Tyto Alba Affinis

If you recall, I told a story on how after I came back from a meeting the library was a train wreck and that also, a bird had gotten in and exploded all over the place (if you know what I mean). To continue on that part of the story, lately everytime I've walked into that place there is more and more bird shit, it's not just little stuff from sparrows or whatever those little blue and red birds are, it's alot. lol. As I was sitting in the library today grading papers, there were two students reading and an inspector from the Ministry of Education working. Out from one of the missing ceiling panels comes this giant wingspan and this bird flies over the one students head. Then, it lands on the bookshelf and I see that this bird is an owl, Tyto Alba Affinis or the African Barn Owl.

This is not the actual bird, if it comes back I will try to get some photos of it.

Anyways, it started to fly back and forth from the bookshelf to the window. The window is screened in so it grabbed ahold of it and was trying to rip the screen off. It was succeeding too, but I think it had been working on it for a few days because it was already ripped. The two students didn't seem to mind the owl so much, they just kept watching me to see what I would do. I really had no idea of what to do, I mean what am I a bird catcher? So, I just opened the other door, I whistled at the owl, who was once again tearing at the screen, it looked at me and then out the door and it seemed to have this look on it's face like, "oh, I can get out that way". Then, it just flew over the students and right in front of me, then out the door. It was a really cool thing to see.

Now, the funny thing about this was the inspector never looked up once during all of this and this was a big freakin bird!!! The students at least acknowledged the thing and ducked to avoid its razor sharp talons, lol. Him not reacting to anything, is almost as amazing as seeing the bird itself. Imagine that guy on a safari....yikes.

The Fresh Air Fund

I recently recieved some information about a summer camp program and was asked to post the information here. After reviewing the program and what they are doing, I've agreed to do so. The name of the program is The Fresh Air Fund.

What they do is this: "Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend one of five Fresh Air Fund camps."

They provide a lot of oppurtunities in a variety of fields that you might be able to help out with, currently they are looking for college aged men and women who love to work with children. There is a lot of good that comes from programs like these and if you are interested in learning more, please visit these websites:

http://freshairfundcounselors.smnr.us/

http://www.freshair.org/

Thank you.

A Little Deeper Under the Skin

Well, I don't want to leave everyone hanging for another 2 months, and I think this may be of interest to some people. I feel like I've been writing the same story just with some variations, however, the past month has been a little different.

As I have said, I was put in charge of the library at my school ( a bit unwillingly). I was recently in Yaounde and visited the library at the American Embassy and talked with the director of the resource center there. He is a very nice man and was happy to see that someone was doing somework out in the middle of nowhere. He is currently looking for some things to possibly donate to me and he put me in contact with a publisher and set me up with a meeting that same day. Wonderful. I met with the man and he said he could cut the price of all books in half and then he would donate half the amount of books I ordered. So, if I order 50, he'll donate 25 and we still get the discount.

Obviously, I can't do anything because I don't have the funding at the moment. However, I returned to the school and told the principal of my goings on and what type of deal we could get. He seemed unsure of how we could accomplish such a thing, because there is no money (even though he said there was at the beginning) and they are relying on me to raise it. Which is kind of understandable I suppose, me being a PCV and all, but I still feel like he should take some more initiative and see what he can do...I mean I'm not here forever.

During all this, I got to hear him tell me about a PCV he had a few years back in another town, someone I like to call Super Volunteer. They did sooo much, organized this, and raised funds for that, etc.... Well I'm that guy. I've slowely realized that I don't think I came here for "developement work", I simply came to teach English and got this shit thrown on me.

And yes, it is shit (pardon my French). When I left for the committee meeting, I had the library set up, organized, and functioning. I left the president of the lecture/library club with a key so that students can still use it while I was away (no other teachers will come and work there or learn anything about it, so I use students). A teacher went up to the president and told her a lie that the principal said it was ok for him to use the library for his "dance club" and to give him the key. The trusting girl she is, she did. I, of course, found this out after I open the doors last Monday and find the place a total train wreck. (Also a bird got in and had target practice over everything) This man (and bird) has proven to be...uhm...how do I put this....an asshole (again with my French...) and I put no blame on my student who has proven to be trustworthy.

When I confronted said teacher, he claimed that he was in the process of gathering students to clean it and put the shelves and tables back where they belong. Alas, days pass and nothing changes (not a real surprise here). This morning, I took it upon myself to clean up his mess, but I will never do that again. I can walk away from that library easily if pushed, remember, I came to teach and get some experience that's all. I just think his actions were pretty rude and it really got to me. Apparently he isn't aware of the idea of what a library is.

Also, I've decided that remaining composed and speaking angerly at someone in French just isn't going to cut it anymore. I figure a raw uncut thrashing in my own native tongue will get the point across just as well, in fact I know it will. I'm kind of excited for that moment to tell you the truth, I'll post it when I do.

On a better note, I was approached by a man who wants me to give English lessons at the teacher training college nearby. That sounds likes something that I am more willing to do. My experience with adults was much better than with middle school aged children.

Until next time...