Events

                First day

Our load in Marseille Provence does not pass unnoticed. Sarah and rabbet plane which are for the first journey of this type there are "a little" "hampered" by such an intrusive move. Other passengers look at it with amusement. The colleagues of the handling with a little more nervousness! But very friendly. Let us note at first the presence of the vice President and of the Treasurer of Seeds of enjoyment Development come wish us good journey.

In the arrival to Charles de Gaulle, we get back two other walk-ons Christine and Maria. Immediate direction(management) towards the 2nd where begin negotiations for the recording of this mountain of parcel. Everything bathes the local staff is very nice.

ANous here is on board, waiting to put feet on the African ground.

We get back all our packages in Ouagadougou, it is a perfect journey! Rest that I do not find my suitcase cabin at the time of leaving the airport! It is only two hours later that the services of local police will contact us in the Running water to inform us that it was in their ownership. So focused on the reception of our other packagings I had simply forgotten her in the filter of police!

Les formalités en douanes fils allégées grâce à présence la de Marie Jo toujours avec sourire qui est bon sens de rendez-vous attendre avec 4x4. Elle prend responsabilité la livraison de la, ça facilite les choisit! Etienne du fils coté le bon sens suit avec minibus.

                 Second day

We meet Marie-Thérèse and all the sisters of the running water in the breakfast. A big " good arrival " printed by friendship.

We leave then for Lumbila with étienne. New presentation. Clear Marie, Edith, Monique and Christine, the nannies and the children present us with embraces and with signs of kindness.

We unpack our parcel and offer our presents, notably the sweets of which are fond the African.

Taking advantage of a small moment of spare time, we cross the road to go to visit living friends of highly-rated Moslem of Lumbila. In one of these farms we bring some clothes and bits of fluff as well as photos taken previous time. We are for the holiday.

Before joining the pizzeria to have lunch we undertake for a conducted tour of the site. Dormitories, stage, farm, spiruline, advice center, but under a blazing sun in spite of the turbulent atmosphere.

We shall return early towards Ouagadougou together with marry Thérèse, perfumed well for the occasion. She is going "to direct" us in the choice of tissues for the preparation of shirts and bubus.

                 The third day

We shall stay today in city to dedicate ourselves to the shopping. The group is fast assailed by the peddlers. As usually, we realize numerous purchases: masks, batiks, necklace, different recollections, bronzes and even chairs in palaver for both orléanaises, without thinking really of the weight of the luggage of return !!!

One of our colleagues of journey has already typed in the eye of a well installed local trader. From the afternoon, it is going to receive a silver ring as well as a small signed word Allasane. A big history which begins !

Our friend RASMANE to whom one of the members of the association offers the licence lorry as well as some punctual helps joined us. We lunch in the Running water because the program is very loaded with.

We take off then towards the big craft centre situated on the peripheral road of Ouaga, near the SIAO. Some more of purchases notably for the sales of the end of year in aid of the association. We meet and exchange with the artists a lot. RASMANE invites us then at him to present us all his family, share a dish of tô sauce in the meat. It is the holiday because we also bring it some presents.

                 The fourth day

We stay on Lumbila today because the program is very tight. On the road, following our customs, we buy cakes of sesame to the girls, as well as some fresh fruits. Pancakes are going to make at once the enjoyment of the children, which, if they do not still know French know already how to say " I I " by holding out the hand.

We leave then with Étienne to bring some taken photos some months ago. First of all, let us stop we to the market of Lumbila. We find an old grandma, holding workshop. Very shy, she does not like photos, nevertheless when we tighten(stretch out to) him sound carried box by our care, it is the big jostling, shouts, all the village arrives.

Outburst of joy, walkabout. Embraces with all his(her) family, the children, the friends of the village. Heat in the heart insurant. This lady makes say to the photographer that he is henceforth as his son! All this for a photo and the respect for a given word. Is not it the base of the most elementary of the wisdoms, the simplicity of the life ?

To celebrate this festive moment we make a stopping place in one of the numerous points refreshment of the market. We offer a general tour at the same time as we sample the local apéro the DOLO. It is a beer of thousand in ambient temperature, realized with the water of the dam, the yeast and the alcohol of thousand, the fermented whole. It is not very strong but after a while, he "loosen"("kick away"). Everybody enjoyed it, even the children. The rite being to spend the bowl of hands in hands. Our old quite proud friend comes to drink with us.

We go then to a Moslem village where we had already met the population some time ago. The big boss of the village had accepted that we can take photos of its village and the local life. In thanks we bring him a photo framed by the children and by their dean. Surrounded with wise men him thanks us warmly and gives us his friendship, comment which are naturally translated to us by always available and smiling Étienne.

We finish the morning in the kid an excellent restaurant lost in the wilderness (without play on words). As usually the meal is completed, but which heat !

Etienne means looking for us because it is soon the hour of the big concert which we are going to attend by the purest of the fates. Organized by the UNICEF with the support of the embassy of France and some partners local as CELTEL, SEDONI sound system …

It is an immense success grouping together(including) approximately 3000 persons on the ground of the orphanage. This spectacle dedicated to the children makes their enjoyment. For the big and the relay runners of the information, the message is clear: fight against the poverty and the famine in Africa.

For this occasion, the biggest national speedboats(stars) offered their presence. Let us recover has presence of: DJATA, SOOFA, DUMBA culture, ONEL MALA (Côte d'Ivoire), YELEEN, TIM WINSE and ALIF NAABA.

                 The fifth day

We stay again on Lumbila because we have a little of work on the site; finally for those who have it the courage because alternately we shall squat in the footpaths of the house of the sisters. We are "all a little bit muddy" is it the timetable of the day before where the local drinks which we have difficulty in digesting ?

Nevertheless to help Roger BAZIER, representing the NGO " planet urgency " which came to pass one fortnight here to organize and sort out the books of the library, the girls: Christine and Maria are going be violence and put a final touch to this company. 

*« Planète urgence » Intervenes in volunteers' putting at disposition in missions of social and environmental development on all Africa but also in Asia and in South America.

The most usual subjects are: knowledge of the computer French kitchen management of the library management of projects sewing …

For more information : www.planete-urgence.org

Blow of anger on behalf of Jean-Yves at the end of morning. The ground is not maintained and the children are not conscious of what they contribute to distort.

Marie-Claire sounds the reminder after the meal, at the warmest moment of the day. She leaves to Jean-Yves the care " to make what he can ". Brief lesson to the young people and the beat organized in search of the slightest paper, the slightest bottle or the old shoe, as well as limps with canned food. It is necessary "to bawl" all the same not bad to be respected but that walked.

Check in the next journey !

After all these events, the children, Sarah and Guillaume who stay for a long time with any small to caress them or enjoy itself, prepare to enjoy him traditional offered by the association.

Biscuits in the chocolate, the candies, the drinks around a sideboard raised outdoors. Festive atmosphere and pleasure for us to see the enjoyment on these faces tried by the nature and the injustice

 The sixth day

From the first hour, we go in city to the store where Etienne commanded some sugar. With the money of the association, we can buy seven bags what is 350 kg. A food urgency of moment with onions.

The children are proud to load the vehicle under the eyes of all the street of the town centre in excitement.

Direction then orders AIR FRANCE where we come to give a small hello to our colleague HELPED henceforth in post here further to his demand.

The road will be long then jusqu ' to the museum of MANEGA through the wilderness fertilized by the last rains, the attic of the region, by its green colours, reassures.

 Seventh day

It is henceforth necessary to prepare parcel. Can become enraged to everything? Answer tomorrow evening to the airport.

Today we grant us a little of rest.

Swimming pool in the hotel, the editorial staff of some notes, packagings we begin to tire. The rhythm of the stay was supported enough.

After noon will again be dedicated to the orphanage.

We shall pass a lot of time with the children and the sisters. Our exchanges are fruitful. The links are more and more strong.

 Eighth day

We leave at once for BAZOULE, we have meeting with the sacred caimans. The visit is surprising and full of surprises. Having settled the entrance fees, it is necessary to us to buy some small alive chickens. Or crocodiles do not take out of any water and do not show the power of their jaws.

The poor small animals feeling their end arriving squeal generously. The attracted caimans go out of some water and quickly surround us. Although no incident was to regret, our guide incites us to the caution and to put off.

The deaf and metal noise which makes the jaw of crocodiles by closing is impressive. It is better not to leave the hand in the middle …

We shall cross the rest of the day to Lumbila with the children. Until the fateful moment when the hour of the departure sounds. These good-byes are heart-rending and some hide their tears under thick sunglasses.

It is often as it that end our journeys in the Burkina Faso.

The mission ends under a positive aspect and what it is here allowed us to thank the President and the vice Preside of the association to have appointed our small group of an official role because a technical report was sent to the authorities. Indeed, the very liberal functioning of GRAINES DE JOIE DEVELOPPEMENT left any latitude to a member not belonging to the office to carry out this action and to frame the movement of persons having never had contact with Africa.

Jean-Yves OLIVE

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