Our US team plus volunteers from our partner Medical Missions Foundation spent several extremely productive and enjoyable days in Dagabo in April. From our first joyful sight of Boi and Koro in the airport until we left to join the medical team in Ouéléssébougou, our days were full, fun, and fulfilling.
The medical team (Dr. Tammy & Dr. Brandon, and RNs Kay and Cassie), plus Koro and Ibrahim Kanté as translators, ran a medical clinic for village adults. We met our new teachers: Adja, Bintou, and Hawa. They proudly indicated who were some of their top students – hardest workers, most dedicated, who really love to learn. We spent several hours in our new preschool – hanging alphabet and number posters, demonstrating the new toys and games we brought, and explaining to the teacher how these helped encourage fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and other educational benefits. Also how important playtime is for preschool children!
We did art projects with all students in Siraba School, and Zina helped hang wire on all walls for displaying artwork in all the classrooms. We met with all of our partner groups and committees – the Dagabo School Committee, Mothers Group, teachers and school Director, and the Hawa Clinic representative. We inspected the new storage and “canteen” buildings. We got to know Assanatou, a young college student who is helping Koro and the teachers. We met with the mothers responsible for our exciting new lunch program! and ate delicious food they prepared (more details to follow). Ibrahim led a soccer clinic, including a game that ended with a shootout drill to break the tie, and then distributed jerseys he’d brought for the winners. We visited our former students in Piébougou and exchanged ideas with the Director and teachers there. Throughout all these activities we held hands with many children, hugged familiar friends, and were tirelessly helped by Koro and Assanatou.
It is always so difficult to leave Dagabo, but we were very happy to see so much progress in the village, and our many photos, memories, and Koro’s regular reports will keep our global Village connected until we return next year.
