Surprise Phone Call

Just got off the phone with Simon, the volunteer in Nairobi. Sounds like an awesome site. Not to say that Togo isn’t, but the major city, other volunteers/people, and different work sounds like an amazing change of pace for me. I was hesitant at first about not returning home, but I think if this goes through it will be well worth taking advantage of the opportunity.

In terms of Togo, I have come close to nailing down this Pen Pal deal between Duchesne and the girls at the school here. Everyone seems to be on board, now I just have to see if it will work out as planned. Aside from that I have decided to spend the last 3 weeks here expanding the garden and making it a little more user friendly. Currently, as you can see in the picture that I posted last week, there is a row of trees and brush on the right side, a curved, rocky path down the center, overhanging trees, dead plants and everything in between on the left. My goal is to clear the brush in the line of trees and fill the void with the rocks that are scattered around. The dead brush, plants, and branches will be cleared to make room for further expansion (or maybe even a bench or two since the garden is the only green thing this side of the Nile and North of the Equator). The paths will be straightened and expanded to allow for easier passage. The entrances will be gated to prevent people from wandering in and taking random veggies. Currently where the gates will be going, Blaise is using a pile of brush, which works well…too well even, because sometimes it takes me a few minutes to clear a path for myself! I have also been trying to think of a rain collection system to help with water-distribution during the wet season.

If there is one thing I have learned here, it is that decoration and the “looks of the place” come second to usefulness. Well the garden and areas around the monastery are an eyesore, with the exception of the buildings themselves. But as I am hoping some people pick up on, adding a touch of class here and there can do wonders for a public image and psyche of a place like this. Also, the renovations will double the current size of the garden allowing room for expanded use.