Well, I thought the money issue was resolved. But I have another round to go. It’s an intricate story, but the gist is that I have had to deal with a family member who lives in Kaolack. She is the mother of a few of the children in the house and had told me to wait until her arrival to discuss my contribution towards the family expenses. She currently lives in Kaolack while she is studying to become some sort of nurse and her children lived in the house here in Koungheul until this past Sunday, when the mother took them back to Kaolack to be with her and attend school.
Saturday, the mother showed up sometime in the afternoon, while I was on the phone. Shortly after, she introduced herself and had me sit down with her, alongside the rest of the adults, who had gathered to chat. She welcomed me and we made small talk for a few minutes until she informed me that I was “her son” and a “member of the family” and that if I have an issue I should come directly to her or the family and NOT use my counterpart as an intermediately. This point was made multiple times followed by “do you understand” and some smiles. It only stopped when I got short and said “I got it.” By this point, I’ve known her for a grand total of 5 minutes, and I’m already pissed. The only reasons she wanted my counterpart left out is that she figured she could get one over me. NOT!
Money is a sensitive issue in Senegal. People here become ravenous wolfs when the money comes out; but they’ll preach solidarity all day long. This is advice given and my observation. Knowing this, I let the conversation drift and figured she could bring up the subject on her own. Time is on my side, as I’m not hurting for money. The afternoon drifts away and is followed by our nightly viewing of a Spanish sitcom dubbed in French, which, in turn, is followed by dinner. Afterwards, she calls me over and we sit in two plastic chairs making small talk about her life in Kaolack and my politically correct observations of Senegal.I knew this conversation was going to turn to money, and when it did, I let her have her say, which includes the following: (1) I am a member of the family (2) She considers me her son (3) Life in the cities is more expensive (4) Life in Senegal is more difficult (4) Americans have money (5) The family is poor (5) She has no husband to help (he’s got another family in the Ivory Coast! Jerry! Jerry!) (6) She’s going to school and is working. (7)The family member sending money is struggling (LIE!!) (7) Electricity is expensive (8) I have to pay for private high school because my son has repeated multiple levels.
I should also clarify another point of contention in all of this. My predecessor was generous. It’s nice that he was able to help out the family in such a way, but I cannot and I won’t as he did. He paid the same amount that I am currently paying; in addition, he paid for the electricity, which, in total, equated to two-thirds of the stipend given by Peace Corps. Furthermore, I know he made donations, including a year’s school enrollment and school clothes. There is no way he was not using American funds.
Now, as I reread these points, I can imagine why it’s easy to take pity on them. But maybe I can explain my cynicism with the points that I made to her. In essence, they all rebuttals, but points nonetheless. First, I told her that I am paying the same contribution every month that my predecessor paid and that I am only responsible for my costs. Upon hearing this, she asked me how I knew what my predecessor paid and if my counterpart told me. I informed her I had emailed my predecessor, which did not go over well. Secondly, I noted, although she says I’m a member of the family, I was asked for money my first day her, and asked to give an abhorrent amount. Third, I said she doesn’t understand American life and cannot therefore make an appropriate comparison. Fourth, my American family will not contribute. Fifth, we eat the same, inexpensive thing, for lunch, and we eat rice with beans for every dinner and we are not village folk. Sixth, there is a family member in Dakar sending money. Seven, I am not responsible for the private education. Seventh, I am one person and will not use as much electricity as you think. Finally, I told her that my Senegalese instructor from the Peace Corps told me what I wanted to give was appropriate and if it wasn’t good enough I would move, implying she could take what I was offering or zero!
She accepted with the caveat of “we’ll help you out, since your family.” Whatever. So Saturday, I gave my contribution to the predetermined family member and got my receipt. I’m not taking any chances. She signed triangle with a line through it. Figures. Then Tuesday evening, I saw her with an expensive fabric that she bought for an outfit for an upcoming holiday. This happens here, and I’ve heard stories of other volunteers going through the same thing. I won’t let this get go, and I have decided to wait until Friday to bring up the fact our diet is absurd, and when they give me the “ain’t got no money” line, I’ll point out the fabric and threaten to call the mother in Kaolack to discuss a change in my contribution. Maybe this will be my justification for moving.
Despite all this though, I am making great progress with the children. We now have homework session in my hut every evening. It started when one kid asked to review and the others felt left o. ut. The boy that I wrote about in my last post is making great strides. He can now do double digit addition and carry over, which put his math skills above his class and currently, he is on the floor of my room writing over and over the letters A-M and almost recite without error. Last week, he could only say ABCD. He keeps telling me he is tired, but I won’t let him leave. Next, I’ll see if he can individually pick out certain letters. I found out that he sits in the last bench in the class, which is what happens to students who are duds. The teacher has so many students, that he or she will put the ones that are forerunners in the front and the duds in the back to be forgotten about. His problem is he has never had any reinforcement at home or at school.
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