Surprises are the best! Especially when they involve you being a MC for a huge event...

So during my orientation to work I was asked whether or not I wanted to be a host for a huge event Cerecare is doing for Children’s day. Due to some language barriers, I agreed to be a host/mc without even knowing it!

So the day came when I was handed a script in Chinese... and you can imagine my face. But over time and lessons from other staff, I managed to “read” Chinese.

Weeks before the event, the children practiced so hard and diligently for their songs and performances. When asked what the dreams of several of these children, a lot of them will want to be singers. So for these children, you can feel their passion as they practiced for an entire half year for this event.

From watching and helping the children practice, you learn two things: First, how difficult it is for these children to learn something that requires a sense of rhythm. A lot of them physically and mentally cannot keep up with the musical piece. And also, you learn how resilient they are and how they will never give up and will be there supporting each other. Just like their current condition, such as learning to read or walk. From where they started to now, they have improved so much. But it is not without a lot of pain and determination and a loving support group from their peers and other staff members. All I can say is no matter what, I will always be proud of these children.

On the actual day of performance, besides me saying some Chinese phrases wrong and minor technical difficulties, was a huge success! All of the children expressed their passion and demonstrated what they have been working on so diligently for the past six months. And the crowd loved it! Parents, friends, strangers, everyone was there with tears in their eyes. It was emotional in the way that everyone got the message: we are all the same.

One of the children, Duo Duo, is the one with the most musical talent in Cerecare. He is extremely extroverted and loves to talk and sing. He had the final piece and did not fail to show his full potential. At that point, I felt tears in my eyes too. Everyone, but especially him, has worked so hard. This is a child who cannot yet walk nor cut paper with scissors. But he is a boy who always tells you how much he loves you and how much he appreciates you helping him. He is a boy who knows about his condition yet never gives up on his dreams. Someday I truly believe that when he sings, his stage is somewhere that can be heard from around the world. I am so proud.

TBC

Je vais essayer d’expliquer le système de microfinance ici. Il faut remarquer que chaque système de microfinance soit distinct. Mais je pense qu’ici il y a un bon système.

Les gens viennent s’ils veulent un prêt. Parce qu’il y a trop de personnes, nous cherchons les gens avec les meilleures idées pour un business. Nous donnons à ces gens le premier questionnaire pour savoir leurs informations de base, comme leurs noms, numéros de téléphone, adresses, dates de naissance, etc. Ensuite il faut assister cinq leçons de business et passer un examen de l’information (qui contient aussi des maths). En attendant l’examen, nous commençons à travailler sur les plans de business officiels et les présentations pour Moctar. Nous recherchons le marché pour découvrir si le plan de business fonctionnera bien, les vrais prix, la disponibilité des produits, etc. Après avoir fait le plan de business, nous allons chez Moctar pour présenter le plan de business (ça n’est pas la présentation officielle, c’est seulement pour le plan de business). S’il approuve le plan, nous retournons au bureau de microfinance et attendons l’examen. La présentation officielle contient le plan de business, le numéro des remboursements, la durée du prêt mais aussi les choses qualitatives comme si la personne a une maison, des dépendants ou assez de motivation. S’il approuve la présentation, nous allons donner un prêt à la personne si elle a déjà réussi à l’examen.

Le procès prend un ou deux mois, et les bénéficiaires reçoit le prêt environ une semaine après la présentation. Pour les femmes, elles prennent l’argent et commence à repayer le prêt un mois après elles l’ont reçu. Parce qu’il y avait des problèmes avec les prêts pour les Talibés, nous devons voir les achats pour assurer que l’argent a été bien dépense. Nous donnons les prêts de 50 000 CFA ($100) à 150 000 CFA ($300) pour une durée au maximum de 15 mois. Les remboursements viennent une fois par mois. Nous collectons les remboursements du premier jour au quatorzième jour de chaque mois. Nous faisons beaucoup de questionnaires ici. Nous donnons un questionnaire dans le période de grâce (le mois avant de repayer), après 6 mois et encore après ils ont fini les remboursements. Après avoir fini les remboursements, les gens reçoivent un certificat qui dit qu’ils ont bien payé le prêt (pour du crédit dans l’avenir).

Les volontaires ici peuvent faire tout, et j’ai signé pour donner le prêt. Je suis comme une grande personne (pour utiliser la phrase du petit prince). Le travail est vraiment comme un stage et je suis heureux d’être ici. Un jour, quand je me sentirai mieux, je vais vous parler plus.

I am going to try to explain the system for microfinance here. Please remember that each system is different, but I think there is a good system here.

People come to us if they want a loan, and because there is are too many people, we look for the ones who have the best ideas for a business. We give these people the first questionnaire to learn their basic information, like their names, phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, etc. Next they must attend 5 business classes and pass an exam which covers the information (that also contains basic math skills). While waiting for the exam, we begin to work on their official business plans and the presentations to Moctar. We research the market to see if their business plan is sound, what the actual prices are, the availability of products, etc. After having made the business plan, we go to Moctar’s office to present the business plan (this is not the official presentation, only the business plan). If he approves the plan, we go back to our office to wait for people to pass the exam. The official presentation contains the business plan, the number of repayments, the length of loan but also qualitative information such as if the person has a house, if people are dependent on him or if they have enough motivation to have a business. If Moctar approves the presentation, we give a loan to the person if he has already passed the test.

The process takes one or two months, and the beneficiaries receive the loans around one week after the presentation. For the women, they can just take the money and start to repay one month after they receive the loan. Since there were some problems with the Talibés in the past, we have to see their purchases to make sure the money was well spent. We give loans from 50 000 CFA ($100) to 150 000 ($300) for a maximum duration of 15 months. The repayments come once a month. We collect the repayments from the 1^st to the 14^th of the month. We do a lot of questionnaires here. We give one in the grace period (the month before repayments begin), one after six months and one more after they have finished all the repayments. After having finished the repayments, the people receive a certificate saying that they paid back the loan (to hopefully help them get more credit in the future).

The volunteers here can do just about anything, and I signed to give the loan. I feel like a big person now (to use the term from the Petit Prince). The work is very much like an internship and I am happy to be here. One day, when I am feeling better, I will write again.

Jake and I

C’est de la poisson/That’s fish

Une manifestation pour les certificats de naissance/The Rally to encourage people to register their kids with the state

Qu’est-ce qui se passe?/What’s happening?

J’ai entendu la plage?/Did someone say the beach?

Jour 12 – J’ai tapé mon blogue ce matin mais c’était tout. Nous avons appris comment cuisiner le plat national du Sénégal chez Michell. J’ai mis des épices dans la tête des poissons et tout le monde a fait quelque chose. Nous avons attendu longtemps avant nous avons mangé. J’ai appelé mon père.

Jour 13 – Nous sommes allés de Océan savane aujourd’hui. Nous étions frustrés parce que les taxis ont arrêté et nous ont demandé plus d’argent. Mon taxi était tellement délabré et je pensais « Je vais mourir, il va me tuer ». Il faisait beau. L’hôtel était fantastique avec le déjeuner était un buffet. Nous avons nagé et il y avait beaucoup de crabes. Nous avons joué au poker avec des coquillages. Nous avons attendu le taxi pour trente minutes et avons mangé à la Kora pour le dernier repas de Jake.

Jour 14 – J’ai dit au revoir à Jake et nous avons appris la signification que si on se serre un coup de main à gauche. Ça veut dire « Mon ami, j’espère te voir encore, inch’Allah ». J’ai « Invigilated » les examens pour les femmes aujourd’hui (ha ! les mots des anglais). Je dois aussi apprendre beaucoup d’échelle. L’échelle anglaise est not nice, kinda nice, nice, quite nice, very nice, etc. L’echelle de Laura est super, tellement super, vraiment super, super cool, mega cool, super mega cool. Tous ont les significations différentes et situationnelles. J’ai une bonne discussion avec Laura de Dr. Seuss, les femmes de foyer, les écoles maternelles, etc.

Jour 15 – Les autres me taquinent beaucoup parce que apparemment les Américains disent différemment coffee (et ici l’anglais propre est d’Angleterre). Les Anglais aussi disent « full stop » pour le mot « period ». J’ai acheté des tongs au marché. J’ai fait ma première évaluation avec Projects Abroad. J’ai dit aux les femmes du Takou Liguey qu’elles ont raté l’examen, donc nous ne pouvons pas leurs donner un prêt. C’était un peu difficile. Elles veulent essayer de faire les leçons en Wolof. J’ai eu une discussion dramatique avec Laura et Emily, et j’ai frappé Douada avec une bouteille d’eau vide pour le rendre fatigué (c’est toujours le but). Je pense que je vais dire le mot Alhamdulillah trop, il est amusant de dire (ça veut dire grâce à Dieu).

Jour 16 – J’ai donné mon premier prêt à une bénéficiaire (Mme Daff) aujourd’hui. Nous avons fait des recherches dans le business de poule (deux magasins étaient fermés) pour le seul membre du Takou Liguey qui a reussi à l’examen. J’ai eu une petite fièvre et j’ai dormi à travers ma pause déjeuner. L’après-midi, j’ai assisté la manifestation des certificats de naissance que Louis et Ousmane aidaient une autre organisation à lancer.  Je suis malade et je vais essayer de dormir très tôt.

Jour 17 – Aujourd’hui est un jour férié pour nous (jour d’ascension). Nous sommes allés au marché pour acheter des tissus pour des chemises. Ça c’était un labyrinthe. Mais nous avons trouvé des jolis tissus, je ne sais pas encore quand nous recevrons les chemises. Je me suis senti un peu mieux pour déjeuner (mafé). Ensuite nous sommes retournés chez nous pour 10 minutes avant de partir pour l’hôtel (Keur Dada). C’était bon. J’ai bu un coca (chez moi je ne bois jamais le coca) et j’ai essayé d’enseigner a Beckie comment jouer aux échecs.  Nous avons joué Slap Jack (Snap ou Sandman pour les anglais). Laura a fait cuire des pizzas du thon, elle ne voulait pas tellement cuisiner, elle me semblait un peu frustrée.

Day 12 – The only thing that I did this morning was type my blog. We learned how to make the national plate of Senegal at Michell’s host family’s house. My task was stuffing fish heads with spices and everyone contributed to the meal. We had to wait a long time before we ate. I called my father.

Day 13 – We went to Ocean Savane today (a resort). We were quite frustrated when the taxi drivers stopped and held us up for more money. The 2^nd taxi I took was so in tatters that I thought “I am going to die, he is going to kill me”. The weather was amazing. The resort was very great with a buffet and lounge. We went swimming and there were loads of crabs. We played poker with sea shells. We waited 30 minutes for the taxi (and accidently paid double) to come and that evening all the volunteers went out to La Kora, a pizza place for Jake’s last night.

Day 14 – I said goodbye to Jake and we learned the meaning of a handshake with the left hand. You do it with really good friends to let them know you very much hope to see them again. I invigilated the tests for the women today (sometimes the Brits use such weird words). I have to also learn many scales. The British scale is: not nice, kinda nice, nice, quite nice, very nice, etc. The scale for Laura is: super, tellement super, vraiment super, super cool, mega cool, mega super cool. Each has a different meaning that can also be situational. I had a good discussion with Laura about Dr. Seuss, housewives, daycare, etc.

Day 15 – The others tease me a lot because apparently Americans say coffee different (here the “proper” English is from England). The English also say full stop instead of period. I bought some new flip-flops at the market. I did my first evaluation with Projects Abroad. I had a dramatic discussion with Laura and Emily, and I kept tapping Douada with an empty water bottle to try and wear him out (that’s always the goal). I think that I am going to say the word Alhamdulillah too much, it’s quite fun to say (it means thanks be to God).

Day 16 – I gave my first loan to a beneficiary today (her name is Mme Daff). We did some research into the chicken raising business here (two shops were closed) for the one lady of the group who passed her exam. I had a small fever and slept through my lunch break. In the afternoon, I attended the rally to get people to register their kids with the state (birth certificates) that Lewis and Ousmane were helping put on. I was sick and tried to go to bed early.

Day 17 – It was a holiday for us today (Ascension Day). We went to the market to buy some fabric to make some t-shirts for us. That was a maze. But we found some nice fabric and I do not yet know when we are going to get the shirts. I felt a little better for lunch (mafé). We went back to our houses for 10 minutes before we went to the hotel (Keur Dada). That was nice. I drank some straight coke (I never drink regular coke at home) and I tried to teach Beckie how to play chess. We played Slap Jack (Snap or Sandman for the Brits). Laura tried to cook some tuna pizza, but she really did not want to do it, and she seemed really frustrated to me.

Right now, it has been two weeks since I started working here at Cerecare, and I have learned a lot about the children, cerebral palsy, and a lot about myself and the world around me.

This is just like school again! I wake up at around 6am to prepare for work and I leave work at around 5:30 pm. But the only difference is I enjoy every minute of my work here.

First, what Cerecare does is amazing. Cerebral Palsy is incurable, but what this facility does to help the children grow is tremendous. Jiang Jiang, a child with a severe case of spastic cerebral palsy came in to Cerecare when he was 5. At that time, he could not control his speech, his motor movements, walking, and most things we take for granted. Now he is 12 years old. Though he takes more time than others, he is able to walk, talk, use chopsticks, and express himself independently.

Overtime I have bonded with the staff and children here. All of the children here are all very sweet, and all of the staff are qualified for the work they are doing.  One of the children, Zhangyi, has the most severe case of cerebral palsy in the history of Cerecare. Zhangyi is a 15 year old boy that has been with us since he was 2. He cannot talk, walk, and is in a comatose like state. However, he is aware of everything is is around him, he is just physically unable to express himself. He is an orphan. His parents abandoned him and was soon discovered by Cerecare. Every 2 months and every major holiday, all of the children here return home for the holidays except for Zhangyi. He has never gone home for Chinese New Year. One of staff, Mrs. Ma, is the one that takes care of him. She takes him home to New Years, every vacation and holiday, and treats him like her own son. She does it not for any other reason except for her love and care of Zhangyi. Since his birth, she has been the only mother he knows.

Every staff member here is all very compassionate, patient, and are some of the best people in this world. This side of China is something the media does not display. This experience I think proves a lot about faith in humanity.

As I continue my next few weeks, I am sure more stories will arise. TBC!

Rumor has it that there is a city one hour away from Shanghai that is filled with beauty, nature, a deep history, and a very unique cuisine. So I decided to take a weekend getaway to Wuxi, the city between Shanghai and Nanjing.

“Wu” means without. “Xi” means tin. This city used to be a huge source of tin that would be used for the development of bronze in ancient China. Soon, the tin mine ran dry, so the city became known as Wuxi. The city without tin.

In this city, it is very different than the bustling metropolis of Shanghai. It is like taking a step back. Wuxi and its culture is more relaxed than that of Shanghai. The first and most important destination is Taihu lake. This is a very large lake that served as a very inspirational nature resort for many Chinese thinkers, scholars, and philosophers. Right now it is one of China’s protected parks.

Wuxi also has a very unique cuisine. The geographical location of the city makes it a perfect place for growing sugar. In fact, everything is so sweet! From the beverages, desserts, and even the Xiao Long Baos! (Little dumplings). It was a unique experience, and its amazing to see how much of a difference in culture just one hour can make.

As I arrived back in Shanghai, it felt like coming back home. I loved Wuxi but I missed Shanghai, my new home.

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The Sunset in Wuxi, a mix between classical and modern China

Stinky tofu is like Cheese. Tofu that is fermented and has a very foul odor and taste a bit like cheese. It is very famous and is a delicacy. There is a first time for everything, but nevertheless, I will never try this again.

Wuxi also has some very important Buddhists statues and a deep history of Buddhism.

Like a lot of places in China, Wuxi does not sleep. This is the streets of Nanchang road, that has the most famous night markets in Wuxi. Nigh markets are local food stands that serve delicious local food.

Here is another view of the Taihu lake.

Over the past week I’ve been getting to know several Kenyan guides, shadowing them in their work, and laying groundwork for the film. Samson Mwangi is a tall and lanky rock climbing guide working for an adventure company in Nairobi. Tyson, who now works for the same company, used to be a wilderness instructor for the Kenyan military on Mt. Kenya. He’s summited the mountain more than a dozen times. Both are a rare breed, which is why I’m following them around.

Climbing of all kinds (mountaineering, rock, ice, etc.) is typically a sport for the upper classes and has been dominated by wealthy Americans and Europeans for the last century. In my film I’m trying to explore the newer demographics of the sport, particularly the local Kenyans that have made it their lifestyle.

I drove Sam and Tyson out to a small mountain named Lukenya which is a popular destination for rock climbers due to several massive rock walls and a smattering of boulders up and down the slope. I followed and filmed Sam up several long climbs which he danced up with ease. There was something beautifully primordial in watching a man engage with nature so fluidly in this area of the world where mankind as we know it most likely originated. As we pulled up on top of the cliff, several hundred feet above the arid savannah, a cold wind pinned us down for a bit. Only Sam had had the foresight to bring a jacket (after all, we’re in Africa!).

A gorgeous orange cliffline popping up out of the savannah.

On the drive back up Mombasa Highway, a two-lane road that accommodates potentially six-lane traffic, I questioned Sam and Tyson on the state of climbing in Kenya. They were optimistic about the future of the sport, but were more interested in why I was interested. This led to an interesting discussion, in broken Swahili, of my complicated identity as an American missionary kid from Kenya. Tyson, particularly astute, pushed me to admit that I was just as privileged as most Westerners that choose to climb and suggested that my African experience had been fundamentally limited. I had to agree with him.

This, of course, is why I came. To reexperience Africa as an adult, as an artist, and as a honest human. All of our childhoods were limited in scope and experience, but I think mine led me to believe I was more worldly than I really was. Sitting in rigid Nairobi traffic, the BBC blaring, matatus honking in futility, I accepted that in many ways, this is my first time to the real Africa.

Un Jour normal :

Je me réveille à 7h 30 ou plus tôt. Nous avons dit que le petit-déjeuner se passe à 8h, mais il est vraiment à 8h 20, alors j’ai beaucoup de temps à faire ce dont j’ai besoin. Nous mangeons toujours du pain (au chocolat, si je veux) et buvons du café noir. Si je n’ai pas la flemme, j’essaie de travailler un peu ou lire ma bible (en français, bien sûr) et ensuite je vais au bureau de microfinance à 9h. Normalement j’attends quelques minutes parce qu’ici tout le monde est en retard. Nous travaillons pour une heure (sur les présentations ou les plans de business) avant de sortir pour les visites de bénéficiaires. Les volontaires doivent payer pour les taxis (mais nous serons remboursés), et il est difficile parce que je perds tous mes petits billets. Les taxis ici tombent en morceaux aussi. D’habitude nous visitons trois femmes (ou plus tard les hommes) pour ramasser les remboursements ou leurs donner des questionnaires. Parfois nous allons au marché pour rechercher les prix pour le plan de business. Si nécessaire nous allons au bureau de Moctar (le boss) pour faire des propositions ou lui donner les factures.

Ma pause déjeuner commence à 12h 30 jusqu’à 16h. Je tien un blog ou regarde France24 (pour améliorer mon niveau de français).  Parfois je fais une sieste ou finis un projet de travail. Nous déjeunons envers 14h 15. Nous mangeons presque toujours du thiepboudienne, le plat national du Sénégal. C’est en effet une préparation à base de poisson frais (souvent du thiof), de poisson séché, de yet (mollusque faisandé au goût prononcé) et de riz (riz wolof), cuits avec des légumes (manioc, citrouille, chou, carotte, navet, aubergine…), du persil, de la purée de tomate, des piments, de l’ail et des oignons. Il est bon mais quand on mange quelque chose chaque jour on en a assez du plat. Je recommence à travailler à 16h. Tous les deux jours il y a des cours pour les Talibés ou les femmes à enseigner. Sinon, nous faisons normalement des rapports ou les plans de business. Chaque jour je dois écrire toutes les choses que nous avons faits et qui a fait quoi. Ensuite, je retourne chez Madame Faye et attends le souper, qui commence à 21h. Un groupe de volontaires sortent presque chaque nuit, mais il est difficile de faire ça parce que je soupe à 21h. Je prends une douche (avec eau froide) et passe du temps avec les enfants et/ou Laura. J’essaie de me coucher vers 22h 30.

Jusqu’à présent je n’ai normalement aucun de plan pour la fin de semaine. Les autres volontaires sortent ensemble, et je sors normalement avec eux. Je suis aussi économe et essaie de ne pas dépenser beaucoup d’argent toujours. Il y a toujours beaucoup de choses à dire, mais je dois garder quelques mots pour la prochaine fois ! A bientôt ! N’oubliez pas de regarder les photos et le journal quotidien !

A Normal Day:

I wake up around 7:30 or a bit earlier. We said that breakfast would be at 8am every day, but is truly at 8:20, so I have a lot of time to take care of things. We always eat some bread (with chocolate spread, if I want) and drink black coffee. If I am not feeling lazy, I try to work a little or read my Bible (in French, of course) and then I go to work at the microfinance office at 9:00. Normally I must wait several minutes because everyone is late here. We usually work for about an hour (on presentations or business plans) before making visits to the beneficiaries. The volunteers must pay for the taxis here (we will get reimbursed) but it is difficult because I always lose my small bills. The taxis here are falling apart. Normally we visit around 3 women (or men later) to collect reimbursements or give them questionnaires. Sometimes we will go to the market to research prices for business plans. If necessary, we go the Moctar’s office (the boss) to make presentations or give him the bills.

My lunch break lasts from 12:30 until 4:00pm. I write my blog or watch France24 (in order to improve my French). Sometimes I will take a nap or finish a work project. We eat lunch around 2:15. For lunch we eat Thiebou jen, the national dish of Senegal. It has a base of fresh fish, dried fish, rice, chopped vegetables (carrots, eggplant, lettuce, cabbage, etc.), parsley, tomato puree, peppers, garlic and onion. It is good but when you eat it every day, it kind of gets old. I start work again at 4:00. Every other day there are courses for the women or Talibés to teach. If not, we usually draw up the daily/weekly reports or work on the business plans. Every day I have to write down everything we did and who did what. Next, I go back to Madame Faye’s house and wait for supper, which is at 9:00. There is normally a group of volunteers who go out every night, but it is difficult to do when supper is at 9:00. I take a shower (with cold water) and spend some time with the children or Laura. I try to go to sleep around 10:30.

Up until now I normally do not have any plans for the weekend. The other volunteers go out together, and I normally go with them. I am also quite thrifty so I try not to spend a lot of money every day. There is always more to say but I need to save something to write later. See you later! Don’t forget to check out the photos and the daily journals!

L’anniversaire d’Ousmane/Ousmane’s birthday

Un business normal que nous finançons/A normal business we finance

Une leçon typique/A typical lesson

Mon bureau/My office

Elle veut son propre business/She wants her own business

Combien de choses pouvons-nous mettre dans le magasin?/How many things can we fit in the shop?

La plage/The beach

Jour 5 – Au matin, nous sommes allés à Ndar Ndar pour boire du café, mais j’ai bu le jus de gingembre. C’était très fort. Nous sommes allés à la plage aujourd’hui. Pour moi, j’avais l’impression d’être dans un film. Ce sont les amis à la plage, écoutant de la musique, rien à faire mais passer une journée ensemble. Les anglais, Louis et Jake, ont fait un feu pour cuisiner du cannabis qu’ils ont acheté à Dakar. Alicia m’a dit que je parle bien le français mais j’ai un gros accent Américain à cause de mes Rs. J’essaierai plus dur. Le coût pour aller à la plage était seulement moins d’un dollar. Ça marche bien pour nous.

Jour 6 – Nous avons fait une randonnée autour de Saint Louis. Nous avons marché avec un club official (ce que Madame Faye fait partie) et après j’étais très fatigué. J’ai eu la flemme et j’ai fait une grande sieste après déjeuner.

Jour 7 – J’ai préparé le cours avec les femmes pour l’après-midi et après avoir visité deux maisons, nous avons fait une proposition à Moctar. Cheikh s’assure toujours que les volontaires sont bien préparés avant la visite avec Moctar. Il y avait un blocage au pont aujourd’hui alors j’ai marché beaucoup, au Centreville et le retour. L’après-midi, j’ai enseigné le cours avec les femmes et j’ai créé le rapport du jour. Après un bon repas (du poulet et des lentilles sénégalaises), Laura et moi sommes sorti à Belle Etoile avec les autres (nous nous sommes perdus parce que personne ne connait ce resto ici). J’ai eu une bonne discussion avec Louis sur la fierté nationale et sur les Etats-Unis (des esclaves et des problèmes modernes).

Jour 8 – Aujourd’hui, comme hier, le Wifi ne fonctionnait pas. Alors nous avons fait des copies écrites à la main pour les bénéficiaires. Ensuite, nous sommes allés au marché pour vérifier le prix d’un mixer. Nous sommes allés chez Abou pour écrire un nouveau plan de business. En restant là-bas, nous avons vu une raie qui était traîné par des enfants. C’était bizarre. L’après-midi, j’ai fait le business plan d’Abou et aussi le liste de critères. J’ai besoin de trouver une recette pour cuisiner ici. J’ai dit aux autres des chanteurs américains. J’ai eu une lutte de chatouillement avec Madeline.

Jour 9 – Nous sommes allé près de l’universitaire pour visiter une femme qui a déménage là-bas. J’ai dépensé beaucoup d’argent pour les taxis (mais je serai remboursé). J’ai pris des bonnes photos de la femme pour son dossier. Ça m’intéresse parce qu’il est impoli ici de prendre des photos de quelqu’un sans permission. En attendant Habib, j’ai fait un petit examen pour les femmes demain. Les autres volontaires sortent presque chaque nuit, mais c’est trop pour moi. Je serais allé avec eux aujourd’hui mais il y a des travaux sur le pont et les taxis ne veulent pas m’amener vers le pont. Ce soir j’ai enseigné à Laura comment jouer aux échecs parce qu’elle ne l’a pas encore su et elle lit un livre des joueurs d’échecs.

Jour 10 – Ce matin j’ai appris comment les Ecossais mangent le petit-déjeuner (black pudding, white pudding, potato scones, etc.). Nous sommes allés chez Madame Daff pour faires des questionnaires. Ensuite nous avons cherché la table qu’Abou voulais acheter. Nous étions frustrés parce que le vendeur nous a vus (les personnes blanches) et a changé le prix de 20 000 CFA à 50 000. Alors nous avons dû chercher une autre table. Nous avons mangé du mafé (c’est jeudi) et du gâteau parce qu’aujourd’hui est l’anniversaire d’Ousmane. Cheikh et moi sommes allés chez Orange pour permettre à mon téléphone portable d’accéder à internet. L’après-midi j’ai enseigné le cours avec les femmes, le dernier avant l’examen final. Ce soir j’ai regardé un film avec Salome, Nora, Rachel, Jake and Louis qui s’appelle « Death at a Funeral ». Madame Faye et Laura a fait plus de bonbons et nous avons discutés le prix Toubab.

Jour 11 – J’ai fait mes premières présentations à Moctar aujourd’hui. Il y a seulement un problème avec l’association Takuliguey, Moctar n’aimais pas le business de poules. Nous sommes allés à la crêperie, et j’ai commandé un crêpe fromage et un crêpe caramel africain. Ils sont chers mais bons. Là-bas j’ai rencontré deux Américaines qui enseignent à l’universitaire, et une vient de Lees Summit, MO. Je suis revenu chez moi et j’ai tapé mon blogue pour cette semaine. J’ai joué deux jeux d’échecs avec Laura. Nous avons mangé à Belle Etoile, le repas était très bon (un demi-poulet et des pommes de terre). Ensuite nous avons fait un tournoi de billard. Laura et moi avons presque gagné contre Habib et son ami, mais non.

Day 5 – In the morning we went to a shop called Ndar Ndar to get some coffee, but I drank some ginger juice. It was very strong. We went to the beach today. I felt as if I was in a film: some friends sitting on the beach, listening to music and have nothing to do but spend a day at the beach. The two British boys, Jake and Louis, made a fire to cook weed that they bought in Dakar. Alicia told me that I speak French well but have a large American accent because of my Rs. I am going to try harder. The cost to go to the beach was less than one dollar. That works for us.

Day 6 – We did a hike around Saint Louis with an official walking club, of which Madame Faye was a member. Afterwards I was very tired and lazy, I ended up taking a long nap.

Day 7 – I prepared the class for the women that were coming in the afternoon, and after having visited two houses we made a proposal to Moctar. Cher makes sure that the volunteers are well prepared before the visit. There was road work on the bridge today so I ended up walking a lot, to downtown and back. In the afternoon, I taught the class for the women and made the daily report. After a good meal (chicken with beans), Laura and I went out to the Belle Etoile with the others (we got lost because no one here knows where the restaurant is). I had a good discussion with Louis on national pride and the United States (also on slavery and modern problems of the country).

Day 8 – Today, as yesterday, the Wi-Fi was not working, so we had to copy the sheets we needed by hand for the beneficiaries. Next, we went to the market to verify the price of a mixer (blender). We went to Abou’s place to write a new business plan. While resting there, we saw a stingray that was being dragged on the ground with a leash by some children. It was a little weird. In the afternoon, I drew up a new business plan for Abou and also the sheet that list the criteria for the loans. I am in current need of a recipe in order to cook a meal here (something demanded by my host mother). I told the others about some American singers. I had a tickle match with Madeline.

Day 9 – We went close to the university to visit a woman who had moved over there. I spend a lot of money on taxis (but I will be reimbursed). I took some nice photos of the lady for her file. I note this because it is impolite here to take photos of someone without their permission. While waiting for Habib, I made a small practice test for the women tomorrow. The other volunteers go out almost every night, but that’s a little too much for me. I would have gone with them today but there is roadwork on the bridge and the taxis do not want to take me towards the bridge. This evening I taught Laura how to play chess because she did not yet know how and is reading a book about chess players.

Day 10 – This morning I learned how the Scots eat breakfast (with black pudding, white pudding and potato scones). We went to Madame Duff’s house to do some questionnaires. After that we went to find the table that Abou wanted to buy. We were very frustrated because when the seller saw us (white people), he raised the price from 20,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA. So we had to find another table. We ate mafé (because its Thursday) and some cake because it was Ousmane’s birthday. After that I had to go the Orange (the mobile provider here) to have them help my phone access my data plan. In the afternoon, I taught the class for the women (association of Takuliguey), the last before they take the final exam. I watched a film with Salome, Nora, Rachel, Jake and Louis called “Death at a Funeral”. Madame Faye and Laura made some more treats and we all discussed the “prix Toubab” (white person price).

Day 11 – I made my first presentations to Moctar today. There was only one problem with the association Takuliguey, Moctar did not like the chicken business. We went to the creperie today and I ordered a cheese crepe and an African caramel crepe. They were good but expensive. I met two other Americans there who teach at the university, and one was actually from Lee Summit, MO. I returned to my house and typed my blog for the week. I played two games of chess with Laura. We ate at the Belle Etoile, the meal was very good (a half chicken with potato wedges). Next we all had a pool tournament. Laura and I almost won against Habib and his friend, but no.