Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Senegal revisted - a special young woman

Here I am with Awa and Rama. When I arrived, I became aware of Rama who is a special friend to Saidou. I have learned that they are getting married soon. Rama is in white… a beautiful young woman inside and out. She speaks French well and a little English, so we could communicate easily. I had a chance to visit her home where I met her brothers who are responsible for running the household. When I met her mom, a widow, she was amazed to meet another widow who could travel so far as I have to come meet her. Our lives are profoundly different, but we enjoyed a connection.

Posted by Sue at 00:21:48 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Monday, April 21, 2008

Revisiting Senegal - family members

 
Staying with Saidou’s family in K.M., Jan and I began to find what it meant to became part of the family. Greeting the head of household, Abduhl, was primary, and at specific times each day I learned. Everyone has a special place in my heart now, especially after they struggled with me as I began to learn the Wolof language. I appreciate their graciousness and patience as I learned some of their greetings in Wolof and everyday customs. Awa was pregnant with this little guy the last time I was here. Of course, custom is that you don’t acknowledge the pregnancy or due date openly in case your conversation might cast a shadow on the baby. Supersition  from our perspective, traditional culture from their’s.  I’m coming to respect these things in their lives. I had more conversations with Awa than ayone else - she spoke some French where few others of the women did. We made lots of mistakes with each other, learning language and culture. She holds her Muslim beliefs strongly, but honored and cared for me. And… I have her personal cell number, an honor.
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Saidou’s older sister is elegant. This is Fatu with her daughter. I was named after her and kept my new name the entire time I was in Senegal - Fatu. Fatu speaks Puhlar, her mother’s tongue. We simply spoke to each other in different languages and laughed at the results! While French is the official language of her country, as a woman she never had the opportunity to learn French in her limited schooling. But she is a respected business woman in the village, selling kola nuts. The nuts contain caffeine and keep people’s energy up. I tried one - very bitter, yuk. 

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Ibrihim is one of Saidou’s younger brothers (there are 9 children). He has a small shop in the village where he sells a few household goods and food items. It’s a place where young men hang out in between jobs. A lot of the local gossip passes through those thin walls I think. I offered to train Ibrihim in HIV/AIDS issues in a French curriculum that I know. He was an enthusiastic student, coming often during the hot mid-day break. He finished just before I left and could recite nearly all of it from memory. As a small reward, I gave him a comic version booklet that discussed HIV/AIDS issues and offered hope in Jesus at the end. That very day, he came home late saying his friends delayed him, asking about the booklet at the shop and began a conversation about the topic. Ibrima was pleased to have information and answers. Among his peers, he had become more expert and now understood the physical, social and moral aspects well. I was pleased for him to have new the status and pass on the HIV/AIDS information.
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As I look at this picture again, I think of Saidou’s older brother and his wife who are really hard workers. They also have lots of kids! I never knew exact which children were theirs, but I think this picture is close. They live in the compound with the extended family and she does most of the shopping and cooking for the entire clan daily. It’s a huge job!


Posted by Sue at 20:06:38 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Senegal revisted - Madeline’s warm hospitality

Madeline’s family incorporated us warmly into their daily lives. Her teens were lively and well trained in hospitality as one would expect of the Senegalese. We were never lonely! I have no pics to show, but my first challenge was to negotiate a hole-in-the-floor tiled toilet. Eventually I got used to it and this knowledge would serve me many places in Africa. Also, we were not allowed to do our own laundry here. But exploring, we found the secret laundry room. Our meals were excellent, Madeline has culinary skills in her background! This was a great entry point for Jan and I  in Senegal, Madeline’s patient explanations about culture were much appreciated!

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School children wear uniforms nearly everywhere in Africa. I liked Senegal’s options: a smock/ apron over a dress for the girls. Simple, inexpensive, easy to identify, and cool. Madline’s daughters pose here with friends.

Posted by Sue at 06:27:01 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Senegal revisted - Dakar inner city

Below: A mix of old an new in downtown Dakar (capitol city). From the freeway, it appeared that there was a lot of new building, but it was only localized. My judgement is that the remainder of the country is suffering.


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Need wood poles for fences?


 
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Dakar inner city fruit stand.

Posted by Sue at 06:16:49 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Revisiting Togo - A second village


The second village targeted for assistance by CHE volunteers has enjoyed agricultural improvements, but the spiritual climate is cooler to Christian influence. However, good relations continue, including village children and their parents.

 

Posted by Sue at 04:48:24 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Revisiting Togo - Vivati’s new church, first stage building.

Posts from 08-January tell about the village of Vivati in Togo where just two years ago, a new church was being established in a community where the spiritual orientation was mainly vodoo. Today, it’s 90% Christian. The pictures attached tell more of the story. This is their new church and a small worship time beneath the trees.

 

Posted by Sue at 04:11:55 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Varying Currencies

Did you ever wonder what different currencies I used during this trip? Every country I visited required a variety of adjustments. Usually, one of the first things I did when entering a new country was to exchange money or find a cash machine. The increasing presence of cash machines, often located in airports or outside banks, really eased up handling finances. And, I didn’t have to be so dependent on my local host to deal with this facet of travel and visiting new places.

 

(Currency Rates as of 20 April, 2008)

 

France, The Netherlands

1.00 USD

=

0.632721 EUR
United States Dollars
  
 Euro
1 USD = 0.632721 EUR
  
 1 EUR = 1.58048 USD

 

Togo, Senegal

1.00 USD

=

415.105 XOF
United States Dollars
  
 Communauté Financière Africaine Francs BCEAO
1 USD = 415.105 XOF
  
 1 XOF = 0.00240903 USD

 

Ghana

1.00 USD

=

0.992760 GHS
United States Dollars
  
 Ghana Cedis
1 USD = 0.992760 GHS
  
 1 GHS = 1.00729 USD

 

Uganda

1.00 AFN

=

34.8151 UGX
Afghanistan Afghanis
  
 Uganda Shillings
1 AFN = 34.8151 UGX
  
 1 UGX = 0.0287232 AFN

 

South Africa

1.00 USD

=

7.75308 ZAR
United States Dollars
  
 South Africa Rand
1 USD = 7.75308 ZAR
  
 1 ZAR = 0.128981 USD

 

Botswana

1.00 USD

=

6.46890 BWP
United States Dollars
  
 Botswana Pulas
1 USD = 6.46890 BWP
  
 1 BWP = 0.154586 USD

 

Namibia

1.00 USD

=

7.80394 NAD
United States Dollars
  
 Namibia Dollars
1 USD = 7.80394 NAD
  
 1 NAD = 0.128140 USD

 

Posted by Sue at 01:37:21 | Permalink | Comments (2)