Reflections on the exhibition by Aga

‘Ideas are like rabbits. You get couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen’. John Steinbeck

I think this quote from John Steinbeck explains a lot about our work in Mbollet. Everything started from one small idea which later got adjusted, expanded ‘reprogrammed’ and evolved in ways we  didn’t expect. It turned out that trying to establish ownership, mutual respect  and cooperation is not an easy task, but is definitely worth the hard work and effort.

Our three weeks of work in The Gambia concluded with a 3-day-long exhibition, which was part of the consultation with community process. We presented the construction of the tyre prototype, the photos and drawings from the workshops with the children and initial ideas for the playground. There was lots of printing (which turned out to be not an easy task and quite expensive), pinning, taping, hanging, cutting. Grade I and II children helped us prepare an ‘interactive’ map of the playground where different elements can be moved around according to the wishes and visions of each person. I need to say – it was great to have them working with us, we would not be able to prepare everything on our own. It also allowed us to involve more people in the preparations.

The aim of the exhibition was to present the ideas and have a conversation about the next steps.
On Thursday 27.04 we held a meeting with women from the village – mothers, aunties, grandmothers. The main reason for us to do it was to understand the issues and worries that women might have about the playground. Our conversation soon changed and involved different ideas about the design and construction. We received very valuable feedback about the sand we used for primary idea – the sand hills made in December. It was great to get to know new faces and to see the women we had worked with with before.

Unfortunately the attendance during the other two days of the exhibition was not as high as of Thursday mainly due to lots of marriage ceremonies in the village. Another group of women came, and few of the parents. Similar conversations were carried out as during the first day. We were told how much people appreciate that we involved them in the design process and considered their opinions.

As for Vicky and me every now and then we had to stop ourselves from pushing for our own opinions and ideas and make sure we follow the line we both agreed for at the beginning – to listen to others.

Now back to drawing board! Vicky in UK and me in Senegal for next few weeks.

I am very grateful for the eye opening experience this time, both in Mbollet and in Senegal. This time I had a chance to meet more people and understand more about the living conditions and daily struggles. Now when I write this post I think about ‘Heal The World’ by Michael Jackson – song that I was listening to when I was growing up, we all can make a difference, as long as we will realise we need to respect each other. We are all one. As someone told me in Senegal ‘Africa system: when I can I will help you, because one day I might need your help also’. Big THANK YOU to everyone who helped me to understand what is important