mindy woodhead
 
 
 
It is becoming more and more apparent to me that the women I am here to work with are self-sufficient. In development work that is a weighted term, with monitoring systems to track it, and means that a project is sustainable on its own. I am impressed and inspired to see that the women have clearly stated long-term goals and short-term objectives, they travel to Agadir to meet with potential buyers, and network into adjoining villages and regions to share skills and knowledge. They participate in craft fairs, contact the governor for financial aid, and when I walked into my little local store next to my apartment and saw one of the women, who was coming to visit with me, in there with a brochure, wheeling and dealing with the male store keep to sell their product, I was delighted. But I also felt a little lost. I believe they are capable of doing this business without my presence affecting it either way. I know they like having me around, and it has given them both confidence and credence to have me here. I can stay for the next 16 months and watch them work, hold brochures at the craft fairs, smile and schmooze at the meetings they run, and run around playing with the goats, cows, and new puppy (which they are all TERRIFIED of and think I am a magical puppy charmer to be able to hold him and let him slobber all over me without this ferocious puppy-beast biting off my head). The best part about staying is that I get to read as many books as I can get my hands on. I have discovered the ratio of 6 hours of recreational reading, partnered with two hours of cooking, playing chess, and/or riding to the post office, will allow another 4 hours of ingestible cognitive abilities for even more recreational reading. I bet I could get an on-line PhD in these two years. It is a great writers retreat! I can stay, and have not made decisions either way. The best part of staying is that I get to wear the badge of honor for having completed the terms of service. I’m not gonna lie, though. I have fantasies of running off to India for a year. I have set up a workshop with a professional theatre company while I am in Nairobi, and I could do more of those. I could do an intensive yoga course, stay in an ashram, and volunteer with local organizations there. Travel the world a bit more. Just a thought. What are yours?
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008