On vacation, I made a big decision that I've been thinking about for a while. I've decided to cut my two years short and return home. So this week I will be in Dakar doing paperwork and getting ready to leave. I have already moved out of my site and said my good-byes. "What happened?" you ask... Well, nothing happened, per se. There are many reasons, but they all boil down to I just wasn't happy. I did everything to change the circumstances, but there are too many things out of my control that I just cannot live with here any more. One can sacrifice to do good and noble things in the world, but when the people (for the most part, not all) are ungrateful, disrespectful, and don't want to help themselves, the costs suddenly outweigh the benefits. So the only option was to terminate my service with the Peace Corps.
Here are the pictures both from my time down in Kedougou and also the vacation to Cape Verde.
Also, an update on my tree nursery (which I have given the responsibility to my "brother" Pape Sangone to finish and plant around town). There 190 sacks of local varities(moringa olifera [which the locals call nev-a-die or sap sap], leucaena, baobab, acacia, ziziphus mauratanie, and neem) along with a few well knows like mango and cashew. Turns out it is possible to grow things in the Sahel region of africa.
Kedougou (south-eastern Senegal)
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| Kedougou Trip |
Cape Verde (Island-nation directly west of senegal in the atlantic)
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| Cape Verde |
I think I'm allowed to be excited. Woo hoo! After you're back and settled in, let's hang out! It would be so great to see you and hear some stories!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're coming home, our gain, the Peace Corps' loss! Can't wait to see you and hear all about the last year.
ReplyDeleteAunt Wanda
Kenny,
ReplyDeleteYou are the most noble and thoughtful person that I know. I know that I nor many could endure what you have for the past year. To postpone your plans & dreams in the States to attempt to help other people in a "Developing Nation" is humbling and doing God's work. Hang your head high and with a job well done. If the people didn't appreciate it, I know that I and God did.
While awaiting your plane home, take a minute and regroup your thoughts over the past few months. What have you been able to learn about Africa, the Peace Corp, America, and yourself? What were you able to accomplish? I am sure that the High School students can appreciate life in a different way, even if it will be to look up a a tree that will have a lasting influence on a village of people not even born yet.
See you soon. I will have the bug spray ready so we can pick some berries so Cathy can make us some yummy jelly :)
Love you & miss you,
Carrie