Uwargida - Chekaraou Family

Hello Friends,
I decided to start a blog to facilitate the delivery of news from our new home in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. After about five years of trying to secure a job and get back to Africa, we were finally successful! I left seven years of working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and took a position with World Vision, a Christian, not-for-profit organization. I recently made a change from West Africa HIV Advisor to the Africa Regional Maternal and Child Health Advisor position. It is an exciting change for me! Even though my husband is from Niger and I have had many exciting experiences all over Africa, this is the first time in Africa for three of our four children; it is fun trying to understand Africa through their eyes...

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Joined on: April 16th 2007
Last Login: October 25th 2009

Blog Entries: 52
Photos: 589

TB Code: [blogger=36406]
Status: BLOGGER

Blogs & Travel Journals

by Uwargida, order by Date newest first.

By Uwargida
June 6th 2009

Sierra Leone Africa » Sierra Leone » Freetown

boat

Some shots from my recent visit to Sierra Leone. I just realized that I put these up here ages ago but I never wrote any provocative and witty text like I usually do! I don't actually have the energy for that so I will let the photos speak for themselves....if a photo is worth 1,000 words, then you should be able to come up with about 90,000 words of your own after seeing all these pictures. I was there to conduct a health and nutrition workshop and took a few field trips to visit sites where my friend Joan Williams runs [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
May 12th 2009

Ile de la Madeleine Africa » Senegal

wblg sign

Djibril had a friend come from the USA to visit and he wanted to go to Ile de la Madeleine. I've wanted to go for some time, but you know how it is when you live someplace, you never get out and do the 'tourist thing'. Djibril opted out; said he was afraid of the snakes - but I am sure it was the pirogue ride that was daunting to him! In any case, Rob and I had a nice time. We rode over in a motorized canoe with a military man, several workers, and an Imam. The island is about [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
March 29th 2009

Africa Moment #17 Africa » Mali » District of Bamako

OBAMA Pagne
Notice anything strange?

Obama pagne - notice anything askew? I also saw Obama panties but couldn't get a snapshot. Is it just me or is it disrespectful to put the president's name on panties? And, if you are going to go to the trouble to design some fabric, I should think you'd want to make sure the guy's flag isn't backwards! But, maybe that's just me! [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
March 29th 2009

Mobile Pharmacy Africa » Niger

Dosso Mobile Pharmacy

Here is a nice mobile pharmacy in Dosso...anything and everything you could possibly need! Jaundice, gonorrhea, diarrhea, stomach problems, diabetes, fever and much, much more! Doesn't it make you feel better already to see your potential treatments being served out of old trash cans, gas cans, plastic bags, and dirty water bottles? [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
March 29th 2009

Africa Moment #16 Africa » Niger » Niamey

Anti hangover soap

So, I had to stay an extra three days in Niamey because the airport staff are on strike. I went out to find some soap and the only thing I could find was this "Lendemain Difficile" or, "The Next Day is Difficult"...Anti-hangover soap. I haven't been drunk in well over 20 years, but where was this stuff when I was 15? Notice the back side, soap+man=woman to the second power (or squared)...what does that mean? Anyway, it promises to save your morning and bring you back to life after a short and restless night! Maybe Peace Corps should purchase this in [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
March 24th 2009

Niger March 2009 Africa

Obama Pagne
I found this in the market in Mali; notice anything askew?

Hello Faithful Blog Readers, I’ve had the photos loaded for weeks, but just couldn’t find the time or energy to write any text. Most of you are well aware that I tend to be rather long-winded so writing a blog is not something I generally whip off at the last minute. I put a lot of photos and comments on this one though, so hopefully the photos will tell the story! I think I put the OBAMA pagne as an “Africa Moment”, but don’t feel like looking back and the fact that it could not have been more than two weeks [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
January 1st 2009

Africa Moment # 15 Africa » Gambia » District of Banjul

Africa Moment # 15
But isn't a pint, just a pint?

Hanging outside a restaurant in Banjul.. [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
December 31st 2008

Another Stellar Year - Goodbye 2008 Africa » Senegal

Hyena
Abuko Animal Reserve - we got to witness a very serious feeding frenzy!

Hello Friends and Family, It’s not like me to wait until the last minute to put together a year-end summary of events; nor is it like me to sit down and be at a complete loss for what to say. I wasn’t even motivated and was going to just shut down the computer and take a nap when I saw Bridget’s request for my famous family update on FB! The year has been an incredible blur and I find myself referring to my travel calendar to assist me in remembering where we were and what we did this year! Craziness, I [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
July 5th 2008

Kachikaly Croc Pool Africa » Gambia » District of Banjul

Kachikaly Crocodile Pool
Amazing that the crocs here are so docile - but not all of them! The guides tell you which ones have the temperament for petting.

A few snap shots from our visit to the Kachikaly Crocodile Pool in The Gambia. The locals believe that the pool has mystical powers and women who are not able to conceive come and collect the water from the pool and bathe with it. The crocodiles represent the power of fertility - you know I stayed far away from that water!! There are a bunch of kids running around The Gambia who are named after the pool - their births, no doubt attributed to the mothers' visit to the site. [View Full Entry]

By Uwargida
July 3rd 2008

Camel Safari and Tanji Fishing Village Africa » Gambia » District of Banjul

Camel Ride
Setting up

Here are a few shots to accompany the year end blog. These are from the Camel Safari and Tanji Fishing Village outside of Banjul. We went with my brother and family in July 2008. [View Full Entry]

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