Monday, September 8, 2014

DAY TWO of the Central North Tour- Kotoula-Yarse!!!

After a rainy night in Loaga, the PCVs were off to Kotoula-Yarse for the longest bike ride of the tour. 15km to Kongussi, Loaga's regional capitol and then another 52km to Kotoula-Yarse, the village of Christen "Sana Awa" Maguire. Christen is a pre-school teacher and education volunteer in Burkina Faso.
 Faith Toran listened (and danced) to Erica Badou's "Out of my Mind" for her 67km ride.

Leanne Demery had a DJ mix playing.

Kara O'Brien was zooming away to "Girls Just Wana Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.

And Fynn was enjoying the sounds of the road. 

Luckily, the volunteers stopped in Kongussi for some famous yogurt before continuing on the hilly and muddy ride to Christen's village. 
Fynn sure does love his yogurt! Yum!
Flooding on the road at the Kongussi Lake. 

Louis, our Peace Corps driver and superstar, helps us put the bikes on the car to cross the flood.

Here Faith Toran splashes through one of many puddles on the road!

When the volunteers arrived to Kotoula-Yarse, Christen was there ready to do her discussion with the village on hygiene. Everyone met underneath a covered patio where 63 village members came to learn. The PCVs again shared their knowledge and stories on gender equality. Then, Christen, used USAID hygiene cards to discuss the topics of using a bathroom, washing hands, clean cooking, and proper footwear.
Christen and her counterpart show the photos and ask questions about healthy living.
Leanne and Christen post up the cards for everyone to see!

At the end of the session on hygiene, the community members had many questions. Women explained that they had never thought about sharing courtyard work with the men. Some of the men asked if they could have more lessons on health topics because they had never learned about family planning, or latrines. Overall it was a very successful talk and Christen and Kotoula-Yarse have a lot of work cut out for them! 
After a long day of biking and teaching the volunteers set up camp in the school. Good night Kotoula-Yarse! 


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