Flamms in Burkina!

Hello - This is Kaye and Kevin, Elizabeth's parents.  In early September we visited Elizabeth in Burkina Faso along with Alex, Elizabeth's brother, and Helen Cavanagh, Alex's fiancée.

Flamms in Burkina with Oumarou, our driver.

It was amazing to experience what it is like in Burkina, where Elizabeth has been a Peace Corps volunteer for almost two years.  We were impressed with the friendliness of everyone we met and with how well Elizabeth has integrated herself into Burkina life.


Awa, one of Elizabeth's best friends

The chief and elders at the elementary school in Sassaka

The young people in the village with glow stick bracelets from Alex and Helen

Elizabeth's young friends visit every afternoon to color in her courtyard

Elizabeth is assigned to Koussaka, a village of about 10,000 people.  The people of Koussaka provided Elizabeth's house.  While it much different from what we have in the United States, it is quite comfortable and one of the nicest compounds in the village with two rooms and an enclosed courtyard.



Elizabeth's house

The view from the courtyard

Entrance to the bathroom area



Her friends in village were very excited that we made the journey to Africa and provided gifts of chickens, eggs, and cloth to make us feel welcome.


Pagne for a skirt from Awa

A tasty chicken from Awa's husband, Sighedo

Since we visited during rainy season, the country side was quite green and the crops were almost ready for harvest.  These pictures were taken in the Sassaka elementary school garden that Elizabeth sponsored.


Yilar, the teacher who manages the garden



Red corn

Peanuts


One of our favorite spots in Koussaka was the bar where people gather to watch soccer and have a cold beverage. 

Satellite TV at the bar

Chairs for guests

Brakina the local beer!

We made a trip to the western part of Burkina to visit Banfora and the nearby national parks. Traveling approximately 250 miles took over 7 hours and was a great introduction to the pace of travel within Burkina.  Major highways are only partially paved and there is a lot of activity as people travel by car, moto, bus and bicycle among the villages and markets.

Burkinabe traffic

Our chariot while in Burkina

We spent about 4 hours hiking with a guide on very rainy day but it was worth it as the sights were quite spectacular.


Cascades de Karfiguela

Wet hike with tour guide

Domes of Fabedougou

Ougadougou, the capital of Burkina, was our base for travel between the airport, Banfora and Koussaka.  We very much enjoyed our stay at Le Karite' Bleu, a small boutique hotel with nice artwork and an interesting black crown crane that would always join us for breakfast.



Black crown crane, our "breakfast buddy"

Kevin relaxing

Crane?

Just outside of Ougadougou, we visted the Loango Sculpture Garden where artists from all over the world have created sculptures from local granite.  The results were quite interesting and provided another glimpse of the history and culture of Burkina.

African with migraine

Woman

People aren't always what they seem

Thank you Elizabeth for hosting a great visit!  We are sure it was challenging to coordinate, translate and watch out for four unindoctrinated family members as we traversed around a country that offered many challenges.  We admire and respect what you have accomplished and we can't wait for you to return in December!!!  Love, Mom and Dad