I waited for weeks for my packet of information about my new friend. I was thankful I had a steady job at the local video store so I could afford the $21 a month it cost to sponsor her. Then one day the letter I had been anxiously waiting for arrived! I was now the sponsor of a little 6 year old from Senegal, Africa named Ndeba Sene. There was a picture included of a straight faced serious girl with sad eyes. I ran inside, grabbed an atlas and located Senegal on the map. Located at the western most tip of West Africa it poked out from the continent like a curious birthmark. I then grabbed a pen and paper and wrote my first letter to Nedeba introducing myself. At the instant I signed my name on that letter I knew my life would never be the same.
For the next 7 years we corresponded back and forth and I would receive vaccination updates, drawings from her, family photos and progress reports throughout the year. Since she spoke the African language of Serer and French and I spoke English I always received the French written letter and then an English version that was translated by a Mr. Pierre Karma, a coordinator for the Children's Christian Fund. Then one day after 7 years from when this friendship started I got an opportunity of a lifetime to meet my dear friend Ndeba.
One of my best friends that lives in Atlanta, GA called me to tell me interesting news. Her brother was landscaping with a guy that was from Senegal and married to a US woman and living in Atlanta. He and his wife had developed a project to help struggling people in Senegal called the Jef-Jel Project. The duo were planning a trip there in a month to go work on the project and were looking for volunteers to join them on the venture. I had to pay for the airfare and pay modest fee for room and board . It just so happened the base of their project was located in the coastal town of Saly, just about 30 miles from where Ndeba and her family lived. I had my bags packed before I even received my vaccinations.
Before I knew it I was on a plane leaving the gray gloomy skies of the Pacific Northwest and seeing the dry, thirsty heat of Africa for the first time. I adjusted fairly well to my arrival and was amazed at the drastic difference in culture and landscape that surrounded me. Senegal is a primarily Muslim country and I loved all the Mosques and spiritual buildings poking up toward the sky from the dried earth as if they were trying to enter the sky. Although the buildings were covered in earth tones the accents of the vibrant pink Bougainvillea and various bright flowers that were found growing everywhere made it look like a water color painting.
After a few days upon my arrival I soon found myself riding on horse and cart with my new friend Kellie, looking for Ndeba's village. Luckily Kellie spoke French and Wolof fluently so I let her do the talking as we meandered our way through dusty covered villages. Finally after an hour so of bumping along the sand on the horse and cart we approached a compound of a dozen or so thatched huts and a cement school. Kellie asked in Wolof about the family name and suddenly I saw a familiar face appear from around the corner. Her deep, sad eyes looked up at me and I recognized them instantly from the pictures over the years. She would instantly look away if we made eye contact as if trying to figure out if I were real or a ghostly apparition. I jumped off the cart and ran toward her but trying not to scare her. I gave her a hug and told her, 'Enchante' meaning nice to meet you in French.
Within minutes everyone in the whole village got wind that Kellie and I were in town and came running out to greet us. I admit I felt like a celebrity with everyone making such a big deal about our appearance. Mr. Pierre Kama was also there to take me on a tour and introduce me to everyone. I recognized her brother and 2 sisters from the pictures. Ndeba held my hand while we walked around but she never looked at me in the eye or smiled, not once. I assumed she was overwhelmed by the whole situation. I then met her blind mother who gave me 5 chicken eggs as her appreciation for all I have done for her and her family. I had brought a care package for Ndeba and her family with some clothing and items I thought would be fun for them. Pierre then walks up to me with an armful of large envelopes and sets them on the ground.
There were 20 or so of the letters I had written Ndeba. There was also a wall size chalk board on the wall that showed all the sponsors in the area and what was received when. I was grateful all of my contributions actually made it to her.
We spent the whole day with Ndeba and her family and her serious stare never broke. I went inside the modest 8X8 thatched hut that she lived in with her mother and 4 siblings. There were 2 beds in it with a dirt floor. There were clothes hanging from the sides. I couldn't believe 6 people lived in this room. They walked me around the compound introducing me to the natural healing ingredients growing around the land and gave me an unforgettable understanding of their culture and lifestyle. The sun began to set in the distance turning the sky from a blood orange to a vibrant pink and Kellie and I decided that was our cue to see ourselves off. As we walked back to the horse and cart to leave everyone in the village walked out to see us off. I hugged each person, which took a good hour and took in their infectious smiles. I gave Ndbea a heartfelt hug and lifted her chin up. To my surprise she had tears running down her tense cheeks. I could see in her eyes she was sad I was leaving but I could tell she was glad that I came. I squeezed her hand and told her I would see her again' Ba Suba Se', meaning see you next time. For the first time in 7 years I saw a smile on her youthful face and it was that moment I knew this journey was well worth the wait.
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