Kalidou - A Talibe Success Story

 

Kalidou's story with Maison de la Gare began in 2008. He was 6 or 7 years old at the time, he is not sure. 

From Kolda, in the Cassamance region of Senegal, Kalidou and his two older brothers were sent together to his marabout to be talibes in Saint Louis, begging for their own living as well as a quota of money for the marabout, but also to learn the Quran. His younger sister remainded in the village with his parents. His family are farmers, and Kalidou remembers that their life was very hard. Last year Kalidou returned to his village for the first time since leaving in 2008.  Kalidou's older brothers returned to Kolda in 2011, having completed their memorization of the Quran. Kalidou had finally completed his memorization of the Quran, and it is tradition to return to one's village at this time. He says he did not recognize anyone but his mother, and they also did not recognize him. When Kalidou saw how much his village and the people he knew as a child had changed, and how difficult life there remained, he realized his home was now in Saint Louis, and his family is Maison de la Gare. Nevertheless, he will continue to send money to his parents when he can. It is Kalidou's hope to someday be able to bring his mother and father to Saint Louis to live with him, as he does not know how they will survive as his father ages and can no longer live the difficult life of a farmer. He also hopes to someday marry a girl from Cassamence (of his parent's choosing) and to bring her back to live in Saint Louis.

When Kalidou first arrived in Saint Louis he was lucky to soon meet Issa Kouyate and Maison de la Gare. He attended French classes at Maison de la Gare's previous location, the old, run down train depot near the Pont Faidherbe. 

 

Kalidou at the old train station with MDG

My sister Lisa and a fellow volunteer, Zoe encountered Kalidou at Maison de la Gare in 2008 when they were teaching French. Each time I return to Saint Louis, Kalidou askes me if I have news of Zoe. He remembers her fondly as his first teacher, and he thinks of her and misses her to this day. Last year I suggested that Kalidou send her a video message. He prepared his remarks for days, thinking carefully of what he wanted to tell her. Kalidou is very shy, but sending Zoe a greeting was clearly very important to him. 

Watch Kalidou greet Zoe here.

Kalidou  remains shy and humble to this day. But, his confidence is growing. Kalidou is a member of Maison de la Gare association. At the annual general meeting yesterday, when called upon to comment, Kalidou adressed the large group with eloquence.

 

Kalidou speaking at the annual general meeting of MDG

Kalidou learned French and quite good English at the classes offered by Maison de la Gare. Several years ago Maison de la Gare arranged for Kalidou to begin to learn the craft of couture, and later to apprentice as a taylor. He has been working for the past year with the tailor Baka, at the shop Baka Fashion. Baka tells me Kalidou should be ready to complete his apprenticeship in about one year, advancing to become a taylor in his own right. An apprenticeship of about 3 or 4 years is typical. However, Kalidou was already oriented somewhat to his craft when he began his apprenticeship. Indeed, Baka says Kalidou is ready to start to transition and could earn money by having a sewing machine of his own at home. Kalidou spends about three hours each day apprenticing.

 

Kalidou with the taylor, Baka

After his work at Baka Fashion, Kalidou visits his daara to study the Quran with his Marabout, Seringe Mansour. Although Kalidou has memorized the Quran already, he still feels he has much to learn about being a good Muslim. Personally, I think he is already one of the best I have met. 

 

Kalidou at his sewing machine at Baka Fashion

When Kalidou is finished at his Daara he comes to Maison de la Gare, where is is now working as a talibe in transition in the role of assistant teacher, instructing English. He also spends the weekends with Maison de la Gare, helping out however he can. He is an example to other talibes. Kalidou demonstrates that there is hope that talibes can realistically aspire to better lives.

Kalidou with Issa, many years ago

When asked what Maison de la Gare has meant to him, Kalidou  says he was really helped in learning English and French. Maison de la Gare has allowed him to remain in Saint Louis and to train for a trade. To Maison de la Gare, Kalidou says: "Thanks for my life. It is good."

 

Kalidou teaching an English class at MDG