me & me

fascinating

I was idly looking at my blog traffic, and discovered a surprising number of people come across my site while Googling the word 'dlido.' Actually, several variations will also lead you to this post. 

I think it's safe to assume they're disappointed with the results of their search. That often happens to me, too. 

to catch you up

Just so everyone understands, we haven't completely given up on Abdoulaye. I am waiting to hear back from the Jooko doctors about the next clinic. We are not continuing to house Abdoualye with another family until then, however, because we were asked to pay $10 a day. 

Ten dollars per day might sound reasonable. But this is Senegal, where my entire compound, anywhere from 15 to 20 people, eats on less than $3 a day. 

I understand people wanting to profit from Aboudalaye's situation. They know Americans are bankrolling his cause and naturally want a cut. But it creates a dilemma because we asked people to donate so they could help Abdoualye. If people who don't even know him are willing to help, it does not seem like too much to ask that his village (because his family has certainly proven themselves not up to the task) chip in. 

We didn't raise enough money to pay $10 a day for the next several months. Even if we had I feel like maybe those funds should go to provide surgery for more children. So yes, life has been very unfair to Abdoulaye. More unfair than I realized when I first met him.   

I'll let you know what we've decided when we hear back from the doctors. Hopefully, there will be another clinic and soon - because I leave here in less than six months. If an incoming volunteer in the Tamba region wants to take on this project you're more than welcome. If he can have the surgery in February or thereabouts, I might just move him in with me. I would be lying if I said that's something I want to do, but a mute 6-year-old can't be too much trouble.   

In other news, my sunglasses broke today. I didn't do anything, they were just so rusted (they were new when I came here) that they literally fell apart. I also suspect that I've developed sun spots on my face at the ripe age of 27. I'm feeling glum about this whole premature aging thing.

Well, dear readers, that's all for today. I'm sure, as usual, I've left you startled by my ability to be so vapid in the same post that I discuss poverty's young victims, but at least I'm honest. 

Today, I want to come home. I'm flighty though, so there's comfort in knowing that will change. 

Abdoulaye

Things aren't looking good for Abdoulaye. He did not gain enough weight for the surgery. We are considering what to do next, but it will involve either a donation to Smile Train or another attempt a few months from now.  

Village news

Dorothy has informed me that the village Imam has banned loud music from baptisms. Dorothy said it's all the village is talking about, and I believe her. Truly, this is the best news I've gotten in awhile.  

Every baptism I've been to (or heard from my hut), is the same thing. Donkeys arrive hauling enormous speakers around 11 am. The music is then blasted non-stop until around 2 the next morning. If there's no electricity a generator is used. If there is electricity, sometimes you get lucky and there's a power-outage.  

In other village news, apparently one of the credit unions is "cleaning" their books. People who owe money are being arrested. I'l glad I'm not there for that one, I might feel obligated to chip in to help people avoid arrest. I can't afford that right now. 

Good-bye to Sam

I'm in Dakar to see my friend Sam off, and I am going to miss her horribly. In fact, I get bummed writing about it, so I'll stop. But here's Sam.

This photo was taken at Peter's apartment. He's extended his service so he's got a swank apartment in Dakar with a great view. I'm not staying there. I'm at Joey's apartment, another volunteer who's extended in Dakar, housesitting and taking care of her cat. The view here is pretty nice, too. It's right across the street from the Presidential Palace and the ocean.

So I'm living it up right now. The only downside is that Joey's on the eighth floor and the elevator has been broken for weeks. This morning Kelly and I had to wait for some poor woman hauling 7 HUGE fish in a bucket on her head to pass us on the stairs. 

  

this week's Abdoulaye news

Abdoulaye did not gain weight. In fact, he may have lost 1/2 of the precious one kilo he gained last week. I'm still waiting to have that confirmed.  

I'm mad. Up to this point I think I've been very understanding of his family's situation. But the fact that he lost weight when they had plenty of money to stuff him full of foods he wouldn't eat otherwise - well, I'm pissed. Fortunately they did not have access to all the food funds and there is still some left over. I hope they enjoyed it while it lasted. 

The doctor has said there is still a chance he can have the operation if he gains weight. As a last-ditch effort, we are finding him a new family to stay with for the next 10 days leading up to the surgery. I'm starting to wonder how much weight-gain the doctors are willing to settle for, because I was told 5 kilos. 

That's the latest. I'll let you know if anything changes. You might be wondering why he wasn't staying with someone else all along. All I can say is that we (here) thought his family should be able to feed him properly if provided with the proper funds. Joke's on me. 

The big day

Yesterday there was a baptism in my compound for two babies, Nana and Fode. Traditionally the babies are be baptized a week after the birth. The woman and child are kept in a room until then, and on the day of the baptism the mom whispers the baby's name in his or her ear before bringing them outside for the first time.  

Here is Fode's mother, Mariama:

And Nana's mother, Hawa:

Nana and Fode are both a couple months old. It's a long,annoying story why they weren't baptized sooner, and doesn't make for good reading. Yesterday was the day though, and it was a lot of fun. The babies don't really have a big part, but the mother's spend the day in makeup and hair before making an appearance. Then they sort of walk around shaking hands, while the female guests dance around and in front of them. Here's a short example:

The other women in the house where the baptism is taking place all buy the same fabric and have outfits made up. I'm including a photo of me with Fatimata. If you can believe it, this is my new favorite Senegalese outfit.  

 

For some reason, they thought it would be a good idea to serve all the women and children in my hut. It was crowded to say the least, and since everyone eats with their hands I have some greasy hand prints on my sheets. 

I didn't really care about the lunch. But when Kumba came back to make punch in my laundry bin I started to wish the day would end soon. If you can believe it, 7 pounds of sugar went into this one basin. That's a LOT. 

And I'm including some photos of the food prep for for good measure.

It was a really good day. Dorothy, my site-mate, came over to spend a good portion of it with me, but if I put up one of the photos we took together she might kill me. I'm including one more video of Uma dancing - because she can't use the internet and will never know. 

Abdoulaye's weight and a thank you

Little Abdoulaye has gained a kilo as of a week ago. Five is the goal, so I wasn't too impressed. The doctors seemed pleased though and their opinion is what's important. 

He should have another weigh-in today and I'll let you know how it goes.

In other news, you all really came through and I want to thank you for your donations. I am not going to name specific people, that would be tacky without permission (hmm?), but we are very grateful. If he gains the weight, there should be enough money for him to make the trip and have an extended hospital stay. If not, the money will go to other children like him. 

not a lot to say

I owe everyone a blog post. Let's see … what's new? Well, there's a staph infection going around my compound! That's fun. I came home from my Tamba trip to see horrible sores on Kumba's arms. My first thought was track marks (aren't I delightful?), but a friend who was staying with me recognized it as staph. 

Apparently there are a few volunteers in the medical hut in Dakar right now with staph infections on their faces'. I've heard staph on the face makes you look like a "monster" (sorry ladies). I'm hoping to avoid that fate. 

In other news, a duck jumped into the middle of the lunch bowl the other day. Someone hit him, we continued to eat. That's about it. 

wise move?

I finished the Larry McMurtry novel, The Last Picture Show, while in Tamba and passed it along to my English-speaking friend before travelling on to Thies. 

It was an impulsive move, and I'm second-guessing myself now. The book is a ficitonal portrayal of Thalia, Texas. It includes a cast of morally-bankrupt adults,  promiscous teens, and a graphic scene in which a group of high-school boys sodomize a cow. 

I enjoyed the book, but I think my friend will be horrified.