Ok... I've been here in Mali for a month and I've had to reflect on the activities I've been involved in over the past year. While thinking of the things that I've done or were planning to do, I realized that for the first time, I have been doing work that I care about. If I did something, I put my heart into it, and I was really passionate about it. So, it kind of pains me to think about a lot of my programs or efforts because I had a lot planned for 2007. It takes a really long time to get work going here in Guinea. As extenisits, we "find" projects that can be supported by the community.... and the effort it takes to find a project, people capable of carrying it out, etc. is very draining. But so rewarding. So its for that reason that I have to say that being evacuated sucks!
This is what I listed in my description of service for peace corps; I was small enterprise development volunteer...

Small Enterprise Development Trainings:

· Researched, procured, and developed an applied business training program for a local youth association. The youth association received training on how to manage the cassava farm and turn it into a viable business venture. The youth association had over 50 members and the cassava farm was approximately ½ acre.

· Provided Microsoft office training for local computer center trainers. Aided 2 trainers in developing and executing a comprehensive training program for their existing students.

Small Enterprise Development Integrated Programs:

· Reviewed budgets and did feasibility studies with the CEO's and staff of MouNa cyber cafe and Fast-Net with the goal of partnering Conakry financial backers with village entrepreneurs in Faranah and Mamou.

· Presided over community election processes held under the umbrella of the local government. Organizations included Association for Promotion of Community Development-Guinea, County Animal Husbandry Committee, and the Youth Association for the Development of Faranah.

· Offered business-consulting services to 3 local entrepreneurs and 3 associations. The associations were Mano River Women’s Network, Association for Promotion of Community Development – Guinea, and the Youth Association for the Development of Faranah. The entrepreneurs were shop and snack owners. Consulting services included providing accounting and marketing techniques, implementing effective logistical practices, and advising on financial management.

· Introduced and implemented internet marketing for a local drum and dance troop called APERSAF (Association de Percussionist Sans Frontiere). Due to volunteer efforts, APERSAF is currently officially recognized and published by the by the Guinean national office of tourism.

· Designed a village banking system to be practiced by a targeted women’s society. All participating parties were identified and in agreement with terms and conditions of the project.

· Prepared a seminar of local successful female entrepeneurs for the benefit of other female entrepeneurs. The idea was to cross the literacy barrier by having the sucessful entrepeneurs share their experiences.

III. Secondary Projects:

In addition to his primary duties in Faranah, Mr. Yimam was involved in various other projects during his service. Working closely with fellow volunteers and community officials, Mr. Yimam organized and designed educational conferences, worked to enhance the treatment capacity of health care professionals as well as encouraging youth sports programs.

· Collaborated with the director of the local private school to implement an educational improvement and awareness seminar for the commune of Faranah. The program was to involve local community leaders and media to encourage students, their parents, and their teachers to take their commitment to education seriously.

· Provided English lessons for the professors of the local university. This beginning level course was for 12 weeks and had 5 participants.

· Designed a literacy program for the village of Sokourala. The program was intended to provide a women’s society of 25 members a 4-month training at their site.

· Reviewed and consulted 2 university student associations with their project proposals and action plans for 2006-2007. Consultation advice ranged from project management to procurement of funds.

· Designed an anti-excision campaign for the commune of Faranah. Local community political and religious leaders were invited to discuss how to end this practice. The campaign was designed to be sensitive to the cultural value of the practice while simultaneously eliminating it.

· Trained a local village counterpart at a four-day HIV/AIDS workshop emphasizing prevention and methods of disseminating information to his community. As a culmination of this workshop, Mr. Yimam and his counterpart conducted an information session for over 120 people in a well frequented night club. They covered topics such as options for contraception, a demonstration on proper usage, and important facts pertinent to the AIDS situation in Guinea. Finally Mr. Yimam's counterpart handed out over 300 free condoms, using money earned in Per Diem at the workshop, to participants.

· Researched and procured funding for a county-wide HIV/Aids training and testing project. This was the first project of its kind for Peace Corps; HIV/Aids testing has never been done at the village level with Peace Corps. The project was designed to have “Train the Trainer” program at the county capital of Faranah. Afterwards, the newly trained trainers were to go to their designated sites and provide 2 HIV/Aids trainings (this would be done at 7 villages). Afterwards, a team of doctors from the Faranah hospital would offer HIV/Aids testing at each of the 7 targeted sites.

I am really proud of the work I have done and the contacts that I made in this past year. I hope that the political situation in Guinea improves so that other projects like the ones I have helped create and design become a reality. Did I tell you that being evacuated sucks? If not... it sucks.