Yanick
Yanick Joined: October 1st 2009
Logged in: November 11th 2011
Logged in: November 11th 2011
Travel Blog Posts
welcoming committee
After 10 whirlwind days in Rwanda (meetings and excursions sometimes beginning 5AM until 9PM+), it was time to come home. The trip was all I wanted and much, much, much more. Among the highlights: We were hosted by an incredible woman (Rose Kabuye) who was a lieutenant colonel for the guerrillas fighting against the genocide, wife and mother, mayor of the capital, Kigali, member of parliament and the cabinet, and just a beautiful person. We were in a posh hotel (uniformed doorman) and had access to leaders and shakers that could never have happened individually. Our visits were to elite sites (several hundred dollars admission for biggies, plus transportation and lodging) so I had an experience I could not have had otherwise. We visited the memorial for the nearly 1 million people who died in the ... read more
July 7th I am on my way to Rwanda in Central Africa (see map for travel route). This 10 day trip is sponsored by the SEVEN Fund: Social Equity VENture Fund, which was founded to seek solutions to poverty. As ambitious as that may seem, this organization is really in the vanguard to help reach this. As part of the preparation for travel we were sent articles, books, and had several conference calls. My participation is the result of a competition to select 5 teachers to look at efforts-- and major successes-- of Rwanda. While the genocide of 1994 comes to mind quickly for the country, its achievements since then really explain what it is about. To get ready I did considerable reading and internet surfing. Sources present a consistent picture, tracing the roots of ethnic ... read more
Camp group
Senegal is now an ocean away and I am back in Florida. It was great to end my wonderful experience with an exciting program: La Colonie de la Démocratie et l'Environnement (a.k.a. Democracy and Environment Camp). No surprise: June and July were hot-- it way so hot thinking in the shade worked up a sweat. And unfortunately I had to do that plus lots of moving around. But I had a ball. I did not mean to be in charge of anything but after a few days I had all the keys to open up and was the last to leave after closing up. In the frequent needs for improvising and changing the schedule most often yours truly figured out how to make it work. Our time was productive with many doses of fun. There were ... read more
One of the few boys who danced
There was a SABAAR dance recently I was able to attend. Pictures included. Tried to do video but I need more training from videographer son to do better on that. It was energizing and exciting. People sit in a circle and drummers get going. There is some challenging between dancers and drummers to see who can outdo and keep up with the other; drummers seem to have an edge on that. At first many kids were dancing but gradually only one or a few at a time got up. It was organized by 10000 Girls and the staff there came DRESSED for the occasion. It was Friday, when many people are in Sunday best (it is a work day, but the Muslim holy day). Those expecting to dance also wore leggins. The biggie now for me ... read more
Colonial architecture in St Louis
It is probably not hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement. Probably. Some nights the bed feels like it has an electric blanket on it. The fan moves hot air around and certainly feels better than when it is not on (when electricity is cut—at unpredictable times but several hours most days). In April mornings were pleasant until 10 or 11. In May the night cool was gone by 9AM. In the litany of greetings that are de rigeur, each person asks how about the heat; are you OK with this. Very few places have A/C, and some not much cooler than outside. The word is that it will be better with rain, but stories of flooding, the thought of muddy sand (which covers all areas as sidewalks), do not make the change appealing. ... read more
Group singing "We Are the World"
When kids perform or if receive awards in U.S. it is mostly parents who come to support them. I’ve even heard of some who enjoyed the recitals or plays. For my own children and other young ones I care about I appreciated seeing them grow, improve, and develop more poise. I was proud of the kids and the good job done. But there are few such presentations that I looked forward to attending. Anticipating an evening of skits, poems, and songs by students of English clubs in the area of Kaolack, I was prepared to be polite, fulfill a duty, and support the teachers who lead the groups. Shows and occasions for conferring prizes in Senegal are attended mostly by other students, a few educators, and random kids in the neighborhood who come to watch; it ... read more
Wrestlers
Happy Mother's Day to all who have mothered anyone, in any way. WRESTLING A couple of teachers told me there was wrestling tournament and I should go. When I hear that I am inclined to follow the suggestion. The football (soccer) field where this was to be held was crowded with a wall of spectators preventing even a glimpse of the action. The PE teacher-trainer from the education office was one of those in charge. He got me up on the grandstand. This was going to be very worthwhile experience. This was traditional wrestling, similar to Olympics and to Sumo wrestlers. There was a semi circle area, with sand as its ground, where competition took place. It was about 60 feet in diameter, surrounded by portable barricades. Gradually, as more people came to sit in front ... read more
Court officials +
COURT VISITS I've been teaching English to some court people so they invited me to see some trials. I even got a great lunch with them. Much is the same, some different from US (or movies & TV). Last year juries were eliminated: they are seen as too unreliable, emotional, or going by prejudices. There are 3 judges; prosecutor and clerk are to their side. All these wear red robes (because it is a court for major crimes) with black band at sleeves, and jabot-like white piece down front. Chief judge, prosecutor, & clerk also had sash with white fur and black spots. Clerk takes notes by hand. Defense attorney was in 2nd row, behind witnesses, me & others. He came forward for questions. He wears a black robe with the same jabot as the bailiff. ... read more
NGALLAH Similar to turkey leftovers after Thanksgiving, I've had a good amount of ngallah. This is a millet, peanut, and baobab fruit mixture that Christians make for Easter to give Muslims, to share and express friendship. I'm not sure if it more welcome than Christmas fruit cakes. It is a tasty, rich, heavy food so I could only have small servings at a time. Some make it like a thick soup, others more of pudding consistency. THINKING AGAIN While things were in slow-mo because of Easter break, I've gone into a dangerous area-- thinking.* Part of my reason for going overseas was to go look for myself. Athome I pushed aside some parts and did not pay attention to them. Here, I can't avoid meeting my thoughts, reactions, and feelings. There are new conditions, practices, events, ... read more
African Renaissance statue
Just before Easter weekend I spent a few days out of Kaolack. First to Dakar for gathering of those here with IFESH (International Foundation for Education and Self-Help). There were several other things I had wanted to do, but those did not materialize. I had wanted to meet a few people and do some sightseeing. Instead I soaked in the environment and just enjoyed being there. I also went to stay with a friend in a nearby town. She was pretty busy and the accomodations were modest. Still I was able to attend Independence Day parade there. Very Cool. As long as I go with the flow, the final results are just fine. A vestige of colonialism is that Christian holidays are still observed in this Muslim country. Schools are closed for 2 weeks for Easter. ... read more
