In August, we hosted a high school student from Côte d'Ivoire named Ismael for 8 days during another Pan African Leadership trip. Some of the students (Ismael and and their teachers Madam Adalaide and Monsieur Michel) met us at the airport. We were also met by our dear brother Monsieur Clovis Sewa, a journalist and a friend to my husband for 25 years. My husband has also been mentoring a man named Firman for 25 years and he is now an adult with a family of his own working as a school principal. This was my first time to Côte d'Ivoire and I was so looking forward to seeing the people and places my husband has talked about for so many years and to see Ismael again.
Ismael's mom was so happy to meet me because we took such good care of her son when he was residing with us in Chicago
Clovis hosted us at a beautiful beach resort in Grand Bassam, a beach side community, the first evening. Côte d'Ivoire was colonized by the French so it was interesting to see the old colonial buildings as they reminded me of New Orleans. Clovis is an avid cyclist and was so excited to invite us to a 6:30a bike ride with his cycling club the next morning. Needless to say, I did not participate in the bike ride but my husband did. :)
Dinner at a maquis (small, inexpensive outdoor cafe) on our first night in Côte d'Ivoire. Grilled chicken smothered in onions and alloco (fried plantains)
The experienced cyclists in the group including our niece Stephanie and her father our brother Clovis on the far right
Gas station in Côte d'Ivoire (1 US dollar is roughly 600 CFAs so this Super leaded gasoline at 620 CFAs is about $1.04 a liter)
The harmattan giving a deep haze to the sky
The next morning we traveled to Abidjan to first visit the students at Ismael's school. When our car pulled up to the school, the students clapped and cheered as if we were rock stars! As is customary, the school staff offered us food and drink to us as we had traveled to see them. We then visited a classroom, the library, and walked around the school. The school is in a low income area and is in desperate need of every sort of school resource you can think of, including books for the library. We donated about 10 books that we brought all the way from the US.
Picture outside of the school with friends and family but most importantly with Ismael and Ariane in their school uniforms! Boys wear a khaki colored set and girls wear a blue skirt with white top.
A selfie with Ismael's class
Entrance to the school library and the librarian
Library bookshelves
The shamefully few books the US Embassy has donated to the school. We were happy to add more books to the library.
School Nurse's Office
School-based health center where a doctor takes patients on a intermittent schedule
I was invited to speak at a conference at the L’Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire (IPCI). The IPCI is more than 40 years old and conducts research ranging from zoonotic diseases, studies of human diseases, and maternal child health issues. I lectured on how doulas as community health workers can be a part of solving complex health issues and research. I also had a meeting about research collaboration possibilities with the current and immediate past Dean of the Medical School at l’UFR Sciences Médicales de l’Université Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny de Cocody.
Posing with the research faculty/staff at IPCI
Outside of the medical school and in front of the university hospital
Been inducted into any village families lately? Well, we have! We were inducted into the Atchado village family which is comprised of 7 large family lines. This is not an honorary membership, it's the real deal; it comes with roles, responsibilities, and formal commitments to the family. After a long discussion between the elders, we were inducted into the family and showered with gifts and a banquet.
Induction ceremony into the Atchado village family
Thursday brought more fanfare and honors! The US Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire invited us, the students, and their teachers to the Embassy. Our phones and cameras were confiscated at the entrance (an espionage precaution) so I don't have many pictures to share of the visit. It was an honor to meet the ambassador and his staff. I was tickled by how "American" the Embassy was; it was as if they had picked up an office building from D.C. and dropped it in the middle of a tropical paradise. From the central air conditioning (instead of the typical Ivorian walled AC units) to the very American wide toilet bowls with lots of water and a handle on the side for flushing (instead of the Ivorian style: small, low flow, top flushing handle toilets), it was an American office. The kids were so excited to be there and the Embassy staff promised to help the kids apply for college next year. In exchange, I promised to send them a DePaul University pennant to add to their Embassy wall of American universities.
Outside of the US Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire
My husband McCay was asked to speak at Institut des Sciences et Techniques de la Communication about the role of politics in communication and journalism. The university students enjoyed his talk so much they were clamoring to practice their English and ask hard hitting questions.
McCay speaking at the Institut des Sciences et Techniques de la Communication
A selfie with the university students
Lunch at Clovis' house (escargot, acheke which is similar to couscous but made from cassava, rice, two kinds of fish, a sauce made of tomatoes and onions, and foutou which is similar to fufu but it's made from bananas and cassava)
Dessert after lunch consisted of fresh fruit
Been to any good parades and seen any traditional Ivorian performers lately? Well, we have! In fact, the parade and performances were held in our honor! Can you believe that?! We couldn't! It was a complete surprise. We stepped outside to see the Ivorian Scouts carrying flags and a banner with our name on it to the beat of drums. The parade procession led us to an outdoor event space set up with chairs, lights, an audience, and a master of ceremonies. We were treated like royalty and it was all so wonderful, so unexpected, and more than we could even process. We were showered with gifts, blessings, and entertainment. The performers were world-class and need to tour the US ASAP because they are just so amazing.
Parade banner baring our names being dutifully held by the Scouts
Scouts setting the stage for the evening
Performances throughout the night
Our final day in Côte d'Ivoire was filled with final feasts, gifts, and saying our goodbyes. I hung out with Ismael's mom and she treated me to a salon pedicure. We also had the chance to stop by the Sofitel Hotel--a beautiful 5-star hotel in near downtown.
Lunch at Ismael's house
Hanging out and getting a pedicure with Ismael's mom
Ismael's mom gave us beautiful outfits made from bazin which is an expensive African fabric. I can't wait to wear my new dress.
Relaxing in the lobby of the amazing Sofitel Hotel Ivoire
Beautiful painting of a woman in labor in the hotel lobby
We left Côte d'Ivoire exhausted but with great joy and a bit of sadness in our hearts. What we've learned over the years is that while you may have every intention to see friends and family soon, the reality is that the distance matters and that it could be several years, decades even, until you see each other again. Our few days in Côte d'Ivoire were so full of activity from sun up to deep into the evening that the days flew by like a blur!
At the airport saying our goodbyes as we head to Paris
We are half way through our trip but still have lots of places to enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.