 |
|
ecologics – newsletter storyChildren of the Mali Region Tue 31 May 05
Who is an expert on children? Certainly not me, and I think I stopped really knowing about children when I stopped being one. The children here have duties and responsibilities as you would expect, but they seem to find fun in amongst it all, which is a charming characteristic of children everywhere. This is a remote community and quite small having not much contact with larger communities or cities, so for the most part must fend for itself. The life is harder here than in a city without many of the attractions that a city life offers, but in spite of that, or maybe because of that, children here are loved and happy, caring and competitive and pretty much the same as well adjusted children anywhere. This village is named Niaoulini, which sounds very like a kitten meowing and its just as beguiling. |
|
   |
|
Children have huge curiosity wherever you encounter them. They satisfy their curiosity with a minimum of caution and an open mind. A traveller in remote places encounters lots of curious children and it's a real treat every time it happens. I have heard it said that travel broadens the mind, but I guess that depends on how narrow it is before setting off. I think the big revelation is to what extent home town attitudes, and perhaps the media take, influences what you expect to see as you travel. Here in Mali, people work hard for a living, want more than they can afford, don't have running hot water and love the bones of their children. Everything looks a bit different to home, but it has this familiar feel about it. English becomes French, bricks become mud, tar seal becomes clay but the kids remain kids and that's very reassuring.
My daughter has very pale skin but this teenage lass could be her. She is one in a sea of pretty faces. She loves to look her best, clothes are clean and fashionable, she smiles at the stranger talking to her Dad, even though he is funny looking. She looks after her little brother and one day she will have matching shoes and hand bag. Nothing is different.