The SEED program here in Africa is empowering. As the
interns, we teach classes and give business loans to people who need credit to
build their business. There are five of us here in Abomosu from USU: Garrett
and Zandra Hansen, Beverly Jensen, Allen Follett, and myself. Douglas Paddy is
the administrator for the program, and we interns live with Stephen Abu, Sr.
Garrett is the intern, and Zandra is his wife, and they are
in their second year of marriage. They are about my age, but both are older
than me. Garrett is from Cache Valley, and Zandra is from Washington state.
Garrett and I will be teaching together, and Zandra makes me laugh with her
attitude.
Douglas calls Bev his mother. Beverly Jensen is a
50-some-odd-year-old mother of eight children.
She left her husband and two youngest children at home to pursue her
educational goals. She is doing a great job of adjusting.
Allen is the tall white man. He towers most of the people
here, and he tends to stand out. He left his wife of one year home to come on
this adventure, but he wishes she could have come along. I share a room with
Allen, and he is the one that reminds me to take my malaria pills.
Douglas started as a translator for the former
administrator, who was a white guy from USU. When he quit, Douglas took over
because he knew most about the job. He lives in Akwadum (pronounced Aqua-doom)
and put puts around on his motorcycle. He is awesome and funny, but I am mostly
impressed with his maturity to work in the capacity he does.
I will write about Stephen later. He is an incredible man
with an incredible story, deserving its own post.
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