Last Sunday we had a community meeting with the chief of Mambele. Also in attendance were a dozen or so important village delegates. I really have no idea what certain people do, for instance one delegate is the chef de post (chief of the post), he has an office that we have never seen open and if it were to be open we don't know who would go there and what, if anything, would be accomplished. But back to the meeting, despite Matt's assurance that he knew where the chefferie was, the chefferie was not to be found in town. We received some vague instructions from local villagers that consisted of it's "down the road." And again later every person would passed would indicate to continue down the road, that it was "further still," then they would smile knowingly and shake their heads at us. Over an hour later, six kilometers away, we arrived covered in dirt and sweat at the chefferie. We were told later that the chefferie is the center of Mambele and it is the boutiques, guest houses, school, offices, and soccer field that are a long way out of town (go figure).
The meeting went rather well, all things considered, and went something like this (translated in parts):
Matt: "Bonjour tout le monde"
Everyone: "Bonjour"
Matt: "We are Peace Corps Volunteers"
applause
Matt: "We also work for the WWF"
applause
Matt: "I have a wife"
applause
Matt: "We do not have any kids"
awkward silence
Sarah: "Bonjour"
Everyone: "Bonjour"
Sarah: "Thank you for attending"
applause
Sarah: "We are very happy to be here"
applause
Sarah: "We will be here for two years"
applause
Sarah: "We are volunteers, so we do not have money to give out"
Villager: "We know you don't have money because you walked all the way here"
applause
After the meeting we took a beer with the chief, who insisted on sitting covertly behind the bar so no one would see him and ask for money. Well, we liked how he was thinking so we had a cheers to that. Then the chief, taking one last swig of his 24oz beer, smiled a toothless grin and announced "Je suis votre pere"(translation "I am your father.")
Thus, we have begun our integration.
-S
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4 comments:
applause
Glad to see you guys are doing well!
Matt, thanks for the business like email! haha, just kidding dude!
you guys take care! -FT
How fun. Glad you have officially met all the officials. At least there's beer! Is it any good? Hope you are well. Miss you both lots.
Matt - why can't I see your photos? It says there is no public folders. Let me in please! Sarah - great pictures. It really gives me a feel for your place there. I would like to see pictures of the inside of your home!
I still would like to charter a helicopter, fly straight away to your village of Mambele and dropped down in your front yard for a visit...couple weeks maybe...I'll keep playing the lottery. Until then, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
KK
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