Ok. Back in time. After our distribution in Busuura, we prepared for a complicated set of distributions way out west in the villages of Afia Magazin, Afia Pont, Asoni, Wandintu and Dar Salaam. These were complicated because, as a special treat, we recruited the old theater experts from Thioke Thian to perform an informative skit about malaria there. Doing something like this while organizing the transport of the mosquito nets to the Afia are took some coordination. While I (Andy) went to Thioke Thian to hunt down the five members of the Thioke Thian Theater Company (TTTC), Jesse schmoozed with the local beverage distributor company in order to borrow one of their trucks for the day. The plan was, I was to make sure the Thioke Thianers got to the city of Ibel in a window period while the beverage truck (now loaded with mosquito nets and bikes) passed by, so we could load everyone on the truck to the Afia area. I expected some headaches during this plan, and well, I predicted well. Walking/biking the TTTC to Ibel was actually not that bad. We were in good spirits, and I had arranged for a fat lunch in Ibel. We got there, ate well and waited for the truck. Eventually, Jesse and the truck got there. The driver was asking for more and more money even though we clearly already arranged a price, but other than that, it seemed like we would pull things off relatively smoothly. That was when the Gendarmerie pulled us over to inspect things. This had happened in the past and was no problem when they found out the details of our mosquito net project, so I was more annoyed with the delay more than anything else. They questioned our driver for a while while we waited in the truck. He laid out his papers on the road, his license and whathaveyou. He came back angry and told me to talk to the Gendarmerie. It turns out his insurance had expired a few days ago. I calmly explained our project, how we were bringing mosquito nets and educators out to the villages furthest away from health care access. They calmly explained that they must immobilize the truck, arrest the driver and take him back to Kedougou to fine him while we waited by the side of the road. The TTTC members were by the side of the road now and were getting fussy. To be honest, they aren't much fun to travel with. They want everything to go very smooth or they start acting like the world might end soon. I imagine it sort of like bringing a bunch of teenagers to prom and having the car break down. The Gendarmerie truck drove thirty yards up the road and parked. They were waiting for us to figure out exactly how much it was worth to us to continue on this trip without waiting for the arrest and return of the driver. I was livid. This was a less than stellar moment for me, because I was in the mindset that we were trying to help the Senegal people here, and the Senegalese Gendarmerie was waiting for a bribe. I told Jesse that a person as angry as I was was a bad negotiator, so he and one of the theater company members went to talk to the local Gendarmerie. As I waited by the side of the road, the groups would talk, then the Gendarmerie truck would start and drive about ten yards. Then the groups would talk again. Then the truck would start and drive about ten more yards. It was like an older teenager picking up his little brother at middle school. Finally, they returned and said that a deal was made. Jesse had offered 2000 cfa, which the others assured me was the standard bribe for something like this. They started to drive away and Jesse offered 4000, which was a bit ridiculous. The Gendarmes demanded 10000, which was bonafide ridiculous, considering the nature of transportation. After Jesse paid the bribe, everyone agreed that the driver would pay us back, since it was obviously his fault that he had no insurance. I haven't seen that driver since.

After that little bump in the road, we arrived in Afia Magasin and unloaded the nets. We met with the chief and gave him some rice and seasonings to help with the dinner load of all the new guests. We found out that the water supply of Afia Magasin is a river (which was dry), so we had to bike a few kilometers up the road to get water back to the gang. Dinner arrived, plain rice with some oil, which wasn't exactly the TTTC expected for a prom dinner. We weren't really offered places to sleep, so we slept on mats on the ground. Overall, Afia Magasin was a hole and the people there weren't as hospitable as others I've met in the area. Although our night there was uncomfortable and miserable, it made me happier that we were there. After all, we were here to help the poorest of the poor, and this was definately it. This village was far away from health care access, a good water supply and just about everything. They needed the help we could give.

The next day everyone rallied. The TTTC members were laughing more like teenagers at summer camp than teenagers that had a miserable prom. They put together a great skit about a man and wife dealing with the problems related to malaria. There's even some great argument scenes as the couple's friend urges the cheapo husband to buy a mosquito net for his wife. The whole thing was vastly entertaining for the audience. After they were done, Jesse talked for a bit and introduced our organization and why we were there. Then, I talked about all the other details of malaria and our nets (I'll outline our talk in another blog). Then we read the list of names of all the village women that needed nets and distributed them. Then we read names of the old guys that don't sleep in the same bed as their wives anymore. Then we read the list of single guys who have their own huts and beds. Then there was some dancing and lunch. Afia Magasin was covered, and after this whole thing was done, I could tell that it really needed our support.

My story telling is going downhill ("Then there was some dancing and lunch?"), so I'll take a break from this sweaty cybercafe and this slightly broken bright lime green monitor. Be in peace.

-Andy