Because we had two ‘missions’ planned for the morning, we decided to split up as a way to deal with the Gambian stress.
Mission 1
Submerge the Sifoe school in corner work: a puzzle corner, a construction corner, a slate and chalk corner, and a colouring corner. It was extremely fascinating to see the children revel in their own talents.
We could make out the word “toubab” quite regularly.
*One child discovered how it could use a pencil (and they are creative).
*Another child came up with an inventive way to wipe its slate.
*The plug in puzzles (thank you so much kind parents in Belgium) were a revelation for many!
* Stacking blocks and duplos, what a challenge!
It was all so fascinating to live through, for us too! After this first class, Ina and Griet popped into the ‘science class’ where they worked on sound. They built small telephones and created drums with cement bags and tin. Clear examples of how it is possible to work experientially even with very limited means.
Mission 2
Solars for Sifoe’s health centre
We want to provide light for this centre during the night. We are counting on your help!
While we were waiting for the arrival of ‘Lamin Solar’ Lieve, Annelies and Ingrid dove into a hidden medicine cabinet.
Lief also did a follow up on the badly damaged (missing) thumb she had treated the day before. Lief, Ingrid and Annelies also had the honour of cuddling the first born son (Lamin?).
Our morning drew out again. Satisfied we went inland with Lamin and Karamo. Our destination was Nyofelleh, the village next to Sifoe.
Our mission there: hand over medical supplies and explain their use.
The staff hauled buckets of water to feed the cleaning tornado we unleashed in the health centre. The medical supplies we brought (thanks to Wim Str en … van MLS) immediately proved useful: a nurse called Lief en Annelies to observe how he treated a patient with the newly arrived supplies.
We were unexpectedly rewarded with a typical meal, Benakin. It was very tasty.
Till tomorrow!
