Progress in Bayelsa...

Here I am, sitting in the Due-Process office of the state of Bayelsa. As expected, despite the enthusiastic support from the Governor in coming out here, we have still had to deal with the bureaucratic system in order to receive our reimbursements for our travel expenses and whatnot. So, like 20 meetings later, it seems that we should have resolution today. Finally. The last Blog that I posted was from a hotel room in Lagos the day before we met with Google. It has been very exciting to see the support that has been solicited for us by the powers that be. Omens, signs and miracles only reinforce our assurance that we are doing something that is meant to be and that nothing but complete commitment to this project is required. The meeting with the National representative of Google proved to be very effective as it turns out that their primary objectives in Nigeria are to increase literacy, computer literacy and internet usage… just so happens that we were able to detail to him a comprehensive plan in order to accomplish all of the above. Google’s big thing is not writing checks or giving equipment, but when they find a cause worthy of support they through their weight around to solicit funding and equipment support from those they are in close contact with. He told me that he would go to work in our behalf immediately. Very cool! You would not believe what airports are like in Nigeria, but once the meeting was completed we survived the airport experience and traveled back to Bayelsa. Without going into details, despite the blessing and divine support we have definitely faced our share of tests and trials, between being stranded, missing flights, not having food or water, not sure if Michael is coming down with malaria, and running this ENTIRE project our of our own pockets until we get the approval for the initial preparation budget request… but moral is high and we are persevering. While we have been working the bureaucratic system, presenting to government officials and doing research in the field to reinforce our conceptualized projects, there has also been a very cool and elite experience that has come along with this adventure. As we have been involved with several meetings and activities with the governor we are VIP’s in the black land cruiser high speed government convoys, we have been privileged to have several meetings in the presidential palace, which is the narliest mansion that I have ever seen, yesterday we got a private helicopter ride to visit the Governors home village and we have direct access to a man that people spend their entire lives wishing that they could have two minutes with. If you know my personality you can see me loving every second of this part of the project . But we keep everything within reason and with a humble focus. Despite the fun of the elite side, I hate the feeling of being a part of wealth and power while so many have nothing. I cannot laugh and smile as some of the rest do when we drive past extreme poverty. No matter the conditions I can never ignore the conditions that effect people’s daily lives and my passion behind our objectives is simply reinforced. Furthermore, there is nothing that I enjoy more than to spend time, one-on-one with the people in their homes, made out of reeds, understanding their lives: the things that make them happy, the things that they want, the things that they worry about and what they perceive their disadvantages to be.

Today is the big day where we will be presenting our proposed 2010 strategy and budget to the Executive Council of the State of Bayelsa. And today will be very telling as to the scope of the next 12 months.

Last night, we attended the Bayelsan Christmas Carol… yep, you heard me right. They freakn love Christmas around here and it was SO much fun to hear them sing their hearts out, so grateful for a reason to celebrate. We have been invited to some fun functions with the Governor for Christmas… anything that means more helicopter rides . It is turning out that it will surely be a Merry Christmas here in Nigeria. Thanks for your continued love and support and I hope that you find these adventures interesting… but let me just say… you have not seen anything yet!