If you can volley a wrench, you can volley a ball...

SO, lots of things happening since my last update! It’s been a while since I’ve written, for a variety of reasons. At first, my computer stopped working for a while, the error message reading that there was a USB overcurrent in one of my ports… I guess that my computer got better, because not only does it now turn on, but that particular USB port works fine now. I didn’t do anything to fix it, so I’m assuming it was some sort of miracle. Also, my internet modem wasn’t working for a little while there, but it has also miraculously healed itself. I’m not going to ask any questions here, I’m just happy that they’re working :)

So far, I’ve taught two levels of class, Junior Secondary One and Two. I’ve taught about The Scientific Method, Bodies in the Universe, Forces, and we’re just now starting on energy. That’s level one. In level two, we’ve talked about planets, the moon (and its various effects on the Earth), and we’re about to start on transformations of energy. It’s been difficult to do any experiments the students are involved in, but I’ve gotten a room cleared out for me, and I’m going to make it the Science Lab. I still won’t be able to get a whole class into this room to do experiments, but I’m forming a “science club,” so interested students can get hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and experimentation. I’m pretty excited about it. I *would* be working on my lab right now, but let me tell you a story that will explain why I’m going to have to take a little more time to work on it…

My principal called a meeting, during which I was drifting away, thinking of other things: you, erebos, milkshakes. My principal suddenly brings me up and talked about how much hope they were putting in me and how much I was helping the school. I thought he was referring to my numerous projects and innovative teaching curriculum, but, alas, I was mistaken. He was referring to, as yet unannounced to me, my new position as head volleyball and basketball coach for this year. He went on to tell the staff that volleyball and basketball are America’s national sports, so I was, of course, gifted in these areas. I quickly interjected and said, “I know how to PLAY volleyball… I don’t even know the rules for basketball.” Unfortunately, this was good enough to be an acceptance speech for the position of head volleyball coach. I realize now that I was haggled into the position. I was offered not one, but TWO positions I was not qualified for, so I was doing well to pardon myself from even one… This was a devilishly clever move on my principal’s part, one that I’m not likely to forgive him for, but it paled in comparison to his next play. He asked me to come with him after the meeting, and I followed, thinking that I could talk him out of this madness one-on-one in his office. We stopped amongst the students, near the stage in the middle of the courtyard. “I need to make an announcement,” he told me as we stood upon the podium. “STUDENTS!” he yelled. “THIS WEEK, WE BEGIN OUR SPORTS EDUCATION.” The students cheered, showing much more enthusiasm for kicking a ball than they ever did for studying the forces behind kicking a ball. “THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A NEW COACH…”

“Oh, sweet Jesus, no,” I thought.

“HIS NAME IS MR. CROSSLEY, AND HE IS FROM AMERICA!! HE WILL BE COACHING VOLLEYBALL, WHICH IS AMERICA’S NATIONAL SPORT!! THEREFORE, WE WILL WIN EVERY GAME WE PLAY!! LET US CHEER FOR HIM! CROSSLEY! CROSSLEY!”

The students joined in the chant. “CROSSLEY! CROSSLEY!”

“Noooo!” I thought, as I pumped my fist in the hair and bellowed, “YYYEEAAAAHHH!!!!!” but it was too late. The damage was done. And now, I am the head volleyball coach for Kamakwie Wesleyan Secondary School…

Sometimes, life is kind of like a Ben Stiller movie.

Some pictures! :)

From Freetown

Hey guys!
Today, I'm writing from the Peace Corps hostel in Freetown. It's pretty swanky. Electricity, running water, satellite internet, and the computer room even has AIR CONDITIONING! :O
I'm actually downloading some old video games onto my netbook right now. Crazy! It's great to have these facilities here. The hostel is up on top of a hill overlooking the Atlantic ocean... It's kind of like having a free resort in Freetown. Just went to the "supermarket" down the street, and bought some Diet Coke (can you believe I've only had 3 since coming here??), some mustard, some honey bbq sauce, and an ice cream cone. It cost me a fortune (relative to what I make), but hey- I'm in Freetown! :) I also just found Michael Crichton's "Sphere" on audiotape, so I'm borrowing that :D
School still hasn't started. I was told that it *might* start on Monday, but I still haven't heard that the teachers have been paid, so I'm skeptical.
Heading back to Kamakwie tomorrow morning. The trip is long and a little painful on the tucus, but it's worth hanging out in the hostel for a couple of days. I'll be coming back again next month.
As far as other projects are concerned, my community map is done for now. Excited about taking it to the next level, but I'll be glad to work on something else for a bit. I've been putting together some teaching materials for my classes, so I'll be well equipped for my first few weeks to start off. I made some cool cards that together make up 104 elements of the period table. Plan on assigning each student an element and then having an element-of-the-day. Nicole came up with a great idea do play some games by making students "react" and "bond" with each other- relating valence electrons and such...
My mother has told me to put some pictures on here... I'll do my best :)
Thanks for reading!

The waiting is the hardest part...

[I actually wrote this on... Tuesday, I think? Sorry for the delay. Airtel (phone company) has been updating its data system, so it's been offline for a while.]

I’ve been a bad, bad blogger… and I’m sorry.

Things have been going well for me in Kamakwie. I’ve been here for exactly one month today. It feels simultaneously longer and shorter than that… The community map project I’ve been working on for the last month has just completed phase one! All the roads (that I could find) in Kamakwie have now been mapped. As soon as my principal gets back into town, I’ll go with him to present the map to the chiefdom authority. He’s under the impression that they’ll be very excited about it. I’ve got the map set to a 1:2500 scale, so every unit of measurement on the map is equal to 2500 of those units on the ground. In all, we’ve covered over 10 km of road so far. Kamakwie is a big town. There are still a lot of smaller paths that I think I would like to record at some point, but I’m going to wait and hopefully push that off onto some oh-so-eager geography students. Thanks to my wonderful grandmother (and the cooperation and assistance from my also wonderful mother), I’m being supplies with a classroom set of compasses. I’m excited to teach locals and students and students how to do relative-point surveying (can’t remember the actual name for it), as this will really expand my project into a truly sustainable one. Once I’m gone, Kamakwie will have the equipment (and more importantly, the know-how) to continue to add features to the map. Steve Rosscoe (PhD, BAMF) is sending me a GPS unit and digital map-making software to use for the next two years as well. I plan on using these in collaboration with a French NGO, Interaide, to map out water wells, record elevation, and get some really valuable data for development projects. I am so lucky to have family and friends back home to support me in trying to help people in need. All of the aid you give me here makes truly tangible differences in this community. Before I left, people told me that, “You’re going there for all of us, Sam.” If I had only known how true that would be. Your love and support is visible on the faces of people here who are grateful for everything you do. Thank you. It also feels great to be able to apply what I’ve learned in my studies so soon after completing them- and doing so effectively. Feeling pretty good about life today, despite the horrible stomach cramps from eating too much hot pepper.

Thanks also to the people who have been sending me letters and packages. It’s always lovely to hear from people back home, and of course always lovely to get packages. Haha. Special thanks to ma & pa, Aunt Cindy & Uncle Hogue, and Nicole Martinez. I’ve loved getting the packages from you guys. There are 2 currently with my mail warden (I’ll pick them up at the end of the month) and I’m SURE the rest are on their way. :) I’ve found a special use for candies like caramels and peppermints—making flavored coffee. Good stuff.

School was supposed to start yesterday, the twelfth, but the teachers here are refusing to teach, because they haven’t been paid in a year. The Ministry of Education (not affiliated with Ministry of Magic) has told schools that teachers will be paid, but I have not heard of a delivery system for that payment as of yet. So, we wait. Tentatively, the starting date was moved back to the nineteenth, but now I’m hearing rumors of starting on the twenty-sixth. Ee-bo. Hopefully things will be resolved soon. I’m ready to talk about some science!

I was sitting under a shack in the rain the other night, eating a goat meat sandwich and talking to a wandering Frenchman on vacation from his NGO job in Conakry, Guinea, when I realized that my life is pretty cool. There are so many things that I could talk about that are just part of life now, but are things that I would never get the chance to do back home. I apologize in advance for how many times I’m going to say, “You know, when I lived in Sierra Leone…” but you’ll just have to deal with it. :D

I’m going to *try* to unlock my blog so that anyone can read it from now on. My internet is expensive, so I may not be able to accomplish the task yet… but I shall do my best.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to ask my questions and what-not. If you want to get involved with anything (even just a correspondence) let me know. Hope everything is awesome back state-side!

Sam

Good afternoon, everyone! Yes, it’s afternoon here right now. I just got back from the market, where I bought a few things that I’ll need for my house is Kamakwie. I got a bucket, bowl, spoon, wooden spoon, cup, plate, and amazing thermos that can keep water hot for like 3 days. I don’t know how it works, but everyone has one here, and it’s amazing… not as amazing as simply turning a knob and getting hot water, but that seems like something from another planet at this point. I also got a universal power strip to plug into the wall at my host family’s house, so I can charge all my electronics. It doesn’t convert the voltage (or whatever), but it fits an American-style prong. Apparently, most modern electronics are rated to withstand the 250 volts. Who knew? I’ve charged my stuff at the town hall a few times, but I haven’t been able to charge it at home until now. My house in Kamakwie does not have electricity, BUT the school has solar panels, and about 15 computers with only a couple of outlets, so I’m going to give it to them when I move there. I also checked the prices of several things (coal stove=30,000 Le; mattress=280,000 Le). Everywhere I go, I get the Oporto (white man) price, and have to haggle the hell out of them. Consequently, going to the market can be quite tiring. Also, you have to carry everything back home, unless you pay someone to carry it for you. I haven’t gotten that desperate yet, but those coal pots are awfully heavy…

For a mere 5,000 Le (strangely, the same price as a meat sandwich…), I bought a little puppy friend. His name is Bob Marley. He’s a purebred African Shepherd, or mutt, and I think he’s about 7 or 8 weeks old. He was a pain in the butt for the first week, as was to be expected, but he’s settled down a bit. He loves playing my pant cuffs and eating fish bones. He also likes peeing on my bed, but I only let him do that sparingly—you have to set boundaries with children.

Speaking of children, Summer School is going well. I’ve only got one more week left… Na so di taym de flay (Krio for “time flies”). I’ve been having a blast, and all my evaluations have come back with excellent marks. It’s been great practice experience for me—I get to learn how to most effectively teach the students, and they get to learn things from the magical white man, who sometimes brings lollipops when they do particularly well on review days. I’m still trying to figure out how to best test the students. In my youngest class, they sit about 3 or 4 to a desk (about 80 students in all), so cheating, or “spying”, is a big problem.

The other volunteers have been quite envious of my internet accessibility, but some were just able to get the modems today. Many have tried, few have succeeded. Someone needs to give Airtel a lesson in business management.

I just finished eating a papaya (they call it popo). They are AMAZING here. Tastes just like ice cream. I could eat them til I get sick. Sitting here staring at some fresh bananas and a pear… Seeing how long I can manage to avoid devouring them. The fruit here is pretty damn good. Pineapple, mango, oranges (you suck oranges here, you don’t eat them), and a bunch of fruits I’ve never heard of. One of the coolest kind of tastes like an apple—Star fruit. When you slice it, it looks like a star! Cute. Oh, also, the avocados here are fantastic.

For all the delicious fruit, the meals here leave something to be desired. Rice and “plasas,” which basically means “sauce you put on rice.” Some plasas is good: granat (groundnut), binch (beans), and cassada lif (cassava leaf) is ok. If someone ever offers you kren-kren, though, you throw it in their face. I will starve before I eat that crap again. Haha.

We are finding ourselves eating street food more and more often. My personal favorite is the binch ball sandwich. They make these little balls out of mashed up beans, fry ‘em (everything is fried), and serve them on bread with onions, pepper, and oil. We call binch balls “African chicken nuggets.” They’re the bomb. I saw a man with an ice cream machine in town today. I didn’t have a free hand, but I fully intend to find him again tomorrow. Ice cream sounds like a good idea when it’s ridiculously hot outside.

The other day, we learned how to make what I’ve called “Peace Corps Pizza.” It’s a recipe that uses local ingredients to make something that tastes enough like pizza to move a volunteer to tears. I can’t wait to start experimenting with cooking in Kamakwie…

Sorry for talking about food so much… I’d say about half of the conversations here end up talking about food at some point. “Remember hamburgers?” “Shit, don’t talk about hamburgers… Remember tacos? What about turkey sandwiches?” It’s pretty sad. I think that’s literally what we talk about every day right after summer school, before we go to lunch at the town hall and eat rice and plasas. If anyone has been considering opening a fast food franchise, I hear Kamakwie, Sierra Leone is lovely this time of year…

My computer is about to run out of battery, and electricity doesn’t come on for a couple of hours, SO I’m going to end this post, but I promise to update again later.

Love you guys!!

Sam

Hello from Africa!

Hey everyone! Sam here. Sorry I haven’t been able to update until now! As you can imagine, internet can be hard to find in a third world country… Unless you know where to look! Yesterday, I bought a mobile internet modem from one of the cell phone providers in Sierra Leone, called Airtel. For a mere 390,000 Le (that’s about $100 after exchanging money) I can connect to the internet anywhere that I have Airtel coverage. It’s pretty amazing. All the other trainees are jealous, and also quite eager to pay me so they can check their messages. Haha. I’ve decided not to make a profit, since they are all in the same boat as I am.

Anywho, I’ve been in Makeni, Sierra Leone for nearly two months now. It’s a pretty interesting town- the 5^th largest in Sierra Leone. Every day I walk about 20 minutes to get to the town hall, where we hold our 8-5 training sessions. Sessions tend to ere on the tedious side, but all-in-all I’m having a good time. We started Summer School for children in Makeni this last Monday. They were hesitant to participate in a class led by a strange “Oporto,” (Tribal slang for “white man”) but after the first couple of days, they were active and rowdy just like kids back in America. We did some fun exercises with planetary bodies and constellations, an awesome “basketball review” class on Thursday, then had a test covering that material on Friday. Moooost of the students bombed the test, which is unfortunate, because they were the EXACT questions from the review that they did so well on. I think next time I will make the test multiple choice, as I don’t think that many of them have the necessary English language skills to complete a fill-in-the-blank test. It’s a learning process for all of us, and every day we learn a lot about how to better convey information to our students. For example, where one might say that “Science” is the systematic study of the natural world (or something), my definition ran along the lines of “a process we use to get answers by asking questions that can be tested with facts that can be proven.” It’s kind of a mouthful, but we’re all trying to figure out ways to explain things to students who don’t have a vocabulary equivalent to the material being taught (always open to suggestions from all the teachers out there). A special challenge here is that students (and adults) don’t really understand the concept of communicating by analogy. This makes not only the language barrier significant, but also complicates teaching methods…

Sometimes it’s hard to adequately describe what Sierra Leone is like to people back home. I’ve been immersed in it so long now that it doesn’t seem so strange. In fact, the idea of driving down an interstate that’s not populated by daredevil motorcyclists or walking through a clean neighborhood with no one outside is what really seems weird. Haha. I’m staying with my host family (the Kabba family) in Makeni for the remainder of training. I’ve been getting along with them alright, but I think they don’t like how much I have to work. They seem to get annoyed when I come back late and go to my room to write lesson plans/grade papers. Oh well. Only 3 more quick weeks left of training! I get sworn-in on August 12^th, Nicole’s birthday! She graduated from HSU on mine, so it’s only fair ;).

Hmm, I think I’m probably stretching the patience of my lovely readers. In summary, I’m having a good time. Sometimes things are hard; sometimes they’re really hard, but I’m happy to be here. I love teaching Integrated Science so far, and I’m excited to move into my own house and stop being babied J. Thanks for making it to the end of this post! Feel free to ask questions or give input…

Love, Sam          

Finally, pictures!

Taking the Road Less Travelled

We took Sam to DFW before dawn's crack, so he could make that 7:55 flight to Chicago. The first pic is your standard "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille," but the second shot is the one that yanks a mother's heart (s0rry, Sam, I had to do it). There you go, off into the wild blue, then off to the wilder blue, deep into the land of several books I've taught and you've read. Poisonwood Bible, Heart of Darkness (yikes!), just to name a couple. What I gather from these authors is that you don't "change Africa;" it's the other way around. What will happen, however, is that you will change individuals one at a time, just by being who you are -- funny, big-hearted, resourceful...and I'm not biased...handsome as all get-out.

Sam hates the way I plot-spoil in a movie, because I stage-whisper, "Here's what's going to happen." Well, here's what's going to happen: Sam will first miss the familiar people and dog and places he has left behind for a while. Then dark, beautiful faces will start filling in those spaces; an animal will wander up to him and find a new partner. A new friend will show him an exciting path nearby, where the flora and fauna will seem like Narnia to him. The names will challenge him, but his awkward attempts to put them with faces will nurture the new bonds. Sam will be about relationships. He will get over the intestinal challenges of strange food and he will love the music, the instruments, the palpable sense of community. He will fill his days with work and play, with science and with people. He will read. He will not only play his guitar but write music as well, music that embraces the culture around him. A couple of kids will be drawn by the music, and one will learn to play, because Sam will teach him. Another will learn a few self-defense moves. At least one girl will feel empowered by his respect for her as a human being. And I want to know her name. Spoiler Alert: I'm pretty sure it starts with an "M."

Adios, Texas.

Tonight is my last night in Texas. Tomorrow, I'm flying to Chicago and meeting up with the other 50 or so volunteers that will be accompanying me to Sierra Leone. My flight arrives at 10:10am, at which point I'll meet 10 of my fellow volunteers at baggage claim. From there, we'll go to the hotel where orientation will be held from about 12pm to 7pm (so I'm told).

I'd like to go ahead and start thanking the faculty and students of All Saints' Episcopal School for their support of resources and shipping costs. The resources donated to schools in Sierra Leone not only make my job as a teacher exponentially easier, but they can provide a medium for students to discover a world far more grand than anyone could have imagined. Thank you so much for your donations and thank you in advance for the further plans you have for helping to drive the education for students in Sierra Leone. I believe that we can make this relationship grow and prosper on both sides of the Atlantic.

As for me, I think I need to go to bed now (have to get up at 3:45). If I have time, I'll update from Chicago; otherwise, I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next! Keep a lookout for new posts, though. I'll keep in touch with people as best as I can, so you may get a few updates and photos from my mother.

Wish me luck!

Sam

She packed my bags... pre-flight

I'm a rocketmaaan... and I'm still trying to figure out how blogs work (I feel old).

This blog is to keep friends and family informed of my goings-on in Sierra Leone during my Peace Corps volunteer experience. I have no idea how often I'll actually be able to access this blog during service, but I will do my best to keep everyone informed whenever I can.

I leave for Chicago on May 31st at 7:55am for orientation, and will depart from there for Sierra Leone on June 1st. Right now, I'm packing my suitcase full of things I want to take with me to Africa... Hmm.. what to take... what to take...

The suspense is palpable.