Obama in Batoula, etc.
You should receive a photo of Linden’s class holding up photos of Obama that I printed off my computer. Everyone looks excited but Linden! This photo was taken on November 5. Everyone was so excited about the election. I went around and gave out and taped up photos of Obama. The schoolteachers and principal were excited, Linden’s teacher said she was anxious all night and stayed up late to see what would happen. Everyone was happy in the house here. Some people told me the same thing that many Americans were thinking, that this could not really be possible in our lifetime—to have a black president—but it has nonetheless happened. It gives Cameroonians hope that someday the “impossible” might happen here and that they will be able to participate in a real, fair presidential election.
The well project for Batula is moving along. Guy and I did the application and the Columbus chapter of EWB has revised it and submitted it to the national organization. They plan on an assessment trip in February or March, with the well-building to take place in July or August. Wow! It is very exciting. We are talking about three wells: at the Market, the Dispensary, and the Chefferie, maybe solar powered and with several spigots each. I’ve been walking around taking photos of the various water sources and wells here, some that work, some that don’t, none of which have filters. I wonder why the rainwater is not collected in cisterns and used and I’ll have to ask about that. Now we are in dry season and it very rarely rains. Still rather nice temperatures, though, not too hot or cold.
Linden is still quite content but still complains about the school situation. This morning she discoursed on how it is never quiet in class, with the kids hitting each other, yelling, pushing, singing (they sing a lot, especially A la Claire Fontaine), and eating. She calls it chomping (in pidgin, it’s “chopping”). Apparently the teacher chomps on guavas all day and this bothers Linden. And there's all the sucking on sugar cane. Between the singing, chomping, yelling, hitting, and pushing around, she still manages to copy out in fine French cursive the day’s lesson on the board!
University classes still have not started, at least the graduate ones. I’m told now that I will be called next week to discuss the schedule. Well, it’s a nice sabbatical! I’m reading lots, for the class I’ll be teaching and other books I brought, most recently Gerard Prunier’s book on the Darfur crisis. Linden is, I kid you not, reading adult books. She just finished reading Passing, by Nella Larsen and is now reading a Gloria Naylor book! She is amazing! Her French is improving quite a bit. She won’t talk to me in French, of course, but I hear her when she thinks I am not around, talking to Seydou and Fundi (the house caretakers). We are both trying to learn a bit of the local Bafounda language, and can say good morning, etc. More later . . .
Comments
Posted by: thalia dorwick
Posted on: November 13, 2008 09:39 AM
Marie, I am really enjoying your entries. It is turning out to be a wonderful year for you and Linden. In California, we are quite excited about the Obama victory, of course. I hope that Linden is keeping a journal of her experiences, and perhaps you too! I'm off to Case for another week-end there. Happy Thanksgiving (upcoming).
Posted by: sigga
Posted on: November 17, 2008 05:18 AM
Salut Marie. Marie à Paris m'a donné ton lien. Je vais lire ce qui se passe dans ta vie à Cameroun. S'il n'y avait pas la crise, Marie et moi pourrions venir te voir en Afrique! Comment tu t'y plais? A très bientôt, Sigga l'Islandaise.
Posted by:
Posted on: November 17, 2008 05:32 AM
Coucou Marie,
Je t'ai envoyé un mail, ton ancienne adresse marche toujours?
En France, la victoire d'Obama a provoqué une explosion de joie!
bonne journée, Marie