Planning [Friday, July 27]
After waiting for the morning rains to calm, I ventured over to iEARN in the hope of finding activity and students - unfortunately, there were a few students, but no director, as Andrew was apparently at a meeting somewhere. I was supposed to finalize with Andrew the plans for the exhibition in the morning, but as he hadn't arrived, I went to town with Mamadu Bah to buy posters for the students to mount their photographs and text. Mamadu is a stellar photographer and an amazing person; he's one of my students but has taken quite the leadership role in planning the exhibition - it's been wonderful having someone who actually does what they say they will, especially in a city that loves to talk without ever actually doing anything.
It was pouring down rain, which complicated buying paper a bit, as many of the shops were semi-closed. Eventually, we bought the posters and some paper; we returned to iEARN, but I wasn't able to finalize the exhibition plans as Andrew was still at the meeting.
Yesterday, Mamadu had met with the principal of West African Methodist Collegiate, his former secondary school. (He's completed the US equivalent of 11th grade, but his family can't afford the $50 required for him to finish his last year of secondary school.) Mamadu sweet-talked (although I'm sure me not being there helped as well - when people see me in person, most immediately assume that I can pay any amount they demand) the principal into giving us the hall for Le 100,000, but needed to orally confirm the reservation before the workday was over, so I told Mamadu to reserve it and I'd handle getting official approval (and hopefully funding) from Andrew later.
I returned to the YMCA. Once the electricity came on at 7, I finished printing the youth's photographs using a small 4x6 Kodak photo printer that I brought along with me. I talked to Beth for a bit - Beth has been staying at the YMCA, and was supposed to leave tonight, but BA decided to cancel her flight for no reason. Originally from Texas, Beth is currently in New York working in social justice for the Methodist church. After Mama's excellent dinner, I fell asleep to the sounds of the rainy season, finally here in full force - it's been raining for the past three days.
It was pouring down rain, which complicated buying paper a bit, as many of the shops were semi-closed. Eventually, we bought the posters and some paper; we returned to iEARN, but I wasn't able to finalize the exhibition plans as Andrew was still at the meeting.
Yesterday, Mamadu had met with the principal of West African Methodist Collegiate, his former secondary school. (He's completed the US equivalent of 11th grade, but his family can't afford the $50 required for him to finish his last year of secondary school.) Mamadu sweet-talked (although I'm sure me not being there helped as well - when people see me in person, most immediately assume that I can pay any amount they demand) the principal into giving us the hall for Le 100,000, but needed to orally confirm the reservation before the workday was over, so I told Mamadu to reserve it and I'd handle getting official approval (and hopefully funding) from Andrew later.
I returned to the YMCA. Once the electricity came on at 7, I finished printing the youth's photographs using a small 4x6 Kodak photo printer that I brought along with me. I talked to Beth for a bit - Beth has been staying at the YMCA, and was supposed to leave tonight, but BA decided to cancel her flight for no reason. Originally from Texas, Beth is currently in New York working in social justice for the Methodist church. After Mama's excellent dinner, I fell asleep to the sounds of the rainy season, finally here in full force - it's been raining for the past three days.
posted by Paul at
11:39 AM
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