An Unexcepted Adventure in AfricaCategory: Travel & Holidays
Article added by: Stevee Ashlock
What a surprise to be invited to The Republic of The Gambia! The invitation was extended from President Yahya Abdulaziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh, President Yahya for short. I was the only female among our US group from FSJ & Associates, which quickly earned me the rank of Lady General.
We were asked to assist in the production of their Independence Day celebration on February 18, 2006, and their on-going projects focusing on the education and entertainment at the university in Banjul. Additionally, we received a special request from Vice President Isatou Njie-Saide to aide in the Gambian empowerment of women program.
Being a motivational speaker and dedicated charity worker, I was elated to pack and go. The preparation was intent with visits to the health clinic for orientation and numerous shots, finding a pharmacy to purchase malaria medicine, finalizing my visa, coordinating flight schedules, then the dilemma of what to pack.
The flight was long; it came in two parts. First was an eight hour leg from Atlanta to Brussels, Belgium, with a several hour layover. Second was a nine hour leg from Brussels to Banjul, Gambia, with a brief layover in Dakar, Senegal. Then there was a long ride to the Kairaba Hotel. With a nine hour time change, it was a day and a half journey.
During the brief layover in Dakar, the passengers where sprayed with a pesticide that claimed to kill the lice that the sheepherders brought on board. It burned my eyes and my throat. Babies were screaming. The stench combination of the sheepherders and the pesticide were nauseating!
Gambia surrounds a delta on the west coast of Africa and is engulfed by the country of Senegal. It is located on the edge of the desert near the Equator. This makes the days long, hot, and dry. Vegetation is sparse in the outer areas, and plush near the ocean. Exotic animals roamed about, while goats infested everywhere!
Nothing could have prepared me for this experience in Africa, not even the Oprah show! I felt like an Emergency Intern on the first day. I have seen poverty in many countries, but what I saw there made the others look like Beverly Hills!
Upon arrival, I immediately noticed that I was in the 1% Caucasian population. I was not only the minority, I was a novelty. The natives wanted to put their hands in my blonde hair, grab my arm, and shake my hand. As I looked into their yellowish eyes, I remembered the health clinic lady’s warning, “Use lots of sanitizer!” Now, I understood why. With health care basically non-existent and clean drinking water scarce, diseases run rampant; such as Aids, Hepatitis, Meningitis, etc.
At $10 for bottled, I was sure to ration it through the day. The positive side was that bathrooms were hard to locate. If I did find one, it would not have any toilet paper and be rancid with sewage overflow on the floor.
With the Bird Flu epidemic in Africa, my diet consisted of grapefruit, pineapple, pastries, pizza, and occasional moldy cheese. I was even careful to brush my teeth with my bottled water.
Since it is the election year, extra precaution was always in place. I was assigned a chauffeur/body guard named Ebu. I was not allowed in public without him. He had cell phone connected directly to the President’s office. He chauffeured me in a black Ford 350 pick-up truck. Since most Gambians cannot afford a vehicle or the $7/gallon gasoline, the streets were mobbed with people. Oft times we would have to split the crowds with the truck. On one occasion, there was an incident that was a bit scary and unnerving. The Opposition Party gathered in the street and began to get unruly.
That was the day I learned what the color yellow meant. It was the color of the Opposition Party. Anyone connected with the Presidential Party was absolutely forbidden to wear yellow!
Compared to the 24 Dalasi ($1 US) the average worker makes a day, Gambians view Americans as wealthy. Even though the women were given the right to vote just two years ago, most are not allowed to work outside their family commune. Therefore, the poverty stricken women and children will swarm the tourists begging for food and money.
Those who are fortunate to work will labor eight to ten hours per day, six days a week, and paid once a month. Most go without food or water during the workday. With their small paycheck it is just enough to buy rice and beans for their family commune.
Muslims account for 95% of the population. Since the Muslim male is allowed to have four wives, and each wife has an average of five children, that means he has 25 hungry mouths to feed. Due to malnutrition, it is common place to see their children with boney arms and legs.
When I women marries, she is required by law to convert to her husband’s religion. Muslim men are encouraged to marry Christian women, thereby forcing them to become Muslin. Additionally, Muslim schools offer free education to anyone who practices their religion. Since public schools are expensive, and the average Muslim family has twenty children, this is another way to keep the Muslims in power and to have ultimate control.
Witch Doctors’ voodoo is another way the women are controlled. The wives are threatened with being cursed with a death hex is they leave their husband. In reality, it is not the hex that will kill them; it is the lack of education, income, malnutrition and disease that will eventually cause their demise.
Even though the women live in a male dominating society, their spirits want to search for truth and dignity. During Christian church services, the Muslim women can be seen peering over the back walls outside listening to the sermon over the loud speakers. They are camouflaged in many layers of cloth, so not to be recognized.
I was honored to be a guest at the Presidential dinner celebrations, but the highlight of my trip was speaking with the students at the university in Banjul about professionalism, presentation, marketing, and image. The girls were so grateful; they gave me three scarves to show their appreciation.
African life is difficult. Their everyday existence is to find the basic; shelter, food and clothing. The key to empowerment is become less in order to become more. Empowerment come at the least expected time in the most unusual way. You must act courageous to rise above the circumstances that surround you.
I will always remember kinder spirit of The Gambian people. They are the friendliest and most gracious people I have ever met. I am not sure if I would willing volunteer for another tour of duty in Africa, but is asked, I probably would go again.
Posted By: Stevee Ashlock
Web: http://www.StoneybrookProductions.net
Contact: e-mail
| About the Author: |
| From Africa to Atlanta, Stevee Ashlock, owner of Stoneybrook Productions, is an international speaker, trainer and image consultant appearing at universities, conventions, conferences and associations. Highlights include speaking engagements at the GTTI University in Banjul, The Republic of Gambia, West Africa, and the 2007 CyberCrime Summit at Kennesaw State University.
As a keynote speaker, Stevee facilitates corporate seminars and interactive workshops concentrating on the professional’s presentation. Stevee has participated in numerous high profile criminal trials, working side-by-side with the counsel team, coaching and refining important strategies used in the courtroom to elevate jury awareness and comprehension of their witnesses and evidence.
Stevee provides clients with a fresh insight and unique image consulting service specializing in the effective preparation of the professional. She strategizes one-on-one with her clients to perfect their efficiency and dynamics. She blends science and art into effectual communication that will be vitally important to how someone perceives you, which ultimately affects your credibility.
Stevee was recently induced into the Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals Registry for signification accomplishments, contribution to society and dedication toward exemplary goals. As a published author and syndicated columnist, Stevee has earned the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry.
Stevee is a member of the Toastmasters International and an author and syndicated columnist. In her spare time, Stevee dedicates her time to numerous charities. |
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