Now a quick list of everything that is going on in our little world of Aoufous:
In February I joined the Aoufous basketball team and we played our first official game in the National Royal Basketball League of Morocco. In March I retired early due to contract negotiations turning sour and another team trying to pick me up too late after trade cut offs. Ok, actually I landed wrong coming down from a rebound and broke my leg, and for the past two and half weeks I have been on crutches with a hairline fracture to the Fibula, a bruised Tibia and Femur, and several pulled collateral ligaments. Given the extent of all of what I just mentioned, I didn’t snap or tear anything, and hopefully will be back on my feet on the 19th of this month. Please do not feel bad for me though, for I am excellent hands! I plan to return to league play, as a coach, in the middle of May to finish out my contractual obligations. : D
With that being said, Em and I are working on putting together a small project that will hopefully provide a new pair of shoes for every player in the basketball program here in Aoufous (ranging from 6 to 20 years olds). If things go well, we may be able to provide shoes to all of the athletes in the Ait Amira youth development and sports programs. Further information will be provided later if how you would like to participate.
Em also worked diligently to solidify a spot at the latest Peace Corps Artisanal Exposition in Fez. While I made contacts with merchants in Fez in order to establish a new line of product distribution for our Coop. We will have the news on those results later this week.
It’s funny, just when you think you haven’t made an impact on someone, they go and name their kid after you. Tifawt, which is Em’s Moroccan name, was used and given to the new baby girl of the President of our local community development association Ait Amira. Traditionally, Fatima is the name of the first daughter. Tifawt is a very uncommon name, meaning Sunrise. Keep an eye out for Tifawt becoming Morocco’s top ten baby names in the next 5 years or so!
I want to also give a quick shout out to Aya our local Japanese volunteer (JICA). Thank you for coming over and sharing your wonderful Japanese food and sense of humor with us. We are glad that your family is safe back in Japan and wish everyone there good health and safety during these tumultuous times.
To Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bill: Please make sure, no matter how hard the days are, that you give each other a big kiss and hug at the end of the day. We love you and miss you tons!
Special Thanks
I think the axiom goes, “Behind every great man, there is an even greater woman.” And to dive further into that adage, “Behind every Peace Corps husband, especially those that are on crutches and can’t do anything, there is an even more extraordinary wife!”
I would like to give a special thanks to my wonderful wife for taking such great care of me, and getting up and taking care of all the extra difficult things that come along with living in this country and handling it with such grace and confidence.
I love you and thank you so much!
Please enjoy some of our latest pics.
Peace,
Sean
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