It was wonderful to meet with old friends. . As I got off the bus, several people, almost strangers, came up to me and welcomed me back to Markala. Little children would run up to me and yell “Zumana, Zumana”, and hold out their hands in welcome. I chatted with Pastor Togo of the Markala church, and gave him cassette tapes of music and sermons in English from the Unity Church in Albany, New York. I talked with the manager and employees of the local bank, the first office that I worked in. They were very happy to see me, as I was them. I saw old neighbors. I sat down and caught-up with NGO CADIBA, which is involved in community health and women’s issues. I also worked with them. I stayed at my friend Tamba’s house. We are truly friends, and always will be. I will miss him a lot. His wives and children gave me a warm reception, and cooked wonderful meals for me.
And then I met with Jigiya. Jigiya is a group of people with disabilities who have formed an association with SA NYS (Self Advocacy of NYS). They are my dear friends. Solely for the purposes of my visit, they secured a school room, formally welcomed me with speeches, danced and sang, prepared a meal, and gave me a Bogolan outfit of the traditional Bambara hunter. Note that many people in Jigiya cannot walk, so their dancing was either on their hands, or on all 4s. They said that thought that I was a gift from God to them. They had tears in their eyes as they thanked me for my help. I had tears in my eyes, feeling an incredible sense of connection, and an honor to be there with them. See pictures HERE.
As special as that connection is, I was only a vehicle to act to connect Jigiya with SANYS. SA is making the real difference. By sending periodic payments to Jigiya, SA is dramatically improving peoples’ lives. People with disabilities in Mali have NO government support. Recently, they were excluded from the seasonal distribution of food from the community food reserve. When they had previously asked the mayor’s office for help, they were asked to leave. SA is offering the first aid EVER to people with disabilities in the entire region of Markala. The real thanks goes to them.
In celebration of this beautiful association between Jigiya and SA, there will be a live video conference between them on Sept 7. Thanks to the US Embassy in Bamako, Mali and SA in Albany, NY, both groups will be able to see and talk with other for the first time. They will offer songs, dance, and thanks to each other as well. If anyone in the Albany would like to witness this extraordinary event at 10 am on Sept 7, please let me know.
My hat is off to both of you, Jigiya and SA. You are close to my heart, and you are acting to make the world a more loving and gentle place. Thank you.