CELL PHONE

I bought a cell phone so now have another way to communicate with home. From the US you need to dial either 001 or 011 but I cant remember which. Maybe my mom can post since she has called. My number is:

 

226-75-52-50-74

 

Its super expensive for me to call internationally but all calls received are free so everyone should call me. You can buy phonecards online that are pretty cheap. I gave my parents a couple options that I found online. Hopefully they can post them here if you are interested.

 

Along with calls I can receive and send texts. They are fairly cheap and I can find reception to send texts even if I cant get calls always at my house. I have tried texting a few people with no response so I am not sure they went through. My mom was able to open and respond to my texts though. Go Mom!! You may have to check if your plan allows for international texts. 

 

 

Adjusting To A New Life

Ne y zaabre or good afternoon in Moore the language spoken by my host family and the majority of people in this region of Burkina Faso.

 

First off a quick apology for not replying to any emails and a big thanks for everyone that has contacted me. Its great to here from you but I feel like I have very little time in the city and even shorter time to get on the internet plus its slow and I have to use a keyboard where all the letters are in different places so its a lot of hunt and pecking. I feel like its easier to post blogs than individual replies even though its much less personal but I can reach many more. Please understand and I hope to get more time in the future. I will be spending the weekend in Ouahigouya so hope to pull out my laptop and type up a longer blog and find time to post it next week.

 

After a week of village life I have returned to the city for the evening and am leaving early tomorrow morning to visit a current PCV that lives near Ouagadougou. Two other stagieres, or trainees as we are called in French, and I along with a language and cultural facilitator will travel via public bus, city taxi, and bush taxi to reach the bigger town near her and then will bike 5 kilometers to her town for three days.

 

My French is slowly improving but not as fast as I would like of course. I am used to being at the top of my classes and its a humbling experience to really struggle with communication as many of my fellow trainees are able to communicate fairly well. It will come though along with some Moore and maybe another local language.

 

Okay hope to write more later and please keep in touch! I received my first letter last week from Kim and Jim and my first package this week from Beth. Thank you so much!!!

 

Group Photo

One Week In

Things are going well here in Burkina and its hard to believe I have only been in country a few days! We have had lots of meetings and orientations and received lots of stuff. We have probably gotten at least 6-7 books including French dictioary; verb and grammer books. We also got our bikes and accessories including pumps, water bottles, flat tire fixer kits, lights, repair manual etc and med kits including tons of meds for any kind of problems, big water filters water bottles with filters for travel, and kits to prepare blood slides for malaria test and preserved stool samples. In medical sessions we learned that Burkina used to have the most cases of volunteers with diarrhea each year but as of 2007 we had the 3rd most. Something to definetly look forward to! We had to practice pricking ourselves and preparing slides today so we can do it if necessary at site. Never expected to have so many fun adventures in Peace Corps!

We moved to our host families on Sunday and mine is great though we really cant communicate. I live in a village about ten km outside of Ouahigouya with four other trainees. We have varied info about the size but I guess it has somewhere between 1500 and 10000 people. Our small group has to make a map of the village tomorrow so I should get a better idea. We also are visiting the health center in our village later in the week so will get a sense of what the health center I will eventually work in will be like.

As for my host family, we live in a large walled compound with many rooms or houses. I have a two room house, semi private courtyard, and latrine/shower area at the back of the compound. My host sister who is also 23 told me that there are 6 moms, 5 dads, and 30 kids that live here and I have seen at least 30 goats that live in walled area. They also have a donkey, chickens, sheep, and cows. My communication is very limited so I havent been able to learn anything else. There are so many little kids--I think more than 30-- and they enjoy staring at me. I didnt get home until after dark last night and arrived late on Sunday so havent had much time to interact with them. Im looking forward to the weekend when I will be around during the daylight.

Its very hot here and I feel like Im constantly sweating. They call it the mini hot season but it should cool down in a month or two. It did rain yesterday afternoon after we were told we wouldnt see rain until next June but thats probably it for the rainy season which started in June. Everything is super muddy now and tonight is my first time biking home on long dirt road so wish me luck.

I am getting a cell phone today probably and will try to post the number when I get a chance but wont be back in the city for several days as I have language class and other activities in my village. Hope everyone is well; I have been thinking of you!!

Arrived in Burkina

I am using a French keyboard and dont have much time but I arrived safetly on Wed evening after many hours traveling. First night was in Ouagadougou and then drove to Ouahigouya in the north. We are staying here until Sunday when I will move to host family in village out of town. I took my French test and got novice mid which is one step above novice low but for no classes I think is good. I need to reach intermediate low to swear in on Dec 19. We were fitted for our bikes and will get them tomorrow. Everyone is great and I am happy to be here. No real culture shock yet but I feel kind of insulated now at training center. Im sure will be different once I am with family and doing more on my own. Will try to write more next week when have more freetime and actual training starts.

Staging in Philly

I left early yesterday morning for staging in Philadelphia. Travel wasn't too bad. One of my bags was overweight but I told the guy I was moving to Africa for 2 years and asked if he could. He said as long as I put some weight from one bag into the other so they were about even that I would be fine and wouldn't have to pay the fee. We'll see if it works that well today! I figure even if I have to pay today it will be worth it since I'm embarrasingly attached to my stuff at this point!

Staging in the pre-departure orientation that all PCVs go through in the United States before heading abroad. It used to be 3 days but because of budget cuts it was shortened to 2. I'm not sure why it would need be longer since we didn't seem to have trouble getting through all the material. We turned in lots of paperwork and became official Peace Corps Trainees. We also went over policies, anxieties and how to cope, and broke into small groups several times to get to know lots of people. There are 31 volunteers headed to Burkina with me; some are health and some are small economic development. I'm the only Master's International student doing the grad school/PC program and there is one married couple. About 2/3 of the group is female.

This morning we woke up early to visit the federal clinic. Many had to get Yellow Fever Vaccines but I just had to show proof I had it and than get checked off. They also gave us all our first dose of malaria prophylaxis to begin today. We'll get the rest of the shots once we arrive.

We're flying out in a few hours and will be in Paris in the morning. We spend about 8 hours there before flying to Ouagadougou where I will spend Wednesday night. From there we're headed to Ouahigouya where I'll be in training for about 9 weeks. Not sure when I'll get on the internet but hope to be able to post later in the week that I arrived safetly!

Changes

I will be away from the United States for 27 months and I expect many things to change while I'm gone. I'm 23 now and will be 26 when I return which feels so old to me. I still feel like a kid but I figure 26 is definetly an adult!

In order to recognize the changes, I want to make a record of a few things here.

Gallon of Gas: $3.19 gallon (but it was $1 more two weeks ago)

Gallon of Milk: I forgot to check at the grocery store so don't know = (

Population of Washington Couny, WI: 29,778 (in July 2007, the most recent I could find)
(This area has been growing so quickly since I was in high school and I expect it to keep growing as people move north out of Milwaukee)

Cost of Undergrad Tuition at UW-Madison: $7,570
(It was $5,138 a year when I started in 2003)

Family Pets: 13 year old Snowball, 4 month old Maggie, & 12ish goldfish in backyard pond

Current Weight: 119 lbs on my parents scale
(I gained weight studying abroad in Kenya and have been told in Peace Corps, men usually lose weight but women gain)

Relationship Status: single & loving it

Parents' religion: Methodist
(They were Catholic when I left for Kenya and Methodist when I returned 6 months later)

President: Bush
(Lets hope for some real change in Washington! I voted Oct 8!)


I am sure that I will miss out on some important events but I would really just like all my friends to wait for the big things until 2011. I don't want to miss any engagements or weddings (Tricia?), babies (Maren?), or any other significant changes while I'm gone! Is that too much to ask?


Any other things I should record now to track the changes while I'm gone?

Merci!

There are so many businesses, organizations, and individuals that have supported me during my preparations for Peace Corps. I really appreciate all of the help! I especially want to give a huge shout out to the following:

• SunNight Solar Enterprises: Solar powerered flashlight so I can find my latrine in the middle of the night & share with a woman in my village when I leave. They make a great product and donate a flashlight to someone that really needs it when you buy one for yourself. Check out their website!


• Steins Gardens and Gifts of West Bend: tons of vegetable seeds for gardens in my community


• Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board: pencils, post-its, crank flashlight keychains, and dairy info to share with kids in my village


• The Christian Science Monitor: one year subscription to the World Edition courtsey of the Adopt-a-Subscriber program


• Chaco USA: fantastic discount to keep my feet comfortable


• Keens Footwear: wonderful discount for great biking sandals

I also greatly appreciate all of the support and kindness I have received from friends and family. The love and generosity that has been shown to me is amazing and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful relationships. I hope to hear from all of you while I am away and would love to have you come visit if possible! I'm always excited to host friends and family!

Finally I want to thank my dad and mom for all of their support over the years. They have always encouraged me to live my dreams and are very excited for this amazing opportunity I have. They both had thought about joining Peace Corps in the past and now I am able to fulfill my goal and their dreams as well! I wouldn't be here without their love and support!

Communicating with Kirstin

My address is as follows:

Kirstin Krudwig, PCV
S/c Corps de la Paix
01 B.P. 6031
Ouagadougou 01
BURKINA FASO


Peace Corps and other volunteers have provided lots of suggestions for mailing letters and packages and I wanted to share some advice with everyone thats thinking about writing me.

Letters must be sent air mail (currently $0.94 stamps) and it helps to write the words PAR AVION or AIR MAIL on the envelope. It may be a good idea to number your letters since mail can sometimes take a while and may not always arrive sequentially. It sounds like letters usually take 2-4 weeks and packages can take even longer.

Postcards should be sent in envelopes―otherwise they may be found on the wall of the local post office!

As for packages, there are a couple suggestions. Padded envelopes usually arrive faster than boxes and one volunteer said several smaller packages are a better idea than one big box. The post office has Flat Rate envelopes and boxes which some have said are cheaper than using your own. They run $12 to $50 depending on size and have a max weight for each size.

Unlike in some countries, it sounds like the mail system is safe and reliable and packages are usually not open before they are received. The post office in Burkina may charge me a tax but this seems to be rare as well. Its not a bad idea to be pretty generic on the customs forms though. Put down something that does not sound exciting or tempting and list a low value.

I bought a cell phone so now have another way to communicate with home. From the US you need to dial 011. My number is:

226-75-52-50-74

Its super expensive for me to call internationally but all calls received are free so everyone should call me. You can buy phonecards online that are pretty cheap.

Along with calls I can receive and send texts and they are fairly cheap. I have great reception at site and would love to hear from you!

One more reason why we need a change...

I didn't realize that Bush could screw over international public health programs much more than he already has but I was wrong. Read this.

Books to Prepare

I love to read so during my long application process I've read lots of books about the Peace Corps organization, Africa (culture, history & politics), living abroad, and stories from RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers). I found all of these at the Madison, New Orleans, or West Bend public library systems. I know there are many more books out there but I was looking for free copies to read. Check a few out if you're interested in learning more!

My Favorites

• Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village, by Sara Erdman (Cote d'Ivoire, 1998-2000)
• Power Lines: Two Years on South Africa's Borders, by Jason Carter (President Jimmy Carter's grandson) (South Africa, 1998-2000)
• River Town: Two Years on the Yangtzee River, by Peter Hesller (China, 1996-1998)

Other Books by RPCVs

• Mango Elephants in the Sun, by Susana Herrera (Cameroon, 1992-1994)
• The Village of Waiting, by George Packer (Togo, 1982-1983)
• Dear Exile: The True Story of Two Friends Separated (for a Year) by an Ocean , Hilary Liftin and Kate Montgomery (Kenya, 1996-1997)
• Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle, Mortiz Thomsen (Ecuador, 1965-68)
• Riding the Demon: On the Road in West Africa, by Peter Chilson (Niger 1985-1987) (this is about a return trip in 1992-1993)
• Under the Neem Tree, by Susan Lowerre (Senegal, 1985-1987)
• Away From Home: Letters to My Family, by Lillian Carter (India, 1966-1968)

Short Story Collections

• A Life Inspired: Tales of Peace Corps Service, Collection of Short Stories (including 2 from Burkian Faso PCVs) published by Peace Corps
• The Great Adventure: Volunteer Stories of Life Overseas, Collection of Short Stories published by Peace Corps
• At Home in the World: The Peace Corps Story, Collection of Short Stories Published by Peace Corps
• Going Up Country: Travel Essays by Peace Corps Writers, John Coyne (editor) (Ethiopia, 1962-1964)
• From the Center of the Earth: Stories Out of the Peace Corps, Geraldine Kennedy (editor)(Liberia, 1962-1964)

Books About the Peace Corps

• So, You Want to Join the Peace Corps: What to Know Before You Go, by Dillon Banerjee (Cameroon, 1994-1996)
• American Taboo: A Murder in the Peace Corps, by Philip Weiss, about the 1976 murder of Tongan PCV
• All You Need Is Love: The Peace Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s, by Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman

Friends, Family, & Lots of Love

Knowing that I am moving to Africa for two years has forced me to say many good-byes. I feel like I am used to this since many of my friends have moved across the country and the world and I also am always trying to travel. This is different though since I'll be gone for so much longer! I feel so fortunate that I have been able to see so many important people in my life over the last month as I prepare to leave.

My childhood friend Tricia is now living in Milwaukee so I visited her new apartment and had lunch. My college friend Ivy is a flight attendant out of Minneapolis and flew into Milwaukee for a day. We were able to hang out, run errands, and enjoy cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory! Ivy and I haven't been able to spend much time together since we lived together several years ago so I love every moment when we do meet up! My friend Anna is now living in Washington D.C. but flew home for a weekend with her parents and we were able to have a slumber party which was lots of fun! She's been an invaluable resource since she has already been a volunteer and knows many of the ins and outs.

Last week was my cousins' 30th annual Barn Dance in northern Wisconsin. I have always loved visiting Jim and Kim and the barn dance is a great time to see lots of relatives and family friends. I missed the barn dance last year when I was in New Orleans so many people I hadn't seen for 2 years! I posted pictures to Picasso to try that out so check them out on the link to the right.

Yesterday my family had an open house and going-away party and lots of friends, neighbors, and relatives attended. It was fun to talk with everyone and answer lots of questions about my next big adventure!

There are a few important friends and relatives I haven't been able to see and I hope they all know I'm thinking about them as I prepare to leave and I expect to hear from everyone while I'm in Burkina Faso! Just another innocent request for mail!