Maison de la Gare - de retourne

I woke up with the first light of day and the muezzin's call to prayer. I am excited to be back in Saint Louis. And, it feels like there is so much to do.

On our way to Maison de la Gare we were so happy to meet Kalidou on the street. It was a poignant reunion for Rowan and I and Robbie who has communicated with Kalidou for years but was meeting him for the first time.

At Maison de la Gare, it definitely felt like coming home. Mamadou welcomed us to the centre. He proudly showed us the garden, explained what plants they are currently growing. Finally, the

coconuts have taken hold and are strong enough not to succumb to soccer balls or little feet. He also gave Robbie and Robin a tour of the new Foyer de Transition. Robbie eyed the roof-top terrace as an excellent spot to practice karate.

Robin noticed the lime trees need pruning and a few cupboards are missing locks, and thus also some of their contents. He and Mamadou promptly went off to the market to visit some local hardware stores to buy locks, tools, pruning shears and a saw. Upon their return a few hours later, Robin installed the locks. Later, he will teach Mamadou how to prune the fruit trees.

Rowan was soon at work making friendship bracelets with the talibes, and teaching them the art of it as well. They absolutely love her.Robbie soon found his first karate student. Djibe, about age 10, is the same boy who, last year would follow me everywhere. He had a knack for survival, being in the right place at the right times. He was always hopping in my taxis, or showing up at a meal time. At the end of my last visit, his mother,

who lives nearby, but has sent him to a daara anyway, asked me to take him home with me to Canada so Djibe could work and send her money. She was serious. My kids are very upset I did not take her up on it. I am so thankful Maison de la Gare is part of his life. And, it seems like karate could be as well. Djibe caught on to Robbie's lessons amazingly well. He has a clear natural talent and interest for the sport. And, Robbie is clearly his new best friend.

The word is getting around that karate classes will begin tomorrow. Today, Robbie showed a few talibes kids what was in store with some impromptu lessons. Later, Djibe returned the favour and taught Robbie how to play the djembe drums. Robbie was as apt a djembe pupil as Djibe was for karate.

Noel Coly, new at Maison de la Gare, is searching for several karate masters who could be suitable to teach ongoing lessons several days a week at the centre. He will also help us to determine which would be the most suitable local dojo for registering some of the talibe children. Souleymane, an

older talibe, is already practicing martial arts at a dojo nearby, kung-fu. He believes in the value of

this new program and thus he has agreed to change to karate, to help as a junior leader on an on-going basis with the karate classes at the centre, and to join the new dojo Robbie chooses for Maison de la Gare as the first talibe student. Tonight Noel will help to spread the word that karate begins tomorrow morning at Maison de la Gare. Many here seem to understand the possibilities that the sport can offer to these talibes children: confidence, discipline, strength, character, teamwork, respect, a sense of belonging, and a skill to carry with them all their lives.

Robbie is spreading the Douvris student creed:

"My goal is to become the best person I can be. I will achieve this objective by disciplining my body and my mind, working to overcome obstacles that hinder my positive growth. I know this will take discipline. I am ready to make this commitment to myself in order to become the best person I can be and to share this progress with others."

  Talibe in Trouble

Today we met a boy, aged 5 or 6 at the most, Hamedi, who has been beaten and chained by a marabout we have has the misfortune to learn of before. Last Octobre Rowan and I spent the evening with a group of runaway talibes that were sheltering at Issa's house. One, aged 5, Pape, had been

Mamadou

beaten and chained by a particular marabout who had made himself scarce when Issa discovered and rescued the boy. Pape was so starved for human affection that he would not leave my side, and spent the evening in my arms. Maison de la Gare received permission from the state at that time to return Pape home to his village to be reunited with his family. This time the marabout was not successful in disappearing to avoid trouble, and was put in prison today for his crime, as the evidence was obvious and undeniable. Hamedi is sleeping in the Foyer de Transition tonight, with older talibe MDG apprentices, Mamadou, in charge of his wellbeing, and Souleymane, to assist. Mamadou's pride and happiness in being trusted with such an important charge is only matched by Hamedi's relief at feeling safe and cared for for the fist time in too long. In the morning, when we return to the centre, we will see how the night passed.

"We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

         - Martin Luther King Jr.