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Monday, January 19, 2009
We're back from Mali!
Just returned from the Mali trip last Thursday. So many stories. Pictures to come soon! But, I have to say that the
trip FAR exceeded my expectations. The service portion of the trip - digging holes and planting fruit trees in the garden
of an elementary school - was fun, exciting, rewarding, humbling, and magical. The children joined us in planting 54 of the
85 trees we donated. (The number keeps fluctuating!) They were amazingly hard workers, as we pick-axed the hard ground, then
shoveled up the dirt to dig deep holes for the fruit trees. Some papayas planted only 1 year before had already produced fruit,
and we had some for dinner one night. Delicious. Our money stretched to also build a pipe and a water basin, so
the kids don't have to walk too far for water to tend the garden. The kids will harvest the fruit and sell it at market
to buy much-needed school supplies. This school is only a few years old. It began with Grades 1-2, and now has Grades 3-4.
The hope is to add Grades 5-6. Many children walk an hour and a half from nearby villages just to attend. And, surprise! the
classes were almost equal in girls and boys.
To read a wonderful description of the trip, with photos, please
visit the Blog of two of our travelers on the trip, Craig & Stephanie: http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!
This trip has shown me that people DO want to
'Give Back" to the country they're visiting, then "Kick Back" and have fun. So, stay tuned for future
trips! ~ Tina
10:34 am est
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