It's worth it.

*Sigh*

Everything is getting easier here. I feel like I'm finally adapting- to the language, the culture, the food, the clothes... I have met some really great people, made some great friends. And I finally feel like I can make a difference here and really, really help a lot of people. After a few successful meetings with important members of the community, I have received a lot of local support with a project to install robinets (water faucets) in the 8 of 14 elementary schools in Kaedi that are without access to water. When it is 120 degrees here and you can't tell the difference between sweat dripping down your legs or a fly in your skirt, it seems absolutely absurd that these kids sit in a classroom all day without any water, just absurd! The conditions are already so hard for the kids here that all I have found that I want to do is to help them in whatever way I can. After I finish the application for financing of materials, I'll begin teaching the teachers how to integrate health and hygiene into their lessons as well. I am really happy about this project. I have found that the community is also so enthusiastic about this is that they have volunteered to dig the water lines and install the robinets themselves. The mayor's office even, shockingly, agreed to handle the monthly water bills as long as the robinets are installed with a good security system so they won't be abused by kids and the school neighbors. It is just glaringly apparent that the community is genuinely interested and it is great!

So, If anyone else shares this enthusiasm of wanting to help advance the society of Mauritania by improving the education of young children in Africa through keeping them healthy by staying hydrated and clean, thereby more adept to a succeed in school and become better citizens of Mauritania, there is a way you can. My project will be financed through an organization called Peace Corps Partnership, where projects are completely supported by donations. My project will be posted, hopefully by mid-April, and there is a link that will let you donate on the peacecorps.gov website. Just follow the links to "donate to volunteer projects" and type in Mauritania where it lets you enter a country. You will see my project when it is posted, Inshallah!

Don't feel pressure, this is only if you are interested in helping thirsty kids in Africa! I'll keep you updated on the status! I hope everyone is well and in good health.

Love,
Linds