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| Angry Beth waiting by windows clearly devoid of burglar bars. |
As we discussed the details, my new burglar bar man set
dates to measure the windows and to install the burglar bars within the week. I
cleared my calendar to accommodate the dates and was thrilled to think of how
fast this business would be getting the work done.
Somehow, my hope lasted up until last Monday at 1:30. It was
the eighth time in five weeks I had cleared a full day on my calendar for the
burglar bar installation. It was the eighth time I called multiple times
throughout the morning only to be told he would install on another day.
Anticipating two weeks away from site for various Peace Corps work and the
arrival of our chickens, I was done!
I firmly told him that he needed to do the installation as
promised, that day. He, instead, offered me a refund of my deposit.
I grabbed my stuff and angrily stomped the thirty minute
walk to get a taxi to town to collect my refund. Luckily I did not bump into
anyone, as I was ranting and raving aloud the entire way out. When I arrived at
his shop, the owner had “left for Maseru.”
“Oh no he didn’t,” I told the tiny woman manning the shop as
I pulled out my phone. My stress level and anger were astronomical as I called
him again. Many conversations occurred via phone between us and between him and
the small woman. As my anger literally boiled over and caused liquid to leak
from my eyes, the woman tried to help find a solution that would make me seem
less upset. I finally agreed to leave the shop as he would be sending me money
through my phone by evening.
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| Just about anyone could enter this house, even crazy Americans without the keys. |
With chickens due “in September”, my stress level was
through the roof. Thanks to Butha Buthe Aluminum and Glass’s failure to
actually do the work promised, chickens could arrive before cages or burglar
protection are installed. That evening, my brother mistakenly asked about my
day. As a result of me telling him the drama that had unfolded and my extreme
frustration, I also taught him a new idiom: spitting nails. He and I both
laughed about it.
A week later, I still did not have my deposit back. A large
male PCV accompanied me in case I needed intimidation. I was much nicer than I
would have been last week and managed to get my deposit back without resorting
to intimidation or calling Peace Corp’s Safety and Security Manager. I am still
a bit stressed but mostly am relieved that the chickens did not in fact arrive in September.
Meanwhile, the Peace Corps staff swept in to help me out.
The staff that ensures the PCV homes are protected called up their guy and
helped arrange installation of our burglar bars…hopefully this week. Somehow I
am still optimistic despite the multiple failed attempts.
MCCC’s Egg Laying Chicken Project has been in development since March 2015. After many delays, MCCC and I were able to write a successful grant proposal for a VAST grant through Peace Corps. VAST grants are funded by PEPFAR to help with HIV-related work and OVC (Orphan and Vulnerable Children) care. It is due to MCCC’s work with OCVs that qualified us for the VAST grant. Otherwise, we would have applied for a PCPP [Peace Corps Partnership Program] grant and would have been asking for assistance in funding this grant proposal. I encourage you to consider supporting other PCPP projects.
Posts about this project include:
Workshop Woe, Busiest of Birthdays, Checking Out Chickens, A Day with Bo-’M’e, Chicken Coop Construction Day One, Day Two, Day, Three, Day Four, Day Five, Weeks 2 to 4, Weeks 5 and 6.
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