The Dedication: 1/29/09

One day after the mural was officially finished, the employees at the clinic, some members of the neighborhood, the painting crew and the chief of the village came together to dedicate the work.

The day started of with some confusion. We were there at 10 a.m. when we were told things would start. Eduardo invited many of the people we’ve met on this journey. They included the museum director, the art school director and Joffa, our interpreter at the OBAMAKO event. With everyone there, it felt like  the last episode of Seinfeld.

Even though we were supposed to start at 10 a.m., we are used to Africa time where things tend to start late. A major difference between Mali and the U.S. is that things here are not very prompt, but they will definitely happen. In the U.S. when someone is going to be very late you consider rescheduling. Here, that’s not the case. As a sign of respect, the show will go on, even if it’s hours late.

Once we cut through the confusion and the language barrier, there was a touching cultural exchange and a fine dedication.

Everyone crowded outside the mural where the village chief, dugutigi, thanked Teresa and Eduardo for their work. He was very pleased with what they had done and sincerely appreciated all they put into the mural. He said we are part of the family now and asked that we share our story with everyone in the States.

The staff of the clinic also thanked them for the mural. They are very proud of the mural because it shows the work that is done in the clinic. It helps people not only to understand GAIA’s method of fighting the spread of HIV, but also showing how the clinic helps the village daily.

In addition to all of this, the village said they were especially touched that the work was done by a father, daughter tandem. They said it shows great honor that Teresa had decided to follow in the work of her father and that it was part of a project for Sikoro was especially meaningful.

Teresa and Eduardo told everyone how honored they were to do the work and how thankful they were for everyone’s help and support especially when it came to them speaking very little French or Bambara.

A short time later everyone gathered upstairs in the clinic. The chief then blessed the mural and everyone rejoiced.

A couple other things from today:

I was able to shoot in the maternity room. The young mothers in there were okay with it so I got some amazing video of two children less than 24 hours old. The facilities would make most people in the states cringe, but for where the clinic is, the rooms are very clean and the women have a nice bed to lay with their children after giving birth.

Also, one of the scenes in the mural has turned into a very funny joke in the clinic. It is the scene with a man and a woman and their shadows. All of the interns think the man looks like Eduardo and the woman looks like one of the interns. The intern’s name is Fatamata. The joke is that they are going to get married. Fatamata said it is going to be awkward for Eduardo’s wife. I had them recreate the scene.

 

We are off to Segou tomorrow so I most likely won’t post again until Sunday.

More photos from today: