Brian in Benin – Page 3 – Brian Engelsma

How Do People Believe This?

Look up Benin in any book or website and one of the first things you’re likely to see is that it is the birthplace of Voodoo (Vodun). While I don’t really like to play up or write about this aspect Read more

By Brian, 12 years ago

Benin

Valhalla I’m Coming

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks here. Work is picking up, we are almost at the end of the first semester (the first semester runs from October through February, the second March until sometime in May, don’t ask Read more

By Brian, 12 yearsFebruary 14, 2014 ago

Benin

I’m Dreaming of a Dust Filled Christmas

The holiday’s are over and I’m at about the 25 percent mark of my Peace Corps service (but who’s counting). Anyways, with December come and gone, I’ve learned one more thing about this country; December showers bring December dust and Read more

By Brian, 13 years ago

Benin

The last few weeks have been largely uneventful in village. This is a good thing because uneventful = non stressful. I’ve said before that when I’m in village I’m about as relaxed as I’ve ever been. I can get plenty Read more

By Brian, 13 yearsDecember 4, 2013 ago

Benin

The Lock Out

Sorry for not being able to put up any updates lately. Although much has been happening, I’ve been without Internet access. I think I’ll be dialing onto the World Wide Web only once a month or so for the foreseeable Read more

By Brian, 13 years ago

Benin

My Kind Carpenter

After a long stay at the Parakou workstation I’ve finally made it to my village and started trying to integrate/work. Overall life has been pretty slow and uneventful since getting to post, but there have been some pretty interesting things. Read more

By Brian, 13 years ago

Benin

Para-marooned

It’s day four of my move-in experience, I fear there are no other survivors. Soon I will be the only one left. So, the Peace Corps has three work-stations (basically houses with internet) in the north of the country for Read more

By Brian, 13 years ago

Benin

The Depart

My time in Porto-Novo is drawing to a close, and starting this week my work as a “real” volunteer will start. On Sunday I will be going up to Parakou, where I will stay for a few days to make Read more

By Brian, 13 years ago

Benin

Summer School

Last week marks the start of my teaching experience. After one week of teaching Beninese summer school these are the three things I’ve learned: I don’t mind teaching; I hate lesson planning; I really hate kids. Long story short, it’s Read more

By Brian, 13 years ago

Benin

Pictures

Yeah, so I’m at the internet cafe and the only update I can give on the uploading pictures front is that it will not be happening right now, I definitely overestimated the strength of the connection here. I think I’ll Read more

By Brian, 13 years ago