The last few days at MyFarm included lots of paying with some games we made for them, more read aloud, trips to town to get things needed to finish fixing the solar oven and helping in the learning labs. We went through our suitcases & took out stuff we won't need anymore like mosquito nets, towels, fans & grubby work clothes. We took them to Lucas & settled our bill with him adding in the donations that the Franks & Allens had asked us to give to MyFarm. We were able to use Pay Pal so we didn't need to get another wad of money.
Rog had bought hair clippers because he thought it would be good for the boys to learn how to cut hair and he volunteered to let them learn on him! Here's his version:
Since MyFarm is planning a vocational center, it seemed like a good idea to purchase clippers that might be used to cut my hair before leaving them to be used in their vocational center. I thought that it would be a good learning experience for a young person to cut my hair. He might possibly gain the confidence necessary to develop his skill and make some money. Finding a willing student turned out to be easy.
Dembo, about 16, immediately nodded his head in agreement when I asked if he would like to cut my hair. Just a minute later we had found a chair in the shade and were into the process. It had not occurred to me that I should tell him how much hair to remove.
I could tell that he was concentrating on doing a great job and soon the clipper was trimming my neck, cheeks, chin, and upper lip. He continued to work on my head, and I could tell he had taken off quite a lot. Six or eight boys came by to view the progress and appeared to be impressed.
I was encouraged when they said, "Very nice!"
Then I noticed that every one of them had extreme buzz cuts.
About then, Jane and a few of the adults stopped by and their reactions were telling.
Oh, well…hair will grow back eventually.😳
More on Dembo…while visiting with him he asked if I liked football (which meant soccer) so I showed him a few clips of NFL running and passing plays. He also likes soccer and tennis. When I told him that my grand-daughter plays tennis, he said, "Give her to me and I will marry her." Maybe that is how it works in The Gambia….? Don't worry, Cameron. You are safe as we are no longer in The Gambia. Arrived in Morocco early this morning.
in Casablanca, Morocco this morning.
Our last night, we had another fun dinner party. Lucas cooked a huge Gambian meal & brought it over to the volunteer house. A man from Holland who has moved to Gambia & is the main architect for many of the MyFarm projects joined us. Again the discussion was fascinating. We talked about solar energy, corruption in gov't & China's expansion of coal factories and involvement in African countries. Helena made a vegan lemon cake & mixed up mojitos. Who could imagine we'd have such treats in Gambia! Becky & Lucas expressed such great appreciation for all we've done. When I said, really they are the ones who do it day in and day out & should be congratulated, Becky said…but when volunteers come, the whole atmosphere is uplifted…like a spark that ignites the staff and students. It's a win-win situation for sure.
The MyFarm truck rolled out on our last day and we were on it. The school we went to was poorly funded and the kid's uniforms had seen their better days. Tables were set up under the one mango tree and mats in the shade of a wall. About 125 eager & excited kids were squished in that small area. Two other groups of about 25 were in a sunny area getting lessons on micro farming and learning to bake a cake in a solar oven. Kids were a bit on the wild side & not too patient or careful with the activities. Just too excited. The breeze was nice except it kept blowing away the paper pieces to our games so I was always chasing after them. Roger choice to stay helping at the puzzle table. As the kids left, most got a small piece of the cake. Then some ladies brought out 3 huge bowls of domada & a large spoon for each of us. Rog dug in but I just couldn't imagine getting on an airplane with that as my last meal. Luckily I had packed some cheese & crackers. On our ride home, the 5 other teachers with us started drumming & singing loudly & with vigor: We're going miss Gma & Gpa! We took cold showers & finished packing our bags quickly cause we were told to be ready at 4 for our farewell party. When the four talented staff started drumming, the kids & staff came running! The drumming got louder & faster and the dancing started. The kids took turns dancing with so much rhythm & fancy footwork and moving body parts I don't think I have! Dust was flying in the area they were dancing so someone sprinkled water over the area with a watering can. At one point, Carmo, the gardener danced in carrying a beautiful boutique to he'd made and handed it to me. Then they convinced me to dance so I did the best I could. Such a fun time which lasted over an hour. As the staff left for the day, we gave each one a chocolate candy bar. Sam, the technology teacher said he'd never had a chocolate bar before and it was like heaven in his mouth. Lucan & Becky again told us how much they appreciated us. At 7, Karl and Helena took us to the airport. It was a better sweet goodbye…until we meet again.
Our final Gambian experience was yet to come. Again Rog will tell about it:
Since arriving in Gambia we have seen the people here sharing their meals by all gathering around a large plate or bowl filled with rice and stew and eating together. At the school where we volunteered today, the school cook brought out several large bowls for all staff and volunteers who ate from the bowls along with eight or ten children. Some of us had spoons but most did not. Our bowl was on a table in the school yard, but we have seen many groups in The Gambia squatting around a bowl placed on the ground.
At the airport a man passing out a form was happy to get a bit of money for his "dinner" when he completed the form for another traveler. After going through security we found that there was no restaurant open in the secure area. We asked to return to the non secure area so we could use the restaurant there. The men in charge agreed to let us go back to the restaurant but told us to bring them something from the restaurant. OK.
After eating we saw the passport control person who said, "what about our dinner?"
There were two of them so they got one of the bills in my pocket. Next we had to put our bags through the X-ray scanner. Again, "What about something for our dinner?"
Our last Gambian bill now gone, we are ready to board the plane. There is no place left where we could use that money and are glad to be leaving with no $.
It feels like we have been sharing some of what we have with the Gambians just as they commonly do at each meal without even being asked for it. I remember Jane saying that if anyone here is hungry and there is no food they can just go to a neighbor and eat with them.
A simple solution to end hunger.
Today we were just some neighbors who provided dinner to several Gambians!
It was a fitting way to end our time in Gambia.
