International Women’s Day is March 8^th. Wanting to do a simple but fun activity for the girls in Kossouka, I asked the town’s Inspection (school board) if they would be interested in organizing and funding a girls soccer tournament for CM2 girls (6^th graders). If the town was willing to support and host the event, I could donate an old soccer trophy I had. 

Before championship game- Ecole C

Before championship game- Ecole B

My expectation was a really modest event. A series of games the week of Huit Marz (March 8^th) with a well-attended but simple finale on the 8^th.  I was aware the boy’s had an annual tournament but assumed, seeing as this was the first time girls were going to be encouraged to play, the finale wouldn’t be much of a spectacle for the town, just a chance to give the girls an organized event to participate in. The modest expectations I held hugely under estimated my town’s commitment to host an event and give the girls the same spot light as the boys.

The crowd that came to watch the final!

During the second meeting, after agreeing to the concept, I was shown the budget. It was way over what I thought necessary. But- I think this might be part of a second year volunteer mentality?- I let it be and reminded them the budget could be what they wanted, as long as they found the means to fund it.

And they did! The whole tournament ended up having six teams of fifteen girls, ninety girls total getting to participate, each playing a minimum of two games. The finale had a tent, sound system, cash money prizes, an MC, and was attended by the heads of Kossouka. 

The end of the championship game was tied, so a shoot off was held...

Ecole B getting ready...

And they made it! 

Listening to the MC repeat the opening lines I gave “differences between girls and boys are a matter of opportunity, not capacity” throughout the game, hearing the mayor comment with surprise to the other adults how well the girls were playing, watching the girls hold their own and play a good game, and seeing the team’s freak out excitement at the end was so much more exciting than I had anticipated. Kossouka- the school board who organized the tournament, the teachers who coached the girls, and the town who donated all the money- completely took me by surprise how much they got behind the event. 

Captain of the winning team with their trophy

The mayor, prefet, head of school inspection, and other members of the community who helped organize the event 

Weird end note: the Inspection insisted on calling the event “Coupe de FLAMM Elizabeth” (awkward request to have my father get that engraved on the trophy…), giving me one of the moments I am relieved I am the final volunteer here and don’t have to wonder what egotistical reputation later volunteers would think I had. I really hope though the town’s insistence on the name is just out of appreciation for the trophy, and they realize the ENTIRE event was facilitated completely by them, funds, making the schedule, getting equipment, everything. They say this will now be an annual Huit Marz event. We’ll see… if they have the same memory of the ecstatic mayhem after the game, hopefully it’ll encourage another showing next year. 

Winning team with their trophy :) 

Dedougou Mask Festival

Below are some photos of the mask festival that occurs in Dedougou, Burkina Faso every two years.

The commentary for the event was difficult to understand, so it was not clear to me which part of the country the masks come from or when they were used. I wish I could give a description or story along with the photos to be better explain them…oh well,  hope you enjoy the photos none the less :) 

Stephanie visits Burkina!!

In March, Stephanie, one of my best friends from Morton, WA, came out to visit. Her trip was so well timed! The day after she came in was the wedding of my friend Ade, my language teacher when I first arrived in country.

So weddings in Burkina tend to have three parts. They start at the local mayor’s office where they sign the marriage certificate, exchange rings and take photos.

Then the party moves to the church and a service is held with multiple couples at the same time, each exchanging vows and rings. Once the service is done, the wedding parties join the audience; they form a circle around the pews and dance. I’ve decided that I really like this type of dancing- you’re always moving around the room, and everyone’s moving together. 

On the way to the reception- the third part- we see a truck broken down and a bride out pushing the truck to get it started. As we get closer we realize the bride is Ade! And the truck is an army tank! She’s there wearing combat boots and a helmet, her husband is next to her, and there are tv cameras filming her. We suddenly become curious who exactly was the person Ade just married… Never figured out his title, but their entrance to the reception under a salute of swords only further peaked our curiosity. 

After the wedding Stephanie and I headed to the mask festival in Dedougou, which occurs every two years. There are enough videos and pictures of that I will have to save it for the next blog (which won’t be 6 months later).

Then we traveled up north to my site, Kossouka! It was so nice having someone from home meet my friends and just be there to hang out with during the down time of the day.

Hanging out with a friend in village while he makes his sculptures

Steph keeping busy during one of my meetings

Stephanie had been a pen pal with my best friend in site, Risnata. It was so exciting that she was actually able to come and they could meet each other! 

Risnata got Steph and me matching Huit Marz (International Women's Day, 8th March) traditional pagne 

Before Steph flew out, we stopped by the park and got to see some crocodiles sun bathing and a peacock showing off his feathers. It was the first time I has ever seen one open up in real life, gosh, so mesmerizing.

The steph (plus)-size ant hill we stumbled on 

Right? Gorgeous! And huge!

Highlight of the trip was getting to celebrate Stephanie’s acceptance to Milligan University for her Masters in Occupational Therapy! We treated ourselves with a visit to Gondwana, a restaurant that feels like you’re eating in a desert tent that is also an amazing art gallery.

CONGRATULATIONS!! 

Such a well timed and much needed visit- thanks for coming Stephanie!!