Giraffe, camel, fish

Remember how I said it’s all about community? Well, this past weekend I was invited to the new home of my “boss.” Mr. Pharmacist bought some land in 2003 after he finished his master’s degree. The building began in 2005 and things are nearly completed.

The Kombos area (equivalent to a province) of The Gambia is becoming more and more familiar but there are still corners I have not ventured into. Mr. Pharmacist’s house is in a newer development. As such, I got to learn about a new taxi route. He told me the name of the taxi garage on Friday and I tried to put it to memory by it’s equivalent English sound. Friday evening, I seemed to think this was “woolen giraffe” (a.k.a. wolongira).

Saturday afternoon I ventured out, first catching transport (a shared taxi on a fixed “bus-route”) to turntable. I have been past turntable many times … to the north is Sukuta, to the south follows the coast down towards Brufut and Sanyang beach and continuing east is the airport junction. I knew I wanted to go towards Brufut but figured I should double check that “woolen giraffe” was correct. Good thing I checked. While the taxi drivers would undoubtedly have figured out where I wanted to go, I’m sure they would have had a good chuckle along the way.

The actual name of my destined taxi garage: woloncama (“woolen camel”). While giraffes and camels are somewhat similar (longish necks? common in various parts of Africa?), they are indeed different.

I found a taxi going in that direction. I even responded correctly to some Wolof and Mandinka questions, much to the delight of the taxi driver and other passengers. Mind you, these were pretty basic (what’s your name and how’s the day).

After visiting at Mr. Pharmacist’s house, meeting his wife and children (and their Qur’anic teacher), we drove to Tanji as he wanted to get some fresh fish for the week. (Tanji is also where one can go on a camel ride; see Flickr photos.) That moment of walking through the crowded beach, gulls circling, children chasing each other, women hawking their fish filled baskets, the ebb and flow of colours, the fresh salty-sea air and a gently increasing glow as the sun dipped lower — that moment was just a little bit magical.

With typical Gambian generosity, I was dropped off at turntable with a bag of fresh fish and an open invitation to visit at any time. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon adventure.

Sun sun sun

The online weather forecasts for The Gambia can be quite varied. There is one in particular that I like going to. Not because it is necessarily the most or least accurate. No, that’s not it at all. My reason: the descriptions are fun to read. Let’s face it, after months of “full sun” and “partly cloudy with sun” one needs a little variety.

Here are a few of my recent favourites:

Nice with brilliant sunshine
Mostly sunny and delightful
Pleasant with some sun
Sunny and pleasant
Mostly sunny and nice
Plenty of sun
Abundant sunshine

In the quiet

There is something to be said for a lack of electricity.

With tourist season come and gone, the electricity seems to be going out more frequently. I could be wrong; I haven’t actually been tracking this sort of thing on paper. So when the electricity is out and you’ve eked out the last few minutes from your laptop battery, there’s the age-old question: reading by candlelight or bedtime? For me, bedtime usually wins out. Of course, not really being tired means that staring at the heavens is another good option. The full moon illuminates everything with a rich silver-blue glow.

With the electricity out, the echoing strains of reggae and parties are silenced. Perhaps only a few notes come through from the resorts. This too I find strange since I rarely see any toubabs any more. Of course, I realize this must mean I stand out all the more on my daily commute to work.

There is something to be said for availability.

I was fortunate to have a friend drop by the other day. I asked the reason for the visit — “Because everyone in your house has left. You are alone.” In a continent where relationships and community are essential and so highly valued, I realized I have found my own “family” here.

“African men are all the same.” A repeated sentiment by a few women during an afternoon visit. Despite relationships and community being highly valued in general terms, there are times when this doesn’t start at home. These women have both had difficult marriages. One is older, with grown children my age; the other with a very young daughter.

As stories were shared, advice given and prayers said, there were so many emotions running through their faces. Women of such strength and determination. That deep, deep desire to ensure their children do not have to face these same difficulties. The resilience to find another way.

Meant for this

May Day came at the end of a very interesting week and another busy month. “Doudu” and “Samba”, two volunteers I mentioned in the last update, returned home to Canada. My parents arrived and had a very full few weeks. I celebrated Easter with my family at a gathering upcountry.

Personally, I was able to have some time to rest and prepare for the volunteers coming this month. This past week was dedicated to time at the pharmacy department: storeroom audits, student exams and handling the influx of an unanticipated donation of
unsorted medications.

April Update
During Easter break, a three-day workshop-conference was held for local teachers. Topics discussed included classroom management, encouraging participation, review of teaching methods and how to
evaluate students.

Work continues at the community garden: produce is being sold, the compost is producing wonderful earth, the solar dryer is preserving fruit (mangoes!), and space prepared for the planting of
new crops. Such abundance!

Meant for this
Remember the story of Jesus appearing to some of his disciples by the Sea of Galilee? (John 21) Being closer to the ocean here than in Canada, I have enjoyed watching the bustle of fishing boats return with their catch, gulls circling, women with children bundled on their backs gutting fish.

With Jesus seemingly absent, Simon Peter goes back to what he knows: fishing. One particular night, they have caught nothing. At dawn someone from shore calls out some advice – try the other side of the boat. They catch a net-full, realize this is Jesus and come to shore to find breakfast prepared. It is after breakfast that Simon Peter’s calling is renewed.

What lessons have I gleaned from the life of Simon Peter? Well, I know that God gives each of us a purpose and asks us follow His leading. Sometimes I try to do things my own way and sometimes I fail completely. Yet God is faithful and will renew the purpose we are given.

The label placed under my experiences this past week would have to be “I was meant for this.” I audited two storerooms, dedicated time with one of the staff, marked an exam I gave to the pharmacy assistant students and sorted through an unanticipated medication donation (about seven duffel bags of unsorted items emptied onto the storeroom floor). Despite being busy and putting in long days (and long nights), my spirit felt renewed. Each day it was as though I was exactly where I needed to be and where others also needed me to be.

I am called to be a pharmacist. A desire to serve, plan, teach and mentor has been placed deep in my soul. I was pulled to
volunteer in a small African country. I was meant for this.

I will saturate my day in prayer. My success will not so
much depend on the things I have done, the people I have impressed, the money I have made, or the honours I have obtained but on my ability to imitate Christ.

I will seek to love and serve beyond the call of duty. I will endeavour to become humble, patient, selfless, joyful, grateful, kind, honest, and merciful. I will practice with self-control, empathy, commitment and persistence.

The patient’s well-being and personal goals for health will be my utmost priority. Whenever possible, I will seek to assist and empower them in self-care. Together, we will be proactive in obtaining their optimal health.

I will seek to fulfill the most urgent needs of society for the distribution, education, consultation, selection, monitoring, and evaluation of pharmacotherapy. I will try to balance the individual’s health with the interests of society.

I will become a team player by building collaborative relationships with the patient and other health care providers. I will respect other health care professionals and honour their expertise; whenever necessary, I will seek their guidance or refer my patient to them.

I will be open to change; I will be an instrument for change. I will become an autonomous thinker, using critical and creative thinking skills. I will endeavour to stay current with advances in the practice of pharmacy.

I will take care of myself so that I can take care of others.