How much does the U.S. really do for others?

Peace Corps Volutneers are all just dirty hippies that have a "save the world" mentality. At least that's what many expats here and a good deal of people back home probably think.

"But we're not dirty!" is what I say. Well, at least not all the time...and what's so wrong with having a superman mentality? Someone's gotta give a shit about others, right?

Last month my group (LR-3) had our IST (In-Service Training) in Kakata. Among other things, we were shown some video clips about typical Americans' views on foreign aid and the U.S.'s role in international developemental efforts. While service in the PC is a very unique experience, different from other types of international development work, what we are doing can stull be included in talk like this.

So take a couple minutes and watch these clips. Take note of your thoughts.
1.) What Americans Think About Foreign Aid: East

...and because I'm from the Midwest...

2.) What Americans Think About Foreign Aid: Midwest

I think in the beginning, you'll find you agree with some of these people's opinions. Why help others when there's so much that needs to be done at home? Yes, it's a valid point, one that I agreed with initially, and I'm serving as a PCV in Africa. But just keep watching...do your thoughts change? Are you surprised by what you learn?

Do you really think we're doing enough? Should we be doing more? Do you understand now, at least small-small, why people choose to serve as a PCV?

Share the facts with others. Continue to support our work and other developmental efforts. Don't only think and function within your own bubble of reality. We're all part of this world, we're all sharing this human experience together. Do what you can to help, even if it's small. Every bit counts.

No Mo Pen-Pens in Monro

This past week the Liberia National Police (LNP) issued a motorcycle ban for all the main streets of Monrovia. For more information, check out this BBC article about the ban. The motorcycle ban in Monrovia is a good idea in theory, but did these people really think about the potential effects before they enacted the ban? Probably not. Just like everything else here. As a pedestrian and taxi passenger, I appreciate that the roads are clearer and safer. However, taxi prices are going up (although only small-small, it's still an unexpected incerase) and people are literally stranded on the roads, waiting for a ride. This isn't happening just in central Monrovia either; in the surrounding transportation hubs, like Red Light and Duala, the roads are even more congested than ever. The overflow of people must now join the market vendors, who already take over a good portion of the road, causing for even less space on the already-crowded roads for the cars. It boils down to a simple conclusion: there are just too many people and not enough taxis. (If only there could be more mass transit options, such as buses, if only!) As I write this, I'm sitting in the PC Office in Congo Town, one of the outlying municipalities of Monrovia. To get back to my village in the bush, I have to take at least 4 different taxis: first from Congo Town through Sinkor to the central downtown area (Broad St.), then to Duala (I'm so looking forward to the traffic), then to Tubmanburg where the coal tar ends, then finally through a bumpy, muddy, rocky road back to Gbarma. And all that really isn't bad at all! Fortunatately, I'm one of the PCVs that lives near the capital, one the the "lucky west-siders". But let's see how getting back to site this afternoon goes. I estimate 5-6 hours. Maybe I should start working on that teleportation invention now....