I had left for a meeting and returned to village the day before the President’s visit. I went to the skill center to help with the last minute cleaning and preparations. On my way, I passed a man who had been working long hours to prepare the village. I stopped to greet him:
-What’s happening tomorrow!?
-What?
-President Jammeh is visiting!
-Oh, you did not hear. He cannot come now.
-What?
-Yes, they inform us today that he will not be able to stop.
-Ok. What about the banner we made?
-Oh, they say we should wave it on the road as he drives by.
Am I surprised? No. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the Gambia is not to believe anything until I see it happen. And then it’s still questionable. Am I disappointed? Yes. The villagers really came together to present the best of themselves, to show how hard they’ve been working and were really proud of being noticed by the president and national staff. The result of their hard work: A black hummer driving by without slowing and throwing packages of biscuits.
In The Gambia, these things happen. The effect on village self-esteem is visible. Here it’s unsafe to get excited about sharing your accomplishments. It’s best to save that excitement for a package of 15 dalasi stale biscuits.
But, in The Gambia, these things happen, and my work continues. And I’m beginning to see why it’s so hard.
-What’s happening tomorrow!?
-What?
-President Jammeh is visiting!
-Oh, you did not hear. He cannot come now.
-What?
-Yes, they inform us today that he will not be able to stop.
-Ok. What about the banner we made?
-Oh, they say we should wave it on the road as he drives by.
Am I surprised? No. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the Gambia is not to believe anything until I see it happen. And then it’s still questionable. Am I disappointed? Yes. The villagers really came together to present the best of themselves, to show how hard they’ve been working and were really proud of being noticed by the president and national staff. The result of their hard work: A black hummer driving by without slowing and throwing packages of biscuits.
In The Gambia, these things happen. The effect on village self-esteem is visible. Here it’s unsafe to get excited about sharing your accomplishments. It’s best to save that excitement for a package of 15 dalasi stale biscuits.
But, in The Gambia, these things happen, and my work continues. And I’m beginning to see why it’s so hard.
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