Retrospectives - Mary Sherman

I did not stay as long as the rest of the team, and continue to watch their progress with great pride from home in North Dakota. My two weeks in Senegal were some of the most amazing and eye-opening of my life. There is no doubt that life in West Africa is difficult, very difficult. Even tasks that we take for granted prove daunting in Senegal. Plans seldom work out as planned, and a task that should take 10 minutes can and does take several hours. The country is a study in incredible contradictions. While daily life is so hard, he people are warm, wonderful and giving. I was especially impressed with the people in Bandafassi and (chokechan), this spelling is definitely wrong but phonetically it works. Andrew's Nene (other mother) in the village was funny and loving. The people have so little and are willing and eager to share it all with you. Maas, the nurse in Bandafassi, took pity on my overated biking skills and gave me a ride through the beautiful countryside to the next village. I thought to myself, here I am a 59 year old woman riding the back of a motorcycle through Africa - not bad for an old dame.
In a place where poverty seems so oppressive, it was rewarding to be able to help in some small ways. My husband, a plumbing contractor at home in ND, was particularly proud of the fact that we were able to repair a pump in the village.
I was so proud of the team members and working side by side with my son, daughter, Jesse and my amazing new daughter-in-law was inspiring. When I teach, I always remind kids that they can make a difference in the world. I know that to be a true as I watched the team prepare for distribution.
I made an audio journal which I will finish putting together and hopefully share it through a link to itunes. I need to mix it in with some wonderful Senegalise music. I hope everyone who follows these blogs can help in some way to raise awareness concerning the immense needs of these wonderful people, immense but not insurmountable. In my favorite novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch talks about taking "baby steps" to create change. Well netlife team, you have taken this baby for a run not just a step.