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Greetings from Liberia, Africa. Thank God for rain! March is considered the hottest month and in April the rains begin to come and cool things down.

First off I would like to inform everyone of my personality change. I would like to begin with the definitions of two different personalities.

in·tro·vert   

[n., adj. in-truh-vurt; v. in-truh-vurt]  Show IPA

–noun

1. a shy person.

2. Psychology . a person characterized by concern primarily with his or her own thoughts and feelings ( opposed to extrovert).

ex·tro·vert   

[ek-struh-vurt, -stroh-]  Show IPA

–noun

1. an outgoing, gregarious person.

2. Psychology . a person characterized by extroversion;  a person concerned primarily with the physical and social environment ( opposed to introvert).

 One of the first questions I was asked when applying for this internship was, “Do you consider yourself an introvert of extrovert?” It didn’t take me long to respond “extrovert.” I would think most of my readers who know me would agree to this statement.  The Liberian culture has put my personality to the test. 

I have always heard or read about friend based cultures but never really understood how social they really were. In public it is impossible to simply walk down the street without being confronted by a possible friend. The close friends I have make it a point to call me quite often to make sure I’m doing something and I’m not bored. If I stay home in the evening, choosing not to be social, it usually consists of Josefy and Alfonzo coming into my room to listen to music, play cards, or play with my camera. Between work, friends, and new brothers this leaves no time to be alone. On Friday I was so desperate to be alone I traveled 2 hours to the mountains to be alone. On my way home I decided to stop at ABC to talk to George. He asked what I had been doing all day and when I told him he asked me who I went with. I responded “I went by myself.” With a confused look on his face he asked “Why.” I was embarrassed to respond “because I wanted to be alone.” He couldn’t believe it and warned me it was very risky to be alone. It is very rare to see a Liberian by themself.   Even if there is nothing to do it is more preferable to do nothing rather than be alone. 

In conclusion I have placed myself in the category of “introvert” due to the culture I am living in.

In other news the Ivory Coast War seems to be drawing to a close. The incumbent president Gbagbo has been captured by the internationally recognized president Ouattara. Just last weekend I visited a refugee camp in Bahn with my friend Musa. Most of the refugees there have only been there a few months and their only complaint was the bulgur wheat they were given to eat. Musa grew up in a refugee camp in Guinea where he learned French and worked in PR for a few refugee NGO’s. We spent most of the time talking to refugees and toured the camp at the end. It was encouraging to see them building chairs, tables, and shelters for themselves. In general, I was very impressed with the organization of the refugee NGO’s who are responsible for everything from clean water to sanitation. Overall it was very sad to see people displaced from their homes but praise God for people who are willing to help. Hopefully the disarmament will happen in good time and the refugees can return home.

In farm news the pigs LEAD plans to purchase were born last week, the cabbage nursery was started yesterday, and the pig pen construction is starting today. Things are gearing up for a hopefully plentiful rainy season. 

Cheers

Brett