AU Summit

The African Union Summit is in full swing here in The Gambia and that means two things for me. First traveling anywhere will be a nightmare because they are closing the few paved road's we have for the traveling presidents. Second I will be on Holiday until Tuesday! President Jammeh has declared a national holiday for all Gambians until Tuesday. This ensures that I will have plenty of time to watch the World Cup without work getting in the way. I think it's great for The Gambia to host the AU Summit but at what cost? The Gambia financed 98% of the summit on their own. A fact the president here is very proud to share with anyone he sees. I think it's great that The Gambia is getting paved roads, street lights and extended electricity coverage because these things are fundamental for any developing nation. If you have no paved roads or electricity it makes it very difficult to conduct business. If you constantly have to use a generator to power your store or place of work that is just like having an added tax on top of your other taxes. This is why basic things like electricity and passable roads are crucial for development. If you cannot reach a community because there is no paved road how can you help them? I just hope The Gambians can recoup that 98% they shelled out to host the summit. My guess is they will not but as I mentioned paved roads and electricity are a step in the right direction. I think I will enjoy these next few days off by visiting the beach and the golf course. Yes I found a golf course out here in The Gambia and I couldn't be happier. Even though with the lack of rain most of the course is a sand trap! Ciao

Trek

Two weeks ago I went on a "Trek" up country to the small town of Block. The roads were very bad along the way and I could feel the heat rising as we neered the border of Senegal. I lived with my friend Modou's family for eight days on this trip. It was a fabulous experince and one I will never forget. I enjoy living with a family out in the country side much more than the city life here. Yes there is no electricity and no running water but you tend to forget about those things when you are living in a community where everyone works together. The only thing you need to take a bath is a bucket and a cup. When you eat there are no spoons or forks. Just the natural tools at the end of your arms. I was pleasntly surprised with how effective they worked! Everyone eats there meals from one bowl. I would sit around with four or five other people and we would all put are hands in and share in a meal. Most meals consist of rice and either fish or beef. I think I have eaten an entire OCEAN of rice at this point. The family I lived with made me feel like I was at home. They were constantly checking up on me and asking if I needed anything. The people there do not have much but what they do have they will offer to you as a guest. I found teaching in the schools to be a greater challange than I had anticipated. Most students English skills are at a very low level. Luckily I have my partner Modou to help translate into Wollof whenever my teachings are not being received. My American East Coast accent does not help either! The kids all say that I speak very quickly and it is hard for them to understand sometimes. But I know the message is being recied because the second day of our two day workshop we always do a review from day one and the kids always surprise me with how much they have retained. Never think that you are smarter than your audience or more knowledgable. I have learned many things from these children. Before I left to come back to Banjul the kids invited me to a special ceremony. The ceremony awarded the students their certificates of achievement in the Peer Health Program which I was teaching. The students wanted me present to distribute their awards. how could I refuse!!!! I attended the ceremony distributed the certificates and made a few remarks. I told the students that they were the future leaders of The Gambia. I also told them that I was confident in their ability to change their lives and the lives of thier fellow citizens. Ronald Reagen, when asked to explain his transition from Hollywood movie star to United States president, said: " To grasp and hold a vision, that is the very essence of leadership." Ciao

New Life

Yesterday I attended an African birth naming ceremony. This is where the parents officially confer the name of their child in front of the town elders and all of their relatives. It looked like the entire town showed up from the number of people present at the ceremony. It was very lively with lots of food and music playing in the background as everyone mingled and had a great time. When the music stopped that was the sign that the town elders had arrived. Everyone gathered around the new born child and the parents as the elders prayed over the child. They prayed for God to guide this child through life. That he may be a good man and stay away from crime and any other form of evil. After the prayers were completed and the name was announced everyone shouted and yelled and the music came back on and people started eating once more. A great way to initiate a person into the human race if you ask me. This event lasted the entire day from sunrise until well past sunset. I'm humbled that I was allowed to participate in the ceremony and experience a unique part of life here in Africa. As I went to bed last night I said my own prayer's as usual. Everyone's I pray the novena to St. Padre Pio. I ask him to guide me and watch over me just like the town elders asked for God to guide the new born child. Young and old alike we could all benefit from God's guidance. The power was out last night so I thought I would have to sleep without the ceiling fan in my hot little room. But just as I finished praying my novena I heard the sound of the ceiling fan start to move. I think somebody is looking out for me! Ciao

The River in Reverse

During my trip to Kafuta I met someone who used to be a sailor and would frequently visit the United States. He told me about his many trips to New Orleans and how he was devastated to see the destruction caused by hurricane Katrina. We talked about how awful it was and how it was important to rebuild New Orleans and preserve the history of the city. This former sailor also loved the music from New Orleans and told me that his favorite thing in the world was listing to music in New Orleans. You know there is a reason the airport in New Orleans is named after a musician. The first major album recorded in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina has just been released. "The River in Reverse" by Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint. I believe that we are living in a global village in 2006. This is why it is important to not forget about New Orleans and help them rebuild. The problems there could affect the rest of the world just like the problems in Africa are not just Africans problems but the worlds problems. As I mentioned earlier we are living in a global village. We have the power and ability to change people's lives for the better all over the world. If we were to ignore the problems of Africa the world would lose a great culture and people. The people I'm working with here truly believe that there country and continent can change. I see it in there passion for their job everyday. The things that count the most in life cannot be counted. I mean you cannot count the number of lives you affect by helping others. Everyday I walk past the U.S. embassy on my way to work and it reminds me of home. I see the stars and stripes and I'm reminded of what I have and the obligation I have to use the resources of my country to help others. I also see the armed guards in front of the embassy everyday as well. They carry around AK-47's and I think to myself as I walk by " I sure hope they have the safety on that gun." I see the military of The Gambia drive by every now and then with soldiers standing on the back of the truck holding their guns and I think the same thing " I hope those soldiers have the safeties on those guns." If you want peace work for justice. Ciao

Forza Azzurri !!!

There are many beautiful things about being an American fan of men's World Cup soccer- foremost among them is ignorance. The community in which you were raised did not gather around the television set every four years for a solid, breathless month. Your country has never won. You can pick whatever team you like best and root for it without shame or fear of reprisal. You have not been indoctrinated into unwanted-yet-inescapable tribal allegiances by your soccer-crazed countrymen. You are an amateur, in the purest sense of the word. So with the World Cup taking place this month in Germany-and the World Cup is the only truly international sporting event on the planet ( no, the Olympics, with their overwhelming clutter of boutique athletics, do not matter in the same way)-you can expect to spend the month in paradise. This introduction was by Sean Wilsey. I agree with him and beleive that soccer is truly the greatest and most beautiful game on earth. Here in The Gambia people love soccer or Football!! Everywhere you go there are signs with the names of the countries playing and what time they are playing. sometimes 30 to 40 people gather around the only TV in the village to watch the game. It does not matter who is playing but there is an added interest whenever any African team is playing. This is heaven for me because I have followed soccer since I was old enough to kick a ball. I can discuss the matches for hours with people and not even notice the time passing. For anyone who says that soccer doesn't matter I say " What do you thnk the Falklands War was about?" Jorge Luis Borges a writer from Argentina called the Falklands War " A fight between two bald men over a comb." I enjoy his comparison and think he is right on the money!! I will continue to root for Italy and Germany the countries of my ancestors. Sorry USA but I just can't appreciate your style of Football. The difference between the European teams and America is like the difference between the Eagles and Radnor High Schools football team!!! Ciao

Come Together . ..

I apologize for the lack of activity but I have been away for the past eight days and the internet is very spotty over here in The Gambia. For those of you who were wondering yes Ivan Basso won the Giro D'Italia. Michael Ballack also signed with the English football club Chelsea. I think he would look better playing in Old Trafford but thats just my opinion. This is the sports news you hear about when you listen to the BBC World news like I do every night! Two weeks ago I traveled around the country speaking to different organizations about helping NSGA with there mass bed net distribution campaign. The first person I met was the mayor of Kanifing. This is the province where I live. We thought that working through the municipal council would be a great way to mobilize a large group of people. The mayor was most gracious and said that he would do whatever he could to help us. The next two stops along the road were The Supreme Islamic Council of The Gambia and The Christian Council of The Gambia. We approched these two groups because they have a great influence over their congregation. If they could make announcements at Mass or the Call to Prayer about using bed nets it would dramaticaly increase the credibility of the bed nets. The two groups also agreed to hold special work shops to educate there parishoners about the importance of using ITN's to prevent Malaria. The head of The Supreme Islamic Council said something very interesting during our meeting. He mentioned that it is in his best interest to keep his people healthy because when you are sick it is much harder to properly worship God. In his eyes using bed nets to prevent people from getting Malaria will also help people in properly worshiping God. Our final stop was at the Poly Clinic of Banjul. We spoke with nurses about making announcements to their patients about the bed net Campaign that NSGA was hosting. I think bringing the community together is the best way to educate peopel about their health. Speaking with people I also learned about the stigmas attached to bed nets I.E. - Only poor people use bed nets, bed nets are for the elderly, and bed nets are not fashionable among young people. When I tell kids that I sleep under a bed net they are shocked. Why would a rich,young, white man sleep under a bed net? I tell them that diseases like Malaria and HIV/AIDS do not discriminate. Young or old, rich or poor, these disease can affect anyone. I think it's pretty cool to sleep under a bed net, how about you? The kids then see that maybe sleeping under a bed net is not all that bad. CIAO