Something clicked, as I was getting up at 0730. I only had a couple of days left in Burkina Faso, and, as you have probably read, I have not actually done much in terms of real giving to the community in physical improvements. With my getting Malaria, I think Donat and Miriam had played it more on the soft side for me. I also think they were nice in not admitting it, but I think I had not planned for the best dates to be in Ouagadougou. This was not the reason I used to go by this, but in Miriam’s and my last few ’strategic’ conversations, I had iterated to her how I now had several things that I can either expand on, or use as a means of improving, then to give back to them. The easiest and most likely returns include the spreadsheets and the construction report. The spreadsheets will be flora based typically, one ranging from what was evident on their plantation, the other based on the 4-6 regions throughout Burkina Faso. One thing that I would not be able to get done, but may end up expanding on, is the virtual world of Ouaga 2000. Here I would like to obtain a software package that would allow me to recreate the region in various layers, from GPS, to topography and other layers, to even property value of individual pieces of estate and the division of individual estates. Kind of a crazy long term project, but I just love these things that could last for years upon years. Another thing that I would like to do is then to develop something similar to what a lady did, in conjunction with Rotary International. A lady in Arushi, Tanzania, developed the philosophy ‘Preventing Poverty through Education,’ which to me is a marvelous philosophy to follow. I will not go about constructing a physical premises to go about as my means of creating such a program, but will utilise locally developed organisations to help create connections. Like the virtual Ouaga 2000, this will not be a short term project and I suppose one word will be the determination of make or break: Resources.
There you go, this extended voluntary program may have allowed for the right thing to click in my head, but now we need to push it from head to paper to reality, and now, back to my chronological account of life.
After this small pondering, I rushed out to grab a bit to eat and get prepared for Fidel, I think he ws beginning to enjoy these little visits as 08oo heure was, to him 0750 heure, and so on. I actually did not mind this, as we had fun trying to teach each other the basics of our languages, and creating strange sentences using three different languages. Today, with his early arrival, him and Canazui first spoke, then him and I. It was here that I taught him how to use my digital camera, and he was able to take a nifty picture of his ‘vehicle,’ his wheelchair/ bike.
Donat got up and was still feeling drained of energy, but had gotten the likes of his voice back, as well as a bit more colour in his face. With him needing to do a few computer tasks, Canazui, Fidel and I went about starting to put together our batter mix. Donat realised our lack of natural material mat to protect the batter for the 24 hour settling. So, he went about on the search, which would aparently be more difficult then one would think. The idea was to get something that had no stitch of fabric from anything outside of Burkina Faso, with the right weave. This batter creation, in one hand, was a tedious task needing patience, but on the other hand, we had finished properly in an hour’s time. By possibly 11oo we had finished, and a few minutes Donat had appeared with the closest thing.
The great thing about the batter produced was the material that Fidel had wanted in this mix had been found in adequate quantity. One problem, the foundation surrounding the proposed patio was going to have detrimental effects. Our altered plan was to layer the batter on to the pre made mud bricks that Canazui had laid a week previous. These bricks, like anything similar to concrete, was able to retain heat, and to some extent feel warmer at night then the air. This variable would be the cause of the cracks that were inevitable in our project, thus making more then one layer the intention. The following layers would need to wait some time, so they would not be under the same effect as the first.
Anyhow, with the batter finished before the hot sun was able to beat down its harsh rays, we had sufficiently covered the mix and Canazui was on the road to get some of the famous market grog for Fidel. This was, I think, the first time that Fidel was staying for lunch, and would be a great time actually. With our minimal conversation, I was able to try and make tit from tat with the conversation between Fidel and Donat, which was in Moore. The great thing about having Canazui around was his slight stutter, and more basic usage of Moore. So on his arrival, where he would unknowingly try to take control of the conversation, I was able to slow down the brain process and try to actually work at what was being said. References to the radio, what comedians had said and presenters, as well as things in his own area and things that, to him, were minor catastrophes and gave reason for him to have a downturned look and vigorous nods of the head to emphasise his emotion to the topic at hand.
Anyway, after lunch, and a bit of a rest due to the heat of the sun, Canazui and I left for me to do some of the practical side of one of my projects, photographing flora on the plantation.
Thinking, oh yea, this would account for several hours: 40 minute in either direction and a bit under two hours walking around, I was soon to be mistaken. The first thing on Canazui’s mind was to see another girl. This one had apparently been the one Canazui gave his phone to, and had not received back on the day he wished for it back. On the way to her work, we were passed by a man who Canazui knew through a person, someone’s father, and we chatted to him while all of us still traveling on the bikes. We turned off down some dingy looking road and found our way in the midst of some market. Canazui got something ‘checked’ on the bike and we went for a walk. We walked to a call centre (which were more populated in the country then Internet Cafes). In this call centre was a lady squashed in two minute rooms and who was also covered in areas with very fine tattoos.
As the way Canazui would, he seemed to get a little heated about the situation, but within seconds was all passionate. A very confused person, with his emotion, he was trying to persuade her to come on over either tonight or the following night and to return his phone. If he wanted to have her come on over tonight, I don’t think he realised that Donat was in fact going to be staying tonight as well. I think we ended up spending about 30 minutes here, then saying our goodbyes, we went about to the bike and past the market I had met both Francious and his brother and both their wives. We slowly went pass the market, but did not see whoever that Canazui was planning to talk to, so went about heading to the plantation I had seen near the start of my visit to Burkina Faso.
Eighty photos later, and no more water, it was time the sun was telling us to slowly head back. On our way back we were able to see some real deal situations of Sugri-Doogos. One that we were able to see also had an elderly man 40 metres away who was slowly heading back to his place. Canazui found the rutted path that would take us near the man’s house. Walking the last 10 metres, we were able to get to the man’s ‘property’ as he did too. Introducing ourselves, Canazui did most of the talking, as the man only knew Moore. The man was eventually nodding and smiling all over. The strange thing was the fact that he was not the original owner of his sleeping hut. This place was originally inhabited by his grandfather. I think this place had been around, and repaired during the times, for nearing 40 years. Honestly, it did look old and derelict, with the dank smell of sewage being kind of pungent, but it was home, his and his family’s home.
Even though he felt a little awkward having Canazui and I taking photos, he was more then welcoming and friendly about his approach. Canazui assured him that he would return with a photo. A comparison photo of his Sugri-Doogo and the granary was also allowed, great to see the direct correlation between the two typical structures. On our departure we gave him several coins to say thank you, which would apparently last him a couple of months, if used correctly.
Thinking this would be time for us to think of home, Canazui got to the main road, crossed it, and headed down an unkown path (to me), after 10 minutes we headed into a market. This was the main market for the day, in the region, and some of the familiar faces were seen again. This would be the last time, in this visit, that I would be able to enjoy some if the local alcohol. Even though the sun was going down, we still managed to get several photos of the people who had accommodated us in this situation, in the ‘water’ hut.
Now, this time we were really on the road, when we were in between the market and Ouaga 2000, Canazui thought it would be great if I took the lead on his moped. In one hand it was exciting, but in the other, this was a bloody scary experience. Going from never being on a motorized bike to having someone on your rear ’support’ rack. Minor movements would in reality be an over-exaggeration, and freak Canazui out a little. Just after the roundabout, and before we had to turn at a major intersection, I had to pull on over and let Canazui take charge.
The proposed 3 hour experience had led to nearly a five hour experience. This had made Donat a little flustered at Canazui. After dealing with this, eating, down loading the photos and doing some work, time dissipated and it was time for bed.
