There is less than one week until the 2011 Tour du Faso begins, and I am getting really excited to participate in the southwest leg of the ride. The Tour du Faso is a three week-long bike ride around Burkina Faso to raise money for the GAD (Gender and Development) committee. With the funds that are raised, volunteers in country hold summer camps, do sensibilizations and awareness campaigns, and various other activities that promote gender equality in our villages. The ride, which starts in Karfiguela on August 30th (where I will start), ends in Ouaga on September 22nd, the same day that PC Burkina kicks off our three-day 50th Anniversary Fair! September is a busy month for the volunteers here in Burkina, and with the Tour's fundraising, it will be good for the Burkinabe too. I am planning on riding on the Tour from Karfiguela to Dedougou, a distance of almost 400 km. We'll see if I make it! For more information about the Tour du Faso and to make a contribution to our cause, visit http://burkinabiketour.blogspot.com/. Thanks for all your support!
With the fair coming up, I am currently helping ATTA professionalize their image. We have picked a logo and are in the process of designing marketing materials. The fair will be a great chance for us to find new partners and advertise our association. In addition, we are hoping to highlight some of our work in the big fashion show and by selling bags at our stand. Before all these preparations start, however, our tailors are all busy sewing day and night for next week's big fete, Ramadan.
I got back to site last Sunday night, after a two-week vacation in country and in Morocco. It was absolutely wonderful spending a week with my sister in Morocco and was also a nice break from Burkina (especially visiting the local harrams/spas). I ate as much pizza and tangines as I could but now I am reenergized and ready to get some work done here in Toussiana. Between the bike tour, the fair, and my counterpart's upcoming marriage, I will be staying quite busy!
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