"I was the first white person in the village, they took care of me and extended their family to me, it was great," Bonaventure said. Although English is one of her passions, teaching was a struggle in Africa considering there were no textbooks and a shortage of desks for the 70-plus students in each class. "I realized I was there with a lot of kids that were privileged and were just in the Peace Corps on social guilt, like 'OK, I will do something good for the world and then become a lawyer," Bonaventure said. While in Africa, Bonaventure caught malaria and encountered other problems with the language barrier, but quickly fixed the problem by learning the language of the village. Once returning home to L.A., Bonaventure realized it would be a hard transition. "I had reverse culture shock after being in a village for two years," Bonaventure said. "I learned a lot about myself and gained a lot of courage because I wasn't afraid of the unknown anymore."
Cameroon RPCV Marietta Bonaventure leads a local poetry group in Oregon
Out of Africa and into poetry
Several years away from city lights finds one woman in poetry; leads a local poetry group
Ashley Slocki
Issue date: 2/23/06 Section: News
Moving away from the big city lights of Los Angeles to Oregon might seem crazy to some, but for Marietta Bonaventure it was just the thing she needed after returning from the Peace Corps.
After four years of tests and all nighters at California State in Long Beach, Bonaventure was unsure of where she wanted her life to take her.
"I knew I wanted to leave the safety of my world and see where my identity went after I left my familiar places," Bonaventure said.
So, shortly after graduation Bonaventure went to West Africa to teach English for two years.
"I was the first white person in the village, they took care of me and extended their family to me, it was great," Bonaventure said.
Although English is one of her passions, teaching was a struggle in Africa considering there were no textbooks and a shortage of desks for the 70-plus students in each class.
"I realized I was there with a lot of kids that were privileged and were just in the Peace Corps on social guilt, like 'OK, I will do something good for the world and then become a lawyer," Bonaventure said.
While in Africa, Bonaventure caught malaria and encountered other problems with the language barrier, but quickly fixed the problem by learning the language of the village.
Once returning home to L.A., Bonaventure realized it would be a hard transition.
"I had reverse culture shock after being in a village for two years," Bonaventure said. "I learned a lot about myself and gained a lot of courage because I wasn't afraid of the unknown anymore."
Bonaventure's freedom from the fear of the unknown motivated her to embark on a road trip to find a resting place - Oregon.
After settling down in Eugene, Bonaventure opened a used book store which introduced her to not only poetry, but the world of Slam Poetry.
As a result, Bonaventure became the sole founder of the Eugene Poetry Slam.
To create a Poetry Slam an organization must prove that events will be put on, a venue to house the events and an audience will be present.
"Slam cuts out small talk and makes you instantly share your feelings with the audience in three minutes," said fellow slammer Jorah LaFleur. "It really is an awesome and unique thing."
On top of the monthly Eugene Poetry Slam the team also competed at the National Poetry Slam for the past three years. This year the team, consisting of four members, will return to nationals which will be held in Austin, Texas.
"At first our monthly events were held at my book store," Bonaventure said. "They turned into huge parties, but then I closed my store."
After closing down her store a new venue needed to be found.
"It is really hard to find a venue," said Allen Mitchell, owner of Territorial Winery. "They wanted it to be all ages but still have alcohol for the of-age people which lead them here."
Being all-ages was important to the members of Slam Poetry because a large majority of the members are underage.
"As a teacher I feel it is important to let students express themselves," Bonaventure said.
Bonaventure got in touch with Mitchell through his niece who was active in Slam Poetry which created the new venue housed at Territorial Winery.
"Here at the winery they basically have the whole place to themselves, it really works great," Mitchell said.
Currently Bonaventure is doing graduate work at OSU and soon plans on leaving Eugene to start teaching around Oregon which would leave the Eugene Poetry Slam in need of a "Slam Master."
"It won't be the same without her," said LaFleur, Bonaventure's planned replacement.
Bonaventure brings slam into every part of her life, even teaching.
"I presented a proposal at the Oregon Reading Association about using spoken word in class," Bonaventure said. "I gave CDs to 30 teachers all around Oregon who plan on using them in their teaching methods, they are really excited about it."
Even though this could be here last season as the host of Eugene Poetry Slam, Bonaventure feels confident that it will survive.
"Two years ago I would not believe it would survive," she said.
It seems to be a consensus that losing their original host will definitely have an impact on the group.
"Without her I could not imagine it being as great as it is right now, it really is amazing," Mitchell said.
Said LaFleur, "She is the soul of it."
Ashley Slocki, staff writer
