Tabagne I was in for the first time in 1999, was my first experience in Africa as a volunteer. We have returned after six years, a very long period of absence during which I made a series of experiences in the Congo. Part of my heart, however, has remained in Tabagne.
E 'was just the first walk through the village, the first meetings, to understand that my relationship with this place is not the result of only the overflowing emotions of the first time where everything was exacerbated by inexperience is no longer inflated by THAT 'exoticism that to deny it affects us forever. I understand that in the meantime many things have matured. I see a Tabagne steeped in everyday life, and I am a person among the many who only seeks to join. It 'was a short visit, only two weeks, justified by urgent "techniques" to the mission of the sisters. I confess that I did not start with a light heart, because it is difficult to make sense of a journey so short, and at least in my opinion, is by no means certain that the trip is an "investment" for Africa, so you have to work hard to avoid to bring home more than you leave. I like to see things from this point of view!
A good portion of those fifteen days I've spent with a boy who helped me at work, especially plumbers and electricians. He had a great desire to learn, and I badly needed that our relationship was as calm and balanced as possible, based on collaboration rather than as often happens on the imposition of knowledge is not shared and therefore sterile. Two "colleagues", in short, that life events have led to work together for a short time, it is true, but perhaps because of it even more valuable. Having met this guy was a great opportunity for me, I received a lot from him, it is true, but I also had the opportunity to make available the minimum of techniques and tricks craft that will serve him in his work. Often repeated, trying not to give too much to see, work already done just to practice and after hours work ... a little 'theory. They are "almost" sure that everything we did together, he will do it alone. I arranged for him a kit and bought a manual hydraulics. Others will send you and thanks to the internet I have already sent a wiring diagram and the explanations, I just want to continue to follow him. Now I depend on him to prove that Tabagne for certain "jobs" do not need someone starts specially from Italy. It would be the greatest satisfaction, and basically my only prayer. It seems strange, but I miss the moments spent together in the evening, walking and talking more and less on more than speculation on the "difference of potential." I hope for him is the same thing.
In his spare time, not really, I did just what in Italy we do almost, and fatigue: I talked to the people! With the watchman of the CAM, with the lady who sells Begna the street, with people met by chance, with the driver, with the military checkpoint Bondoukou and many others. "Are nice because you're white," says someone perhaps more disenchanted me. "Italy is also full of white, but I do not seem all so attentive to human relationships, "I usually respond. During this period, moreover, the Ivorians do not seem very well disposed towards the French and is very easy to do all the white beam.
For the umpteenth time I realized that my "neighbor" is in Africa, whether it is an act of love or gratitude I can not say, I just know I need it.
Sometimes though, I realized that people were surprised that I gave you their trust, in some cases I was told openly. Wonder is all mine and do not understand where the misunderstanding is, as you must report to the next if not giving confiance?
I appreciated for the umpteenth time what it means to look into the eyes the next giving importance to gestures that seem less significant. I savor the silence, the greetings, unexpected meetings. I will be only one regret: the color of my skin, it is impossible to live one day without the superstructure that the "White" forces.
After years of political instability, I was expecting a Côte d'Ivoire in conditions far worse. At least the places I know, however, I look better than they were six years ago. After the first positive impressions, it was necessary to ask whether my judgments were influenced by the experience in the Congo where the barbarity of man, rather than the imponderables nature, has deprived communities of the essential things. But it is undeniable: six years ago there was this excitement building that you see everywhere, the roads and tracks are in good condition, Abidjan stores are full of all good things, and the fields are all grown. Bondoukou seems to me a town "sleepy" and almost ordered ... and I want to be optimistic. Sure, it's a strong contrast between a capital that, at least in some respects, it has nothing to envy to many European cities and villages as isolated Tabagne. Two realities seem light years away, but they are less than half a day's drive. And once again I understand the reason for my optimism: I do not feel as elsewhere the feeling of helplessness, discomfort of knowing the resources and means inaccessible and the obligation of having to rely exclusively on little or nothing available. Certainly increased the gap between rich and poor, but there are still the basis for improving the situation. Here the health and education, for example, may not be a problem of resources, but for the organization, especially moral and political choices. In Abidjan I needed to take Tabagne dictionaries and I found not only the best, but even in a supermarket, I bought the plumbing and carpentry manuals I was looking for a long time, I will send them to the Congo at the earliest opportunity.
What remains for me to experience? The certainty that often does not help that Africa needs, but of true collaboration and sharing.
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