Summer in Togo/I'm a Volunteer Trainer!

How I spent my Summer Vacation.
It’s been a great summer here in Togo. By the time I got home from Camp U.N.I.T.E school had ended and I started to look for other projects to do in Dapaong. I went to the women’s weaving organization, called C.E.D.A.F, that my site mate works at and helped them in their garden. It was a great experience. We planted melons, sun flowers, cucumbers and carrots with the hope that the women will be able to grow and sell the food. I looked pretty ridiculous working in the garden with traditional Togolese tools, and the women all had some good laughs at my expense. In my defense I had a minimal amount of garden/agriculture experience during pre-service training. The Savannas Region has several Natural Resource Management (NRM) Volunteers, and they gave some good advice. Working in the garden at C.E.D.A.F was an enjoyable experience, but I was still looking for more things to do with my time. Then my site mate introduced me to another organization similar to his called C.A.F.P.E.S. It’s a great organization of female apprentices who are learning how to be seamstresses. The director of the program has worked with PCVs in the past, and I have gone there several times to work with the girls. I presented Like Skills lessons as well as how to make skin crème to sell. On my last day at post, before leaving for my vacation to the states for my cousins wedding, I brought three kids from one of the schools where I work, and they presented two sketches in Moba for the girls because their French is not as strong. My counterpart from the school also came and gave a speech as well.
I had a great time back in the States in August. I ate good food, saw my friends and family and went to my cousin’s wedding in Ohio. It was very overwhelming walking into the Target with my mom on my first day back, but I quickly feel back in to my old life in Chicago. After having to travel in Togo for almost a year I will never complain about the inefficiency or cleanliness of public transportation in America again because riding the Metra and El’ in Chicago was a very enjoyable experience compared to riding with 18 adults, 5 crying babies, 4 chickens and 2 goats in a bush taxi in Togo.
Shortly after I got back from the States it was time to go to Mid-Service Conference (MSC). At MSC all of the PCVs who arrived in 2009 talked about their successes and failures during their first year of service in Togo. We also talked about future project ideas for the next year of service. During MSC I also found out that I will be a Volunteer Trainer for the new GEE/NRM stage that arrives in less than two weeks. I’m leaving post in a few days to go to the training workshop with the 9 other volunteer trainers. I remember how excited and nervous I was before I left for Togo, and how well my volunteer trainers prepared me for service so I hope I can be a good example for the new stagiers.
If you guys are reading this here is my take on the Peace Corps packing list….

Solar Chargers are great for those of you will be in the bush (NRM that means you I would guess 50 percent of GEE has electricty) but don’t expect them to charge anything more than your phone and i-pod.

Rechargeable batteries are great. If you don’t have electricity you will be close enough to a place where you can charge them.

You defiantly do not need dress shoes. I understand you have to dress business casual at the staging event before you depart but that might be the only time you wear them. It’s a tough call but if you think your shoes will pass at staging then you can leave the dress ones at home.

As far as other shoes go, chacos are great but I would also bring a good pair of flip flops also. No one here really wears shoes.

I would suggest brining your laptop. I have never heard of anyone saying they wish they hadn’t brought it. It may just sit around for a while, but the PCV lounge in Lome has wireless.

I brought way to many collared shirts. It’s fun and easy to have shirts made here. I guess it depends on your personal style. Just keep in mind that the Togolese people you will be working with generally don’t have more than 3 or 4 shirts total. Also guys leave the tie at home.

Exiffico makes great t-shirts. They are comfortable, easy to wash and lightweight. Nike makes a similar dry-fit model. They are a little more expensive than some other t-shirts but that last longer and are great for Togo.

You don’t need to bring sun screen or bug repellant (unless you have a particular brand). The med unit will give it to you on the day you arrive. They will also give you your water filter.

Make sure you have some U.S Dollars to change into CFA. Peace Corps pretty much expects you to buy a cell phone during you first week. They are about 30 dollars for the phone and SIM Card.

My i-pod has been a life saver and i-home makes great portable speakers that run on batteries.

Du Courage.