November 11, 2001 Letter
11/12/01
Hi Everyone!
We spoke to Matthew on Sunday afternoon. He is very excited about his posting in Djougou, a "city" by Benin standards which is close to the center of the country, about a day's drive from the Peace Corp's headquarters in Cotonou. He will start in the beginning of January, working either with a bank or for a national credit agency. He'll help start-up business with their accounting and planning. The work will be better defined as time goes on.
The family compound in which he will live (as the current volunteer does) has electricity 24 hours a day. His place does not have running water but it is available in the compound. The volunteer feels quite fortunate to be living with this family and tells Matthew that he will enjoy them. Other volunteers are posted within two hours in all directions and parts of this business project will include meetings with these volunteers every other week or so. He will learn computer programs such as Microsoft Access, and with a chuckle he said that he will return from Benin with greatly enhanced computer skills.
The city has a very good market with plenty of produce and other necessities. It is predominantly Muslim, a factor which adds even more interest to his stay there. He is looking forward to learning more about their religion. Speaking of religion, Matthew's family in Allada is Catholic so they celebrate Christmas, much to his delight. He has been asking them if they have a Christmas tree, etc. and they just smile and say "Just wait and see". We learned that there are three children in the extended family, girls who are 5yrs., 2yrs. , and 2 months old.
He's asked us to send them some little toys for them and perhaps some Christmas candy and decorations. They also have a VCR so we're on the lookout for French cartoons such as Tin-Tin or Babar. I've already found the book "The Little Prince" in French (one of Matthew's favorite stories) so he can read to them. :)
In the meantime, Thanksgiving plans are in the making. The volunteers will gather for a meal somewhere, and they have located a turkey. Of course someone will have to kill it....... Matthew is going to observe the technique his family uses on a chicken and see if he will either do the deed or become a vegetarian.
One day THREE of our packages arrived, including one sent Oct. 29th! Even though the delivery from the headquarters comes only once a week, he was surprised at the speed of the overseas mail. (I sent them via "air mail letter" rate instead of "slow boat" rate.) Volunteers usually try to find American visitors who will take mail back and post it here. When that is not possible we'll discover how long the Benin mail takes. Matthew goes to the internet cafe on occasion, but at a cost 1700 cfs, or over $2 per hour he dosen't linger on the computer. (He is paid $1 a day now). He says that it is otherwise quite possible to live within his means in Allada.
I do have some photos and a cassette tape which I'll get to the webmaster Chad, and Matthew says that more are on the way. (www.kopac.org) He would love to get photos of family and friends. He's been in the best of health and sends his wishes for the same for all of you! As do I.
Ciao!
Mary
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