The Perpetually Moving Target of “Development”

It was not too long ago that Peace Corps volunteers had no way to communicate with loved ones other than a cassette recorder and some stationary. Now there are cell phones in most volunteers' pockets (although some have to hike to the top of a hill to get service) and most can send email with some regularity (not to mention the act of blogging, but we’ll leave that polemic for another time).

We are happy to report that here in Tchaourou the target has shifted again. Announced a few weeks back, the commune of Tchaourou will be getting its first cyber cafés as well as internet connections to the city hall and the main offices of each of the 7 arrondisments in the country’s first experiment with e-governance. The connections – if we heard right – will be the equivalent of standard DSL service and connected to the fiber optic cable in Parakou.

Also, some of the regional high schools will be getting labs some of the high schools to spread the internet savoir-faire (allegedly private residences can pay for a connection, although we’ve heard only one guy in town is getting one).

So what does all of this mean? Well, since the announcement we’ve been asked near every day by someone to teach them to how to surfer (yes, the actual French verb) and do the email. There is surely plenty on the internet that could help people out with business (thinking technical information for metal workers, mechanics or electricians) , social development (health and well being info) and education (everything in the world), and so how could we say no?

So the meaning of our “work” in Peace Corps has changed again, looking less and less like the old notion of what Peace Corps work is. And you know what, we’re fine with that because we know the community is better off for it.