Alieu

Alieu

11 years old.

Has good male role models, like his father Sanusi and Ansumana (Andy). Looks up to Ansumana greatly and likes to help him and tries to work-out like him. Likes to compare Andy and I to each other (“Ansumana can do 20 pushups how many can you do Borry?”) Is very dedicated to studying and learning to read and tries incredibly hard. Has a great huge grin and likes to kid around.

Back home

We just got back into the city from Dakar today, we had a great time and just wanted to let everyone know we were back in Gambia. It will be nice to sleep in our lumpy bed, wake to the sounds of our compound, and take bucket baths once again! Tomorrow is the Gambia's Independence day,.. I will ask our host family if there is anything they know of that is going on, but right now I don't know of anything. By the end of the week I will post Alieu's bio and maybe if I'm feeling it, a little about our Dakar trip.

Our Gambian Family

Jalika

14 years old.

Pretty much like me. Pretty tom-boyish, likes to pull up her fano (wrap skirt) and run. Strong minded and willed-with attitude to spare. She likes to joke around with Ansumana (Andy). Her nickname for him is “Bread” (because he likes to eat bread all the time). Her nickname for me is “Groundnut” (because I’m always eating peanuts called groundnuts here). We call her “chocolate” (because she likes to eat chocolate on her bread).

Her favorite book is The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. She has been running the library night for a few weeks, she is very good at being in charge and checking for damage in the books.

**Her outfit in these pictures was bought especially for her schools "InterHouse" sports competition. Girls don't normally wear Western style dress, but for some occasions they choose to.
***Next Post: Meet Alieu!