Volunteer Work (fun)

Ok... so what is it we do here with the local Missionaries of Charity ?  Just so you know; each one I have ever visited is different.  It just depends on the local "need" and the manner in which they elect to help that need.

• This one provides a temporary home to sick children that are accompanied by their mother or other female family member... only until they are well... or worse (and that is NOT uncommon).  Currently there are about 20 mothers or grandmothers with children.  The illness is treated, usually from a Doctors note, as best as possible by the sisters (nuns) and the women themselves take full care of the cooking and cleaning.  This particular sick child was always afraid of me
• They maintain a dispensary and treat people with wounds nearly every morning.  People come into the compound and sit and wait to have their wounds redressed and then, if applicable, medication is also given.  As you can image it's very important to keep wounds covered here.  And the same people come over each day. 
• They make a dried and ground powder on the premises made of roasted peanuts, millet, dried milk, and sugar.  This is distributed to children that are mal-nourished as a supplement to take to their home.   
• Every morning at 6:30 AM there is a Mass in the chapel by a local priest which is offered to the community.

I'm sure there is more but that's all I have witnessed so far.  Apprently they also hand out loads of milarial treatments... but I'm not sure when or how often that happens.

Of course the Sisters really, really, really wanted me to come to Mass at 6:30 AM.  Every day.  And so, of course, we agree.  It's about a 2 mile walk from the hotel (you do the math on wake up time) and the vast majority of the service is in French.  About 25 others are there.  That's not a huge number; but we must remember that over 90% of this country is Muslim.  When we stepped out from the chapel after our first Mass, another butterfly appeared and two doves flew straight over in front us... one was Black and one was White.
The Chapel

The Sisters insisted on giving us breakfast.  A loaf of french bread, jam, and Nescafe !!  Truly abundant.  (they serve coffee in a small bowl)

Now time for the nurses cap... and I actually had dreamed of just this job about a year ago.  dressing wounds... and let me tell you I cannot over exaggerate the depth and size of these wounds.  It is such a profound experience to have these beautiful people sit in front of you and let you help them.  I have seen some very stoic animals... but this is a perfect example of the tolerance for pain that we, as humans, are capable of.  The variety of supplies are miniscule (gosh I'd love some proper bandages)... but it's OK because Thats just the way it is.   What they do have a nice supply of is medication and antibiotics.  I'm permitted to dispense whatever I want (the Sisters immediately trusted us completely)

After everyone was treated, a few local women were cleaning the debris from peanuts before roasting them and we helped.  (you, as well as I, are thanked profusely for being here)  Also, we learned some words in the local language... Bambaran.

Currently it is quiet time... siesta so to speak... from noon until 3 PM.  So it has been my custom to walk roughly a mile to this internet cafe.  I miss you all; but in the same breath I tell you how very happy I am to be here with you.  This journey has something to do with ALL of us.  And if nothing else I want you to know how very happy our family is here in Mali.  These people are just like us... generally a bit simpler in their approach to living, and for sure tougher and less sensitive to emotion, but without question they love life.  How to do I know that ???  Because they smile all the time, and when they aren't smiling they are laughing.   And so it is.

Food:  So far I've been eating dinner at the hotel.  It is outside, only about 4 tables, and the food is very good.  Last night we had grilled fish and green peas and another loaf of french bread.  Everyone out there (wait staff and the diners) was STARING at a TV that was sitting on a chair; either showing french news or a french drama.  Who would like to admit watching TV while they eat ??Dinner in San

The Sisters:  Sister Clara (Kenya)  Sister Clytie (India)  Sister Shalom (Ireland) and Sister Riza (India) 

Animal update:  OK, so there are animals that just seemingly wander around this town; although I'm sure someone owns them.  Pigs and groups of piglets, horses, donkeys, goats, dogs that all look the same, chickens, and some cattle that were "lowing" just outside of the missionary compound (inside they only have a couple of very young cats). There hasn't been a fence in sight.  Walking to the Internet Cafe