I have written before about sponsoring a child through World Vision--Mayecor. He lives in Senegal and is in his third year in school. I'm not sure how that correlates with American school grades.Once a year of so, World Vision sends a brief progress report so you can see how your child is growing and how your contribution is being spent. This report says that Mayecor has been given a mosquito net, that his health is satisfactory, he still plays football, and he helps his family by working in the fields. I'm not sure what he does in the fields--if he tends cattle or if he tends crops. And if it's crops he is tending, what do they grow. I haven't written him an a while, so these are the questions I will ask when I next write.
There are some translation issues that complicate letter writing. My letters are translated to him, I believe in French, and vice versa. Under the category of what my contribution has done for the community, it reads "building of the village's union seat." I have no idea what that might be.
Also, I'm not sure what this little drawing depicts, but I'll keep it as a treasure. One way, it looks like a hut with a boardwalk. The other way, it looks like a colorful class with a straw. Hmmm.
Comments
And good to hear he's still playing football; we have a lot of Senegalese players in the European leagues and it must be a good aspiration for a boy to have.
Senegal grows lots of good stuff: sugar cane, millet, sorghum, but it is the world's largest producer of peanuts (even more than Jimmy Carter), so he could well be tending those.
And that's a cool picture of a house.
What a lovely child!
Hey dive, do they grow anything good that you can smoke?
Gina, he's beautiful, isn't he?
Rich, you just assume Dive would know if there is something smokable there. Hmmm.
Kate, good point, and normally I would be cynical, too, but I know that World Vision has a good reputation and doesn't spend a ton of money on administration. And I think my measily dollars went straight to the boy and his family. There are other projects you can donate to that benefit entire communities. You can buy a goat for a family or, if you're really a big spender, you can buy a house. I kind of get the impression working with the family is a source of pride, and he does still go to school.
And, that is a hut, I think. Most children his age draw homes or animals. But, what the hell do I know about Senegal?