Women Weaving Center of Vonjamah, Lofa County

Mrs. Dorbor giving an interview

It was a sight to see, creativity to admire, a concept unexpectedly stumbled upon, and proudness exuded from our faces to know she was a Liberian. Esther Dorbor grew up with a skill that manifested into a tool for social change. On my way to Vahun, Lofa I stopped in Vonjamah fascinated by a beautiful monument alongside the road.  After a short walk to the monument, I was soon fascinated with what was happening left of the monument. I recognized the act as I remembered visiting a similar site in the Philippines. Compare to what I saw in the Philippine this structure was simply making it more intriguing. It was the simplicity of the structure that captured my attention.  From afar I noticed the women were hard at work, concentrating intensely on the work at hand.

Monument that 1st attracted my attention

A program participant setting up to weave

As we got closer, the products produced by the Women Woven Center of Lofa blew me away.  As I touched the fabric I declared it was the finest texture of cloth I have touch in Liberia thus far! The colors of the fabric were brilliantly combined to make a fabric in Liberia known as the ” Country Cloth”.

Purchasing some of the cloths made that day

Esther Dorbor moved to Vonjamah when she married. She and her husband wanted to do something for their community. They noticed men were leaving their women due to the fact most women could not assist with sustaining the home financially, thus the burden was becoming unbearable for the men.  

Esther's husband asked her if she could teach the women the skill she had learned, that made her self reliant most of her life. Together they started a program to teach local women free of charge how to weave the Country Cloth.  The women have six months to learn, after which they can go out on their own and produce. Due to limited funding, and a large number of participants, students have to quit the program after six months in order for others to participate.  They are currently using funding from previous sales to sustain the program. 

However, their biggest concern is acquiring funding that will enable them to teach the women longer, and host more participants. The " Country Cloth " is only made and produced in Liberia. The fabric can be made into anything from clothing, bags, or use for interior designing. Visit (ARWAY BAGS ) for examples.

My eccentric sister dressing up her pet pillow with hers

Excited with my new accessory !!!

As we move towards a new Liberia, I hope more women choose to be at the front line and not on the side regardless of the difficulties they confront. As women participation is essential to Liberia prosperity. The Women Weaving Center of Vonjamah mass produce, therefore if you want to contact the Women Woven Center of Vonjamah to assist them with their cause, or purchase some beautiful pieces from them they can be reached at (231) 088-069-1849/ (231) 088-685-9608.

Nanas' Lodge

Fishermen preparing to go fishing.

It was a hot sticky day…...Come to think of it pretty much every day in Liberia is hot and sticky. However, the day I went to Nanas’ Lodge the ground seem to exhale heat from the beaming sun reflecting on it. I discovered Nanas' Lodge through word of mouth, and with little to do in Monrovia, I knew I had go for a visit. Described as a place where one can go to experience endless adventures (surfing, boat riding, sailing, camping, etc) How dare I come to Liberia and not experience some adventures.

The good portion of the road.

Nanas' Lodge is located about two hours outside of Monrovia in Robertsport, Capemount.  I was fortunate to have a car, which made the journey less hectic. Too bad driving there was not as smooth. When I went to Nanas’ Lodge the road was not paved at the time, and construction was still being done. Driving there felt like an uncomfortable roller coaster.  From previous trips outside Monrovia I knew not to eat certain food while traveling outside of the city to avoid stomach sickness ( I advised you do the same).

On the way we discovered a little town by the road, with a beautiful Palava hut to sit and relax. The individuals taking care of the place do not charge strangers to sit and use the place.  It is about 20 minutes before you get to Nanas' Lodge.  We packed a picnic basket so it was the ideal spot to stretch out and have a little lunch. It is a nice area on the beach, and if you are lucky you might get to see birds of different kinds flying by wanting to share your food.

After picnic...sleepy time.

One of the caretakers( she insisted we take  picture of her)

Two hours away from Monrovia, we arrived at Nanas’ Lodge, and I was taking away by the beautiful blue sea shinning from the sun beaming on it, endless clean sand to dip your feet into, and most of all a place to SAIL!! I have to say, people exaggerated the services at Nanas' Lodge. I was able to go boat riding only after an hour of the caretakers tying to find a Sailor, surfing was not possible as there was no guide, (plus it was not as popular anymore), sailing (no equipments), and camping was possible (cheaper if you have your own equipments).

We ended the day after few boat tumblings, several accidental drowning (the tides are high, if you are not a good swimmer do not go too far into the sea), and the best part of all, ALL YOU CAN EAT NATURAL ALMOUNDS for free!!!!!!!!!!

Recovering from boat tumbling #1.

Huge rocks at the end of the beach to sunbath or just enjoy the scenery .

End of the day...Look behind you will see the ALMOND trees!!!

It is feasible and cheaper to spend a day at Nanas’ Lodge if you leave Monrovia early in the morning, and depart by 7pm. However, you don’t want to drive too late as you could put yourself at risk of arm robbery, or due to bad roads if something happen help is harder to find.  If you chose to spend the weekend be prepare to spend at least $100 per night for a cabin. I advice if you intend to go, call them ahead of time, so they can arrange to have all the equipments and staff needed for activities you wish to do. Unfortunately, this is the reality for most Liberian business....

Prostitution in Senegal

Over the years I have come to the realization, as an individual who had the opportunity to acquire education and experience, it is my responsibility to not only speak up for those who cannot but also take a stand on what I believe is right.

Recently, it has been interesting voicing out my opinion on the issue of prostitution. Given, I was raised in a Christian household, with values align with the Holy Bible, many found my stand appalling. My justification for the legalization of prostitution is not about me. We need to challenge individuals who can not accept what I believe to be one of the oldest credible professions in the world, when an individual is not force into the sector. If individuals are going to engage in the practice of prostitution they should be protected and regulated if necessary like any other profession.

As I listened to a popular program on West African Democracy Radio, I thought I heard wrong when the commentator announced the topic of the hour, but when he repeated himself I had to listen. After getting over the shock of what I heard I wanted to understand why Senegal a predominately Muslim country legalized prostitution.

I had to find out the reasoning behind the legality of a profession many despise, however, the justification was not simple. In 1970, the government legalized prostitution under these conditions: institutionalized medical follow-up of self-professed female prostitutes and made it compulsory for any female prostitute older than 21 to register with the health service. Registration is followed by the delivery of a health record to the woman and her socio-demographic information to the police. Medical follow-up is conducted in specialized centers, which were created for this distinct purpose in Dakar, at the Institute of Social Hygiene, and in four other urban agglomerations later. Every 2 months the women receive a complete follow-up, which includes a clinical examination and a vaginal swab alternated with monthly visits during which they only have a clinical examination and a swab upon request. Blood samples are taken every 6 months to assess syphilis status and yearly to assess HIV serologic status. Social workers and nurses initially managed these centers. Physicians joined the centers later. This system provides prostitutes with opportunities for health information and access to condoms. Free condoms are provided on the first visit and women are instructed on how to use them. On subsequent visits, women are again counseled on condom use. Free provision of condoms is renewed on a monthly basis. Soliciting customers is illegal in Senegal.

The Senegalese government realized that prostitution was going to occur regardless of what measures they took to it illegal, so instead they put in mechanisms that could protect those willing to professed themselves as prostitutes. This reveals the country is progressive to some extent, but the lingering question in my mind is: why these women feel the only means to survive is by selling their bodies when it leads to exclusion?

If Senegalese women chose to sell their body for money or material possessions as a means to survive, what does that say about the role of women in Senegal and the opportunities available to women? My problem is not with the legality or illegality of prostitution; my problem is the reasons for which women chose to engage in the field. Majority of the time it is not by choice.

However, as I learn more about the legalizing of prostitution in Senegal, I realize their situation is not unique. More countries have declared prostitution legal compared to countries who declare it illegal. To view countries click here.

In conclusion, legalizing prostitution is not about justifying the profession, but rather making sure those who partake in the profession are safe. Prostitution is going to exists legally or illegally. Society should not focus on condemning prostitutes, but to understand the circumstances within the society that lead to their career choice, and how we can eradicate those problems in order to elevate those engaging in the field forcefully.

Ile de Goree (Goree Island)

Ile de Goree is a small island about 20mins boat ride from the coast of Dakar. Goree was once a major slave-trading center for the Portuguese, British and Dutch. Many individuals of African decent use Goree as their pilgrimage destination. The Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves) on the island has become a place of pilgrimage for anyone to reflect upon the horrors of the slave-trade. 

It is amazing how the Goree Island differ from Dakar. Arriving on the coast of Goree you realize how noisy and busy the streets of Dakar are. The boot ride and the less noisy streets put you in a mood of relaxation for what to come. There is no need to acquire transportation once on the island, as it is small enough to maneuver on foot. If it is your first time I advise that you get a guide to take you around. There will be lot of guides offering their services. Do not pay more than 5000cfa for a guide. Be prepared to pay visitors’ tax of 100cfa before you enter the island. 

One of the main attractions is the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves). It has been converted into a museum, once inside you can walk through the dungeons where the slaves were held and the guide will explain exactly how they were sold and shipped. Musee de la Femme (The Women's Museum) focuses on the role of Senegalese women in traditional and modern world. Maritime Museum offers the visitor information about Senegal's seafaring history. There are many museums and other attractions on the Island. I had limited time therefore could not see all. Goree has a lot of restaurant and various tourist stalls. As in many parts of Senegal you can bargain for the many tourist treasures you will want to buy!

I was here before you came
I was here when waltz became superior to makonde ngoma
I was here when black became priceless
I was here when independence became dependence
I was here when brothers became neighboring strangers
I was here when external maximization became internal minimization
I am still here……..
How dare you come with your innocuous western attitude?
Telling me what I already know!
Have you not done enough?

Slavery has forever scar Africa and continues to impact the advancement of Africans today. As I walked through the homes once own by slaves’ masters along the coast of Goree, I tried to understand the lives of the masters that once walked down the halls I walked. Upstairs the masters lived comfortable and below dungeons were built to keep slaves secluded until their departure. Scholars try to justify why, and how slavery became entrenched in various societies, but as I walked through the homes built for one group of people to dominate another, all academic justification for slavery was broken down to these simple words….You are nothing and I am everything, therefore I have the power to do unto you as I please.



Below slaves were kept and their master(s) residence was above

A monument to celebrate the emancipation of slavery

Chains used to restrained slaves

My disappointment with the human race was diminished when I came across two exceptional Senegalese artists. They own a little gallery hidden in the trenches of Goree. The art work they are producing are amazing and their production process is extraordinary. For me these artists are not just making art, they are experimenting with the natural environment in a productive way. The art form is called “Sand Art”. They use soils from different parts of Senegal and Gambia to create different pieces. Below is an example of their work….

It took the artist less than five minutes to create the basic layout above!

Art made out of recycle materials

As I stood on the balcony where masters of my forefathers once stood, below me black stones stared back at me, asking now what? Africa will never be like the west, yet still our leaders do everything to imitate their former oppressors. Is imitation the only way to archive advancement in Africa? If not, what and how do we advance? 

Recommend Read (Walter Rodney “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa)

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A Day At "Lac Rose"

Today I took my first tour to the north of SENEGAL. My second weekend in Dakar and it was Amazing!!! We went to see the “Lac Rose” which means “Pink Lake” one of the many tourist attractions in Senegal. It's called the Lac Rose because the high salt content, the microscopic algae and micro-organisms from the water give it a pink color. Depending on the time of the day and when the light passes through it turns to shades of pink/purple until late afternoon. From Dakar it took us about 1.5 hours to get there. Our return trip took about two hours. On the weekend public transportation is slower, however if you don’t have a private car the best means of getting to LAC ROSE is public transportation. We took the public bus call “Tata" got drop of at one of the Liberty 6 stops and took the taxi the rest of the way. Never pay the full prices propose by the drivers; always negotiate for a lesser price. 

As we drove to the site we engaged with a few locals, I was impressed with how welcoming they were. Hospitality is best defined by Africans. We finally got to the site, thanks to a wonderful taxi driver and we were all blown away. The scenery was breath taking! There are many activities one can do to keep busy through out the day, such as horse riding, camel riding, touring on four wheelers, touring by foot, etc. If you want to get a good work out take the tour on foot (about 8km), but make sure you take lots of water as it is very hot. Tourists have to be careful with the acumen strategy used by the women to purchase their hand made work. They approach you with a huge grin on their faces; no one in their right mind can dare walk away from. Present you with a gift (free of charge). The men are given necklaces, women bracelets or both. As you walk away, they then ask you to look at the supplies, how can one refuse to buy after such a nice gesture? However, don’t feel obligated.

Our first  attempt to capture the color of the Lake

Me attempting to carry a basket of supplies

They are so peaceful. Take a ride on them if you can

As we cross the lake, on the shore you see men/women extracting and carrying tons of salt

It's Ramadan in Senegal, so many are fasting.  The man steering the boat did not eat/drink all day! So when we got to the other side safe we were very happy

After 30mins of walking in the desert we finally got to a beach. Yeah!!!!

What a day! would love to stay and just enjoy the water.

Apart from being a tourist area, Lac Rose is one of the largest sources for extracting salt in Senegal. Women carried pounds of salt on their heads and due to my limited Wolof I could not engage them. It is quite obvious their job is physically and mentally hard for the men and women working at the lake. According to our tour guide, women who work on the lake for a long period are prone to birth defects and physical harm. Although, the conditions these women are facing are completely different from the low paying jobs in the States, my mind could not help wandering back to these few lines I jotted down a while back in United States…..

 Dream...?

Work! They say, so I work

Speak! They say, so I speak

Work Harder! So my hours become my family

The little ones are just numbers now

Speak Louder! So I shout but it’s not phonetically correct

Nobody can comprehend

Why am I working so hard?

Why am I shouting at the top of my lungs?

F***, I am 65 years old and I am still 99%

Senegal is not one of the richest countries on the continent when it pertains to resources, Senegal is one of the countries in West Africa that has enjoyed stability since independence from its colonizers. Yet, poverty is prevalent amongst its’ citizens. Like most African countries the justification for disparity among the rich and the poor in my opinion can be easily answered. However, we all have chosen specific reasons as to why poverty is prevalent in Africa.

 

I pose this question to all reading this: Who is benefiting the most from the vast resources extracted from Africa? The current methodologies use to eradicate poverty in Africa is not working, what do you propose?

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