If you didn’t read Tali Tali time, go back to my last blog entries and check out the motivation behind one of my last projects in village. I am asking for children’s illustrated books, but if you don’t have time to send them before July 1st, you can help me with the funds it will take to pick up all the book packages which I know will be flooding my way!
Go to this link to donate:
http://www.gofundme.com/3ayqdc
Thanks,
Whitney
Some of my fondest first memories are of me choosing a book, or two, or three (depending on the mood of my parents) and having them read those to me before bed. I would jump beneath the covers, throw the pile of books on my mom or dad’s lap and sit rapt, waiting for the story to begin. Tales of gingerbread houses, donkeys that find magical pebbles, and princesses and talking animals whisked me away to a world of make believe before my parents finally forced to me to go to sleep.
I took it so much for granted, those shelves of hundreds of children’s books that I could choose from and even the mere fact that my parents could read them to me in the first place. And because my parents could read them to me, I started reciting them my memory and believed that I could read too. That got me excited for reading and once I was offered the chance to read like my parents read to me every night, I jumped at the chance and was the first to volunteer to share my newfound knowledge with my younger brother and sister who didn’t have such authority and wisdom yet. I didn’t even know it, but I imagine this is where my love of reading came from and from that love, the love of discovering the world.
Even better, I realize I am not unique in my love of bed time stories and the desire to read. As Americans, it has become very much a part of our culture and many parents and children share the ritual of story time before bed. I imagine that many of you have similar memories or perhaps you have memories of reading to your children or your children’s children now as well.
Imagine my surprise then, when my Mom (real American mother) had the brilliant idea to send me one of my own beloved children’s books in the mail to show to the children in my village. It was the age old fable of The Hare and the Tortoise and their epic race. At first I looked at it and immediately thought, “They are not going to understand this.”
And then I started thinking. I reminded myself that I had now been here a year and my Pulaar wasn’t half bad. Maybe I could try and translate it. Would they pay attention? I read through the book, translating in my head the story into Pulaar. I admired the beautiful illustrations and the shiny pages. I breathed in the smell of books and bedtime stories that reminded me of my home and my childhood.
When my younger siblings came into my room that day I told them to come sit by me on the bed. I brought out the book.
“Ko hondun nii?” they asked excitedly, running their hands up and down the cover. “What is it?”
I started reading the story of Saari e Kekulu, otherwise known as the Hare and the Tortoise. As I turned page by page, I couldn’t believe how enraptured they’d become. Boye, who is 9, stared at the illustrations as if he wanted to eat them and Kumba, who is 3, pointed excitedly at each animal and wanted to know more about each drawing.
“Quiet!” Boye reprimanded her sharply, “Let Mariama tell the story.”
Once I was done reading the story, I thought Boye’s grin was going to stretch right off of his face. “Will you read it again?”
“Again?” I said.
“Yes, again!” squealed Kumba.
And so it was that I began reading them the story of the Hare and the Tortoise at least 5 times a day. Now Boye can tell it by memory and he tells it to me or his mother, who also loves the story. Even though the children move me by their adoration of the book, it is my host mother, Mari who really made me appreciate the ability to read. Page by page, she slowly went through the book, staring at the pictures and running her finger along the English words at the bottom.
“You do tali tali in America, Mariama?” she asked me in awe. Apparently she didn’t think that we Americans like to hear stories too.
“Yes, but ours are often different because we read ours out of books like this one,” I told her, pointing at the book she still had clutched in her hands.
“Here Mom, let me read it to you,” offered Boye.
I watched with amazement as he remembered the story almost word for word, turning the page at the right time so that she could follow along.
When he finished, Mari let out a whoop and began laughing, “Well between me and God I never thought I’d hear such a thing! He can really read it can’t he Mariama?” she asked me, delighted at her son’s intelligence.
The Hare and Tortoise story book has been a big hit in my compound. From the chief to the ever-incoming visitors, everyone is always fascinated by the book. As soon as I open my door after returning home, Kumba runs into my room without asking, grabs the book from her toy box and plops herself on my bed to commence “reading”.
Every night she and Boye and sometimes Caba (even though he is getting too old and too cool nowadays), run into my room, jump on my bed, and demand… “Tali Tali, Tali Tali!” “Story Story, tell us a story!” So the three of us lay there by candlelight under the stars, and I read them the story of the Hare and Tortoise. When we finish and they roll around my bed laughing and demanding that I read it again, I can’t help but think how similar children are all over the world. And then I read it to them again… because I’m a sucker.
What you can do! So because of the popularity of the Hare and the Tortoise, I am trying something out. I am not applying for a grant or anything like that, but I am asking the readers of my blog to send any children’s story books to my address at:
Whitney Jenkins
B.P. 157
Velingara, Kolda
Senegal, West Africa
Send stories that you think might be easy for me to translate or particularly fascinating for children here in Senegal. Remember that if you send stuff with lots of buildings or technical equipment, they are not going to understand anything. The Hare and The Tortoise was perfect because they know those animals and could understand the fable.
Forward my blog to your friends or simply ask them to send the books my way! With the help of all my blog readers I hope to start a small library in Sinchurio Samba Foula in my last couple of months of service. Please send them by July 1st if not earlier, as I’m not sure they will get to me before I move if you wait any longer.
I really appreciate your help and the kids do too! Make sure to send us your return address!
It's Time for Africa! 