It was the birthday of my twin sisters yesterday----Marya and Teresita Corrigan. Both who are my inspiration---both who entered the world of teaching before I and who are an immense source of pride for me. As we begin to explore Fallou Ngom's hometown of Ziguinchor, Casamance and watch the respect and love his family affords him, I cannot help but reflect upon my fortune to have a family such as mine.
The day of June 15 began with a whirlwind tour of Fallou's neighborhood. We pull up to a compound on a dusty street. There are women sitting outside in the shade. Men in beautiful, colorful clothing seem to be expecting us. These are the brothers, uncles, nephews, and friends of Fallou. Already a force of personality, he seems to simply expand with pride for his "hood". There is a bit of commotion in the shade off to the right of our vans and it is his mother. Regal, in a yellow dress, beaming, she greets each one of about 20 of us, graciously, kindly, energetically. You can tell she is so proud of him. He has mentioned previously that SHE, of all people is responsible for his success. That he, quite a rebel in his day, simply could not bear to disappoint her---that his success in the French Baccalaureate system----a post high school exam where you must place in the top 10% to get into college---was due to wanting to please her. He didn't want her to cry. He did excel, obviously.
The family is large. We are ushered into the compound. As he moves up the ladder at Boston University, his remittances certainly assist the large group. We sit in a room with couches and he tells stories about stealing mangoes, trespassing at the airport. he talks about the Muslim neighbors---his own family was Muslim, the Catholic Creoles from Guinea Bissau across the way, the Mmadinka family whose father was the only one in the area with the standing to challenge his own Seereer father. We meet his father's second wife---whose sons are also his brothers of course. He calls her his auntie. A man from the neighborhood who served as a mentor and example of success sits beaming. His brother's wives are all around with children of their own. One of his brothers must run to proctor and exam. We move to other compounds. Hugs from neighbors. fast, animated, excited conversation. We are a group of curiosities but people can't be more gracious. Photos soon.
The day of June 15 began with a whirlwind tour of Fallou's neighborhood. We pull up to a compound on a dusty street. There are women sitting outside in the shade. Men in beautiful, colorful clothing seem to be expecting us. These are the brothers, uncles, nephews, and friends of Fallou. Already a force of personality, he seems to simply expand with pride for his "hood". There is a bit of commotion in the shade off to the right of our vans and it is his mother. Regal, in a yellow dress, beaming, she greets each one of about 20 of us, graciously, kindly, energetically. You can tell she is so proud of him. He has mentioned previously that SHE, of all people is responsible for his success. That he, quite a rebel in his day, simply could not bear to disappoint her---that his success in the French Baccalaureate system----a post high school exam where you must place in the top 10% to get into college---was due to wanting to please her. He didn't want her to cry. He did excel, obviously.
The family is large. We are ushered into the compound. As he moves up the ladder at Boston University, his remittances certainly assist the large group. We sit in a room with couches and he tells stories about stealing mangoes, trespassing at the airport. he talks about the Muslim neighbors---his own family was Muslim, the Catholic Creoles from Guinea Bissau across the way, the Mmadinka family whose father was the only one in the area with the standing to challenge his own Seereer father. We meet his father's second wife---whose sons are also his brothers of course. He calls her his auntie. A man from the neighborhood who served as a mentor and example of success sits beaming. His brother's wives are all around with children of their own. One of his brothers must run to proctor and exam. We move to other compounds. Hugs from neighbors. fast, animated, excited conversation. We are a group of curiosities but people can't be more gracious. Photos soon.
