Richard-
try everything.  eat everything.  Get to know your
neighbors & the people in your village.  The worst
times you spend there will be the best stories you
have when you get home.  Do not sit on your couch and
feel lonely too much.  You will be lonely, true, but
try not to let it overwhelm you!
Good LUCK!!

--- rapierrichard@... wrote:
> What a great new org.  Will definately pay up when I
> return, which
> you guessed it, still haven't left yet.  Leaving
> June 6th as TEFL
> volunteer. Totally green, and would love any info
> you have.  We get
> our country packet sometime this next
> week....hopefully...maybe. I
> will enjoy experimenting with the recipes! Thanks,
> Richard
>
>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com/

(This message forwarded from PC Conference Committee,
reillyp@...)

Dear Friends of Benin:

    The 40th Conference planning committee is asking groups whether
their group might want to form a committee of DC based members to
help
with the conference. For instance, a group could plan the walk/run
and
memorial or handle transportation or do the Film Festival.

Would you bring this up with your group and see whether they might be
interested? We are still pretty wide open for people to do what they
are interested in.

Thanks for considering this.

Pat Reilly
Co_chair steering committee

What a great new org.  Will definately pay up when I return, which
you guessed it, still haven't left yet.  Leaving June 6th as TEFL
volunteer. Totally green, and would love any info you have.  We get
our country packet sometime this next week....hopefully...maybe. I
will enjoy experimenting with the recipes! Thanks, Richard

The following FriendsofBenin poll is now closed.  Here are the
final results:


POLL QUESTION: What should the FOB membership dues be?

CHOICES AND RESULTS
- $5, 1 votes, 14.29%
- $15, 5 votes, 71.43%
- $30, 0 votes, 0.00%
- More! , 0 votes, 0.00%
- Zero! , 1 votes, 14.29%



For more information about this group, please visit
http://www.egroups.com/group/FriendsofBenin

For help with eGroups, please visit
http://www.egroups.com/help

The following FriendsofBenin poll is now closed.  Here are the
final results:


POLL QUESTION: What shall we do with FOB membership dues?

CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Pay to send the newsletter out to a broader audience , 3 votes, 21.43%
- Support with $$$ a project in Benin, 5 votes, 35.71%
- Support web site hosting with $$$, if needed, 4 votes, 28.57%
- Give the dues back to the members, 1 votes, 7.14%
- Other... make a suggestion!, 1 votes, 7.14%



For more information about this group, please visit
http://www.egroups.com/group/FriendsofBenin

For help with eGroups, please visit
http://www.egroups.com/help

The following FriendsofBenin poll is now closed.  Here are the
final results:


POLL QUESTION: What should be the main purpose(s) of FOB?

CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Improve/maintain communications between Benin RPCV's, PCV's, etc., 7 votes,
21.21%
- Support specific projects in Benin, 3 votes, 9.09%
- Support new PCV's, 3 votes, 9.09%
- Spread the word about what a great place Benin is, 2 votes, 6.06%
- Outreach to RPCV's that have lost contact, 3 votes, 9.09%
- Plan reunions/parties, 5 votes, 15.15%
- Maintain a classy web site, 6 votes, 18.18%
- Maintain a classy newsletter, 4 votes, 12.12%
- Other... make a suggestion!, 0 votes, 0.00%



For more information about this group, please visit
http://www.egroups.com/group/FriendsofBenin

For help with eGroups, please visit
http://www.egroups.com/help

Sorry for sending everyone that long resposnse to Eric's question...forgot
to change the address.  Can someone send it back to me so I can forward it
to the right person!  UGH! Thanks, jason


>From: "Eric Duneman" <geduneman@...>
>Reply-To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
>To: friendsofbenin@onelist.com
>Subject: [FriendsofBenin] to niger
>Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 08:53:09 PST
>
>hello all
>
>i'm a rpcv (guinea-conakry) who is going to west africa this summer.  i am
>interested in hearing about travel from the coast of benin(most likely
>starting in the capital) heading north to niamey, niger.  if one was to do
>it in one shot how long would it take?  what're the costs of the various
>transportations and how are the roads?  i may be taking a non-rpcv so i'm
>curious as to how rough it would be.
>and if i don't do it in one shot any suggestions for must-sees in benin?
>lastly, what are the flight options from benin to niger?
>
>all infos are much appreciated.  thanks
>
>eric duneman
>geduneman@...
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Hi Eric,
my name is Jason and I was a volunteer in Benin 96-98, and lived up in the
north near Malanville, so I know pretty well the trip you will be making,
though it was a couple of years ago.  Most of us northern volunteers would
take the night sleeper train up to Parakou.  It departs Cotonou on certain
nights of the week and often makes for a more enjoyable ride than cramming
in with several large marche mamas in a taxi.  It cost, if my memory serves
me, about 8,000 CFA (roughly $16 to make it half way up the country, to
Parakou, which is as far as it goes)  The other option would be to do the
taxi ride.  They use old French Peugot 504s, that seat about 4 comfortably
including the driver...comfort is not high on their agenda so they squeeze 6
people in and it is not too bad if you luck out and don't get large marche
mamas sprawling themselves over the seat.  I definately recomend splitting
the trip up into two days...it can possibly be done in one if you start
early and have no problems along the way, but it makes for a VERY long day!
The direct taxi ride to Parakou is, or used to be 5000 CFA ($10).  The next
segment from Parakou to Malanville (on the Niger border) is 3000 CFA ($6).
If you have a  little extra money to spend you can "louee" the taxi, which
means renting the whole thing out and having a lot more space and comfort
which might be an option if you are travelling with a non-RPCV( or at least
louee out another spot to give you more space and be adamant with them on
only taking on only 4 passangers)  Also they might give you the whole run
around about charging you for your bags...I don't know how good your French
is but try not to let them because most Africans don't pay for baggage
unless you have a lot of huge bags.
      As far as things to see...When you are down  in Cotonou, I would
recomend going to Grand Popo which is a beautiful beach where you can get
fresh seafood if you ask the locals and have a feast on the beach.  The
tides are a little precarious so the swimming is a little dicey if you get
too far out.  Swimming anywhere off West Africa is somewhat dangerous, so be
careful.  But it is a beautiful place and they have an ex-pat hotel there or
you can camp.  Ouidah which is close to Grand Popo, is the seat of the
voodoun religion and is pretty interesting if you get to see ceremonies.
Ganvi is also a close day trip from Cotonou.  It is a village built on
stilts over the lake...the Venice of West Africa.
Between Cotonou and Parakou there is not anything too spectacular to warrant
a stop tourist wise.  There is a good museum in Abomey, but would require
more than likely a night stop over to catch a taxi for Parakou.
      Peace Corps has a work station in Parakou straight down the road from
the Hotel Mon Petite Pere. That is the hotel that most volunteers stay at,
although the German Auberge is nicer but more expensive.  If you want a lot
more comfort you can stay at COTEB which has a nice pool and airconditioning
for about $15.
      Between Parakou and Malanville, if you are there in the dry season, you
can stop in  to see the Elephants at ?Alfacora?.  Malanville is a shit hole,
but it became our paradise because it was the closest thing to a city that
we have up there.  Stay at the Hotel Rose de Sable on the edge of town if
you end up staying the night.  To get to Niamey...take a Zemidjan (moped
taxi) across the bridge (you have to stop at the border to have your visas
checked etc.) to Gaya in Niger.  In the Gaya market you can find plenty of
Toyota busses going to Niamey.  I forget how much it costs but think it is
around $10.  I got a little carried away with this but if I left anything
out or you want to ask about anything else just let me know.  Hope you have
a safe trip.  Take care! Jason Westrich

>From: "Eric Duneman" <geduneman@...>
>Reply-To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
>To: friendsofbenin@onelist.com
>Subject: [FriendsofBenin] to niger
>Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 08:53:09 PST
>
>hello all
>
>i'm a rpcv (guinea-conakry) who is going to west africa this summer.  i am
>interested in hearing about travel from the coast of benin(most likely
>starting in the capital) heading north to niamey, niger.  if one was to do
>it in one shot how long would it take?  what're the costs of the various
>transportations and how are the roads?  i may be taking a non-rpcv so i'm
>curious as to how rough it would be.
>and if i don't do it in one shot any suggestions for must-sees in benin?
>lastly, what are the flight options from benin to niger?
>
>all infos are much appreciated.  thanks
>
>eric duneman
>geduneman@...
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Dear Eric,
      I was a southern volunteer and only did the trip a few times so I'm not an
expert but I did make the trip a few times.  Going from Cotonou the costal de
facto capital to Niamey can be done in two days or one VERY long day if you are
VERY lucky.  Do it in two days or more if you want to stop on the way.  The
roads are paved the whole way but can be bumpy.  When I was there a few years
ago it cost about 15,000 CFA ($30) to get to the Niger border (Malanville) and I
think another 5000 ($10) CFA to get to Niamey.  This is buying only one seat and
you will have to wait for the taxi to fill which could take forever.  If you're
in a hurry you'd be better off renting the taxi which will cost a lot more but
will be well worth it.
      I'd suggest stopping to see Ganvie (near Cotonou), Allada- my old home for
some cooked bush rat butt, Abomey for the Royal Palace and market.  Parakou
didn't excite me too much.  Maybe some northern BRPCV's can give more info on
what to see in the north on the way to Niamey.

Sincerely,

Chris Starace

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Eric Duneman
   To: friendsofbenin@onelist.com
   Sent: Friday, March 31, 2000 11:53 AM
   Subject: [FriendsofBenin] to niger


   hello all

   i'm a rpcv (guinea-conakry) who is going to west africa this summer.  i am
   interested in hearing about travel from the coast of benin(most likely
   starting in the capital) heading north to niamey, niger.  if one was to do
   it in one shot how long would it take?  what're the costs of the various
   transportations and how are the roads?  i may be taking a non-rpcv so i'm
   curious as to how rough it would be.
   and if i don't do it in one shot any suggestions for must-sees in benin?
   lastly, what are the flight options from benin to niger?

   all infos are much appreciated.  thanks

   eric duneman
   geduneman@...
   ______________________________________________________
   Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

hello all

i'm a rpcv (guinea-conakry) who is going to west africa this summer.  i am
interested in hearing about travel from the coast of benin(most likely
starting in the capital) heading north to niamey, niger.  if one was to do
it in one shot how long would it take?  what're the costs of the various
transportations and how are the roads?  i may be taking a non-rpcv so i'm
curious as to how rough it would be.
and if i don't do it in one shot any suggestions for must-sees in benin?
lastly, what are the flight options from benin to niger?

all infos are much appreciated.  thanks

eric duneman
geduneman@...
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Hello everyone. After a painstaking day of moving furniture on Friday, it is
now official. Here is an update to my address and phone numbers:

William Snyders
1729 Kenyon St., NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 232-9559 Home
(202) 691-7895 Work

Fellow actual and virtual FOB members:

I have created three polls to create the impression of democratic
group activity regarding the future of FOB.

I encourage you to make a vote, or even better, create a new poll
more to your liking (e.g., which is better: BB, la Beninoise, Miller
Genuine Draft, Orange Juice...) or post a message.

Votre Grand Camarade de Lutte - Peter de Groot

Enter your vote today!  Check out the new poll for the FriendsofBenin
group:


What should the FOB membership dues be?

   o $5
   o $15
   o $30
   o More!
   o Zero!


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://www.onelist.com/polls/FriendsofBenin

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the ONElist
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Enter your vote today!  Check out the new poll for the FriendsofBenin
group:


What shall we do with FOB membership dues?

   o Pay to send the newsletter out to a broader audience
   o Support with $$$ a project in Benin
   o Support web site hosting with $$$, if needed
   o Give the dues back to the members
   o Other... make a suggestion!


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://www.onelist.com/polls/FriendsofBenin

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the ONElist
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Enter your vote today!  Check out the new poll for the FriendsofBenin
group:


What should be the main purpose(s) of FOB?

   o Improve/maintain communications between Benin RPCV's, PCV's, etc.
   o Support specific projects in Benin
   o Support new PCV's
   o Spread the word about what a great place Benin is
   o Outreach to RPCV's that have lost contact
   o Plan reunions/parties
   o Maintain a classy web site
   o Maintain a classy newsletter
   o Other... make a suggestion!


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://www.onelist.com/polls/FriendsofBenin

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the ONElist
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Sorry folks. Didn't mean to bug you all with my response....

Kate



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi.

I was in Benin from 95-97 in the south. I could be of assistance but the
questions are too broad to respond.

Who's sending you?

In any case, please call me sometime next week (this week is really bad for
me) and we can talk.  I am in DC.

Kate Allen
Senior Project Administrator
Africa and Asia Region
Chemonics International, Inc.
ph: (202) 955-3468
fax:  (202) 955-7550
email: kallen@... <mailto:kallen@...>
webpage: www.chemonics.com <http://www.chemonics.com>
 


-----Original Message-----
From: bjpiel@... [mailto:bjpiel@...]
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 9:30 AM
To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
Subject: [FriendsofBenin] Heading out to Benin September 13...


From: bjpiel@...

Hi everyone,
I've recently been assigned to Benin as a Rural Health Agent to leave
September 13. I'm in the middle of writing aspiration statement;
however, I could use some insights on what is needed in Benin, what
has worked thus far, what needs to be improved, etc.
I know these are broad-reaching questions; I am trying to establish a
sort of baseline with which to establish some goals. Just to tell
about myself, I am in New York and have almost completed my EMT
certification. I've lived pretty much all over the country from NYC
to Tulsa, OK and Aiken, SC...along with a few other places in
between. Hope my grammar isn't being critiqued too harshly, I'm
trying to be somewhat informal.
If anyone could help me, I would really appreciate anything offered.
If anyone lives in between NYC, DC or Boston and would be interested
in going over the phone or meeting with me, please reply.
Many thanks,
BJ Piel


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Community email addresses:
   Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
   Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
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*Choose other list servers, Etc.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi everyone,
I've recently been assigned to Benin as a Rural Health Agent to leave
September 13. I'm in the middle of writing aspiration statement;
however, I could use some insights on what is needed in Benin, what
has worked thus far, what needs to be improved, etc.
I know these are broad-reaching questions; I am trying to establish a
sort of baseline with which to establish some goals. Just to tell
about myself, I am in New York and have almost completed my EMT
certification. I've lived pretty much all over the country from NYC
to Tulsa, OK and Aiken, SC...along with a few other places in
between. Hope my grammar isn't being critiqued too harshly, I'm
trying to be somewhat informal.
If anyone could help me, I would really appreciate anything offered.
If anyone lives in between NYC, DC or Boston and would be interested
in going over the phone or meeting with me, please reply.
Many thanks,
BJ Piel

> A little story about our heroine, Angelique!
>
> Walking Out On Uneasy Success
> New York Times; New York; Mar 19, 2000; David Hecht;
>
> Edition:  Late Edition (East Coast)
> Column Name:  Music
> Start Page:  31
> ISSN:  03624331
> Dateline:  DAKAR, Senegal
> Abstract:
> IN 1985, Angelique Kidjo left Benin in West Africa, poor and relatively
> unknown. But once in Paris the feisty Ms. Kidjo, a singer who
> contemporizes traditional music from across Africa, soon became a
> modern-day Josephine Baker, selling out concerts at the renowned Olympia
> concert hall. French government agencies were handing her plane tickets
> and cash even before they granted her French nationality. She lived a
> comfortable life in Paris's fashionable Marais -- that is until a couple
> of years ago, when she moved to Brooklyn. ''I had to get out,'' Ms. Kidjo
> said recently from her brownstone in Park Slope. ''France was stifling
> me.''
>
> Paris has been the capital of world music, embracing salsa and bossa nova
> before they were known elsewhere in the West as well as providing
> sanctuary for expatriate American jazz and blues musicians. Yet Ms. Kidjo
> is one of many African musicians who have made careers for themselves
> there and then expressed about as much appreciation as a love interest of
> Pepe Le Pew's. ''There's an arrogance,'' said Richard Bona, a singer and
> bass player from Cameroon who, despite his success in France, has, like
> Kidjo, moved to New York. ''They think they understand my music better
> than I do.'' Even Aicha Kone, Ivory Coast's most Frenchified diva,
> publicly complained recently that some African music made in France
> ''doesn't sound African.''
>
> Still, leaving Paris for America -- or even returning to Africa -- might
> not be the answer for musicians seeking more than fame and fortune. The
> fact is that the music of Ms. Kone, Mr. Bona and Ms. Kidjo continues to
> exude a distinctly French aesthetic. ''With most of it you can tell who
> colonized us,'' said Bouba N'Dour, head of Jololi, a new record company
> based in Senegal and founded by his brother, the well-known singer Youssou
> N'Dour. ''The best African music tries to decide for itself its
> relationship with the outside world.''
>
> Full Text:
> Copyright New York Times Company Mar 19, 2000
> [Author note]
> David Hecht, a freelancer based in Dakar, Senegal, writes about culture.
>
> IN 1985, Angelique Kidjo left Benin in West Africa, poor and relatively
> unknown. But once in Paris the feisty Ms. Kidjo, a singer who
> contemporizes traditional music from across Africa, soon became a
> modern-day Josephine Baker, selling out concerts at the renowned Olympia
> concert hall. French government agencies were handing her plane tickets
> and cash even before they granted her French nationality. She lived a
> comfortable life in Paris's fashionable Marais -- that is until a couple
> of years ago, when she moved to Brooklyn. ''I had to get out,'' Ms. Kidjo
> said recently from her brownstone in Park Slope. ''France was stifling
> me.''
> Paris has been the capital of world music, embracing salsa and bossa nova
> before they were known elsewhere in the West as well as providing
> sanctuary for expatriate American jazz and blues musicians. Yet Ms. Kidjo
> is one of many African musicians who have made careers for themselves
> there and then expressed about as much appreciation as a love interest of
> Pepe Le Pew's. ''There's an arrogance,'' said Richard Bona, a singer and
> bass player from Cameroon who, despite his success in France, has, like
> Kidjo, moved to New York. ''They think they understand my music better
> than I do.'' Even Aicha Kone, Ivory Coast's most Frenchified diva,
> publicly complained recently that some African music made in France
> ''doesn't sound African.''
> Still, leaving Paris for America -- or even returning to Africa -- might
> not be the answer for musicians seeking more than fame and fortune. The
> fact is that the music of Ms. Kone, Mr. Bona and Ms. Kidjo continues to
> exude a distinctly French aesthetic. ''With most of it you can tell who
> colonized us,'' said Bouba N'Dour, head of Jololi, a new record company
> based in Senegal and founded by his brother, the well-known singer Youssou
> N'Dour. ''The best African music tries to decide for itself its
> relationship with the outside world.''
> Figuring out that relationship is a tricky matter. African musicians have
> found recognition and financial support in Paris; breaking away from the
> French influence is not easy. Their intent is not to create a music that
> is purely African; to do so would leave them without electric instruments
> and the Western pop-song structure. Given that Western pop traces its
> roots to Africa, Africans should be able to combine the best of African
> and Western traditions without sounding derivative.
> Afropop, as the music is known in America, has a long relationship with
> France. Most of it is produced by the more than 150 record labels in
> France specializing in world music, and much of it is tinged with variete
> francaise, France's sugary pop music, which in fact has little variety.
> ''Just sample any French-made world music CD's and you'll get the idea,''
> said Saliou Lamine Diop, a young Senegalese record producer based in New
> York. ''There's always the same cheesy French synthesizers in the
> background.''
> Non-Western music of all sorts is a part of France's national psyche.
> ''World music gets beyond the injuries of colonialism,'' asserts a recent
> article in Label France, a magazine produced by the ministry of foreign
> affairs, ''to the universalism that is dear to the 'France spirit.' ''
> This universalism, supposedly an outgrowth of the French revolution, is
> the raison d'etre for francophonie, which has come to mean a French
> government policy of encouraging cultural and economic ties among
> French-speaking countries. In the cultural sphere, francophonie
> encompasses the way the French repackage existing cultures and at the same
> time renew their own sense of nationalism. Critics like Charles L. Miller,
> professor of French and African American Studies at Yale University, view
> francophonie as ''inherent neo-colonialism.''
> But Africans have undeniably benefited from French cultural largesse.
> There are more French cultural centers in Africa than anyplace in the
> world, and government ministries for culture and foreign affairs have
> generous budgets to support African artists. The French music industry has
> a niche for African musicians. ''For France, all African culture has in a
> sense become a part of our own,'' said Emmanuel Morlet, a foreign ministry
> official.
> It is precisely that attitude that troubles African musicians. They often
> say their music is being co-opted, manipulated and then marginalized.
> Despite the influence of variete francaise, ''few French musicians know
> anything about African music,'' complained Antoine Yvernault, who
> organizes annual talent competitions throughout Africa for the
> government-sponored Radio France International. Immigrant communities in
> France offer a large audience for world music. Yet, in 1997, when more
> than 20,000 such CD's were available -- roughly a quarter of all current
> recordings -- they represented less than 2 percent of the music played on
> local French radio, according to a report obtained from a government
> agency.
> Africans do not all submit blindly to French values, and sometimes they
> turn the values on their heads. Take soukous, a popular dance music in
> Central Africa. Frantic Congolese beats provide a backdrop for dancers
> dressed up in outfits that take French high fashion to ridiculous
> extremes. The sendup is even more pointed in a slow version of soukous
> known as zouk-love. Originally from the French Antilles, in the Caribbean,
> it is blatantly similar to variete francaise. The difference is that the
> French schmaltzy romantic lyrics are made sexually explicit and the beat
> is a little less insipid. In zouk-love, the idea is that grandly dressed
> couples can slowly grind their pelvises together on the dance floor while
> playfully imagining themselves to be French bourgeoisie.
> The outlook for those African musicians who have left Paris is not clear.
> Leading musicians like Oumou Sangare of Mali and Baaba Maal of Senegal
> have abandoned their labels in France and signed with British companies.
> Others, like Cesaria Evora of Cape Verde and Habib Koite of Mali, have
> signed with American labels. ''Koite is getting air play on commercial
> radio coast to coast,'' said Dan Storper, the chief executive of Mr.
> Koite's American label, Putamayo, ''and other African artists may also
> soon cross over.''
> American tastes in music seem to be opening up. Sales of world music have
> risen steadily in the United States in recent years. (In contrast, sales
> of world music made in France have declined recently in America, according
> to Qualiton, a leading importer of French labels.) In dance clubs, hits
> from the 1970's by Mori Kante of Mali and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti of Nigeria
> are now standard remix material. Fela's son, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, and
> Fela's former drummer, Tony Allen, are each fusing his so-called Afrobeat
> style with contemporary Western genres, and both have audiences in the
> West beyond the traditional world music niche.
> For most African musicians, though, trying to fit in in America or Britian
> may be no more rewarding than trying to fit in in France. Western
> audiences -- and by extension Western record companies -- have specific
> tastes, and they often do not conform to African tastes. As a result,
> African musicians frequently make two versions of their albums, one to
> cater to an American audience and another to an African one. In the
> process they are only adding to the confusion about for whom their pop
> music is intended.
> The best Afropop plays to both audiences. Papa Wemba in the Congo, Salif
> Keita in Mali and Youssou N'Dour in Senegal have all made records that
> have sold well in the West and they are national heroes in their own
> countries. Their music approaches the ideal of African musicians: it sells
> internationally while retaining enough of an indigenous identity to appeal
> to African audiences.
> Mr. N'Dour continues to live and perform in Senegal. He sometimes sings in
> French as well as English -- like in his unfortunate recent collaboration
> with Sting. But his best music is undoubtedly made in his native Wolof.
> His rhythmically playful mbalax style is based on the intensely
> syncopated, polyrhythmic sabar drumming that every Senegalese grows up
> with. For native listeners, the fun of the music is guessing where the
> beat will fall. And while Mr. N'Dour's mbalax is world music, it is also a
> private joke among Senegalese.
> At Jololi, Mr. N'Dour's label, new artists are only marketed locally.
> ''Their first albums are just meant to appeal to Senegalese,'' said Kabou
> Gueye, the label's artistic director. ''Then maybe later, if it gets
> popular, we might do a world beat album.'' But the market in most African
> countries is small. Thus the lure of France remains strong.
> The French mostly dismiss the idea that Africans are fleeing Paris. ''Some
> may leave but more will always come,'' said Mr. Yvernault. If they sing in
> French they are eligible for government support, though it may not help
> their careers. Salif Keita recently made an album of ''variete francaise''
> classics called ''Sosie'' (''Spitting image''). It was not well liked;
> those who heard it generally agreed it was his worst.
> [Photograph]
> Oumou Sangare, above (Jack Vartoogian), Angelique Kidjo, below left
> (Daniel Smadja/Stills), and Salif Keita. Ms. Kidjo, who left Paris a
> couple of years ago, says, ''France was stifling me.'' (Mephisto)(pg. 31);
> Baaba Maal of Senegal in Manhattan in 1998. He has left his label in
> France and signed with a British record company. (Jack Vartoogian)(pg. 35)
>
>
>
>
> Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or
> distribution is prohibited without permission.
>
>

Just a reminder to everyone about tomorrow night's party. There is going to
be a HUGE SURPRISE for us Benin RPCVs, so you are obligated to come!!! I
wish I could tell you more, but you will have to come and find out for
yourselves. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL!!!

Here is the invitation, in case you deleted it:


For who?  Beer drinkers and billiards sharks from near and far

What?  KEG PARTY!!!

Why?  1)  Birthday party for our good friend Sarah Brocious
		 2)  House warming party for me; although I don't officially
move in until April
		 3)  Post Mardi Gras celebration and billiards tournament
		 4)  Because it's the freakin' weekend and some of us have
midterms the following week!! Did I mention 		 a keg?

When? Saturday, March 11th, starting at 7:30 PM going to ????
		 (This is also the official "311" day for all you
rockers---3-11-00!!!!)

Where? Matt and Greg's pool hall (I mean stellar rowhouse)
		 1729 Kenyon St., NW (Mount Pleasant) -- 5 minutes walk from
Columbia Heights Metro (green line)
		 Washington, DC 20010 (in case you want to notify us by mail)
		 (202) 232-9559

Beer and snacks will be provided. Food and drink contributions are openly
welcome. Feel free to pass this along to friends and colleagues who may be
interested. We hope to see you there!

Any additional questions may be directed to Bembereke Bill:

Work:  202-691-7895
Home:  202-797-0838
E-mail: snyders_w@...

Hi everyone. This is Bembereke Bill sending my greetings from our
nation's capitol. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. This
group list thing is cool; it will be great for keeping in touch with
one another. Just to let you know, some of us Benin RPCVS in DC are
going to endulge ourselves tonight to an African happy hour @ one of
our favorite hangouts by the name of "Songhai." Can't wait to throw
back a few cold Star beers. (grin)

Signing off for now. Peace.

William Snyders
Bembereke, BENIN 1995-1997

Dear Jason, Jeff, Shari, Colleen, Rob, and Peter,
      I'm glad to see you all have joined the list!  Our number is up
to 10 so encourage others to join.  I found another list server which
you may want to join.  It is sponsored by the University of Laval in
Canada.  It has about 200 members who are mostly Beninese Expats from
what I gather.  If you join, expect to get about 5-10 E-mails a day
because it is a pretty active group or you can select in the options
section to have a daily digest sent to you.  I think it's a good way
to keep up on my French and talk to some Beninois.  They talk about
news events in Benin, networking, etc.  The URL is:
http://hermes.ulaval.ca/listserv/archives/benin.html.

   One thing I think would be interesting is for members of FOB
listserve is to put in their member profile their post, program and
years of service.  It would be cool to talk to someone who lived in
my site say 20 years ago....

Anyone feel free to jump in and start discussions about anything!

Chris
SBD Allada 95-97

David,
     It's funny but I did not get your below message.  I was looking
at the
list server log off the web site and found it there.  No- I'm a RPCV.
  I was
in Allada from 1995-97.  I am not the moderator.  John Boe is but
don't let
that stop you from propoing any discussion topic.   I think the main
idea of
this list serve is to bring Benin RPCV'er together.    At this point
there
is only five of us so spread the word among your group of RPCV's /
PCV's!

Sincerely,

Chris

Message: 2
    Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2000 15:23:28 -0800 (PST)
    From: =?iso-8859-1?q?David=20Blagogee?= <d_blago@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: Let's get our listserver rolling!

Hello Chris, thanks for sending out this mail. I was
almost despairing.  I take it you're actually based in
Allada?? To answer your question,  I don't have direct
experience with list servers.

Are you the moderator this list? Basically, I'd like
to receive as much info as possible on Benin.  Is this
part of the plan for this list?

I have lots of questions and topics to explore, look
forward to the discussions.

David

Dear Benin RPCV's,
       Here is an update of FOB activities for those who have been out of touch. 
Over the last year we've had a three issue of the deadbeat go out and well...
that's about it, and it's ok because we are a new group.  If we are to survive
we need more people to get involved.  The latest FOB newsletter just went out,
and in it is the platform which Peter de Groot wrote on why he wants to be
president of our group.  He was the only person who ran for president so by
default he will be president.

     As all of us know very well, communication has been the greatest problem in
making Friends of Benin a viable organization considering we are spread all over
the country / world.  John Boe had a very good idea that I would like to share
with you all to enhance this communication.  The idea is to use a list server. 
What this is for you who don't already know- is a mail server that receives
messages written by members and them distributes them to all the people who have
subscribed to it.  On the official FOB website at be http://php.iupui.edu/~jmboe
, John has a link on the home page called "general links" or something like that
which will take you to: http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin .  You
can go to this web page by clicking on the above hyper links or type them into
your web browser.    Note: John has informed me that the FOB web page address
will be changing to: http://www.FriendsofBenin.homestead.com soon.
     I would like to encourage everyone who is interested in keeping in touch
with other Benin RPCV's (not just FOB members) to join the list serve.  When you
get to the web page you'll have to register.  It's free and very easy.  On the
web page you can see all the current members, are and all messages posted to it
are permanently archived for future reference.  If you have an issue you'd like
to discuss with everyone, you have only to send it to FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
.  The message will go to this website and then it will be distributed to
everyone who has registered, including yourself.  If you don't have time to
register on the web site you can  send an E-mail to
FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com .  Put nothing in the subject line, and in
the body of the message type Subscribe FriendsofBenin First Name last name.  I
haven't tried the latter method of subscribing so I'd recommend the first
method.    We can use the list serve as a forum for discussing how to develop
the friends of Benin group as well as to network in order to find long lost PCV
buddies, announce updates of the FOB website, advertise FOB activities, etc. 
For example- you're having a party where Benin RPCV's are the primary invitees.
You can use the list serve to open it up to everyone making it an official FOB
activity.
       Peter de Groot, myself and others feel the best way to publish non
discussion type information about our club is on the website.  We will be
working to keep it updated more often and increase the quantity & quality of its
content.  At that point hopefully people can access it on a monthly basis to get
new information about our group.

     Please subscribe to the listserve even if you aren't a member of FOB.  We'd
like to make it open for everyone and keep everyone in touch.

Merci Beaucoup,

Chris



Community email addresses:
   Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
   Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
   Unsubscribe:  FriendsofBenin-unsubscribe@onelist.com
   List owner:   FriendsofBenin-owner@onelist.com

Shortcut URL to this page:
   http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin



Chris Starace
124 Shippan Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
203-325-2648
Chris Starace
124 Shippan Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
203-325-2648


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

John,
     I was wondering, since we have several people that I know of in our =
circle that are good at website design, would it be possible to work =
together with them (remotely of course) on the FOB website?  That would =
spread the work around and allow for more frequent updates and more =
in-depth content.  I'm thinking of Anthony Cuffe, Peter de Groot, Chris =
Robbins, and Marcus Chance.  Maybe each of you could be responsible for =
a theme and you of course could still be the webmaster since you started =
the page.  Let me know what you think.  If you like the idea I'll get in =
touch with the other people.  I tried to send this message to your old E-mail
address and it didn't work.  Could you send me your new E-mail?  I spoke with
Peter De Groot and he said that he would like to get the ball rolling and speak
to you directly about the web page.  I'm Ccing him here so you can see his
E-mail address.

Thanks,

Chris




   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Chris Starace
   To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
   Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 10:38 PM
   Subject: Re: [FriendsofBenin] The listserv


   From: "Chris Starace" <Cstarace@...>

   John- One more thing is that it would be a good idea to explain the listserve
concept in the FOB web page to get people interested to go check it out.

   Chris
     ----- Original Message -----
     From: Chris Starace
     To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
     Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 10:25 PM
     Subject: Re: [FriendsofBenin] The listserv


     From: "Chris Starace" <Cstarace@...>

     John and others,
          Did your message get cut off?  It ended kind of abruptly.  I will send
a mass E-mail to everyone explaining how the list serve concept works and how to
register.  Sound good or would you like me to send you the addresses so you can
send the info?
          How should we use the list serve?  Should we set any guide lines or try
to stimulate / lead discussions?

     Chris
       ----- Original Message -----
       From: John Boe
       To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
       Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 9:11 PM
       Subject: [FriendsofBenin] The listserv


       From: "John Boe" <jmboe@...>

       Hi everybody,

       I had hoped to get more people to join (I sent out a mass e-mailing
       to my stage) but so far the is only the five of us.  So, encourage
       you other stage-mates to join.  I had intended this to be part of the
       FOB homepage which I am presently in the process of updating and
       porting over to Homestead.com.  The new address will be
       http://www.FriendsofBenin.homestead.com (present address is
       http://php.iupui.edu/~jmboe  note: no


    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Community email addresses:
         Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
         Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
         Unsubscribe:  FriendsofBenin-unsubscribe@onelist.com
         List owner:   FriendsofBenin-owner@onelist.com

       Shortcut URL to this page:
         http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin



     [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------



   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Community email addresses:
       Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
       Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
       Unsubscribe:  FriendsofBenin-unsubscribe@onelist.com
       List owner:   FriendsofBenin-owner@onelist.com

     Shortcut URL to this page:
       http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin



   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Community email addresses:
     Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
     Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
     Unsubscribe:  FriendsofBenin-unsubscribe@onelist.com
     List owner:   FriendsofBenin-owner@onelist.com

   Shortcut URL to this page:
     http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

John- One more thing is that it would be a good idea to explain the listserve
concept in the FOB web page to get people interested to go check it out.

Chris
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Chris Starace
   To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
   Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 10:25 PM
   Subject: Re: [FriendsofBenin] The listserv


   From: "Chris Starace" <Cstarace@...>

   John and others,
        Did your message get cut off?  It ended kind of abruptly.  I will send a
mass E-mail to everyone explaining how the list serve concept works and how to
register.  Sound good or would you like me to send you the addresses so you can
send the info?
        How should we use the list serve?  Should we set any guide lines or try
to stimulate / lead discussions?

   Chris
     ----- Original Message -----
     From: John Boe
     To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
     Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 9:11 PM
     Subject: [FriendsofBenin] The listserv


     From: "John Boe" <jmboe@...>

     Hi everybody,

     I had hoped to get more people to join (I sent out a mass e-mailing
     to my stage) but so far the is only the five of us.  So, encourage
     you other stage-mates to join.  I had intended this to be part of the
     FOB homepage which I am presently in the process of updating and
     porting over to Homestead.com.  The new address will be
     http://www.FriendsofBenin.homestead.com (present address is
     http://php.iupui.edu/~jmboe  note: no


   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------



   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Community email addresses:
       Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
       Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
       Unsubscribe:  FriendsofBenin-unsubscribe@onelist.com
       List owner:   FriendsofBenin-owner@onelist.com

     Shortcut URL to this page:
       http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin



   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Community email addresses:
     Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
     Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
     Unsubscribe:  FriendsofBenin-unsubscribe@onelist.com
     List owner:   FriendsofBenin-owner@onelist.com

   Shortcut URL to this page:
     http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

John and others,
      Did your message get cut off?  It ended kind of abruptly.  I will send a
mass E-mail to everyone explaining how the list serve concept works and how to
register.  Sound good or would you like me to send you the addresses so you can
send the info?
      How should we use the list serve?  Should we set any guide lines or try to
stimulate / lead discussions?

Chris
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: John Boe
   To: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
   Sent: Friday, February 25, 2000 9:11 PM
   Subject: [FriendsofBenin] The listserv


   From: "John Boe" <jmboe@...>

   Hi everybody,

   I had hoped to get more people to join (I sent out a mass e-mailing
   to my stage) but so far the is only the five of us.  So, encourage
   you other stage-mates to join.  I had intended this to be part of the
   FOB homepage which I am presently in the process of updating and
   porting over to Homestead.com.  The new address will be
   http://www.FriendsofBenin.homestead.com (present address is
   http://php.iupui.edu/~jmboe  note: no


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Community email addresses:
     Post message: FriendsofBenin@onelist.com
     Subscribe:    FriendsofBenin-subscribe@onelist.com
     Unsubscribe:  FriendsofBenin-unsubscribe@onelist.com
     List owner:   FriendsofBenin-owner@onelist.com

   Shortcut URL to this page:
     http://www.onelist.com/community/FriendsofBenin



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi everybody,

I had hoped to get more people to join (I sent out a mass e-mailing
to my stage) but so far the is only the five of us.  So, encourage
you other stage-mates to join.  I had intended this to be part of the
FOB homepage which I am presently in the process of updating and
porting over to Homestead.com.  The new address will be
http://www.FriendsofBenin.homestead.com (present address is
http://php.iupui.edu/~jmboe  note: no

Hello Chris, thanks for sending out this mail. I was
almost despairing.  I take it you’re actually based in
Allada?? To answer your question,  I don't have direct
experience with list servers.

Are you the moderator this list? Basically, I'd like
to receive as much info as possible on Benin.  Is this
part of the plan for this list?

I have lots of questions and topics to explore, look
forward to the discussions.

David


--- Chris Starace <Cstarace@...> wrote:
> Hi Andy, John, Claudia, and D-blago,
>
>      This looks like a great idea to help FOB'ers in
> touch!  I'd like
> to learn more about it and then send an E-mail to
> everyone whose
> E-mail I have to tell them about it.  Does that
> sound good?  Do any
> of you have any ideas and or experience with list
> servers?  Please
> reply.
>
> Edabo,
>
> Chris
> Allada 95-97
>
>
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com

Hi Andy, John, Claudia, and D-blago,

      This looks like a great idea to help FOB'ers in touch!  I'd like
to learn more about it and then send an E-mail to everyone whose
E-mail I have to tell them about it.  Does that sound good?  Do any
of you have any ideas and or experience with list servers?  Please
reply.

Edabo,

Chris
Allada 95-97