This past weeks schedule

Here's a little synopsis of my schedule of work this week as most people have trouble imagining what life is like on a day to day basis for a volunteer. This is typical, and yet there is no "typical." Some weeks there's more "work", others less. But maybe this gives an idea of the lack of structure, how much time is mainly meeting with groups and talking about things and planning meetings. This week went pretty smoothly. Some weeks, there is a lot more running around, a lot of stand up meetings, or meetings canceled because of death in the family or other work, or forgetfulness! And then in growing season of course all the work is in the field.

Monday: came home from Mandama, rearranged furniture in house; worked on some school lesson planning for Geography class
Tuesday: Had community meeting to give a report about my first year here: what activities we had worked on together, where we are at on different projects, what possibilities there are for the future and what some of the village needs/desires are. 3 hours long, 70 people. Scheduled meeting with Muslim Quartier to talk about their needs/desires for this next year and in the future. Did laundry.
Wednesday: Took moto to small village behind the mountain; met with Foulbe to look at the site they chose to start their tree nursery and talk with the three men who will work on it. Scheduled for them to come to Mafa Kilda next week to tour the three tree nurseries there. Walked back home, 2 hours. Rested in the afternoon, got water; Night: visit pepinieristes at their homes to make sure they are available for next weeks tour. Watched last 40 minutes of Cameroon-Gabon soccer match at pepinieristes house, outside with 30 other villagers.
Thursday: Morning--Went to the School to talk with school director about protecting trees. Went to Health Center to help with prenatal consultation day; Went to next village over market, met with some Foulbe and bought some produce and household things. Came home and worked on garden, cleaned up, rested.
Friday: went to Garoua and to the UNHCR office. Had planned to go to the refugee camp but because today was ration distribution day, rescheduled for next week to meet with women's group; talked about plannification and timeline for Moringa project. worked in office typing up a Trees for the Future exam and correspondence home; grocery shopping, post office, bank, fulfulde lesson
Saturday: Meeting in Garoua with ONG CELDIE to work on filling out information for an application for funding with the US Embassy for the construction of schools in a Foulbe Ladde Village near Nakong. Go to buy wood, go to tailors, Go back to Mafa Kilda. Meeting 4 pm for the Muslim Quartier
Sunday: church, visiting at home, reading, washing, local market