MY DREAMS COME TRUE
How true it is: “When you least expect it, it happens.” – To me, it also did.
One afternoon I was browsing the internet and found “Travel as a Volunteer” on Facebook, a project by the Kids Are the World. I did not hesitate for a moment; I immediately sent an e-mail to the association and applied for travelling to Gambia.
I have always wanted to join a journey with work and the Gambia was the perfect destination for that. A considerable amount of things needed to be done before leaving – vaccinations, training, gathering ideas and preparing a curriculum, gathering school supplies etc. Then came D-day, when three volunteers went together on an adventure. We immediately realized that we will work great together as we were close from the beginning, had similar thoughts and goals. It was my birthday that day, and I will definitely never forget it. How many times in life you get a birthday cake on an airport and spend most of the day on a plane? Not many, I think. The journey to Banjul was long and tiresome, and we arrived a little before midnight. The airport was anything but “sleepy” and we had our hosts, Urša and Musa, waiting for us. The ride to our apartment was brief and it had been a while since I was so happy to see a bed.
Shock caught up with me the next morning – the evident change of the environment hit me the moment I stepped out of the apartment. The path to a nearby exchange bureau was a drag, because everything went so slowly, with everyone on the street welcoming you so cheerfully. I was confused but happy at the same time at the sight of grinning people. There is a reason they call Gambia the Smiling Coast. Everyone wants to talk to you and offer what little they have. They have nothing, but they would give you everything, even that. This plants your feet firmly on the ground and makes you glad to see that modest and generous people still exist. The first visit to the kindergarten was definitely an experience. The teachers come to you, hug and greet you. And behind them you see little dark munchkins, peeking and looking at you with big eyes. Some courage was needed for them to come to us, but they relaxed quickly and we were hugging and cuddling before you knew it. Children… they gave me a special kind of energy, special feelings, the kind I had never felt before.
In the class, a local teacher Rose and I had 22 children. It took me about a week to remember everyone by name, as they all looked similar at the beginning. Once you know everyone’s name and establish some discipline, you are in the saddle. I am anything but a morning person, so getting up was quite a problem for me, but when you remember that you have 22 rascals waiting for you, getting up is not a problem anymore. All mornings were like that. I got up thinking that the day will pass as it should, full of knowledge and joy. Rose and I worked together great, she interpreted things into the local language, as all the kids do not understand or speak English well enough to understand everything. We started with the basics, we coloured a lot, sang, danced, and did arts and crafts or read stories. Every day was special and I kept getting more and more attached to the children every day. I knew that saying goodbye was going to be difficult, and I was not wrong.
On weekends and days off, we explored other sides of the Gambia. We visited Kachikally Crocodile Pool and at first, we were convinced the crocodiles were artificial, as they lay there immobile on the sun with their mouths open. We all gathered enough courage to go closer to them and pet them; it was then that we realized that they were alive, that they were breathing! We all came back in one piece. The monkey park was also interesting as the monkeys are completely domesticated and jump all over you to get a peanut. Otherwise, you can also see monkeys on the street, sometimes they would wander close to the apartment, so you see them even if you do not go to the park.
The most memorable event was visiting the village Barra. Time stops there, you see the world for what it is, no embellishments, no kitsch. People welcome you warmly; kids hug you and hold your hand the whole way. We went to visit the families of the patrons and Musa’s family. His sister kindly welcomed us and prepared a delicious lunch. A bunch of village kids came with us and they would not leave. We played with them and hugged them, as that is not something to be taken for granted there or at least I thought that was the reason for their need for attention. How little it takes to bring joy not only to one child, but to ten children and make their day. Otherwise, the ride to Barra is very interesting as it is only reachable by boat. You are carried on someone’s shoulders to the boat and because I am not the lightest of people, I was nervous how that is going to go. To my astonishment, they lifted me and carried me as if it was no big deal. For them, it actually was not as apparently not all African women feather light. The way back was shared with goats because it was the only free boat at that moment; we joked about goats and “toubabs” (toubabs is a white person in the local language) in the same boat. We spent our free time at the local beach, sunbathing and drinking delicious smoothies. We also found a café with decent coffee and free Wi-Fi – it was great! The three of us learnt how to play an African game with beans, which we played with the locals.
My big wish had come true, Mother Africa, thank you for the incredible experience and unforgettable moments! This adventure was full of wondrous events, feelings, some of which were so sad they plant your feet firmly on the ground and do not leave you indifferent. It needs to be experienced for the person to be able to understand. And yes, there is still unspoiled and humble world somewhere out there. I will definitely be going back – for the children, for the people, and last but not least, for myself!
Katja Kopinsek
