A Swiss Volunteer's Unique Contribution

Francesca Martinelli, volunteer in the Art Program

I lived a wonderful month of exchange and discovery in Saint Louis.

When I left home, I didn't know exactly where I'd be going, and I especially had no idea of how precious these children were that I would encounter, the talibés. Gradually, as they say there nank nank, I discovered who they are, the difficult conditions in which they live, and how much Maison de la Gare helps them every day.

Following the night in their daaras, the children came early in the mornings to Maison de la Gare's centre to take a shower and clean their clothes. There, I began to help them a little bit, especially the smaller ones who were less skilled. After that, it was time for the infirmary. Playing and walking without shoes in the streets, the children often hurt themselves, in particular because their skin is delicate because of their poor hygiene. After a few days Lydie, another volunteer, taught me how to treat the most common injuries. This allowed me to get to know the children better. I admired their courage when they allowed severe injuries to be treated, without complaining. And I loved responding to the smaller children's requests for bandages on wounds that had already healed, an excuse for them to experience a little bit of affection.

For the rest of the time before the teachers started teaching French and math lessons in the afternoon, I worked with the children doing drawings with different techniques and making colourful bracelets. It was often not easy to keep their attention because they are very active. However the attention that they committed to this activity was rewarded each time with wonderful pieces of art and a great sense of satisfaction. With the children and other Maison de la Gare staff and volunteers, Abdoul, Lydie, Aladji and Mapaté, we decorated the exterior wall of the centre with an enormous, colourful mural. In fact this was a lot of work, but to see the result was pure joy!

My stay in Senegal was great thanks to all the people whom I met there. My host family welcomed me as if I were in my own home, and they introduced me to much of their culture. Maison de la Gare's staff and Issa, the director, were always available to support me. They are really a good and efficient team working with great dedication to improve the situation of the talibé children. And of course there were children, with their vivacity (and dances!). When I was with them, I wasn't aware of time passing and I found the strong bonds among them to be thrilling. It makes me wonder even more how society can ignore these children.

When I arrived, I intended to stay at Maison de la Gare for just three weeks, and then to use my last week to discover another city. However, I ended spending the entire time there, feeling that this was the minimum needed to fully appreciate this experience!

This report is dedicated to the memory of Mbaye Kâ, a perfect child to my eyes with a deep voice and a beautiful smile missing two teeth. He had a sweet and wild character with wise eyes so wonderful and true that it’s difficult to explain in words. Although he was small, he almost always won when wrestling with his friends. This little 7 year old boy died of malaria in December 2013. May his beauty still be with us and may the earth be light for him.

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