Today's crisis: Rakieta is having a nervous breakdown because Marie Compaore told her she couldn't bring her electric sewing machine to the house unless she could afford to pay for the electricity. Electricity is expensive in Burkina ....and unreliable, but she is also messing with Rakieta's head. So I just reminded her to think American. To be respectful, but to not let Marie stomp out her dreams. The people of Burkina are very gentle and sweet, but there is a dark side to these and many other tribal people I am sure. Here in the US, we are all equal. But in these very old cultures, royalty and servitude are very entrenched. This is just another attempt to make our Wacki remember her place. She is a "have not" and the "haves" never want the "have nots" to get any better off. Don't forget the "Frenchness" of these guys.
All that being said, Marie still provides Rakieta with a much better home and more comfort than she could have with her parents so I usually end the advice with "She's probably just having a bad day. Let it go."
Rakieta is also giving herself ulsers again because she doesn't think she sews well enough to have a sewing business someday. This is why I call 3 times a week. When I don't things go really wonky. So, while parenting across the ocean is challenging, it can be done. It must be done. To this one girl and the people's lives she touches, it makes all the difference.
1 comment:
Thank you Lucy. I am sorry it took me a while to respond. Busy time of year for us.
Welcome.
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