Well, it has been a long time since I posted a blog . . . given a few 3-day power outages and numerous weeks of no internet (I am using internet chez friends at the moment) - a problem hopefully to be solved this week. Much has happened these last two months to catch you up on, but for today, a short post.
Following the grain aid program to help a Fulani village - Kongu - through the lean months of rainy season, because of the famine last year, the village decided to show their appreciation. a party was organized and the whole team was invited for the morning.
We arrived to the courtyard to see the grain recipients starting to gather for the event. We arrived shortly after time determined for the event to start. Emphasis on the 'starting to gather' . . . to my amusement earlier in the week, I eavesdropped on Abdoulaye's phone calls as he organized the event - phone calls in which he told the recipients to come one hour before the time in which he asked us to come!! Thirty minutes after the designated starting time, he called the party to order - and over the duration of the event, the villagers continued to trickle into the courtyard!
The village representatives and committee of the grain program - village chief (treasurer), village chief's son (secretary - as the only adult in the village to attend school), committee President:
The event included speeches from village chief to express thanks on behalf of the recipients. A speech from the village chief's son to explain the history of the village. And speeches by our team representatives.
We were then surprised by the gift of refreshments to all gathered!
Finally, the paparazzi moment as we gathered with the Canadian flag and had group pictures - us with the ladies, us with men.
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