Tamana tsara

So, after a long break away from site, going to training and then traveling a bit, I came back refreshed and with a different outlook.  It’s strange what time away does to you.  Peace Corps puts a lot of emphasis on staying at site as much as possible but, from time to time, it helps to get away just so you can experience coming back to a place that you’ve started to think of as home.    

Recently, I’ve been pretty busy.  A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Jery Jery music festival with a coworker from the park.  There were something like twenty Malagasy artists, but I only saw three or so.  I also got a t-shirt, which many people are envious of in my village.  Malagasy people like to joke about the name of the festival because the word for “to watch” is “mijery,” but often the last syllable of words is repeated in casual conversation.  So, when I returned, everyone was asking if I had “mijeryjery’d Jery Jery?”

After the festival, I returned to take part in our regional VAC (volunteer action committee) meeting.  During VAC, volunteers get the opportunity to discuss how things are going at their sites as well as how they feel about various administrative issues related to Peace Corps.  One volunteer, who is selected as the regional representative, then takes this information to a larger meeting in Tana.  This time around our regional VAC was held on the beach in Foulpointe.  After meeting, we enjoyed a bit of sun, seafood, and a dip in the ocean.  

About once a month, I work with one of the guides to do a lemur transect.  This consists of walking the trails quietly and recording the species and location of lemurs we encounter.  It’s an awesome opportunity and I am usually fortunate enough to spot a few.  It can be tough as three of the five species (I think?) sleep during the day.  In general, they are all pretty fearful of humans and will move away from the trail quickly if they feel threatened. 

Other things at the park have also been pretty busy.  Work is almost complete on the fire break surrounding the perimeter.  This comes just in time, as many people have started burning their fields.  Everyday when I come home in the evening, I see large plumes of smoke in the distant hills.  It would be a tragedy if one land owner lost control of a fire and it spread to the protected forest.  The actual cutting of the fire break is a lot of work, but I’ve been shocked by how quickly people worked to make it happen.  I mean, imagine clearing a 10 meter wide, 11 km long path with nothing more than a few guys with machetes on sticks (antsybe). 

Another major event was a visit from the president of Missouri Botanical Gardens.  I was fortunate to get to meet him, as my park was selected as the place to receive him on his first trip to Madagascar.  He was greeted by Analalava staff as well as other MBG park managers from other sites around the country.   During his visit, he toured the forest restoration site and tree nursery.  For lunch, everyone was served some delicious food by the newly revamped women’s fikambanana.  It’s always great when guests come through as I usually get invited to eat with them. 

Within my village, I’ve decided to start an environmental club with the kids from the school.  Aside from teaching, playing games, and working on the school garden, I want to eventually bring the kids to the forest.  The presence of a “park” within my community is kind of a strange concept to the people who live here.  For almost everyone it’s a place for “tourists.”  I hope to bring an appreciation for the park to the local community, especially to the kids.  In twenty years, they may be the ones who decide whether to continue preserving it or not.

My “secondary project:” bringing a well to the village is underway.  I’ve got two motivated community members trying to do a budget for the project.  First, we’re trying to figure out the right approach though. After reading a book about hand dug wells, I’ve learned that there are many different ways.  It’s not a simple process and there are a lot of materials involved.  We’ve already dug a test hole though and hit water about a meter down, which is a good sign. 

Anywho, that’s my update for now.  Thanks again to those who have sent me mail.  I’m working on getting back to you.  Please remember to use this address:

Andrew Bourret, Peace Corps Volunteer
Missouri Botanical Garden
BP: 27
Mahavelona - Foulpointe
Toamasina (502)
Madagascar

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