Rest in Peace Kate Puzey

The month of March has really flown by. I am doing okay under the circumstances. It has been a hard couple of weeks with the recent murder of a fellow volunteer. We are trying to support each other and stay strong. There was a beautiful memorial in Cotonou last week which was mainly for PC volunteers and staff. Some of her very close friends made a powerpoint to her favorite music, they did a fantastic job. Her smile is unforgettable. There will be a more official memorial at the ambassador’s house this Wednesday.

This past weekend we had a fund raiser in Parakou. Parakou is a city in kind of the middle of the country, but to us down here, it’s the North. Many of the volunteers came, I would say about 85-90 in total. We had a great time and it’s helpful to be together right now. Friday night we had a talent show and date auction. The date auction was so much fun, we made over 3 million FCFA for GAD (gender and development). GAD is a part of PC-Benin and there is a volunteer coordinator, it strives for gender equality in Benin. As volunteers we do many different activities with the money, but the large events are the Camp Glow’s which empower young girls. Also the money from the fund raiser goes to funding small project grants, like the grant I received for teaching my computer class. The date I won was for a day of fun in Cotonou---beach, mani/pedi, massage, dinner, drinks and dancing! I am very excited about it! Then on Saturday there was a dinner and silent auction. I won a gift certificate at a hotel in Cotonou for a buffet dinner for 2. The money goes to a great cause and the event was a blast. I also ate delicious vegetable lasagna!!! Then there was a pool and dancing, which was entertaining because the dance floor was right next to the pool, you can imagine the shenanigans I’m sure.

My girls’ computer class is going well, we are working on clicking and mouse control, the girls are practicing writing their names in paint this week. I am happy with it, I have one class of 6 girls and another of 4. They’re all sweethearts and I enjoy them, 2 are very bright. There is an event in Ouidah in May for girls that are interested in information technology. I am thinking about taking one of them, but we will see. I have a lot to do! I also got selected to be a PCVT, a trainer for the next group of volunteers coming in July. It should be really fun, lots of quality time with my host family! I am doing my HIV/AIDS mural this week and totally not prepared yet, but as many of you know I can handle throwing things together at the last minute. I will be super busy all week though and I have 3 other volunteers coming to stay at my house to help out. PSI (population services international) is coming to help and CPEC (government HIV/AIDS branch). CPEC is providing a HIV/AIDS testing counselor and I am super excited that we can offer free testing. My health center seems to be pretty excited about it too! The grant completion report is then due Tuesday of next week as well as my quarterly report the end of next week, so again busy busy. I am nervous about how the mural will turn out with the lack of artists in our group, but we will do our best.

On a side note the reason I was sick all the time was because I had a parasite in my stomach. But I have now taken the regimen of medicine and am feeling better, hopefully we killed all the little suckers, haha. I hope all is well stateside, talk to you all soon.