two weeks in photos

The past two weeks have been interesting, but i have no desire to write much about my adventures. here's a quick recap and then photos.


The weekend before my birthday i went to visit a rural hospital because i was told that the Malnutrition center was really effective. so off i went to see what can be done when international funding from 3 sources meets a rural village hospital and 12,000 refugees. I was actually unimpressed with the center but maybe it was because there was only 2 sick children there and they didnt look as bad as most of the kids I am used to seeing in Ngaoubela. The center was nice, it had all the resources and painted walls and such. they even have community gardens where they teach the families what to grow for better nutrition.

Later we went on a hike in search of elephants, but alas, after the longest day of my life (no food or water or idea where we were most of the time) we made it back to the village safely without seeing dumbo. we saw lots of their tracks, broken trees and piles of shit, but no animals.

making a cookstove with a women's group


the finished product.

the wood goes in on the bottom and the pot covers the hole on the
top. it traps heat, saving on time and wood used. i havent been back to visit
the group yet, but hopefully its still standing.

XXXX

heading off into the bush.


this is ellie, our guide who went waaay too fast and never seemed to need
rest or water. or to know that we were anywhere close behind.

XXXXX

the first leg of the hike. we still look pretty positive about
our situation. we came from the mountains in the distance.
unfortunately i have no photos from the death march home.

happy birthday to me

after celebrating my birthday with lots of food coloring and sugar, i headed to my old village to take care of some work and visit old friends. Mostly I relaxed for a few days, went to my meeting with the women's group (who are doing wonderful and are even taking out credit with the savings and loan program i started with them), swam and hiked. here is what last weekend looked like to me:

fresh coffee, village style

little girls love laughing

i'm his 4th wife now.

view of the Meng River and the valley. Our old village (Meng)
is off in the distance

boys fishing

heading out to the swimming spot before the rain

swimming in the Meng!

cows crossing the Meng.

traffic jam. different cows, same spot.

surfing

picking mangos

farming

a trash can. "throw here"

then the trip back to ngaoundere, always fun. but this time i had my camera and was able to take lots of photos and videos.

prison car.
seats: 25
maximum capicity: N/A

beautiful views

there is no talking to the driver

and no vomiting allowed, although its not strictly enforced.

roadside restaurant

yum?

roadside gas station

gossip time. after prayer (the second of the ride) and
before getting back on the bus.