This journey around the world has revealed not only wonderful things to see and do, but also provided several challenges and new adventures.
We've now entered a new phase.
After covering multiple nations and continents, we're heading down the home stretch and are now in Senegal, West Africa.
This is a place we know well. We have spent many years coming to Senegal with our Andando Foundation, where we are very active in providing aid to rural parts of the country. The last few days have been engaged in this activity.
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Even though we're "working" here, there is also time for new discoveries. For example, today we took a fairly long trip to a fishing village where the large Senegalese fishing fleet launches each day to bring in the catch from the Atlantic Ocean.
This is no small endeavor. There are reportedly 4,000 boats in this "village" - but the boats may not be what you think. They are rather small and compact (and quite colorful), although some are bigger than others. They launch right out through the waves and return with their daily harvest.
Even though it looked somewhat chaotic, it's almost like a symphony how they manage to seamlessly pull off this high level of activity. They work together as a big team.
We watched as thirty guys hauled a massive fishing boat onto the beach. They had big ropes and there was a lead person calling the rhythm as they pulled together on the count of three to move the boat gradually to its place in the huge lineup on the shore. It looked like a lot of work.
We actually bought some fish (tuna) as the boats came ashore - it's fresh and less expensive that way! The Senegalese eat a lot of fish, and have a long coastline on the Atlantic.
In fact, as a bit of review, we have eaten a heck of a lot of fish on this three-month-long trip around the globe. I guess that makes sense based on our journey (all below the equator), because there is a lot more ocean than land. It seems like we've eaten fish every day - often multiple times a day. It's a good thing we enjoy eating fish!
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It's also very rewarding to see the results of our efforts to provide development aid here in Senegal. We work a lot in gardens, schools, feeding programs, and health posts.
For instance, we visited several construction sites under way; building schools and classrooms. This is a big need here, and the contrast between what they have, and what they need, is stark. Some of the classrooms are
The good news is that this is relatively easy to remedy, once the need is identified. When we see what needs to be done, and where - we can mobilize and get things done in a very efficient manner.
A real challenge is that it's hot in Senegal, where we work in the villages. It was 107 degrees yesterday, and these guys are out working in the sun. And making a difference in the lives of students there.
We have an ambitious schedule this year in Senegal with many projects in many small villages. As I said earlier, it's rewarding to be involved like this. We have a lot of supporters who can be proud of the accomplishments they've taken part in.
Below are some pictures from the gardens, where local women are growing bumper crops of vegetables and fruits. This provides a tremendous source of nutrition. Because of their hard work, there is even enough to sell in the markets to provide income.
And this is sustainable - we are helping them to learn to do this on their own and can carry on without our help in future. For instance, they generate their own seeds for the next planting season ...
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