Emerged from a Meerkat colony in Kalahari Desert

The Time is Now

2007-01-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest frustrations during the past two years was the hopelessness that weakens Guineans. The idea that God has ultimate control reached a new level here and thus left man powerless. There was a lack of courage, desire, and willfulness to take charge of lives--to act rather than being acted upon. Day in and day out I heard complaints and criticism about the low standard of living primarily due to poor governance and corruption (Guinea and Iraq are tied second for the most corrupt countries in the world). The conversation almost always turned to la souffrance. In the taxi--c'est la souffrance. At the market--La souffrance. On the street, at work, at home, drinking café toujours--La souffrance! Ehh La Suffrance! Waving their arms helplessly, they shouted My God, my God why hast thou forsaken us!?!

Ok a bit over dramatic I realize, but you get the idea.

Although convinced that only a grand revolution would set them free, no one was ready to make that sacrifice. They sat under the mango tree sipping tea waiting for God to change their lives. A wise(but not always right)friend told me:

"Melinda, Revolutions kill people. Revolutions mean death, suffering, hunger, lost generations and lost opportunities. Successful ones are celebrated. Those that are unsuccessful are condemned. If the time is not right, people will not heed advice [to start a revolution] or they will fail if they do. When the time is right even the sheep and goats will take up arms."

January 2007-- Guinean civilians decided the time was right.

Guinea police clash with strikers
Security forces in Guinea have fired live rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters on the sixth day of a national strike

Guinea Protests Turn Deadly
Clashes in Guinea between protesters demanding the president's resignation and security forces claimed at least 20 lives and led to dozens of injuries.

Death Toll Rises from Crackdown in Guinea
The death toll from the ongoing strike action in Guinea has risen to at least 60 people. Some protesters who were injured during Monday's security crackdown died in poorly serviced hospitals. Union leaders are continuing the protest while local humanitarian workers are struggling to answer growing needs.

So where am I during all this? Safe and Sound in Niandankoro. Not much going on there; only way I can tell there's a strike is that the school is closed--but that's not extraordinary. I listen to the radio nightly to try and understand what’s happening in the cities. I’m a bit nervous, but I’m reassured that it will be over soon. I believe them too. That is until I receive a note from a neighboring volunteer marked URGENT!! The pit of my stomache grows deeper as I read:

I'm sorry the be the bearer of bad news. A car will be there to pick you up tomorrow. Pack only one bag. We're evacuating...

Hello...Is anyone there...?

2006-08-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

No one probably reads this anymore ‘cus it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything. To many of you, it may feel like I’ve dropped off planet Earth—some days I feel like that too. But rest assure I’m still here, living the African Dream…oh wait the African Dream is really the same as the American Dream (I’m definitely not living that dream). So I guess I’m still here…living.

In my world hot topics of conversation have been The African Cup, The World Cup, Zidane, Guinean teacher strikes, president’s health, and anything else to do with Football (know as soccer to Americans)

I enjoyed watching the African, then the World Cup in my village video club next the young and old sweaty Guinean Men. Maybe a year ago the shoulder to shoulder seating on hard wooden benches with no backs and 100% humidity caused only by human sweat would have bothered me so much that I wouldn’t have made it 5 min before I decided I didn’t care that much. Mais au contraire! Watching the games was sometimes the highlight of my day. Now that the African Cup and the World cup are over, honestly I’m sick of talking about soccer all the time…no really ALL THE TIME!

The Guinean teacher strikes made international news, even thought I doubt my family even heard of them. I was stuck in the village for my safety and things went on as usual there. I’ve heard stories about the protests en ville (in the bigger towns) and I’m definitely glad I steered clear of those. Here’s a couple of personal accounts of the events in Conakry and Labé from Human Rights Watch (http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/07/05/guinea13689.htm):

“I was sitting next to the mosque for evening prayer. I saw a group of kids running by. Two policemen then passed me, but then they turned back when it looked like the kids were out of reach. One of them started to beat me with a club. A group of neighbors came out to help me. The other policeman fired in the air and some of the neighbors fled. The police took me and put me in their truck. One of them punched me in the eye with his fist. Then my aunt came and gave 200,000 Guinean francs [about US$40] to the police and they let me out of the truck. Otherwise, they take you to the police station.” -- 45-year-old electrician, beaten by police in Conakry on June 16.

“The police were dressed in full riot gear with shields and helmets. When they arrived, they leapt out of their cars and immediately started beating anyone they could catch with their clubs. The students stated fleeing. It was total panic. Then some students came back and started throwing rocks. The police responded by firing their rifles straight into the crowd. I don’t know if it was just one policeman firing, or several. The students fled again, and the police chased after clubbing those they could, and kicking those who fell to the ground. I saw four dead.” -- Taxi driver in Conakry, witness to police killings and brutality in Conakry on June 12.

I was very intent on listening to the Radio to learn what was going on with the strikes, but somehow you don’t get the same image when you listen to government owned radio. I can’t even imagine that this was going on because there was not a single difference in my village; stores and cafes were business as usual.

In other news, my sister (in the village) recently got married and I learned that marriages aren’t the same here as they are in the states. Instead of my sister, a beautiful blushing bride, presented to her husband in the most extravagant way, the final day of her wedding started out with me and 20 young girls sing as she prepares to leave her family. How beautiful and poetic you think? Sure, until the mother comes in and the bride with all her younger sisters start wailing and they have to drag her out of the hut and continue wailing through the streets as she makes her way to her husbands house. Perhaps the first time I saw this I was petrified to see that this women is not just shedding tears of joy, but was shrieking with pain and fear. It’s not that she doesn’t want to be with her husband. It’s that she’s used to being a girl with little responsibility, surrounded by her family with whom she finds her sense of security. Then it’s almost as if everything changes over night. Once she leaves her family my sister has 3 days before she starts resuming her new role as wife and mother (to other children in the concession). I’m sure she is a little scared to leave her old life to start a new one, which causes many of us girls to shed a few tears. I also know that these tears are usually a little over exaggerated because you don’t want to appear to excited to leave your parents now, do you? But the air was much heavier many of those tears were shed in remembrance of her older sister whose marriage ceremony would have been this year had she not have passed away this past Feb.
Before I came here I always pictured Africans having such a healthy way in dealing with death because it’s such a part of life here. Whether that’s true or not I can’t say, but what I do know is that those who were close with my sister still hurt by her absence, still cry on occasion, and still long for her with us.

Photos from parents visit

2006-01-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to see photos. click here
The most recent is under "Parents' Visit 2005-2006"
Hope you enjoy

Somethin' to write home about

2006-01-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

Well, the parents are on the final stretch. Only three more days until AIR FRANCE whisks them away to America. They've managed to use a pit latrine(and various other forms of 'places to go'), eat the food, get sick, eat again, navigate through the market, ride in bush taxis, learn how to really appreciate a warm shower, and are still kicking--well, less kicking really and more like shuffling. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of their flexibility, willingness, and patience. They amazed me. These past couple of weeks has been an experience none of us will forget anytime soon. I've really enjoyed sharing my life here with my folks as much as, if not more then, they enjoyed seeing it. I'll leave the story telling to them.

I wanted to share pictures with you all but once again I'm experiencing difficulties with technology.

The Grand Cross-Cultural X-change

2005-12-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

So here I am in Bamako, the capital of Mali, with their interesting architecture, fabulous restaurants, and street lights that work--contrary to Guinea's capitol of Conakry. As much as I am enjoying my stay, my heart jumps into my throat everytime I think of the real reason I'm here...To greet the parents at the airport. I am so excited that they are coming to see and experience a little of my life here, but a little (a lot actually) but worried about this HUGE cultural-learning experience. How are they going to react to the housing, the food, the bathrooms, the transportation, the service,the children? I hope they're prepared and armed with a lot of patience. Anyways just wanted to get my anxieties out there.

Some photos

2005-11-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have some more photos up there marked "some fete and others" just follow the link http://photos.yahoo.com/melinda_rizley

Un jour special

2005-11-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Il y a trois moustique dans mon mousitiquere, oh OH oh, Qu'est-ce que je peut faire?

I'm not quite sure how many times a musquito that is stuck in your net can bite you until he's full, but it's enough to ruin a good night's sleep. Once he's in there's nothing else to do, but sit and listen for him to come close enough to meet his fate....Nothing. I wait. Nothing. I could pass the entire night looking for this miniscule beast, but I've been there before and it's not pretty. I'm just goning to suck it up and let the guy have his feast for the night.
---
Ugh I can't sleep with that racket, why on earth is some one pounding at this time of night. It's gotta be almost 3 in the morning. Now the sound is simultaneously coming from all differents directions...definately drumming. As it passes over my head the bass is so resinating that it would rattle your windows-- or in my case my thatch roof. My heart is thumping in sinc with these floating drums. In fact, so much so that-- I'm out of breath. Part of me wants to rush outside to witness the commotion. The more rational side tells me it's better to rest safely tucked in my misquito net. No sooner than my heart returns to normal speed does the hollering and shouting increase my blood pressure once again...

To be continued (the next time I'm around electricity)

Comparisons Part 1- The Fou

2005-10-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Here in West Africa we use the term fou(pronounced "foo") to refer to anyone that has any psychological disorder. Sometimes a noun and sometimes an adjective. Chapter one came to me because lately all the fous have been coming to me. There was the woman that came to my concession (house) looking for a groupement (co-op). I did my best to help her, but then she started offering me gifts, such as a syringe or a papaya. Then she started coming over to clean my concession when I wasn't home...Now I definately know she's fou. Second encounter was with the "singing fou" he was visiting from a nearby village. But would sing around the village at 4 am. This was no humming down the street singing, no it was more like Broadway with out any mocrophones. I kept of thinking I was missing something important til finally someone communicated that it was a fou. Then finally there was Pépé (name changed of course). He was chained up for 7 months in his brothers house because he threatened to kill his brother's wife. The other day I was with a friend when a man dressed in a suit came into my concession to great me. At first I thought it was my counterpart (since I hadn't seen him in several months). He was missing most of his teeth and was missing a good portion of his tongue. Once he asked me for my new journal I immediately relized it was the chained up fou. Several day he would come out and hang out in my concession. At first I tried to conversate to be polite, but finally I stopped leaving my hut to greet him. He then left a letter on my porch to send to "Bill Gates- president of 'microsoff'"
Inside he asked for internet and gave a "BEST OF THE BEST USA PRESIDENTS" which included Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, Bill Clinton, then of course Tony Baire, Bill Gates, and lets not forget the Amadou Diallo years! Anyways Mr. Pépé is chained up again. The reason i brought this up because I realize how different we treat people with mental disorders. Most of the people that roam the streets here would be locked up in some institution in the states. A special neighborhood where all your neighbors are a little "off." Sure maybe it protects them from the cruel society that doesn't want to have any interaction with them, but is that really helping anyone? Don't know the answer, just wondering...

Some More Photos

2005-07-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

I have a few more photos that I've added. The albums are entitled Haute Guinea and Training Family. They're aren't many photos from my site yet because I got to erease all the photos that are on there now. You have to have a yahoo ID to see them HERE Hopefully I'll get some more up soon also so check it out

Through the Eyes of a Child

2005-07-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

There's a proverb that I've heard in my village that translates to "Little by little the bird builds its nest." Well for the first three months that's what I've been trying to do. We all have different strategies for making a new place our home. For me one of the basic components is some level of understanding--understanding where to find things, how to get around, how to communicate, and a general understanding of the way of life. To help me gain some understanding sometimes I like to imagine what it's like being a child growing up in this country. I imagine what it must feel like--resting on my mother's back, feeling our bodies tremble together to the rhythm of her pounding away at dried cassava; the cold droplets that drip from the bucket on her head and trickle down my face and make me shiver. I wonder about the excitement that would escape when I find a new box or a shiny scrap metal that someone so easily discarded. I image how proud and grown-up I would feel when mes grands (the older boys) would let me sit with them while they made tea, especially if they served me too. I realize it pays to go when they commission me, not because of the tea, but because of the joy of being accepted among les grands. I cringe when I think about how much it would hurt when I got hit for doing something I know was wrong. But I'll tell you one thing I'll sure think hard before I do it again, but then again I'd sometimes forget. I'm only human after all.
When I try to understand by exploring the minds of the children I find that I no longer see a fragile infant, who can't even hold up it's head, barely strapped on his mother's back. But rather I see the bond between mother and child being formed. I don't see kids running amuck completely unsupervised, everyone is keeping an eye out for trouble. It's not all carelessly thrown away garbage (although some is) that weaves in between the huts; it’s a toy store and a treasure hunt all rolled up into one. Life is all about perspective: Why not try a child's for a while.

petit a petit (little by little)

2005-06-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

Well here I am with another month that just flew by. .....

The biggest thing of this month were the "fish fets" (I gues that would be fish festivals in real english). My two closest neighbors both have these yearly festivals when the water is low enough in a nearby lake to go fishing. The first one was full of soccer games and dancing. It was at Ingrid's village about 30 km away. The original plan was that maybe 3 or 4 other volunteers were going to be at this festival. The day after we got there we got a radio message from another volunteer that 11 more volunteers were coming because the date of another festival had been changed. So here we are 15 Tubaboos (Malinke for white person) staying in Ingrids little hut (probably about the same size as my bedroom in Pueblo for those of you who know). It was crazy, but Ingrid handled the change of plans with such grace and it turned out to be an awesome reunion. I wasn't terribly excited to have so many Americans there because you feel like your in a parade anytime you walk anywhere and EVERYONE wants a photo op with all the Americans. Sounds fun I know, but believe me the novelty eventually wears off and you just grin and bear. I danced a little bit, but not nearly as much as I wanted too cause I get too shy. Whatever little dancing I did really seemed to be quite impressive because everyone in my village still talk about it. The second one was a little smaller (not in terms of number of volunteers, however) and much more intimate. We befriended this dance group from the city and learned some dancing from them. At this festival we did a couple of AIDS talks to a group of youth. We thought it was kinda of cheesy but everyone really liked it. They even asked for an encore performance in which we did for a dance party. We went up to visit the dancers in Siguiri and they all want to teach me to dance. I'm thinking that it would be awesome to get in good with these people and have them come when I do big sensibilizations. Everyone in my village knows them so it should attrack a large crowd.

Sorry that's all I can handle writing for now, but I'll try to write again before I leave Kankan
Lots of love,
Melinda

My First Month of Living

2005-05-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe it's already been a month! The days take an eternity to pass but the months just fly by. I've heard it a million times and now I can verify it's true.
Why are the days hard to get through:
1. I have no "job"
2. Except for the college (middle school) students that come by I don't understand what people are saying to me.
3. The Sun's so hot I can't leave to do anything
4. Even if I had somewhere to go (which happens on occasion)I've developped some sort of anxiety about leaving my concession alone...yeah working on this stupid one.
5. I get up at 6 or 7 am and have accomplished all the days 'tasks' by 9 which leaves the rest of the day to figure out what to do.
6. I don't go to bad early either because my friends like to do tea until 1-3 in the morning and well...I do too.
7. Did I mention it's hot?!?

Ok jokes aside. I really do love it and only had a couple of bad days..that weren't even that bad.

Why I love it:
1. I've made friends with someone that has a Mango plantation...bring home 30-40 mangos...I LOVE mangos
2. I have young people in my concession to speak french with
3. I love tea and the whole tea ritual
4. sleeping out under the stars (under my misquito net of course)
5. The "cold" breeze every once in a while when I sleep outside
6. Taking a bucket bath right before I eat dinner
7. Having people love to have me over even if I can't communicate anything but" "it's good" and "it's bad"
8. People laughing at me trying to...speak, pound rice, shell peanuts, eat with my hands, try to make tea, eat mangos (in which several people tell me I look like a monkey)carry water on my head, and the list could go on and on and on...
9. Soccer games come a dime a dozen
10. There's always people around (I guess this could sometimes be bad too...but since I'm a people person I'll put it on the good side)
11. I don't eat fishy fish sauce every night.
12. Haven't had any ants
13. The Niger River it absolutely gorgeous
14. Rumors that I can see hippos
15. I have two great volunteers that aren't that "far" away
16. I think I might have actual work to do soon
17. People are really motivated to work with me
18. They compare me to the old volunteer in which they really liked
19. I have a HUGE market only 1 km away where I can find almost everything
20. Everyone says I have "african style"
21. Dance club will be opening soon
22. Village is full of griots

Reasons why I love my village clearly outweigh everything else. I'm really excited to be there and almost don't like leaving.

Last Night on Earth

2005-04-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

Well I'm leaving tomorrow morning to go to my site! I should be back in the evening on May 5th (maybe even the 4th) so you can try calling me then. I'll write you all letters and hopefully I'll have some pictures to show you all when I get back.

Au revoir!

My list

2005-04-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

I don't like putting this up here cause, but it's easier than sending out a mass email. Here are a list of things that are hard to come by in Guinea that I would like.

*Kick-ass immune -it's an herbal immune system booster and would be found in some sort of organic/natural herb store...maybe vitamin cottage
*a nalgene bottle
*powder drink mix (lemonade, kool aid, ect.)
*chocolate
*brownie mix
*cereal
*Fabreeze
*Contact solution**
*AA batteries
*avede- be curly
*proavctive
*Economist magazine (I hear it's good to read if your thinking about taking the foreign service exam)

These are just ideas (mom) you can be as creative as you want. I'm pretty much appreciative of anything (well don't send rice and sauce we have plenty of that!)

A View From Up Yonder

2005-04-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

So I sat on the balcony at the PC house in KanKan and tried to find things that would be out of place in America. Here it is:

*2 10 year old boys selling bags of water on the street (parents now where in site)
*Lady shamelessly picking her nose
*Lady then brushes her teeth with finger and tea kettle
*Finally washes her feet with tea kettle
*Man carrying chairs on head
*2 grown men straddling a bike while carring tire
*baby passed out on back of 9 year old girl, head lauling arm dangling
*Dumpster/Gutter
*women praying in shop
*arab music followed by 80's hits coming from ice cream shop
*Ice cream cone to go...in a bag
*women in burka (covered in black including face)
*woman riding side saddle on moto
*round about with half gasoline barrel in center as "police stand" and yes they still circle around it
*2 Pcvs walking away from ice cream shop with 3 large ice creams
*Ambulance in line of about 20 cars for gas
*little red and yellow bags filled with habiscus and ginger juice (yummmy)
*blind man using little girl as seeing eye dog using a pole as a leash.
*Girl picks up empty cup and places it in bowl on her head then proceeds to get money from ice cream man which she gives to old man

The Guinean Life

2005-04-02T18:21:00.000-07:00

I really want to describe what it's like living here in Guinea, but I'm becoming too accostom to it. I'm having a difficult time remembering things that are not exactly normal by our american standards, but I got some suggestions from other PCVs.

Trip to the Bank

American:
In and out usually 5-10 minutes. Occasional long waits on Pay Day...by long I mean a half hour

Guinean:
Massive globs of people. No real lines persay. Our trip took 3 hours

American:
Banking is very private and confindential. You have at least 5 feet of personal space.

Guinean:
What's personal space?!? We created a 5 person human barrior to keep people away as anyone can easily read the computer containing your information (also helped in keeping a first come firt served policy that is not widely recognized here).

Trip to the Market

American:
Make a list of what you need and go bye it without any hassle

Guinean:
Walk past street venders seeling numerous items in search for what you need. All the while you are fighting mobs of people wanting you to buy their items.
1.Find what you need
2. Bargain price which takes loads of patience
3. Price still too high
4. Move on to another vender
5. Repeat steps 1-4 several times until you realize the first guy gave you the best price
6. Humbly return

Transportation:

Today we went to get a taxi downtown. We were told the price was about 6,000-7,000 FG, but the driver tries to make us pay 28,000 FG After long discussions we finally decide on 15,000FG (because of increased gas prices) On the way back we paid 6,000 without even bargaining. No I'm not bitter

What's my biggest frustration?? I'd have to say it's the men. Fisrt of all men have a different view of a woman's place in the world. The women are carring the majority of the work load, yet they are treated only slightly better than children. Women need to be Disciplined by their husbands. I've already know several women who have been beaten since I've arrived here. I remember one night I went outside for fresh air and heard blood curdling screams coming from the next village. What can you do? Not much you can talk all you want but you might as well be talking to a brick wall. Behavior like this is just accepted as a part of life and rarely questioned. You can however talk to the youth and they are more willing to think outside the box. Maybe one day attitudes will change, but not anytime soon.

Photos try round 2

2005-04-01T07:41:00.002-07:00

Round 3

2005-04-01T07:41:00.001-07:00

just cut and paste

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/melinda_rizley/my_photos

Photos try round 2

2005-04-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

Photos

2005-04-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Goodness this is sooo tedious. Makes me never want to take pictures again. I was up til four in the morning trying to get photos uploaded. There not all uploaded, but there's a good chunk.

It's all official now!

2005-03-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

Today was our swearing in. Felt a little too military like for my style. By military like I just mean holding up my right hand and swearing to "defend the United States Constitution against enemies..blah blah" Basically it all means I'm officially a Peace Corps Volunteer. I've been here for nearly three months and I still can't believe I'm here sometimes.

We said our goodbyes to our homestay families yesterday. I held up well, even while my 7 year old brother was gripping onto my leg crying. Made it through the ceremony, but then when my mom started crying as we said our last goodbyes I started crying also. My friends said my 20 year old brother was crying.

That's just one little dip in my little emotional roller coaster. (it's really not that bad, more like the little kiddie roller coaster) I really think a lot has to do with taking the Maleria meds.
But the days always end up having redeeming qualities.
Sorry this post suck I'm working on picturez

Photo Album from Melinda:Photos

2005-03-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

Copy and paste this and maybe you'll be able to see pictures of my hut. I'm not promising anything because you just can't do that here in Guinea

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=16t7n3p2.ae0g8v2&x=0&y=-l8u6f2

Site Visit

2005-03-09T03:26:00.000-07:00

Site Visit has gone rather smoothly. I had Lindsay a Health Volunteer take me around. We went and visited her site first across the Niger River. The next day went to mine. I have yet to meet any of the important people in my village because they were all gone (go figure). But I got to see my hut, meet my family, and meet the school director. EVeryone is really excited to have a new volunteer. I wasn't greeted with a big ceromony like some others, but I am the 3rd volunteer in my site. Hopefully I'll be able to get pictures up.

I live in a small mud hut...FYI: THIS MAY BE WHAT EVERYONE THINKS ABOUT WHEN THEY THINK OF PEACE CORPS, BUT IT'S NOT!! Even in Guinea most PCV (peace corps volunteers) are living in houses. There is of course no electricity or running water in my village. I've already adapted to not having running water and I think not haing electricity is great. Everytime the power goes out in my town during training I absolutely love it because you can see sooo many stars.

My village seems to be pretty big with 2 schools (??) and a health center. The Malinke villages are very densly populated, unlike what I'm used to with the Susu. The Susu and the Peuhl (can't spell) both tend to have large concessions and room in between, but the Malinke villages have huts practically stacked ontop of eachother.

That's all I can write for now. Now I'll work on getting those photos up.

Happy Birthday MoMMY!!!!

2005-02-26T05:37:00.000-07:00

I wanted to call my mom to wish her a Happy Birthday, but I'm still getting used to this system of communication. If some one reads this before 7am on Feb 26th Colorado time... please call William and Judy Rizley and have them call me at the Conakry house between 7am or _ am their time. If they don't have the number they can get it from Nuku...
If I donùt get to talk to you Mom I hope you have a wonder ful Birthday just the same and I'll try to talk to you soon!!

As for other News I don't think I've said where I'm going yet. I'll be living and working in Niandankoro north of KanKan. I hear it's a wonderful site and I heard there's a lot of dancing and drumming so I'm really excited. It's right a long the Niger river. Our site visit was rescheduled for next Sat through WED!!!! So I'll let you know more about it after I visit.

Stay tuned...

JUst a little adjusting

2005-02-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

It's true that I embraced guinea from day one, but there have been some small things that have required a little more effort on my part:
*Not understanding the majority of conversations around me (this is getting better)
*The 5am Mosque call for prayer
*Along with that rooster outside my window that won't SHUT UP!!! (Hopefully I'lll get him for dinner soon
*Protien filled ants served with my dinner...Fear Factor Africa!!!
*Sqatting and aiming for the latrine

*running out of time on internet

to be continued

Mon Chere Amour

2005-01-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Guinea,

Thank you fot the warm welcome I received today. From the sun glaring down heating up the Earth-to the smell of exaust from a 1990 Renault. Everything was perfect.

I enjoyed the strange language falling off a sea of purple lips. The men staring at Foté asking for a "petit cadeaux" made my already permament smile expand just a little bit more. I felt strong genderly, yet envious when I saw working women transporting their goods most efficiantly via their heads. The kerosene lamps, buildings so close they can't breath, the haze (composed of who knows what), the scent left behind by non-antipersperant users, the bumpy roads...Although not glamerous, made my welcome all the more real. It like your friend, mother, or child-you love them despite their flaws.

I know this is only the first time we met and I'll have a lot more time to get to know you. But sometimes the feel a strong connection at first glance and I have you tell you Guinea, I think I'm in love!

Until tomorrow,
Melinda

Psychological First Aid Kit

2004-12-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

I'm calling it my P-FAK. Only to be used in emergancies. A 10 x 13 manila envelope containing inspirational, heart-felt letters from family and friends.
I don't know who I'd be kidding if I said that I wasn't going to get home sick or that certain things about Guinea or the people won't get to me. Maybe it'll be because I can't communicate with someone that I deeply want to connect with. Or I've been called “porto”, “toubabou” or “foté” (white person/foreignor) one too many times. Someone dies seemingly senslessly in the village, everyone's always asking me for money, people idolize the US too much, I'm sick of having diarrhea for the third week in a row, I don't know why I feel the way I do.. I JUST DO! The possiblities are endless; but a close friend or family member won't always be available to console me. That's when I'll reach for the envelope and pull out a 'random' letter. Read their advice and reflect. Then write a letter back letting them know how their letter impacted me.
I think when I start letting things bother me, I've forgotten who I am. It is my hopes that these letters will remind me of my character and why I'm there in the first place: To impact others on whatever scale possible and to practice cultural exchange.

PC letter to family and friends

2004-12-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from the Guinea Desk in Washington, D.C. It is with great pleasure that we welcome your family member to the Peace Corps Guinea Program. During the past few years we have received many questions from Volunteers and family members alike regarding travel plans, sending money, relaying messages and mail, etc. As we are unable to involve ourselves in the personal arrangements of Volunteers, we would like to offer you advice and assistance in advance by providing specific examples of situations and how we suggest you handle them.

1. Irregular Communication. (Please see #3 for the mailing address to Peace Corps' office in Conakry the capital of Guinea) The mail service in Guinea is not as efficient as the U.S. Postal Service. Thus, it is important to be patient. It can take three to four weeks for mail coming from Conakry to arrive in the United States via the Guinea postal system. From a Volunteer's post, mail might take 1-2 months to reach the United States. Sometimes mail is hand carried to the States by a traveler and mailed through the U.S. postal system. This leg of the trip can take another several weeks as it is also dependent on the frequency of travelers to the U.S.

We suggest that in your first letters, you ask your Volunteer family member to give an estimate of how long it takes for him/her to receive your letters and then try to establish a predictable pattern of how often you will write to each other. Also, try numbering your letters so that the Volunteer knows if he/she has missed one. Postcards should be sent in envelopes--otherwise they may be found on the wall of the local post office! MAKE COPIES OF LETTERS!

Volunteers often enjoy telling their "war" stories when they write home. Letters (or e-mails) might describe recent illnesses, lack of good food, isolation, etc. While the subject matter is good reading material, it is often misinterpreted on the home front. There are two nurses at the Peace Corps office in Conakry to meet the medical needs of the volunteers. Through a “telephone tree”, the Peace Corps office in Conakry maintains at minimum, regular weekly contact with the Regional Coordinators, one per region where Peace Corps works. Peace Corps Guinea has also established a monthly mail run which delivers mail, medical supplies, and sometimes volunteers or staff to each volunteer site.

In the event of an emergency, Volunteers have been instructed to contact their designated Regional Coordinator, who in turn contacts the staff in Conakry, and appropriate steps are taken to assist that Volunteer. In the event of a serious illness, the Volunteer is sent to Conakry and is cared for by our medical staff. If the Volunteer requires medical care that is not available in Conakry he/she will be medically evacuated to either South Africa or the United States. Fortunately, these are rare circumstances.

If for some reason your communication pattern is broken and you do not hear from your family member for three months, you may want to contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) at Peace Corps Washington at 1-800-424-8580, extension 1470. The OSS will then cable or fax the Peace Corps Director in Conakry and ask him to check up on the Volunteer. Also, in the case of an emergency at home (death in the family, sudden illness, etc.), you should call OSS immediately, so that we can inform the Volunteer.

2. Telephone Calls. The telephone system in Guinea is decent at best. Service in and out of Conakry to the United States can be unreliable. If communicating via email or by phone, please understand that the telephone lines and their connections can be, and are often down. In the interior of the country, where most of the Volunteers are located, there are even fewer phones. Sometimes Volunteers plan to be in Conakry on a certain date to receive calls from home. This can sometimes work, but there are also innumerable factors that can make the best-laid plans fall apart. Please be aware that the Peace Corps staff in Conakry and Washington do not have the time to assist in arranging these calls. Your family member will be able to inform you of the actual telephone numbers once they arrive in country.

The Guinea Desk usually calls the Peace Corps office in Conakry once every week. However, these calls are reserved for business only and we cannot relay personal messages over the phone. All communication between family members and the Volunteer can be done via telephone, email or international mail. If you have an urgent message regarding travel plans, etc., you may be able to send a Western Union telegram to the Volunteer at the Peace Corps office in Conakry.

3. Sending packages. Parents and Volunteers like to send and receive care packages through the mail. Unfortunately, sending packages can be a frustrating experience for all involved due to the high incidence of theft and heavy customs taxes. You may want to try to send inexpensive items through the mail, but there is no guarantee that these items will arrive. We do not recommend, however, that costly items be sent through the mail. Even though many Volunteers sometimes choose to get local post office boxes, you may always use the following address to send letters and/or packages to your family member:

Melinda Rizley
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 1927
Conakry, Guinea
West Africa PAR AVION

It is recommended that packages be sent in padded envelopes if possible, as boxes tend to be taxed more frequently. Custom fees can sometimes be up to $100. For lightweight but important items (e.g. airline tickets), DHL (an express mail service) does operate in Conakry. If you choose to send items through DHL, you must address the package to the Country Director, c/o Corps de la Paix, Quartier Taouyah, , BP 1927, Conakry, Guinea (the phone number for the Peace Corps office in Guinea is (224) 22-78-09 , as DHL will need this information). If you send the item to the Country Director, no liability can be assumed. For more information about DHL, please call their toll free number, 1-800-CALL-DHL, or visit their web site at www.dhl.com.

Sending airplane tickets via international mail is not recommended. Certain airlines will allow you to buy a pre-paid ticket in the States; they will telex their Guinea office to have the ticket ready. Unfortunately, this system is not always reliable.

Trying to send cash or checks is very risky and is discouraged. If your Volunteer family member requests money from you, it is his/her responsibility to arrange receipt of it. Western Union seems to work well in countries where they are present.

We hope this information is helpful to you during the time your family member is serving as
a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea. We understand how frustrating it is to communicate with your family member overseas and we appreciate your using this information as a guideline. Please feel free to contact us at the Guinea Desk in Washington, D.C. if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Country Desk Officer
Country Desk Assistant

City of Brotherly Love

2004-12-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Philly for a couple of days for lectures, immunizations, and hopefully a little salsa dancing. I'll miss The Ghana Cafe and The Dance Place in DC, but I'm sure there are happenin scenes I can drop into. Anyone that falls upon this and knows about some African or salsa dancing in Philly, give me the scoop. I'll only be there from Jan. 9th-12th so I won't have much time to do anything, but I gotta squeeze in some dancing. Even if I just bust a move straight out of the shower, ooh I feel sorry for my roommate! hah

Sorry for being lame!!

2004-12-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

OK! I was avoiding posting this on my blog because I know many people hate reading stuff like this, but I'm gettin' desperate folks. As you can see on the right side of my page I have link for a free iPod. There was this Peace Corps Volunteer that got one and I thought it couldn't hurt to try. So I'm trying to get my iPod too. I wanted to see if my friend was just lucky or if they really do follow through with their offer for everyone. Besides I thought an iPod would be perfect to take with me when I go to the Peace Corps. I've been hoping for this so much that I haven't even thought of what I could bring for music if I don't get enough refferals. I've got two down and need three more. You can help me get my iPod before I leave for Africa on Jan 9th by going here. I just saw that they have the two week blockbuster offer. This was the one I did totally risk free. I canceled my membership after the two free weeks and they never charged me a cent (I did that over a month ago and I still haven't returned the movies).

Please don't hate me for posting this here, I just really wanna have lots of different music (ie Stayin Alive) to share with my village.

Tailored resume

2004-12-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Here's my resume, but the format messed up when I tried to put it on here. I just want all the Peace Corps applicants to see that you don't have to be overly qualified for something---Oh my gosh just realized I posted my address and phone number...I might as well put my credit card number while I'm at it. Think! Melinda, Think!!!

Melinda C. Rizley
***************
****
Guinea-Conakry
Jan. 10, 2005

Experience
2001-2004 University of Colo. Recreation Center Boulder, CO
Service Technician
· Responsible for various bookkeeping and monetary transactions
· Provide information about health, fitness, and facility related issues
2001 The Southwestern Company Nashville, TN
Salesperson
· Independent Contractor in direct sales of educational products
· Learned principles of salesmanship and success (e.g. schedule, positive attitude, goal setting)
· Developed communication skills by presenting to 180+ families/week
· Executed all ordering, inventory, sales, accounting, scheduling, presentation, and delivery of products
· Earned Gold Seal Award by working 80+ hours per week
· Received Perseverance Award
2000-2004 Project YES! Lafayette, CO
Volunteer / Co-facilitator
· Worked with “at risk” youth to develop leadership skills to effect change
· Developed and executed 9 month diversity workshop with local high school

Education
2000-2004 University of Colorado Boulder, CO
BA in Geography/French Minor
· Focused on physical geography (forest dynamics, vegetation, and soil properties)
· Studied human geography (international development and geo-politics)
· Gained experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
· Served on the Geography Board 2003-2004

Languages

French- Intermediate/Advanced
· Four years of university level French
· 5 weeks intensive immersion school at L’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
· Over 500 hours of speaking French in foreign country

Aspiration Statement

2004-12-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

Aspiration Statement

Expectations:

Part of the nervousness and excitement while waiting for departure comes from the uncertainty. The phrase "hope for the best, expect the worst” has been running through my mind. I have thus developed certain expectations to prepare myself for challenges that lie ahead. I expect to be confronted with situations that will test me physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Through these tests I will discover many personal strengths and weaknesses of which I was previously unaware. I am prepared for countlessopportunities to practice patience and tolerance during a mutually beneficial cultural exchange. Gandhi pointed out the power in expectation when he said:

If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.

Therefore as I learn more about the culture and my specific assignment I will set upon myself high expectations. My expectations may be idealistic, but they are grounded in reality; however, the specifics will not become completely clear until I know more about my village and assignment. I am aware that my impact on the community may not be very visible. I am like a sower planting seeds within the hearts and minds of the people in hopes that they will flourish. I understand that I have limited control in making these grow, so I will focus my expectations on things that I can control. I will put all my effort into training (learning the skills and language necessary) and day- to-day life to learn what is needed to effect a positive change. I will assess my community’s needs and develop secondary projects if needed. After my service I plan to use the knowledge gained in all areas of my life. I expect my service with the Peace Corps to be one of the most influential experiences of my life.

Strategies:
I intend to study hard and learn all the information Peace Corps Training will provide. I realize that language acquisition is intrinsic not only to learning and conforming to social norms, but also to being able to respond to the needs of the community. Therefore, I intend to use English only when necessary during the first three months. I also will spend time learning from my family by getting involved with daily activities as often as time allows. Once at my post I will work on developing friendships with neighbors, farmers, and families and find a cultural interpreter. Through these friendships I will better understand the needs of the locals and how to respect the elders and traditions while facilitating change. In time I will be able to find people who are willing to work with myself and my counter part to get things done. Change will be initiated by the locals and I will act as a facilitator. I will give people who are willing the tools to continue progress in their village. I believe the most important thing in adapting to a new culture is having an open heart and mind. I look at culture as a neurological map of societal norms that tells us when person does A, it means B. But A does not always mean B, especially in other cultures. This means I must be able to question my own beliefs and the foundation on which they were formed. This will help me to understand and accept that A can sometimes mean X.

Personal and Professional Goals:

* Learn and teach agro-forestry methods for sustainable development that meet the needs of my community

* Become fluent or somewhat fluent in French

* Strive to function in the local language

* Develop numerous friendships with Guineans and engage in a cultural exchange that will deepen our understanding of each other

* Empower locals to better their lives as they see fit
* Take everything I will have learned through the Peace Corps experience to enrich those whom I meet in the US.
* Use experience while forming a non-profit to create social change at home.
*Work for foreign services

The Final Stretch

2004-12-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

Well it's the final stretch (for school that is). I've complete the two things that was going to keep me from graduating! I just got to sprint my way home from here. I found a dentist that has been really helpful in getting my stuff done in time--which has to be done in 6 days, otherwise I don't go. I just sent off my 'aspiration statement' and updated resume (which I'll post up here), so as soon as school is over I'll start packing. Well that's it for now. 36 Days Left!!

Runners, Take your mark!

2004-11-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

It's getting down to the wire and I still have a lot of stuff that needs to be done. I have not gotton my Visa and Passport sent to the PC office (It was supposed to be in 2 weeks after I was excepted.) The problem is I haven't been able to get my Visa photos. For some reason they are asking for 3 professional wallet sized photos (unlike the small passport photos.) Well the other day I took a 30 minute bus ride into the next town to a Target Portrait Studio. After pleading with them, they told me that they would get to me in 10 minutes. After almost 2 hours of waiting, someone finally asked me what I needed the photos for. Upon telling them they informed me that I wouldn't get them for another month. I better go to another store that does digital photos. Ok three hour trip for nothing. I then call this other place and they do passport photos not wallet sized!! Why do these photos have to be wallet sized?!? Why?!? Next thing on my list...Dentistry. Tried calling my insurance company to find a local dentist and was informed I am not longer covered under my parents--as of the day before my 23rd B-day. Bought Ameriplan(offers discounted prices). Called dentist and I can't get in until Dec. 8th. I had a goal to have every Peace Corps and school issue dealt with by Dec. 1st, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I just hope the PC hasn't given up on me!! I'm comin' it just takes me a while to get to the startin' line.

Ideas Happen

2004-11-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

An RPCV in Cameroon 00-02 and on awhim decided to enter the "Ideas Happen" contest where the winner receives $25,000 to execute her/his idea. She plans to use the money to return to her village to refurnish the local secondary school and provide the students with textbooks, desks, and fund other projects for the children. Out of something like 15,000 ideas submitted, hers is now in the top ten and you can help her WIN by voting at Ideashappen.com. As a PC Invitee, I can only imagine what it would be like to return to the village that I served for 2 years with $25,000. I'm sure every RPCV out there would love to go back with a wad of cash to carry out everything you previously wanted to do. Please help her out! Votes have to be cast by Dec 1.

Motivation Statement-More PC Essays

2004-11-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

MOTIVATION STATEMENT
Peace Corps service presents major physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. You have provided information on how you qualify for Peace Corps service elsewhere in the application. In the space below, please provide a statement (between 150-500 words) that includes: Your reasons for wanting to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer; and How these reasons are related to your past experiences and life goals.

There are so many intangible benefits that the Peace Corps has to offer, despite all the benefits I am a firm believer that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” That is my primary goal in serving with the Peace Corps: to give all myself to a community for two fully absorbed years. During these two years I plan to first learn about the community in which I will be serving, by developing relationships and understanding differences and similarities between our cultures. This would enable me to serve them according to their needs and at the same time, fulfill my desire to learn about the intriguing world outside of the US. It was three years ago that I realized a life full of servitude is my purpose. I saw an ad on television asking for money to end world hunger that I had seen many times before. It brought me to my knees in tears with a hunger for justice, wanting so desperately to cure their hunger. My heart swelled with compassion and love after having seen the pain within the children’s eyes. I felt I couldn’t possibly live the rest of my life without trying to help the “less fortunate” (or economically less fortunate). I soon met a Peace Corp recruiter at an information booth, picked up a flier and decided this was the first step I wanted to take in aiding international development. Since then I have devoted much of my life to service-learning, leadership, problems associated with developing countries, appreciating complexities of other cultures and befriending those who are foreign to this land.My passion for culture and understanding began in the summer of 2001, with my first exposure to life outside of my Colorado bubble. I found it difficult dealing with forms of racism while working in the south, so I began and am still searching for explanations behind the hatred I saw and felt. Even though the explanations do not justify certain behavior, it allows me to dig to the roots of the problem instead of touching the surface. I firmly believe that the help one can offer is greatly restricted by the lack of understanding of the others background, values, and beliefs. As a Peace Corps volunteer I will be allowed the opportunity to develop relationship enabling me to recognize their needs on a deeper level, thus, causing a greater change. In my heart I want to change the world and cause an end to all suffering, but I know that this cannot be done over night or two years in the Peace Corps. Each step I take brings be one step closer towards that goal.

My PC Essays

2004-11-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post my essays on here for people going through the application process to look at. It helps get the ball rolling on your own thoughts. I think these were my final drafts. Keep in mind I am not a writer nor have I ever proclaimed to be one.

CROSS-CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Peace Corps Volunteers must be open to ideas and cultures different from their own. Give an example of a significant experience that illustrates your ability to adapt cross-culturally. You may draw from experiences in your work, school, or community in the U.S. or abroad. Please include the circumstances of the experience and dates.

Adapting to Segregated Communities

Summer of 2001, I had just completed my first year of college and was recruited for a summer internship with the Southwestern Company. Feeling independent and very sure of myself, I set off for Nashville, Tennessee where our weeklong training would take place. We spent 14 hrs days learning the process of door-to-door salesmanship and how to make a successful summer. Despite the intensive studying and preparation, nothing could prepare me for the emotional struggle I was about to face.
In a blink of an eye our weeklong training was over and we were sent to our separate destinations. Myself, along with 7 other people were sent to Mobile, Alabama. Our first couple of days there was spent knocking door-to-door trying to find a place to live (under $30/person/month). The three girls I was staying with and myself went out to a randomly picked neighborhood and began asking. It wasn’t long before we had a number of gentlemen following us around yelling out obscenities. We quickly decided it was better for us to go to churches asking for help rather than wondering around an unknown neighborhood. We found a church with a women working on the outside of it. We approached her asking if there was a pastor around in whom we could speak to about finding a place. She began crudely telling us that we’d better get out of that neighborhood as “our kind” was not welcome there and began to vulgarly tell us what would happen to us if we didn’t. I was so completely shocked that it rendered me speechless as I walked to my car with three girls nearing tears trailing behind me. My sheltered childhood in a community where the Latino population was just about half misled me into believing that all races across the US intermingled and accepted each other as I was accustomed to in my hometown. It was because of this near color blindedness that I was unaware that racism still existed in everyday situations.
Each day that passed I came across more people that expressed their prejudice against each other in one form or another. I refuted and rejected their beliefs such as, “People are on the streets doing drugs [in the black parts of town].” When I encountered a child who had been hurt by members of another race I sympathized with their pain, but would try to explain that you find some kids that are mean regardless of race. It was not long before I came to the realization that this kind of hatred and/or prejudice was etched into the hearts of many and wasn’t something I was going to completely fix in one summer of selling books. I resolved that the way I could affect those I encountered was to live by example showing love to all, for “if you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

Oh yeah, I haven't left yet!

2004-10-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

Man, I am having the worst time trying to stay focused on what I'm doing right now. I've been day dreaming about Guinea in all my classes. I spend all my time at work searching the Internet to learn more (It's ok, we're allowed). I very rarely remember my dreams, but now I dream about Guinea almost every night. It's really hard to stay focused when I know my reality is going to be flipped upside-down in a few months. I know that's not an excuse.

I met up with my friend Viva the other day to talk. She just recently got back from Guinea and Mali. I really enjoyed her metaphor for Guinea and Mali-Broad generization, but stil paints a picture. She says the energy in Mali has a gentleness and Guinea is more entergetic and firery. She compared Mali with the Elders in a community and Guinea with the youth. My roommate Jamie says I'll fit right in with the firery Guineans!

Black Star Journal

2004-10-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

Black Star Journal is commentary on the news, culture, sports and current events of sub-Saharan Africa. Bryan, the author, served in the Peace Corps in Guinea. I just wanted to have his link on my site so people can check up on it every now and then.

Yes, Guinea is different from New Guinea

2004-10-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

Guinea:

Papa New Guinea:

Ok. Now that that's clear. I found out last week that I will be serving in Guinea West Africa!! I couldn't be more excited! I don't have as many friends from Guinea as I do other West African countries. But I do have a fair amount of knowledge of the culture because of the simularities to Mali and Senegal. But that's nothing compared to how much I'll know when I complete my service.
I can't tell you how surreal everything feels. In less then three months from now my dream will become a reality. I have to admit I'm a little stressed about my assignment(which is Agroforestry) but Gretchen, a volunteer in Senegal has put my mind (slightly) at ease with her information about training.
This is the place to go to hear all about my little adventures, struggles, and revelations. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update this after my training, as I may not be able to get to a computer for months. Just keep your eyes out and keep me in your prayers

Patience grasshopper, patience.

2004-10-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

It's like a dog who hasn't seen his owners in 7 months and is anxiously waiting for their return. He hears the gravel crunch beneath tires. Without even looking out the window, he knows this is what he's been waiting for. So exited! He dashes around the house. Every corner of the house is in danger of his wild tail. Not knowing what to do with himself and finally stops at the front door. It's when they start to turn the door handle that he just can't contain his excitement any longer....And pees.

Yup that's the only way I can describe how it feels knowing your Peace Corps invitation is in the mail. It's going to tell me when and where I'm going to spend the next 2 years of my life. I have to admit I have my preferences, but I've been preparing myself to accept anything that comes my way. I can't wait to dig into every archive and talk to every native I can to learn more about the country. But until then I'm wagging my tail in front of the mailbox waiting for that package with the Peace Corps emblem on the front.