La Deuxieme Fois

Most of you will probably think I am crazy but, after being home for 8 months, and enjoying all the comforts of the good old American way of life (aka my share of hot wings) I have decided to return to Burkina Faso and finish my Peace Corps service. I was discharged from the Peace Corps for shoulder problems on May 15th 2007. Since then I have been occupied with MRI’s, EMG nerve studies, 3 months of pre-operative rehab, surgery, and then 4 months of post-operative rehab. Many thanks here to Dr. Brian Wolf, and Paul Pursley PT, who got me back up to speed quickly.

The reverse culture shock was tough at times, but after a while it was scary to see how easily it is to slip back into our old comfortable western lives. I still have trouble with how much we waste here, but accept it to a certain degree as American. Even this acceptance is troubling to me. Well enough about cultural differences and American problems. My second stint in the Peace Corps is going to be a change of direction and will focus more clearly on my long term goals.

As the school year started in Burkina Faso, and I was still not able to return to Balla my old job teaching had to be replaced. The government replaced me with a new local teacher. I was disappointed to find this out, but started negotiating my return nevertheless. I was able to work out a sector change and return as a health volunteer. I worked this out for many reasons; to stay near my old school, to stay in the same cultural region with the same local language. The sector change is exciting and will be a great opportunity. I will be returning to Burkina shortly and will work in a small village clinic CSPS (Centre de Santé et de Promotion Sociale) or (Center of Health and Social Betterment). Also am going to be assisting the Baylor International Pediatrics AIDS Initiative (BIPAI, see "Cool Links" to the left) in Bobo-Dioulasso with their new Pediatric AIDS clinic. Working in this rural clinic and with these American doctors will be a new experience, and should give firsthand insight on health care development, and how the aid process form western countries can improve health care in developing nations. I will be assisting with HIV/AIDS outreach and education, along with patient follow up. Also, I am going to continue working with my old school in Balla to finish a school garden project I started before I left. I am hoping to finish building a permanent fence to allow for a yearlong garden on the school grounds near our water pump. The fence is to keep out free range animals and proximity to the pump should allow for yearlong produce cultivation to increase the nutritional value of the school lunches. I should be returning to Burkina in the next week and will start posting updates with this blog again. Cheers to all.