Report from Sarjo - Trek to Senegal

Dear Barbara

We are back on Sunday from Southern Senegal.

Going through the border was very difficult - much document checking and lots of questions about we whether we had informed the government of Senegal. After a few hours we were allowed to enter.
Wonderful welcoming with hundreds of people from 9 different villages. 5 big cooking pots and 3 rams presented before us. No government official was invited because we are not registered to work in Senegal and their government would not be pleased if someone were to help without their knowledge.

They made us go round the village with drums. I was afraid in case the rebels found out about the celebrations and came around - but thank God at the end I was focussed on the program and joined those dancing in the circle. I danced and danced and my friend also danced because nobody knew us there.
The next day, Sunday, they brought 7 baskets of cassava ready for drying. It rained very heavily at the end of the program but we still very happy.

The sad time was when it was 4pm, and we were ready to go back to the border and then home. Lots of people were crying next to our car, they cry and cry and we cry too because we have a lovely time together and they are very very happy with their dryers and they know how important they are for them. The Senegal government never visit them - this is the first time anyone has visited and given them help. Saying goodbye to us was very sad because they don't know whether I can consider them again, not to mention the other 7 villages. I didn't say anything at that time because I was sad to leave them too.

Thank you once more - my time is finish on the net. I also have a cold because I Got wet
​
Sarjo D