Skip to main content

A Small Tribute


Fatimata- I have to write about her.  She is one of my nieces, as well as one of my favorite girls.  She just has so many wonderful characteristics that most 4(ish) year olds don’t have.  She is so loving to me, babies, animals, and the other kids (most of the time). At the same time, she strives to always get whatever it is that she wants, and she’s not afraid to fight for it.  She knows what she wants, and despite her small size, she’ll force her way into it. 
She’s kind to animals (which is abnormal here), but she doesn’t stop just because of other people. She eats dirt/rocks (which actually might just be a sign of iron deficiency), but she does so with zest. So much spunk, in such a small package.  My favorite quality about her, though, is her “I-don’t- care-what-anybody-thinks-of-me,- I’ll-do-what-I-want” attitude.  Most of the time, she’s just plain weird, but I love it. The other day, I saw her spinning in circles and eating by herself.  I can’t help but smile at that kind of confidence and sublime happiness. She’s a role model to me, and she’s only two feet tall.

Comments

  1. Fatimata reminds me of a little blonde Twobaab who has an "I don't care what anybody thinks I do what I want" attitude... oh yea and is weird most of the time too. No wonder you like her.

    I LOVE YOU!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is an amazing post Anna. It's amazing how great the children make us feel here!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I've Seen Leaves of Green...and More

THE RAINS HAVE COME!!!   The start of the World Cup has also marked the coming of the rains here in Senegal.   One night last week, a huge storm came through, and it rained for over an hour.   Unsurprisingly, that rain caused massive joy, gratefulness, and also chaos in and around my region.   On my way back to village the other week, there was one part that I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to cross, because it was like driving through a river.    That was last week, and it hasn’t rained since.   Now, all leaves of green that were springing have become leaves of brown, yet again.   It was nice while it lasted, though, except for all the bugs that came with it, but that’s another story. Today, I’d like to highlight the methods of public transportation here, specifically focusing on my trip into town yesterday.   First, in order to get to my regional house (Peace Corps has a house in a bigger city of each region of Senegal where we can access ...

It's the Holiday Season

So as ya’ll are all gearing up for Holiday Season 2K10, I celebrated yet another Islamic parade of apologizing, macaroni, and sheep.   Last Wednesday was “Tobaski.” It is the celebration of the story of Abraham almost sacrificing his son to God in the Old Testament.   Because, Abraham is finally told to spare his son and instead kill a sheep, the Islamic faith celebrates this day in the same fashion.   The morning was spent in the same fasion as Korite (the celebration after Ramadan).   Everyone donned new clothes, new braids, and new shoes (all of which will last approximately one to two months).   We then went to the praying field for a quick session with Allah and, of course, to show off our new clothes.   After the prayers, we headed home apologizing to everyone we saw, removed our new clothes, and proceeded to dismember the sheep.   If I wasn’t so grossed out by the whole process of it, I think I could have found a new calling in life.   ...

My Saving Graces

So lately I’ve been the only twobaab within a 30-mile radius- a strange feeling indeed.    It’s pretty much celebrity status without all the red carpet.   My first three weeks within my village have been really great, but also really frustrating.   Sometimes, I swear the Senegalese culture was made to just piss off Americans.   They do this hissing noise whenever they want to get your attention that drives me nuts.   And also, they have no concept of line formation.   You could be standing, waiting your turn in a boutique (small shop) and someone will come up from behind you, start shouting at the keeper, throw him some money, and get exactly what he wants, when you’ve clearly been waiting your turn..   The kids, though, are Senegal’s saving grace sometimes.    They are the cutest, most helpful, happiest creatures I’ve ever come across.   Last week, I was battling my first African illness, and the thought of them put a smile on...