Tobab Learns to Steal

Blog Post #20 -- Monica Rae

September 21st, 2021

Recently, I was touring the new 10 classroom addition at Brufut Lower Basic School in Brufut, Gambia.

Goats and naked African sheep (as I call them) grazed on the grassy courtyard that lay plentiful in the summer months. Men from town gathered to chat under the lush trees -- seemingly undisturbed by the 90% humidity. The rainy season would come to an end soon and students would flock to the new classrooms, attentive to lessons on the freshly hung blackboards.

An amazing collaboration of individuals bring their ideas, talents and determination to change the landscape of the next generation in this village in Africa. They belong to an organization called Casa Gambia. Their goal: to improve the education, health and living conditions of their people.

But why?

Why all the effort?

Why all the unpaid attention while they struggle to provide for their own families. Closing shops only when it's time to pray or too dark to stay open. Working for a sum of money that at best allows for basic provisions while often times requiring sacrifice of luxuries like a needed pair of shoes or a child's school uniform.

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During my recent stay in this peaceful coastal country, I heard a story from my favorite Gambian. I knew of his stellar performance in school -- a combination of his innate intellect and a healthy fear of his father -- who was a well informed teacher and respected leader in their town.

His success in adulthood is due in part to the diligence of his educational performance. So, it came as a surprise to hear that when he was a young student he would partner together with classmates to steal from the library! With readily available props (i.e. sticks) they would poke through open ways in the library walls to pull out books.

I was shocked!

"Why," I asked, " Would you steal?"

"Oh Rae," he relayed, "it wasn't stealing."

"Well did you return the books?"

"No."

"Then why did you do it?"

"Because we wanted to read them."

I was silenced.

This story was shared repeatedly throughout my stay. Surely someone must agree that this is stealing. I was regarded with the same response -- a smile, a nod and agreement that it wasn't stealing.

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I'm surrounded by libraries -- in fact there are two within a 10 minute drive of my apartment. Growing up I made weekly trips to libraries, never having a large enough pile and eager to return to find more. While other girls preferred makeup counters, craft/hobby stores or sports, I found sanctuary in the library. So naturally, I worked at a library and bookstore in my youth. I shared this passion for knowing and learning with my daughter starting at a young age. She doesn't share my zeal for piles of bound pages that smell like history and home.

I wonder...would she feel differently about books and reading if she did not have constant convenient access to the internet?

If knowing was more of a struggle.

I do not know.

What I do know is that to read, to write, to teach, to blog was and is convenient for me to pursue.

And that's just it.

I never had to steal in order to learn.

So, is it really stealing -- when what you are reaching for is to learn, to know, to imagine?

There is a truth to the adage that people who know about the value of struggle improve their learning potential.

Which begs the question. Are we complacent in our conveniences?

How far would we poke our feeble stick to obtain a glimpse of historical legends, medical advancements, animal oddities, mathematical processes? How much of our time and resources are we willing to use to make sure others can learn freely?

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A couple of weeks ago, I had an honest conversation with a friend. I was told all the pitfalls, challenges, and closed doors that possibly lay ahead of me as I pursue a balance of work, parenthood and my passions. I listened because his insights are usually rational and open minded.

I returned to our conversation the following day with the realization...

I would rather make a choice -- that challenges my level of comfort, that stretches muscles I was unaware I had, that changes my best laid plans -- then to live in a state of perpetual regret.

I don't need an audience, applause or approval to guide me. My gypsy lifestyle can attest to that.

What I do need though...

Is a very long stick.

A stick long enough to poke through the wonder.

To cry over the pride of children who steal books from libraries so they can stay up late reading them repeatedly by dim light.

To watch a teenager learn the profound lesson that it is truly more blessed to give than receive.

To stand beside the team of Casa Gambia in awe of their unrelenting drive to imagine and create better opportunities -- regardless of the hustle and sacrifice it requires.

To learn from teachers I have yet to meet.

On my recent stay in Brufut I learned many things.

One of which I was reminded of daily as I walked the muddied village roads. I am "Tobab" to toddlers and teenagers a like. (Tobab means 'white lady' in Mandinka--one of the native languages). The fearlessness with which I am welcomed in this country is the reason I wear this name tag with pride.

I was also a student to the 'rainy season' in Africa. I dismissed warnings from others regarding my arrival during this season. For surely, decades spent in subzero blizzard temperatures in middle America had prepared me for a bit of rain! This Tobab sweat daily, while sitting still, in the air conditioning!! Fatigue set in by mid day when humidity rose to levels I had never experienced. Roads became dangerous and electricity scattered. And yet every morning I woke to the sounds of the village -- children playing, shop keepers greeting, the call for prayer -- a reminder of the need to reflect on the creator instead of the circumstance.

I also learned -- I know nothing about washing clothes. Oh, it's true, in America, I can do laundry while cooking supper, vacuuming and catching up on my latest TV show. But washing each article of clothing by hand and laying it systematically in the sun so it dries without wrinkles is something I am still learning to master!

And by the end of my stay, I had come to learn what I had already been told...

Stealing books from libraries with sticks isn't stealing. It is longing combined with the willingness and determination to know!

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October is approaching and with it a long awaited journey to another African country, Cameroon. After almost 10 months of work and partnership with a brillliant Mounga Nfon Shema, we have arrived at the moment when 3 school libraries will be established in Garoua-Boulaï, Cameroon.

Together, with the help of donations, we will fill the shelves with books for children, teachers, and families to utilize. On this first trip, I will bring 1,200 books -- thousands more readily available in my apartment for subsequent trips.

Books on shelves

For children's hands

No sticks needed!!

DEDICATION: To Mounga, for your determination in the midst of the struggle, to work along side me to make Hope & Books for Cameroon become a reality. To Phillipe, whose talents will hold the treasures for the children. For my Gambian Smiler and the village of Brufut -- I'm proudly your Tobab.

We are still collecting monetary donations. Please check out our page or contact me in person. Hope & Books for Cameroon

https://gofund.me/e97e9263