Two Little Miracles

Two little Miracles

Kalidou and Gorgui playing soccer with Robbie

On our day of arrival we met Kalidou and Gorgui for the first time, two seemingly fragile and joyful little boys. Kalidou is 4 years old. He was sent to his daara at a very young age, and he has been regularly running away for nearly two years. He has a family, he offered to give one of his father's cows away. But, when sent home he is sent back to the daara or he runs away from there too. The police found Kalidou on the streets and brought him to Issa at Maison de la Gare.  Gorgui was taken from his daara by Issa Kouyate, the president of Maison de la Gare, last April when it was discovered that a serious injury caused by an embedded fish hook was infected on Gorgui's upper arm. The marabout had done nothing at all to care for the boy and the wound was festering and gangrene was beginning to set in. Now the two bright little boys are living temporarily in the dortoir d'urgence at Maison de la Gare. Lony Mama Diarra, a long term volunteer, lives in the house with Kalidou and Gorgui to care for them.

Kalidou and Robbie

Kalidou is so full of energy and life! He constantly tries to induce people to play with him. He is interested in everything. He is almost always smiling. It is impossible to keep him clean. Kalidou was interested in Robbie's Bo staff from the minute he saw it. On our second day Kalidou had found himself a Bo staff of his own, just the right length  and he asked Robbie to show him how to use it. Robbie has been giving him lessons, and Kalidou is catching on fast.  As soon as we appear at Maison de la Gare, morning or afternoon, the first thing I often hear is Kalidou calling to Robbie. Kalidou proudly wears his karate gi for the MDG karate lessons he has joined since Robbie's arrival on the scene. It is amazing to watch the little ball of energy quietly waiting in a karate stance, or focusing on his sensei's instruction.

Gorgui

Gorgui is a gentle, quieter type. His smile melts one's heart. He loves to play soccer, he is always ready for an impromptu match or some one-on-one. Since Gorgui has discovered our hand sanitizer he can't get enough. The perfume of it seems heavenly to him. Every few minutes he seems to ask for more by rubbing his hands together then holding them up to his nose and swooning with delight, looking to heaven. Our supply has dwindled much more quickly on this trip than is usual. I think I will give him the little bottle of perfume I found in my suitcase as a gift. It will blow Gorgui's mind and senses, for sure.

One night, when Robbie and I were at the dojo Sor-karate so Robbie could train with the dojo talibe kids, Gorgui and Kalidou were there also, watching. Mama Diarra was signing up for classes and they had tagged along. When we left in the pitch black it soon became apparent that we were being followed by Kalidou when he called out in the now familiar voice "Roby". When we took Kalidou back to the dojo he did not want to leave Robbie, so we brought both Kalidou and Gorgui with us to meet Dad for a late dinner, with Mama Diarra's permission.

Gorgui and Kalidou ordering dinner

We ate at la Linguere, seated near an open door. Soon several talibes children had gathered curiously watching Kalidou and Gorgui be served Coke, Fanta and large plates of chicken and rice. Throughout dinner both boys kept trying to share with the other talibes at the door. A boy from outside passed in a flimsy little plastic bag to Kalidou, who tried to pour half his Coke into the bag for him. Gorgui continuously tried to pass out morsels of chicken from his plate. Watching out for each other is so clearly ingrained in these little talibe boys. When we were leaving, Gorgui was distressed to see the food left on some plates. We obtained another bag filled it full of leftovers, and Kalidou took charge of the bag. Upon leaving the restaurant to meet Arouna who would escort the boys back to Maison de

Kalidou

la Gare, Kalidou stopped dead in his tracks. He saw a homeless man, clearly hungry. He walked over, looked up and reached way up to gently pass the man the bag of food. They looked at each other for a moment then Kalidou moved on as the man instantly and hungrily dug into the bag and began to eat. I felt as though I had witnessed a miracle, grace in motion. Awesome to observe. Little waifs who have nothing, sharing everything they have, and in such a spirit of kindness and acceptance.

Gorgui's arm now

Gorgui is thriving at Maison de la Gare.  But, his marabout's wife comes regularly to Maison de la Gare, as the marabout is demanding to take him back. I am almost happy that Gorgui's arm is taking such a long time to heal. One day soon, Issa may have no choice but to return him to the marabout. Kalidou's situation is also uncertain. Issa does not want to return him to his home just to have him runaway again or be sent back to the daara. But, one day soon Maison de la Gare will try to integrate Kalidou back into his life as best they can. Hopefully he and his family will reunite and he can grow up at home, with his brothers and sisters. And, Hopefully Maison de la Gare will continue to watch over both Kalidou and Gorgui wherever their lives lead next.