Ships log # 12
The previous week continues ...

Saturday (last week)
Up early today for a visit to a local orphange which is part of another Mercy ministry taken on by members of the crew.  Traffic was very heavy this morning due to unrest in the part of the city which was thru the most direct route.  We took nearly 3hr to get there instead of the usually 45-60 min.  Our return journey fortunately took just 40 min.  Needless to say we were very hot, tired and extremely hungry when we finally returned to the Africa Mercy.

The orpahange is run by the the very kind Mr Lazares and houses about 25 children ranging from toddles to 10 year olds.  Mercy Ship personnel have visited on a weekly basis since Aug 2012 offering support for playtimes, the emotional needs of individual children, and sometimes gifts of excess food and supplies. We  waited patiently for the children who were initially shy at the new faces but then keen to interact once their tummies were fill (morning tea time). 

 

We brought balloons and whistle blowers - both of which were an interesting phenomenon for the children. Balloons intrigued them and with no wind and heavy humidity they stayed down nearer ground level so could be enjoyed by all ages.

 This wee girl was thoroughly engrossed in her balloon and followed it all over the courtyard despite the limitation of a leg in plaster.

The whistle blowers (typically seen at small children's birthday parties) were a great hit initially but as the extendable tube became crumpled, damp and didn't recoil nicely the children tired of them and wanted a new one. So typical of any child worldwide, but the older children soon discovered that the whistle actually blew louder without the extension so they were rapidly torn off and several of the remaining mouth pieces were stacked together to make a very piercing noise - especially by the boys !!

It was actually quite fortunate that we were delayed in returning to the ship because the ships engines were getting a bit of major maintenance done and there was to be a full shut down of power for at least 4 hr, possibly longer.  It was all sorted come our return. and the movie night  proceeded as planned showing the "The Great Escape" - we can't be too fussy here with regards available movies and it was just as intertaining 2nd time around.

Also what was fortunate about the slow traffic this morning to the orphange (I try to be the one  to find the positives) as we literally crawled at a little slower than walking pace thru the outskirts of Conakry seeing even more of the real Guinea than I have seen before.

The industry occurring on the side of the road continues to amaze me... heres just some of what I have seen...



 ... an electrical supply stall, selling peeled lemonds as well,

 ...concrete tile manufacture and sale,

 ...plumbing and bathroom fittings,

 ...oversized lounge suites (not sure how many people actually had houses that would fit these chairs ?)

 ...cigarette and telephone card stall,

 .... green vegetable stall (note the woman carrying the bowl of produce on her head also has a baby strapped to her back - denoted by the two socked feet sticking out from each side of her waist),

....jandal/thong stall,

 ...wrought iron manufacture  (especially gates and railings),

...fruit (with lots of mangoes but have discovered gorgeous avocado that are big and of a finer texture than at home) and coconut stall,

...and reinforcing iron sales (these hugely unmagable bundles were often carried by a single man  along the road to the required building site),

.. as well as activities of daily living that go on around me that includes children of all ages involved in contributing to essential chores, often appearing way beyond their capabilites, eg. carrying loads on their heads from the market to their homes.

Some typical  suburban street scenes here in Conakry include dirt roads anywhere off the main thoroughfares, and transport of produce from house to house (see eggs below) atop heads.

My general impressions of life here is one of shanty towns (often made of tauparlins, old wrought iron, and recycled wood) dirt, mud, and piles of rubbish that are integrated into living and cooking areas, colourful attire worn by both men and women whether they be christian or muslim (approx 95%), beggers, pleaders of health care (eg. for blindness) or just for food.  Vendors are VERY keen to sell to you and offer higher than normal prices - one must bargain furiously with them and everyone of us has been had by paying way more than the locals would have.  It has been quite a challenge and uncomfotable at times.