Life in Gbarnga

To clear up something from before, I live in Bong County in the town of Gbargna (pronounced Banga or Bonga, depending). I was confused because I thought that they were calling Bong Banga. But Bong is just Bong County and the town in Gbargna. Hopefully that didn't make it more confusing.

Anyways... I drove up to Gbargna last night. Part of the drive was in the light and part was after nightfall. What I saw during the day was breathtaking. When the night came I got a little nervous because I realized how much I was truly in the bush in the middle of nowhere! Honestly, had a little cry when I got here because I was so overwhelmed and felt so out of my comfort zone. But I am okay now.

About my new home...
I live in a compound and my room is in the same building as the field office for Gbargna. The only other person who lives here is Dr. George, whom I have not met yet because he is in Kenya. Right now the director's nephew, Kaleb, is staying with me so I am not alone. On Wednesday, this girl Catiline who I met yesterday is coming to keep me company. She is very cool and we hit it off right away, so we should have fun here for a couple of days.
My room is simple: bed with bed net, desk and chair
Bathroom is interesting. no running water, and to wash you have to take a pitcher and dip it in this big barrel of well water (that does not look clean at all and smells) and stand in a tube and dump the water over you. I still don't feel very clean after that. My mom is sending a package of more baby wipes, so that's good! Thanks Mom! When you have to go to the bathroom, you have to take that pitcher and dump water down the toilet to flush. Might take a bit to get used to, but that's okay.
The kitchen is a camp-sized burner and water that the cook boils everyday. Everything pretty much has to be out of a box because their is no refrigerator. But... bugs are everywhere in the kitchen! Last night Kaleb and I made Mac and Cheese and we had to boil the noodles and wait for the bugs to rise to the top to scoop them out. The suckers chew right through plastic and boxes! Eww.

This morning was nice. Kaleb and I explored the town because I really can't do much here until the Dr. gets back into town because I will be taking some portions of the nutrition program from him, so I need him to help with that. We walked around the market and people were so friendly. We explained what we were doing here and the people shook our hands and thanked us for being there and said we were most welcome. It was very nice. We certainly drew a crowd because we were the only white people around. People kept yelling, "white man," or "white woman" and one person said "hey white meat." Interesting. But they they said we are friends and the ladies tell me that we are now sisters. I can't wait to get to work with these wonderful people. Just on the drive into town I saw several swollen bellies and other signs of malnutrition. I also noticed that some of the men here are very short. That's not a regional thing, but most likely a sign of chronic malnutrition- stunting.

As for food, we bough 4 mangos (they call them German plums) and 3 HUGE plantains for about $0.25. We had the bananas with peanut butter and that was our lunch. Awesome fruit.

The cleanliness thing is definitely something I will have to get used to. It is so hot here and I just sweat all the time! Then with the shower situation... ew. So I have to get used to that, but hopefully I will adjust a bit.

I tried to put pictures right on the blog but the Internet is very slow here so it wasn't loading- I am on a satellite connection in the middle of nowhere so I really wasn't expecting too much. So grateful for any connection at all! I am researching nutrition information for local foods so the internet is essential.


OK, thats a lot. Love you all and miss you!

-I literally jsut got a phone call that I need to be back in Monrovia until Saturday because I need to help write a proposal for funding that is due Friday. I really am getting thwon into the humanitarian world! You need funding to do work- so off I go, back to Monrovia!

No time for pics now- ill do in Monrovia!