News from Maison de la Gare
A Friday Morning at Maison de la Gare
Tweeter
Heartwarming observations of a Canadian partner, a 'fly on the wall'
This is an accidental report.
On a recent visit to Saint Louis, I was amazed on my first morning at Maison de
la Gare's 
centre to see 124 talibé children arrive over the course of a few hours.
They washed their clothes, took showers, watered the garden, got various cuts,
bruises and other medical concerns looked after, read books in the library, and
in general just hung out. Later in the morning, many got ready for their thrice
weekly karate classes. It all seemed so normal, a safe refuge from their days of
begging, a place where they can be cared for, take care of themselves and, for
many of them, discover possibilities for a richer life.
I started taking photos, and soon realized that this peaceful scene is itself a
story that needs to be told. Maison de la Gare's signature programs, in particular
literacy and math classes, take place in the afternoons when the three teachers
are present to teach up to 50 children each. However, more and more children are
coming to the center in the mornings, taking a break from begging to feel cared for
and safe for a few hours.
On that Friday morning I saw children drifting in one at a time, stopping to give
Noël or Abdou their name and daara. Somehow, this recording of the children's
presence is a very reassuring thing for them, recognizing and respecting their
importance as individuals.
After arriving, many children migrate quickly to the showers and toilets, and to
the large basin where they can wash their clothes. Others just find a comfortable
place to hang out. Bathe, the activities manager, keeps an eye on everyone and
helps out where he can. Binta, one of the center's nurses, is always available in
the mornings in the infirmary to care for the many children who line up seeking
medical attention. I couldn't help smiling as a couple of the younger talibés
energetically supported her 
by sweeping away the day's dust and sand.
Other young talibé children found a role helping Bathe in the garden, watering
the new pepper plant seedlings. Many other children filled the library, exploring
books and connecting on the Internet. At around 11, the children involved in
karate training began to get ready in their gi, their white karate outfits, and
soon about 30 of them were going diligently through their katas under the
supervision of a junior sensei while many other children watched.
Children came and went throughout the morning, begging bowls in hand, clearly
comfortable in this refuge from their hard lives on the streets. Maison de la
Gare adds a rich new dimension to their difficult lives, and a light of hope
for a better future.
