December 18th, 2005

Schools out

Published on December 18, 2005 By Beninian Annie In Misc

Hello Hello!!!!

School is out and thus I am here in Parakou finishing some grant work. School went by so quickly and I in general it was so much easier this year correcting the exam papers and preparing the students for the tests, etc. However, at the same time, sometimes I feel like I am cheating the students because this uear I have not spent as much time preparing lessons. More time has been spent doing secondary projects.
It seems like I have continuously had something going on, whiwh has kept me sane. Happily the building is already finished, one month ahead of time. I calculated all the receipts just this weekend. The only thing to put the finishing touches on is the student mural which will happen this Wednesday. World AIDS Weekend also went very well. I heard conversations about the disease and more acceptance of buying and haveing condoms, what more can you ask for?
Coming up, my next project is helping the CEG Dompago Theatre Group. They are performing once a month and it creates such an outlet for youths to actually have something to do during the weekend. This is going to be a theme for me this year. The youths are leaving Badjoude quickly and this is not a good cycle for further development. They go to school and get out as quickly as possible. A part of this is jobs, but I think another is just straight boredom. So, who knows....maybe I will do something selfish like creating a basketball court of the like. I also have my eyes on this abandoned building and turning it into a youth center.
Alrighty, lastly the most important up^comming event is the FAMILY is here Dec. 26th. I am sooo excited and for some reason cannot fully understand this date is soooo close. I am going back to village today, only to leave again Thursday to Cotonou.

Okay...HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

PS Erin I have sadly not received any of your emails

Comments

Dad

on Dec 18, 2005

Your projects don't sound secondary at all. That work is likely just as important, if not more, than the teaching.

Heidi

on Dec 21, 2005

Annie!!!!!

Hello!!!!! Thank you so much for the "shout out" on my wedding day! Everything went beautifully!!!! As funny as it sounds, there isn't much to tell since that last time I wrote you. Obviously, Matt and I are married and living in D.C. I got a job doing meeting planning for NASA, so that is fun. I'm also starting my own professional organizng business in the D.C. metro area. It's looking like I'll actively start taking clients by March 2006.
Other than that, life is pretty "normal".

I can't believe you are already in to your second year! The work you have done and are continuing to do sounds amazing! Know that though communication may be infrequent, that I think of you often!

Merry Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Heidi

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