The road wasn’t fruitless

In the Malagasy culture when one goes on a trip or excursion, if you will, you have the option to bring back a gift for the ones you love (for me – it’s my host family). In particular to the region you just visited. The South East region is where I just came from. In the region the women have taken on the task of weaving. Hats, purses, placemats, baskets.

If one comes back empty handed from a trip you tell the family or loved one ‘The road was fruitless.’ In my opinion that saying is beautiful…a different way of saying ‘Sorry I didn’t get you anything.’ It’s literal translation means that the road you traveled on did not have any fruit to give back to your family. Fruit being the main gift. I decided to get a hat for my host mother, uncle and dad and also little purses for my sisters…just as a sign of thanks. Hopefully when I give it to them they’ll enjoy it. Just as much as I enjoyed purchasing it — I spoke to the lady who made the items for about 20 minutes with her son. By the way each item cost roughly 2,000 Ariary which comes out to be about $1. I was surprised at the price because for something handmade with an immense amount of craftsmanship, one would except to pay big dollars. But these women, women of laughter and perseverance; love weaving. This is their life – they weave for a living. Many might have side jobs – What? I don’t know.

The trip to my future village was enlightening to say the least. Amporoforo which is about 45 km south of Manakara and 50 km north of Farafangana, is housed on National Road 12 – paved, might I add. Conveniently coming from the North, the paved road ends just 20 km after my village. My house is a room within the doctor’s house and the house is located right next to the health clinic.

I met with the doctor, midwife, mayor and guard of the clinic on my site visit this week. It was definitely an experience and my language skills need improvement – so I’ve learned. Everything seems to be falling into place. I know where I will be living and at the end of September will be moved in.

I have to purchase everything – from a bed, table, chairs, gas stove and gas tank. I know! I didn’t think I would be using a gas stove to cook. I was ready to have to use fire to make my meals – thought wrong.

My ‘back yard’ faces a river and beyond that mountains. Mountains which Jacob and I have described it the same way; as if someone dropped green cotton balls on it. Mountains that look soft enough to touch – reach my hand out of my window and pet.

I have a clearing of land, of maybe about 20 ft by 20 ft. I intend on having a garden, putting up my clothes line and making my brick oven/grill top (outdoor cooking station, if you will). Very excited for all the possibilities.

My community however, is stricken mainly with malaria, diarrhea, Acute Respiratory Infections and malnutrition. The amount of trash on the streets and amongst houses is disgusting (for lack of a better word). My side project is to start a trash collection service but make it sustainable so that it can create more jobs in the village – long term. My health related project is still up in the air – I will decide when I reevaluate the situation and find out what the people really are in need of educationally.

The doctor that I will work with is 30 years old, fairly young and is very nice. Helpful. Gave me a coconut to drink while waiting for my taxi brousse. Taxi brousses are really a long shot – especially through a small town. You have to wave one down as it passes through. I waited 3 hours. But it went by quick; the chatting, the coconut and the fish lunch I had. Thanks doc. I will return there September 23rd or so, when I move in and start working.

Until then, more language training and technical skills training in Mantasoa back with my host family and the other 40 PCVs.

In the end, the road wasn’t fruitless – whether with fruit, gifts or a better understanding of a culture that I will embody in the next months.

In due time, love all and do good.

~ by healthymadagascar on August 20, 2010.