Kissa took off to Ouaga for a few days in order to drop
Sakina off at her dad's place. She has started her new school year, so I bought
her a small tablet, specifically for educational games. Kissa has since returned
and even though it was only a few days, it felt longer. Before, my time spent
with her was either new and less serious (my first trip) or very short and
always with a sense of urgency about maximizing our time together (the past two
summers). This trip we have a whole year together and she comes to stay with me
as often as she can. I am growing accustomed to having her around and I have
started to wonder how it will affect me this time when I depart (if her visa
application is still not accepted).
Bakary went to KV and returned. He went to do a bit of work
in his cornfields and check on the militia situation. He reports that there is
an agreement involving the governor of the province, and that this militia does
not enter KV. In fact they have been forced to leave altogether. The news
reports that the governor
has prohibited the local militia (koglwéogo) in this specific area. This is
a notable departure from the position of the government of Burkina Faso, which
defended these groups in
spite of the recommendation against them from the UN. I am a little unclear
as to what the militia says it will do, but I was surprised that they were not
in the east, given that that
area is where they likely be the most useful.
Most of the past week has been getting supplies for my
imminent move to KV and being sick (again). It seems that my body has decided
to fight me this time in Burkina. I am not exactly winning yet, either.
I have confirmed Thursday as the move to KV day. I have been
spending the past few days buying supplies and whatnot. I am very excited to be
heading to KV. This excitement is both increased by the fact that I won't be on
social media as much and will likely have less bad news intruding into my life.
However, that is at odds with my need to stay informed. I also worry greatly
about events unfolding right now which impact so many lives. At least I don't have
to witness the utter callousness and demagoguery of the political
right, for a while.
