Author Archives: Marissa Samake

July 29th marked the celebration of 28 years for me. The day was spent in Bamako. Yeah decided to whisk me away from the kids for a night without screaming, hair pulling, whining and sibling rivalry. My friend Dianna was kind enough to offer to babysit the kids for one night. Without that we would not have been able to do this. We spent the day at the Radisson in Mali. It was extremely nice. I had a great time. The morning of my birthday was filled with wishes from loved ones. I am so grateful for my family. My mom, dad and bro called. So did friends from the good old days. Facebook greeted me as well with numerous wishes from around the globe. I miss my past in many ways. There are many people I have lost touch with that were very special 10 years ago.

Best Birthday Gift a mom could ask for

The best gift was when we returned home. My kids and my friend Dianna created a collage that said Happy Birthday. This was so special. I was touched and amazed at their efforts.

Great birthday!! Great way to turn 28.

Yeah and Marissa

Best Friends

The kids have been enjoying each other tremendously. Yes, they have those days when I am surprised that Carmen still has hair left and that Keanen hasn’t pulled it all out in frustration. Most days they get along.  These past weeks, a friendship has grown.  Their days are occupied with Keanen learning his alphabet, numbers and how to spell and Carmen pretending she’s a cook, mom, etc. They still talk a lot about their friends. Miles and Quinn are a topic of conversation at least once a day. They continue to want to watch the TV in French even though they can still not understand a word. Keanen has made a fast friend in Numa, our 15-year old guard, who takes care of our place while school is out. When Numa left for the weekend or his family’s farm, Keanen was heartbroken and counting the days till he returned.  The shifting weather from great heat to full rain makes it impossible for the kids to play outside. From what I hear, August will be a month of continuous rain. So much for sunny skies!!

Carm and Kean

Shall we Dance

This week, Carmen had her hair done. You would think that Fatim (Yeah’s niece) was strangling the girl from the blood curdling screams that ensued as the hair was being tied. A normally 30 minute process became an hour long initiation. When all is said and done Carmen returns to her normal happy-for-a-moment self.

Big brother, big hair

Look at all that hair

A new do

Yeah also attended, as part of his mayoral duties, the planting of new trees to further move along Ouelessebougou’s position as the greenest city in Mali. This is an essential thing for Ouelessebougou. Trees will assist in improving the environment in Ouelessebougou, not only making it healthier but also more pleasing to look at. Yeah continues to press Ouelessebougou into the spotlight. Despite his many other roles, he tries to focus on how to better his own commune as he has promised to do as a mayor. Ouelessebougou is starting to enjoy a new found wealth and success and has come far from the village I was in 4 years ago.

 

Planting new trees

Planting trees

Agricultural Group

We also had the opportunity to visit the market in Bamako. Haggling with the sellers, I must confess, is amusing and thrilling. Got some great buys. Rule of thumb to those coming: Whatever price they quote you start at 1/3 of that price and then bargain up. If they refuse, just walk away. Trust me you will usually always win. 🙂

Market day

Ouelessebougou, Yeah’s home base, became the next town for the campaign to hit. I was fortunate to witness this one first hand. Rains welcomed the morning and brought impending doubts as to whether the event would occur. It rained for four hours straight and we were glad that the event committee had pushed the event to the afternoon. The event kicked off around 5 pm.

The Yeah samake club

Ouelessebougou motorcycles greeted the delegation, consisting of Yeah and other members of PACP, 5 miles outside of Ouelessebougou. They then proceeded to herald them in honking incessantly. The view was amazing. There had to be at least 300 motorcycles each holding two riders. Most of them donned the t-shirt that showed they were members of the Yeah Samaké supporter’s club of Ouelessebougou.  The majestic view continued for miles and miles and could be heard from town as the 300s of motorbikes descended welcoming in the three cars that held delegation members.  

The motorcycles that greeted Yeah

Let's celebrate!!

Yeah!!Yeah!!Yeah

PACP welcome

As the cars drew to a halt, musicians and welcoming crowds of a 1000+ people greeted Yeah and his party. The celebration of arrival continued for a good 30 minutes as hands were shaken, people greeted and greetings exchanged.  A feeling of realization of the magnitude of the task ahead hit me. Here were 1000s of people that believed in this man and were willing to celebrate his message.

Youth welcome

Glimpse of the crowd

Glimpse of the crowd_2

Glimpse of the crowd_3

Glimpse of the crowd_4

PACP members

The event commenced with 4 groups of musicians. Music has and will probably continue to be a method of praise, story-telling and celebration for Malians. It has been something that has been new to me. After each musician, you give them some money to show your appreciation. That has been the other new thing for me as well. The musicians that greeted the party told a story of Yeah and his lineage. They also outlined the history of Mali and what Yeah could accomplish.

Dancing

Music_2

Music_3

The first speech was delivered by the dugutigi( chief of the village). The dugutigi of Ouelessebougou is the oldest man in the village. He has seen the most changes in his village. He is a strong supporter of Yeah and the changes that have been brought to Ouelessebougou. Next, the Imam, welcomed Yeah and his party. He imparted benedictions for the success of the campaign. The Catholic pastor too conveyed his support. Ouelessebougou boasts the presence of this pastor who is renowned in the world for performing miracles.

Dugutigi

Imam

The formalities of the event continued with speeches by Fomba, the secretary-general. He pumped the crowd up by telling them of what Yeah was capable of. Change was imminent and would come with Yeah being elected. Next, Garba Vice-president of the party spoke. He spoke of his background in the US and how he met Yeah. Among the Malian community in the US, Yeah is well-known for creating educational opportunities for young students to come study in America. By the time Yeah took the podium, the crowd was pumped. There were chants of “Yeah Samake” and “President” that rang through the crowds. Yeah started his speech by speaking of blessings. True blessings come when a son returns back to the land of his birth. Yeah said that he returned to Mali to fight for opportunities for his people. Malians are not poor and Yeah made sure his people understood that. Even though I could not understand much of what was being said (as the speech was in Bambara), I could see that Yeah was welled up with emotion. This is a cause that he has breathed since his childhood. He wants to become President not for any financial gain. The President of Mali has an income of $78,000/year. Change needs to happen in the educational system, in the healthcare system and in the business sectors. The poor need to stop becoming poorer.

Fomba

Garba

Yeah Speaks

The crowd was enthusiastic and roared their support. Several times during the speech people stood up. Several people even left their seats to stand behind Yeah to demonstrate support and solidarity. The event ended with as much pomp as it started. The final musicians celebrated Yeah and his party.

A speech well received

The event was an amazing event. You would think that Ouelessebougou would be an easy village because it is Yeah’s birthplace. However, Malians don’t give anything easily. Years and years of poverty and lack of jobs/education determine the political landscape. The event was a great success. Huge support was garnered. Hopefully lasting memories will lead people to the polls in April 2012. Just starting events of a dream becoming reality!

The future family of Mali 🙂

Daddy's girl, Mom's prince

Club of Support for Yeah Samake

Markala welcomes Yeah Samake and PACP

What does a campaign consist of? In Mali, it involves dancing before the event starts, a welcome by a humongous crowd of supporters, a visit to the village chief, speeches and singing. The campaign stop in Markala, a village bigger than Ouelessebougou, did not disappoint.

Markala is a city in Mali‘s Ségou Region on the Niger River, 35 km downriver from the city of Ségou. Markala is the site of Mali’s primary irrigation dam.

The event was attended by 500+ people. The youth drove this event to show their support for Niankoro Yeah Samaké. The day started with a crowd of supporters welcoming Yeah to the village. Hundreds on scooters and cars met the delegation five kilometers outside the town and then accompanied them into town honking in support. 

The youth greet Yeah's party

Yeah visited the Chief of the village (“dugutigi” in Bamanakan). It is customary for candidates that visit the village to meet with the head of the village first as a symbol of respect for the culture and the support of the village. The chief is greeted with Kola nuts. These are bitter nuts but have for centuries been used as a traditional greeting. Once the dugutigi had been greeted, the next meeting was with the Imam, the Muslim leader who offered benedictions for the success of the party and the campaign.

The Chief of the village shows his support with the Samake2012 button

Yeah and the Imam of Markala

The level of enthusiasm was great as people gathered to hear more about the party and the goals they hoped to achieve for Mali. Different people spoke at this kickoff event in Markala. Fomba, the Secretary General of the Party started off by introducing the party. Broulaye, Yeah’s deputy mayor in Ouelessebougou, testified as to Yeah’s leadership skills and how sound leadership has improved the quality of services in Ouelessebougou. The concluding speaker was Yeah himself. Yeah spoke to the 500+ gathered about the current political landscape of Mali and pointed out how critical it was for the people of Mali to vote for someone who represents the values of integrity, service and sound leadership. He shared with the people of Markala his modest beginnings and expressed how it is possible for someone who has known hunger to aspire for the highest office in the country. He expressed how Mali is not a poor country rather a country that has been impoverished by the actions of its leaders.

The crocodile dance

A small snapshot of a bigger crowd

Yeah flanked by Fombo on his left and Garba on his right

The event was a great success. Such an event is not easy to put together and not cheap either. To arrange advertising, music, meetings, gas, vehicles for travel and a sound system it costs $2000 for just the one meeting. That is a huge chunk of money when you think about the 1000s of such gatherings that need to happen before the election in April 2012.

The visit was received very well. From the oldest to the youngest residents of Markala, a spark was lit. The spark of a need for betterment.  A better Mali. A better education system.  Better jobs.  A brighter future. And it all can start with one man: Niankoro Yeah Samake. The visit in Markala is just the start. The next one happens in Ouelessebougou, Yeah’s home base. Money is needed to make these events continue. Are you in? Show your support at www.samake2012.com and help determine the fate of a country.

Today was a great day.For the past five years of Keanen’s life, I have worked or been in school consistently. There has not been a single week that I could spend to learn the details of my child’s life. Today I celebrate a month of getting back to my motherhood roots. Yes it’s not all fun and roses, but its amazing to see what I have missed. That’s not to say I don’t miss my work children. There is not a day I don’t think about the crazy things they did and said. But, it is great that I have been given an opportunity to take a breath and spend sometime with my two most precious gifts.

Today I got to play pretend with Carmen. For three hours while her brother played outside, we pretend played: put babies to bed, puppies in timeout, made dinner, changed diapers, played hide and seek etc. It was the most time I have had to spend with her alone. She actually talks even more when her brother is not around if that even makes sense. And the beauty of it, was I did not hear her cry or throw a tantrum even once. The other day we were at the tailors place and Carmen was having a grand ole tantrum because she had missed nap time. It went on for about two mins and a lady came by and said to my friend Dianna in Bambara” Why does she not beat her?” It made me laugh to think how a tantrum is viewed so differently in different cultures. As long as Carmen gets her nap, she is an angel until something sets her off. Seriously some days I think God sent me a 15-year-old in a 2-year-old body 🙂

When Keanen came in after playing with Numa, our “guard”, he handed me a flower that he had found on his “safari”. He then showed me a dance he came up with. Seriously this kid has some moves especially on the lower half and his rhythm isn’t that bad either. He came up to me and said, ” Mom, I love you forever”. Sweet child. I think Grandma Marilou had a lot to contribute to the sweet nature of this child. Much of his early life was spent in her arms and tutelage.

I am blessed to be able to spend some time with these two devils and angels, all in one. I am slowly learning what truly makes my kids tick. I am learning what they love, what they hate, what drives them and how they can twist things to get their way. I am happy to have the time to know them before Kean starts school in September.

The past week was productive on so many levels and quiet on so many other levels. Heat has taken on a new meaning. I lived in Bahrain, a country in the Middle East, for 20 years. In 20 years, I did not feel the heat to the extent I felt this past week. Either it is the intense humidity or just the fact that I’m older and Utah’s cold weather has spoilt me. I feel extremely lucky that the kids and I have an air conditioner in our car and our home. To see the people outside experience the heat without these benefits is conflicting.

Also, I was extremely proud of my little man Keanen this past week. We have been working on his capital and small letters in order to prep him for kindergarten. This week we reached all the way to the letter “T”. When I tested him, he even spelled “TEST” out without a problem. I am so proud of him. He gets frustrated easily but he is sticking with it. He is also starting to ask more questions about Bambara and was able to say his numbers from 1-10 in Bamanakan to Yeah. Each day we play hide and seek with us counting to 10 in Bamanakan. The trick to learning numbers I found out is making a game out of it. Even Carmen is starting to catch on, though she says it half Bambara and half inputs an English word. So number eight which is “segi” in bambara became “seg-mommy”.

 I have spent this past week watching the large rainstorms move through. Seriously, I have never seen rainstorms like the ones Mali has. The bugs the night before and the gusty winds announce a storm’s arrival like no other. Within 30 minutes to an hour, the storm wreaks its vengeance with thunder and pouring rain unmatched by Hollywood’s best storm scenes. When it passes, calm returns and the sun peaks out and the heat returns. I have also been trying to study Bambara from the Peace Corp book. I was lucky to be put in touch with a Peace Corp volunteer currently in Mali. She was able to lend me this book that has progressed my language skills faster than trying to listen.

Yeah too has been extremely busy. Meetings in Bamako, meetings in the villages in the South and meetings in Ouelessebougou make up his days. The man racks up more miles on his car that if there was a card for car frequent flier miles, he would get it. He currently is a jack of many trades: mayor to his 44 villages, presidential candidate, director for Mali Rising Foundation and most satisfying, a dad. He does all these roles with ease. Last Sunday, we attended a meeting attended by 30-40 youth( men and women). Yeah spent an hour with these youth addressing the concern of education and jobs. Mali today has an unemployment rate of 35%. The education system today is undergoing massive degradation at a higher level with many students not completing higher education. And if they do complete a bachelor’s degree, no job is available. This is a vicious cycle that Yeah hopes to break with increasing employment opportunities.

Friday brought villagers from miles around to attend a forum that was held in Ouelessebougou and headed by Yeah. The elder’s quorums of the surrounding 44 villages were in attendance. To explain a little, Yeah has created an elders quorum of advisers and the chief of the village. Who to better know their constituents needs than these individuals. These groups brought their issues and also were presented with the spending and tax collected in the last three months by the mayor’s office. In a way, it was accountability for all parties involved to show villagers how they are contributing to the success and failures of their leadership. An opportunity to witness decentralization on a local level. This is one of Yeah’s primary messages on the campaign trail: returning power from the central government to the lower governments. Citizens were also informed of the services provided by the mayor’s office, the cost involved and the time taken to provide these services. This was a unique opportunity for accountability instituted by Yeah that is singular to the city of Ouelessebougou. The national TV ORTM and 4 major news papers captured this important event and it will be broadcast on news today. It provides an awesome opportunity to broadcast the changes that one section of Mali is enjoying. All in all, a productive week.

I have had the opportunity through my twenty-eight years to experience many places and different cultures. Growing up, I attended a British school that educated Indians, Sri Lankans, British, Arabs, Filipinos and expats from different corners of the globe. I was also able to attend an Indian school that brought me closer to my own culture. America, from the close-knit communities of Utah to the craziness of New York, added to my experiences. My childhood gave me the opportunity to meet and mingle with different cultures and to learn to approach the world with a non judgemental view. I thought before coming to Mali, that I had seen it all. I was and am wrong. Everyday, I learn something new from my new adopted country.

Language is a critical piece of any culture. I have been attempting to pick up on Bamanakan which is the local language in Mali. Nothing in Mali starts without a greeting. Even if you go into the market, the greeting comes before business. An attempt to dismiss the greetings may sometimes work to such a disadvantage that the person may not sell to you. You greet everyone you meet. Not only people in your own community but beyond the village or city.  The greetings move past the barriers of status or religion. It highlights among Malians a strong sense of community in Mali. This past week, I have attempted to polish my greetings in Bamanakan. Now when I greet people, I may still be the toubabou( white person) physically, but the minute I greet them, I see faces light up, only to fade with my abilities as the conversation continues. 🙂

Here are some greetings I learned this past week:

Hello (any time of day)
i ni ce
_____________________________________

How are you? (Are you well?) ( to one person )
i ka kεnε wa?
________________________________________

How are you? (Are you well?) ( to more than one person )
Aw ka kεnε?
________________________________________

Fine, thank you.
kεnε, tɔɔrɔ te, ko tε, tana tε
________________________________________

What is your first name?
i tɔgɔ?
________________________________________

What is your last name?
i jamu?
________________________________________

My name is ______ .
ne tɔgɔ ___
________________________________________

Thank you.
i ni ce
________________________________________

You’re welcome.
basi tε (literally ‘no problem’)
________________________________________

Yes.
awò
________________________________________

No.
ayi
________________________________________

Excuse me. ( getting attention / begging pardon )
(aw ye) hakε to!
________________________________________

I’m sorry.
a yafa n ma
________________________________________

Goodbye
k’an bεn
________________________________________

Goodbye ( informal )
n taara
________________________________________

Keanen too has attempted to learn the new language. Everytime I give him something, he will say “i ni ce” to me which means Thank you. Language seems to be less of an issue between kids. He has consistently layed with his cousins for the past week for hours on end. It is nice to see him gain new friends and a new confidence. However, he has started to miss his old friends more and more. Each day consists of a new activity to find a present to send to his friend Miles. He has created pictures and airplanes in the hope that he can mail these to his friends. Miles has been with him for the last 5 years. They grew up together and Miles was like a brother. Carmen too seems to think we are on vacation and that she will get to see her friend Quinn soon. She has started drawing( scribbling) all her friends. My kids resilience to their changed environment proves that kids are stronger and more adaptable than we sometimes give them credit for.

Language too is an essential tool on the campaign trail. As we go from village to village and meeting to meeting, I am impressed to see how culturally different people are. Yeah like a chameleon adapts to his environment. What works in Bamako( the main city) may not work in Sikasso. It is extremely important that Yeah know the cultures of the different regions that make up Mali. A wrong move could cause him that region in a country where the voting percentage is pretty low. I am confident that this will change as people see one of their own campaign. Yeah’s message of fairness and access to education/healthcare is essential at a time when the economy is suffering. Right now the unemployment rate sits at above 35%. Yeah came from very humble beginnings and has not embezzled money from his country. Hopefully he will be the message and hope that his people need. We have but one life and it is essential that we can help ourselves and those around us live a fulfilled life.

This experience has humbled me in more ways than one. At least once a day, hopelessness washes over me as I attempt to learn a new language and culture. However, I am also excited to learn more about the different cultures and better understand the cultural implications of the language so that we can better integrate into the Malian community.

The past few days have actually become easier. I think we are starting to slowly settle in. I am gaining more confidence in my greetings in Bambara. Keanen is starting to want to learn more, especially so he can converse with other kids. He has impressed me the most and gives me the courage everyday to try harder. When we go to Bei’s house now he leaves to go play with the other kids. Carmen too has ventured out even though she still will not shake anyones hand. I too have ventured a little and have started visiting Bei more. He and Dianna try to help me learn Bambara. I wish I could just put a book under my pillow and next day be fluent. However progress is good.

After a hard day's work, Carmen just conked out on the couch

Fun with dad

First of many family pics

A day at the Mayor's office with dad

Motor"kids"

Today we had an opportunity to also celebrate the American independance day in Bamako at the American club. The kids had a blast. They had a playground with slides and swings. Keanen even learned how to swing by himself without needing someone to push him. Carmen was so happy. Humming to herself. There was a turtle( a huge one!!). The kids had a blast petting him. Keanen had not seen a mass of white people for two weeks and even asked me if we were still in Mali.

In the theme of progress it is also good to see progress in Ouelessebougou. The people here have been blessed with a solar panel field, making Ouelessebougou the greenest city in Mali. Much of the village electricty comes from this project. Also Ouelessebougou has been able to get running water. There are 130 pumps in the village. Unfortunately, 70 of the pumps stopped working. Yeah was able to work with his French counterpart in Pontivy to get some funding to fix the pumps. 40 have been fixed and the remaining will be fixed as well. The work is being done by a Malian company. Glad to see money being pumped into the economy. Also I was excited to see the new high school that is being built in Ouelessebougou. Today there is no official high school in the city. It will be an amazing opportunity for Malian children in Ouelessebougou to have an opportunity to attend high school instead of having to travel an hour away to Bamako. Another great thing to see was a new hospital being built as well. This will allow access to healthcare for all Malians. No longer will women have to travel miles to a hospital when she is in the middle of labor.Sometimes the woman will deliver on the side of the road increasing infant and woman mortality. Great progess in this village of 12000 people and great amenities to have for the 55000 people in the surrounding villages. Today in the village there was a massive celebration of woman. It celebrated the important role of the woman in Ouelessebougou. The role of the woman is massive in Malian society. They are constantly in service to the community around them. It is important to celebrate their progression. It was a great event!!

Solar panel Field in Ouelessebougou

A partnership: Figuring out the water pump issue

New hospital under construction

Progress has showed its face in every facet of our journey lately. I am excited to see what happens next!!

Officially hit the 2 week anniversary of our trip to Mali. Can hardly believe the time has passed so fast. I have spent the time busily employed in learning the language. The greetings form an essential part of the language as each conversation starts with the greetings.I try to teach the kids the few bambara words that I know. Carmen pushes back harder and will only say the words if she feels it will benefit her somehow. So I have had to get her into situations where she would need to say thank you (iniche) to get something back or say stop (adabla) to her brother when he teases her. Keanen with best intentions wants to learn but cannot seem to focus. Learning seems to tire him. I have been working with him on his alphabets and bambara words. Today we practiced numbers and played hide and seek with his Bambara numbers: kelen, fila, saaba, naani, duuru, wooro, wolonfla, segi, konontan, tan.

I had my first Bambara lesson today. I had gone to visit Bourama’s family. He is also trying to teach me some Bambara. It was extremely hot today, an indication during this time of the rain to come. Bourama( Bei for short), taught me a few phrases. Keanen is starting to warm up and actually went of and played with his cousins Noro and Boi. He had such fun going crazy and running after the chickens. He was not prepared that in Mali, the chicken sometimes run after you. It was hilarious to see him come hide behind my chair as the chickens came by. Courage short lived. The heat put Carmen to sleep and as she slept, I attempted to learn some Bambara phrases. The rain moved in quickly. It still amazes me how in Mali, the storm almost announces itself with gloomy dust filled skies and winds that pick up in strength before the rain barrels down. Rain is “san-ji” in Bambara. The rain comes with a vengeance and the wind shows no mercy. Dianna and I returned to the house with the kids as the rain poured down. After letting Carmen watch a DVD and Keanen take his turn at a nap, I asked Dianna to teach me some Bambara. We learned words about money and time. I roleplayed how to shop with her. I am glad for the friendship and the lesson. I need to practice now. I will try to study hard tomorrow morning. Tomorrow is market day in Ouelessebougou. I am excited. I want to get some fabric and get some lighter material shirts sown to combat the humid heat.

Yeah had a busy day as well. The meetings are continuous. He has had a conference on decentralization for the last few days. The conference provided an ideal opportunity for Yeah to network with mayors that lived in the more remote regions. The campaign continues to move in the right direction. It is essential that the word spreads. Next week, Yeah will be constantly campaigning in neighbouring villages. He announced to his staff at the Mayor’s office that he is officially running. They are very supportive and seemed genuinely surprised and touched that Yeah would personally ley them know.

Life goes on slowly but surely. Time will tell its outcome and I hope victory is in the future.