After looking at the list we saw that this one had been added on at the last minute and was hand written in. We knew that someone was dong a favor for someone else. All the rest of the sites turned out to be just what we were looking for but you have to know all the little games they play in their culture so you can work around them. "You scratch my back and I will scratch yours" is the African way, which is great when used properly and damaging when misused.
The second part of this project where we are now (Kenema) deals More with a city rather than a village that only consists of farmers like we saw on Wednesday in Bo. It is interesting to see the difference in attitude and gratitude between city and country people. It is a difference you will find in anywhere in the world. In the city you have to search harder for those that are in real need for clean water, but they are still here and we feel good that we found those areas today. Most organizations don't go to this trouble but the Church wants to ensure that these sacred funds are used wisely.
We had the afternoon off so the project manager, Brother Turay took me to a pick up game of soccer that was in the poorer section of town we were in earlier that day. The boys were amazing players. They had one of the older boys be the referee and when he called things nobody argued. the field was all dirt with little pebbles scattered on top. The goals were two sticks of bamboo. The amazing thing to me was what was on their feet. Some were playing barefoot, others laying with plastic sandals that buckled on the side and others in socks that had holes all over in them. Because of this you would think they would be holding back a little, but they didn't and they were playing at such a high level of energy and skill, it made the lack of their footwear absolutely amazing.
One of the players that hustled the most was playing with a plastic sandal on his left foot and a sock with holes in the toe and heel on his right foot. Occasionally you would see him limp a little on his sock foot. The other players at his skill level all had plastic sandals so I felt for him as I knew he was at a competing disadvantage because of his one missing sandal.
During a break in the game we called him over and he was completely surprised. I told him I was impressed with his soccer (football) skills and that I wanted to give him enough money to buy some new sandals for soccer. His grin was from ear to ear and he told me his name was Thomas. I knew right there that I liked this kid and I told him about my son and how he also played soccer. By this time both teams came over and they were all happy for him when he told them what had happened. How much did it take to make a kids day in Africa? $1.50...!
We also saw a cultural dance that featured a man on stilts that was super flexible and strong. He did a jump into full splits from 4 feet tall stilts. Pretty amazing.
While we were visiting sites today we came across old homes that had been burned down in the war. All that remained was the cement blocks that made up the walls of the house. It was sad to know that many of those homes that were burned down were also the grave sites for the families that lived there. There are unbelievable stories about families being locked inside, and their homes being set on fire. I've met more and more people that are missing arms and legs and they are still young. The sad thing is to realize that they must have been around 5 to 10 years old when it happened. The other amazing thing is you cannot see sadness or anger in their eyes. They have adapted and are trying to make the best of the situation rather than holding onto it.
Adapting is a great gift that the African people have been blessed with. ~Matt
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