on August 5, 1960, with Maurice Yaméogo as the nation’s first president. Four of the six presidents after Yaméogo came into power through military coups. Thomas Sankara, who, after a coup, led the country from August 1983 until his death on October 15, 1987, was arguably the most influential of Burkina Faso’s presidents. Sankara’s charismatic leadership style, which emphasized self-sufficiency and a lean and efficient government that transferred wealth from urban centers to rural areas, was popular with citizens and created a sense of hope in the country.
The current president, Blaise Compaore, has been in power since Sankara’s death. Compaore was the only candidate in an election held after four years of military rule, and he was sworn-in as president of the fourth republic on December 24, 1991. Compaore has won the last two presidential elections, held in 1998 and 2005, by wide margins.
Burkina Faso is an independent republic with a unicameral National Assembly of 111 members (called deputies) who serve five-year terms. Political and constitutional reforms have moved Burkina Faso incrementally toward democratization. In 1991, a new constitution was passed through a referendum, laying the foundation of the fourth republic.
Economy
Burkina Faso has few natural resources, and 90 percent of its population engages mainly in subsistence agriculture (producing peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice, and livestock). Agricultural production is limited and risky because of poor soils and cyclical droughts. A significant portion of the labor force migrates annually to neighboring coastal countries, in search of unskilled employment. Due to an ongoing conflict and unrest in Côte d’Ivoire and northern Ghana, however, that number has deminished. Burkina Faso is landlocked, which drives up the price of imports and is a significant obstacle to maintaining the competitiveness of exports. The primary exports—cotton, livestock, and gold—are subject to major price and yield fluctuations as a result of agricultural production conditions in the case of cotton and livestock and global market prices in the case of gold.
People and Culture
The population of Burkina Faso is approximately 11 million, with an annual growth rate of about 2.8 percent. Burkina Faso is composed of a rich mix of people representing over 60 language or ethnic groups. The major groups include the Mossi (48 percent), Fulani (10 percent), Mande (7 percent), Lobi-Dagari (7 percent), Bobo (7 percent), and Senufo (6 percent). Islam is practiced by about 50 percent of the population; Christianity (Roman Catholicism and Protestantism) by about 20 percent; and indigenous beliefs, which continue to play a major role in the lives of many Burkinabé regardless of their religious orientation, by approximately 30 percent. The Burkinabé are known for their tolerance and acceptance of ethnic and religious diversity. While Islam is practiced by a significant portion of the population, religious fundamentalism is rare. In addition, it is very common to find Christians, Muslims, and animists in the same family participating in one another’s religious celebrations, and marriage across ethnic lines is widely accepted.
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou and the International Arts and Crafts Show of Ouagadougou are two major events that highlight Burkina Faso’s role as a country devoted to cultivating the arts. Artists and art connoisseurs from all over the world come to Ouagadougou for these events, injecting the society with new levels of creative talent.
The people of Burkina Faso are the country’s greatest resource. Despite their poverty, they remain dignified, extremely hardworking, and very welcoming to foreigners. Peace Corps Volunteers could not find a more hospitable group of people to work with than the Burkinabé.
Environment
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country that sits on the edge of the Sahel, is mostly flat with undulating plains. It has an area of 105,869 square miles, slightly larger than Colorado. It is bordered on the north by Mali and Niger and on the south by Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. While the northern part of the country consists mostly of desert, the southern and central regions are forested. There are two distinct seasons in Burkina Faso: the rainy season from June to October and the dry season from November to May. The climate is warm and dry from November to March, hot and dry from March to May, and warm and wet during the rainy season. The average temperature in the rainy and cool seasons ranges from 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night to 95 degrees during the day, with temperatures rising to over 100 degrees in the hot season. Average rainfall ranges from approximately 40 inches in the south to less than 10 inches in the north.
History & Government
Most of the area known today as Burkina Faso was once dominated by the Mossi people, who established their empire around 1500. In 1897, France imposed its rule over the people of Burkina Faso, but it was not until 1947 that the French colony of Haute Volta (Upper Volta) was created.
Full independence from the French came on August 5, 1960, with Maurice Yaméogo as the nation’s first president. Four of the six presidents after Yaméogo came into power through military coups. Thomas Sankara, who, after a coup, led the country from August 1983 until his death on October 15, 1987, was arguably the most influential of Burkina Faso’s presidents. Sankara’s charismatic leadership style, which emphasized self-sufficiency and a lean and efficient government that transferred wealth from urban centers to rural areas, was popular with citizens and created a sense of hope in the country.
The current president, Blaise Compaore, has been in power since Sankara’s death. Compaore was the only candidate in an election held after four years of military rule, and he was sworn-in as president of the fourth republic on December 24, 1991. Compaore has won the last two presidential elections, held in 1998 and 2005, by wide margins.
Burkina Faso is an independent republic with a unicameral National Assembly of 111 members (called deputies) who serve five-year terms. Political and constitutional reforms have moved Burkina Faso incrementally toward democratization. In 1991, a new constitution was passed through a referendum, laying the foundation of the fourth republic.
Economy
Burkina Faso has few natural resources, and 90 percent of its population engages mainly in subsistence agriculture (producing peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice, and livestock). Agricultural production is limited and risky because of poor soils and cyclical droughts. A significant portion of the labor force migrates annually to neighboring coastal countries, in search of unskilled employment. Due to an ongoing conflict and unrest in Côte d’Ivoire and northern Ghana, however, that number has deminished. Burkina Faso is landlocked, which drives up the price of imports and is a significant obstacle to maintaining the competitiveness of exports. The primary exports—cotton, livestock, and gold—are subject to major price and yield fluctuations as a result of agricultural production conditions in the case of cotton and livestock and global market prices in the case of gold.
People and Culture
The population of Burkina Faso is approximately 11 million, with an annual growth rate of about 2.8 percent. Burkina Faso is composed of a rich mix of people representing over 60 language or ethnic groups. The major groups include the Mossi (48 percent), Fulani (10 percent), Mande (7 percent), Lobi-Dagari (7 percent), Bobo (7 percent), and Senufo (6 percent). Islam is practiced by about 50 percent of the population; Christianity (Roman Catholicism and Protestantism) by about 20 percent; and indigenous beliefs, which continue to play a major role in the lives of many Burkinabé regardless of their religious orientation, by approximately 30 percent. The Burkinabé are known for their tolerance and acceptance of ethnic and religious diversity. While Islam is practiced by a significant portion of the population, religious fundamentalism is rare. In addition, it is very common to find Christians, Muslims, and animists in the same family participating in one another’s religious celebrations, and marriage across ethnic lines is widely accepted.
The Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou and the International Arts and Crafts Show of Ouagadougou are two major events that highlight Burkina Faso’s role as a country devoted to cultivating the arts. Artists and art connoisseurs from all over the world come to Ouagadougou for these events, injecting the society with new levels of creative talent.
The people of Burkina Faso are the country’s greatest resource. Despite their poverty, they remain dignified, extremely hardworking, and very welcoming to foreigners. Peace Corps Volunteers could not find a more hospitable group of people to work with than the Burkinabé.
Environment
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country that sits on the edge of the Sahel, is mostly flat with undulating plains. It has an area of 105,869 square miles, slightly larger than Colorado. It is bordered on the north by Mali and Niger and on the south by Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. While the northern part of the country consists mostly of desert, the southern and central regions are forested. There are two distinct seasons in Burkina Faso: the rainy season from June to October and the dry season from November to May. The climate is warm and dry from November to March, hot and dry from March to May, and warm and wet during the rainy season. The average temperature in the rainy and cool seasons ranges from 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night to 95 degrees during the day, with temperatures rising to over 100 degrees in the hot season. Average rainfall ranges from approximately 40 inches in the south to less than 10 inches in the north.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Travel Info
My staging kit was waiting for me when I returned from Florida. I thought I was leaving on Oct 12 but they've shortened our staging so now I'm leaving Oct 13. Staging is a 2-3 day orientation held in the U.S. before leaving for your Peace Corps country. I'll be in Philadelphia.
I'll be leaving Milwaukee around 7:30 am on Monday Oct 13 and arrivng in Philly a few hours later. We have meetings from 2-7 pm and then have to go to the immunization clinic the next morning at 7:30 am. We head to the airport in the early afternoon on Tuesday Oct 14 and depart for Paris at 6:45 pm. I arrive in Paris at 8:25 am and kill the day in the airport before our flight to Ouagadougou at 4:10 pm. We arrive in Burkina Faso on Wednesday Oct 15 at 7:45 pm. Its nice that we arrive in the evening so hopefully we can go straight to bed and avoid a little jet lag!
I'll be leaving Milwaukee around 7:30 am on Monday Oct 13 and arrivng in Philly a few hours later. We have meetings from 2-7 pm and then have to go to the immunization clinic the next morning at 7:30 am. We head to the airport in the early afternoon on Tuesday Oct 14 and depart for Paris at 6:45 pm. I arrive in Paris at 8:25 am and kill the day in the airport before our flight to Ouagadougou at 4:10 pm. We arrive in Burkina Faso on Wednesday Oct 15 at 7:45 pm. Its nice that we arrive in the evening so hopefully we can go straight to bed and avoid a little jet lag!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Florida
I had a great 8 days in Tampa with my sister. She really spoiled me and we did lots of pampering. Here's just a quick list of all the fun we had: pedicure, haircut (6 inches for me--easier to wash in a bucket), massage, and 3 yoga classes (power yoga, hot yoga, and hot flow). We also went to watch the Tennessee game at a local restaurant where alumni meet; Beth used to be the president of the Tampa UT alumni association and is still on the board. We did some shopping for a few things I wanted to get and ate at some great restaurants! I also got to meet her "buddy" Mark that I've been hearing lots about. We went to a club on Tuesday where Mark's friend and his band were performing. They played lots of 80s & 90s music and all the band members look like they're still living in the 80s! We also visited World of Beer that my dad has been raving about since his last visit. Besides the few beers, we enjoyed lots of great wine!
Beth has to work during the day, of course, so I had lots of free time. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I went on a bike ride each morning and impressed myself by going 15, 17, and 20 miles respectively. And thats in 90+ degree Florida heat, humidity, and sun! I guess I'm more prepared for the biking in Burkina than I had thought! I received a request from Peace Corps to get measured for a bike and helmet so they could have one ready when I arrive. They also asked my experience with mountain biking and bike maintenance. My mom and I went to a local shop to see what I needed before I headed to Florida. I was a little unsure about what to say about biking. I know how to ride but rarely do it and have to admit that I sometimes am a little nervous. I have been riding two different bikes at my parents' house. One was my First Communion present when I was 8 and the other my dad picked up at a garage sale for really cheap at least a decade ago. Needless to say they're not that easy to ride! The garage sale find is my preference and the gears are rusted so I can't change them and only the back break works but not that well. After riding Beth's bike, I feel much more confident and realized I'll be able to handle whatever bike situation I'm put in.
Beth has to work during the day, of course, so I had lots of free time. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I went on a bike ride each morning and impressed myself by going 15, 17, and 20 miles respectively. And thats in 90+ degree Florida heat, humidity, and sun! I guess I'm more prepared for the biking in Burkina than I had thought! I received a request from Peace Corps to get measured for a bike and helmet so they could have one ready when I arrive. They also asked my experience with mountain biking and bike maintenance. My mom and I went to a local shop to see what I needed before I headed to Florida. I was a little unsure about what to say about biking. I know how to ride but rarely do it and have to admit that I sometimes am a little nervous. I have been riding two different bikes at my parents' house. One was my First Communion present when I was 8 and the other my dad picked up at a garage sale for really cheap at least a decade ago. Needless to say they're not that easy to ride! The garage sale find is my preference and the gears are rusted so I can't change them and only the back break works but not that well. After riding Beth's bike, I feel much more confident and realized I'll be able to handle whatever bike situation I'm put in.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Budget Crunch
There has been a lot of talk and rumors about the budget problems Peace Corps is currently facing. I've heard a couple explanations including that because of the weakening of the dollar abroad and the fact that the PC pays for so much in foreign currency, they now have less money to spend even with the same budget. Increases in gas prices have played a role in increased cost for food and other supplies which trickle down to less money for everyone. Also there have been delays in Congress passing the new requested budget.
A few of the things that I've heard of that are affected by the budget shortfall include the closing of the Minneapolis (which I worked with) and Denver recruitment offices. Peace Corps says they want a diverse applicant pool to represent the country's population but as they decrease their recruitment only to a few large cities, I think this diversity will decrease. Peace Corps has provided Newsweek magazines to volunteers for years but they cut that this summer stating volunteers increasingly have access to internet news. I don't know how I'm going to get my news now since I doubt I'll have regular access to the internet. I was really excited about getting Newsweek!
I've also heard of nominees that have been told there are fewer slots and they will have to wait longer for an invite or even turned away and told to reapply in the future. Several people have been told this just a month or two before they were expecting to leave. Also applicants have been delayed in receiving nominations or have been given nominations for a much later date than requested because there are fewer nominee slots and lots of people applying. I feel so fortunate to have an invite!
There was an article in yesterday's Los Angeles Times and another about a month ago in the Washington Post regarding the Peace Corps budget.
Update: Here's another article from the Huffington Post on Sept 22. Also the LA Times article was syndicated and appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 9/21.
A few of the things that I've heard of that are affected by the budget shortfall include the closing of the Minneapolis (which I worked with) and Denver recruitment offices. Peace Corps says they want a diverse applicant pool to represent the country's population but as they decrease their recruitment only to a few large cities, I think this diversity will decrease. Peace Corps has provided Newsweek magazines to volunteers for years but they cut that this summer stating volunteers increasingly have access to internet news. I don't know how I'm going to get my news now since I doubt I'll have regular access to the internet. I was really excited about getting Newsweek!
I've also heard of nominees that have been told there are fewer slots and they will have to wait longer for an invite or even turned away and told to reapply in the future. Several people have been told this just a month or two before they were expecting to leave. Also applicants have been delayed in receiving nominations or have been given nominations for a much later date than requested because there are fewer nominee slots and lots of people applying. I feel so fortunate to have an invite!
There was an article in yesterday's Los Angeles Times and another about a month ago in the Washington Post regarding the Peace Corps budget.
Update: Here's another article from the Huffington Post on Sept 22. Also the LA Times article was syndicated and appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 9/21.
Friday, September 12, 2008
One Month
Today is the one month mark until I leave for Peace Corps. Thats crazy! I know time flies but I can't believe its already mid-September. I originally had planned to leave for Peace Corps in early August and I thought I'd have so much time to kill if I didn't leave until October. I'm very thankful now that I've had all this extra time. I've needed it to work on my independent study and learn French but also to spend time with friends and family, shop for things I need/want to take, and time to read and mentally prepare for this next big adventure. I'm nowhere close to being ready to go now but hopefully will be in a short 30 days!
My mom and I went to a Wayne Crusaders 4-H meeting this week. I haven't been to one since I graduated from high school so it was fun to go back and see lots of the little kids I remember now much bigger and in high school. Several people were interested in what I was doing and its exciting to have a plan to share with them. Nobody seemed surprised that I'm moving to Africa!
I flew to Florida yesterday to spend time with my sister in Tampa. She's at work during the day so I'm able to just hang out her nice apartment. We've got lots of plans for the weekend including our traditional hair cuts, going to watch the University of Tennessee football game at a local bar where alums gather (she's one), and a few yoga classes including a hot yoga class, her new favorite exercise! Its been 2 1/2 years since I've been here and a year since I've seen Beth so I'm really excited to have over a week to hang out with her!
My mom and I went to a Wayne Crusaders 4-H meeting this week. I haven't been to one since I graduated from high school so it was fun to go back and see lots of the little kids I remember now much bigger and in high school. Several people were interested in what I was doing and its exciting to have a plan to share with them. Nobody seemed surprised that I'm moving to Africa!
I flew to Florida yesterday to spend time with my sister in Tampa. She's at work during the day so I'm able to just hang out her nice apartment. We've got lots of plans for the weekend including our traditional hair cuts, going to watch the University of Tennessee football game at a local bar where alums gather (she's one), and a few yoga classes including a hot yoga class, her new favorite exercise! Its been 2 1/2 years since I've been here and a year since I've seen Beth so I'm really excited to have over a week to hang out with her!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
What is the Peace Corps?
The Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy to challenge individuals to serve their country by working and living in developing countries. His brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, was the first director. The Peace Corps is a federal agency so reports to Congress and the President.The three goals of the organization are:
- Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Fast Facts
Total number of Volunteers and trainees to date: 190,000
Total number of countries served: 139
Current number of Volunteers and Trainees: 8,079
Total number of Volunteers and trainees to date: 190,000
Total number of countries served: 139
Current number of Volunteers and Trainees: 8,079
Current number of countries served: 68 posts serving 74 countries
Gender: 59% female, 41% male
Marital Status: 93% single, 7% married
People of Color: 17% of Peace Corps Volunteers
Age: 27 years old (average), 25 years old (median)
Volunteers over age 50: 5% (oldest Volunteer is 80)
Education: 95% have at least an undergraduate degree, 11% have graduate studies or degrees
Fiscal year 2008 budget: $330.8 million (which I've been told is smaller than the annual budget for the Army's band uniforms!)
Current regions: Caribbean, Central America & Mexico, South America, North Africa & Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Asia, & Pacific Islands
Current work areas: education, health & HIV/AIDS, business, environment, youth, agriculture, youth outreach, community development
Volunteers serve for 27 months -- 3 months of training and two years at their site
Notable RPCVs
- Jim Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin and wife Jessica Doyle (Tunisia 1967-69)
- Chris Matthews, host of NBC's Hardball (Swaziland 1968-70)
- Donna Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (Iran 1962-64)
- Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator, Connecticut (Dominican Republic 1966-68)
- Mildred Taylor, author of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, winner of Newbery Award (Ethiopia 1965-67)
- Priscilla Wrubel, founder of the Nature Company (Liberia 1961-63)
- David Briscoe, chief correspondent of World Desk for Associated Press (Philippines 1966-70)
- Dane Smith, former president of National Peace Corps Association; former ambassador to Senegal and Guinea (Ethiopia 1963-65)
- Donald B. Clark, USAID mission director, Senegal (Burkina Faso 1969-71)
- Carl Pope, executive director of Sierra Club (India 1967-69)
- Thomas Petri, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin (Somalia 1966-67)
- And this is just a few!
All information from http://www.peacecorps.gov/. Check out the site for more info!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Harmattan
I've been hearing and reading lots about the Harmattan, or the winds off the Sahara Desert. When I visited Anna in Cape Verde, I first learned how bad these sand storms could be when she described flights being cancelled because of sand storms 500 miles west of the African coast!
I'm currently reading Angry Wind: Through Muslim Black Africa by Truck, Bus, Boat and Camel by Jeffrey Tayler. He begins the book with the following description:
HARMATTAN (from the Twi haramata, a derivation of the Arabic haram, forbidden, evil accursed): A parching easterly wind that originates above the wastes of the Sahara and blows for days over Central and West Africa. Fills the sky with reddish-brown dust, reduces the sun to a pale orb. Exacerbates drought, cracks the trunks of trees, defoliates vegetation, prompts the acacia to ooze gum arabic. In humans, the Harmattan may aggravate respiratory illnesses and cause splits in the skin, dryness of the eyes and lips. Under certain conditions, the Harmattan fosters the spread of dust-born diseases, including lethal strains of meningitis.
Sounds absolutely awful huh? One former volunteer in Mali told me that she could see the storms approaching her village and everyone would go inside and shut the windows and shutters and watch as the room got cloudy with dust since the homes couldn't keep all of the sands out. Its definitely another world from Wisconsin....
I'm currently reading Angry Wind: Through Muslim Black Africa by Truck, Bus, Boat and Camel by Jeffrey Tayler. He begins the book with the following description:
HARMATTAN (from the Twi haramata, a derivation of the Arabic haram, forbidden, evil accursed): A parching easterly wind that originates above the wastes of the Sahara and blows for days over Central and West Africa. Fills the sky with reddish-brown dust, reduces the sun to a pale orb. Exacerbates drought, cracks the trunks of trees, defoliates vegetation, prompts the acacia to ooze gum arabic. In humans, the Harmattan may aggravate respiratory illnesses and cause splits in the skin, dryness of the eyes and lips. Under certain conditions, the Harmattan fosters the spread of dust-born diseases, including lethal strains of meningitis.
Sounds absolutely awful huh? One former volunteer in Mali told me that she could see the storms approaching her village and everyone would go inside and shut the windows and shutters and watch as the room got cloudy with dust since the homes couldn't keep all of the sands out. Its definitely another world from Wisconsin....
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Working Girl
I've been writing about everything I've learned about Burkina Faso but just realized I never described my actual program and what I'll be doing there. I do have to work though its not going to be a 9-5 job; I'm considered "on" 7 days a week & only get 2 days off a month though I probably will have days that I'm not actually doing much other than hanging out with community members. Thats still part of my job though since I can learn about the culture and share ideas about improving health while preparing dinner or collecting water with my neighbors.
My official job title is Community Health Development Worker and I will be assigned to rural health center. I have three primary duties listed in my assignment booklet:
1) Assist the head nurse to train and ensure the continued function of a village health center management committee (COGES) including completing a community health needs assessment and plan, conduct, and evaluate community health promotion programs.
2) Assist the head nurse and COGES to establish partnerships with Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
3) Assist the head nurse to educate and build the capacity of individuals, including community peer educators and students.
The main programatic focus will be on: HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive health, malaria, malnutrition, and immunizations. My main interest in public health is reproductive health so I'm excited to learn that I may also work with village health workers and traditional birth attendants.
The health center in my village will serve 5-10 surrounding villages and my job will involve "strenuous physical activities including biking on difficult terrain in hot and rainy weather for outreach activities in difficult to access villages." Sounds like fun!
I think whatever my assignment turns out to actually be -- since it probably will be very different than on paper -- I will gain incredible experience that will benefit me in whatever I end up doing in 2010 and beyond.
My official job title is Community Health Development Worker and I will be assigned to rural health center. I have three primary duties listed in my assignment booklet:
1) Assist the head nurse to train and ensure the continued function of a village health center management committee (COGES) including completing a community health needs assessment and plan, conduct, and evaluate community health promotion programs.
2) Assist the head nurse and COGES to establish partnerships with Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
3) Assist the head nurse to educate and build the capacity of individuals, including community peer educators and students.
The main programatic focus will be on: HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive health, malaria, malnutrition, and immunizations. My main interest in public health is reproductive health so I'm excited to learn that I may also work with village health workers and traditional birth attendants.
The health center in my village will serve 5-10 surrounding villages and my job will involve "strenuous physical activities including biking on difficult terrain in hot and rainy weather for outreach activities in difficult to access villages." Sounds like fun!
I think whatever my assignment turns out to actually be -- since it probably will be very different than on paper -- I will gain incredible experience that will benefit me in whatever I end up doing in 2010 and beyond.
Monday, September 1, 2008
No Me Gustav = (
I have spent the last few days frantically watching CNN and The Weather Channel, reading the frequent texts I've received from Tulane's emergency services, and checking the web for updates on Hurricane Gustav. I was completely out of the loop until Wednesday when I received a text from Tulane that they were monitoring the hurricane situation. Thursday afternoon I got another text that they were going to be closing the university the next day at noon through the following Wednesday. I was shocked; I had no idea that the storm was that serious and I have been continuously surprised at how serious it really has been. I talked to several friends that were in New Orleans and most evacuated Friday or Saturday. My friend Allison works at a senior care facility for her internship and is on their evacuation team so had to stay and work. We talked Saturday night and she wasn't planning to evacuate with work until Monday (today) morning. I was gone most of the day yesterday and came home to news that the storm was moving faster and the rains and wind were already hitting the city. I couldn't get ahold of Allison but finally heard later last night that they had evacuated early yesterday with all hundred or more patients and were safe in Baton Rouge. It sounds like most people believed the warnings and followed the mandatory evacuations; I think people were a lot more scared than when Katrina hit. Off and on today I watched the news as reporters stood on Canal Street, St. Charles, and in the French Quarter in front of buildings that I passed daily just a few weeks ago. I even saw a few shots of Tidewater where the School of Public Health is and a few other buildings right by my apartment. The rain was pouring down and wind blowing everything in sight. I have been very scared for the city. So much money, energy, and love has been invested in the three years since Katrina--the third anniversary was last Thursday when people first really started preparing for Gustav. Its awful to think of the economic damage to the city again and that this hurricane may continue to cause if tourism slows again. I received a text this afternoon from Tulane that the worst had passed and both campuses had fared well with very little destruction. Its great news but there still is so much that could happen in the next few days. Tulane originally was planning to re-open on Wed & classes Thursday but that has now been postponed until Saturday and Monday. There were only two days of classes held before the evacuation and now students have a week off before starting again. Quite the welcoming to New Orleans for the new students!!! As happy as I am that I'm safe in Wisconsin, I also realize what a need there will be in the city over the next few weeks and months and I regret not being able to be there to help. I was only in New Orleans for a year but there is so much to love.
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