Donkey business

 A visit to the weekly cattle market in Kosti featured in this weekend’s programme. Together with one of the social workers, Frank orientated himself on the different kinds of donkeys. He was explained that there a many different kinds of Sudanese donkeys and not all of them would be suitable for the DonKIT project. After the necessary talking, negotiating, laughing, stroking (the donkey) and riding, they had gathered enough information to nearly become ‘donkey experts’ themselves. But besides donkeys there were plenty of other animals to admire: a beautiful horse (without teeth), cows, chicken (hanging upside-down on a truck) and many more. An interesting visit indeed!

DonKIT

One of the projects Frank and his team are working on proves that innovation and traditions can go hand-in-hand. The starting point of the so-called DONKIT is the most common means of transport here: a donkey. I can already read your minds, thinking “What are you planning to do with a donkey??” Well, let us explain…In order to give remote and vulnerable communities access to media, this donkey will be equipped with multi media equipment (laptops, beamer, microphones etc…), but also traditional play equipment. The aim is to offer the children new accessible ways of expressing themselves and have access to information. Naturally, the construction and type of materials is carefully being thought through, with the help of national and international innovative experts. The DonKIT will entirely run on solar power, since sunshine is in abundance here! The DonKIT can easily pass by different communities, since it is one of the few means of transport that is able and used to cope with the dry sandy ‘roads’ in the district. We will keep you posted on this DonKIT journey!

Food and timing

Traditional Sudanese dish: Foul

It seems natural for people to think that his/her customs are the 'right' ones. The timing of the meals here in Sudan confirms that everything is relative. The other day my supervisor at the University asked me if I had already had breakfast.On itself, not a peculiar question, but the fact that it was 13.00 PM shows that the Sudanese have rather late breakfasts (from a Dutch point of view ;). Most office hours here run from 8.30-16.30 PM and after work it is time for lunch. So yesterday I had lunch while the sun was descending. You can imagine that the dinners are generally being served when I would normally be in bed. Something to take into account when you are being invited for a Sudanese dinner!

Dusty storms

Last night we both woke up by the sounds of banging doors and windows: storm! This is supposed to be a sign of the coming rain season in Sudan, but (at least in Khartoum) the only thing that was seen today was dust,..a lot of dust! These dust storms are called 'haboob' in Arabic and they come with a surprising strength. The dust literally goes into places you wouldn't imagine; even the pages of the books inside my bag (that was standing inside a room at the University) were dusty. Somehow the dust creeps through all holes and cracks in the walls. I even couldn't get the song 'Dust in the wind' out of my head! When I got home I opened the door and I felt that the door was resisting. When I peeped around the corner I saw my appropriate welcome-home-present: a big pile of dust!

Atmosphere

Ahfad University for Women (Khartoum)

Today, my first official 'working day' at the Ahfad University for Women was a fact. I am aiming to conduct a social research on the impact of e-learning, in collaboration with various other people involved in this e-learning project in the White Nile District (in Kosti, were Frank is also based). The looks and atmosphere of the university are something totally different. Instead of moving straight to the content of the work, I was welcomed with two big falafel sandwiches, fresh mango juice, exchanging of e-mail addresses and conversations about life, marriage and family. As a bonus I was taught some new Arabic words by the women who have put themselves the goal to turn me into a fluent Arabic speaker in a few weeks. In short: a very welcoming atmosphere, I look forward to get used to!

Beauty secrets

When I think of Dutch beauty salons, I think of nice smells, peaceful instrumental music, individual care and complete relaxation. I can assure you, a visit to a Sudanese 'salon' is a complete different experience. I was invited by a sister of one of Franks colleagues; she said that I had to go there for a 'Henna treatment'. Only married women are allowed to have a henna tattoo, since it symbolises fertility (I only heard that afterwards by the way). Entering the gloomy small building gave me an idea of entering a different world; uncountable laughing, chatting, shouting, sleeping, Koran-reading, gossiping women busy with their hair, skin waxing, permanent make-up and of course henna. All packed in the same room. While the henna was being done on my feet, I had several 'coaches' who gave me different advice on which pattern of the henna should be applied on what foot. After three hours I left the building with a henna tattoo to everyone's satisfaction, with a promise that I had to come back soon,.. for my hands.

Visitors for water

new friends in the garden

Water is obviously essential for everyone. Especially in a country like Sudan, where the landscape consists of plentiful deserts (see satellite map of Sudan), water is extremely precious. Only the Blue and the White Nile grant some green vegetation and 'refreshment'. Since the rainy season slowly started in Kosti, Frank has welcomed some new visitors on the office premises. They initially seemed to perform a special show; they climbed on top of each others back and formed one pile, all facing the same direction. But they were too shy to be pictured like that, so the attached photo was taken just after their 'performance'.