Hello All!

Not much to report since writing last. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster as of late, moral going through the roof, and then bottoming out. Mainly the frustrations have been revolving around language right now. We just had a 4 day language workshop, and I realized that I've taught myself many things wrong, and now need to unlearn, and re-learn certain things.

So I had a talk with someone the other day about world outlook. I was explaining how some of the people in my town have small world views (can you blame them; they don’t have the luxury of travel). We got onto the topic of people I know who really like learning about the world, they read national geographic, watch the news etc etc, but really have no interest in traveling. The lady, with whom I was talking, said that the world would be a more peaceful one if people would be interested in knowing more about the world than their own little bubble. Yes I know Americans sometimes we can think and act like we are the center of the world (we actually are in some ways I guess) but it seemed that she was saying that because people don't have interest in traveling, are ignorant and uninformed. I was rather insulted (although just a few years ago I would have said the same thing). Just because someone isn't interested in travel doesn't make them more ignorant than anyone else. I know plenty of people who travel and aren't any better than those that do. I think if someone has smelled the smells, eaten the food etc etc, maybe have a clearer image of a certain place but that doesn’t make them more informed. For example, I've traveled to a variety of countries, but that doesn’t mean that I know anything about the people their. She seemed to be blaming Americans for purposely choosing not to travel, and to stay ignorant of the rest of the world. (Is that a bad thing?)
I guess being from the US travel really is more of a luxury for us than those in Europe. We don't have access to cheap travel, or lots of cultures all clustered together. I was rather put out (you all know how I get sometimes...) Conversations like this constantly re-confirm my "Americanness" which is something I wasn't really conscious of before my service here. And ya know what, its pretty good to be an American.

Oh here is an NGO that works in my site

http://www.amoshealthandhope.org/Health_for_all/Home.html

I've only met with them a couple of times, but I really like their ideas about international aid. They don't give handouts. They give information And trainings. For example their working on bringing down midwives from the US to train midwives here. This knowledge is 100 times more valuable than handing out new equipment that may or may not be used. They also have some nice pictures on their website which are worth checking out.

That’s all for them moment!