A letter from Ebrima

The building has been going up quite quickly, with so many hands from the village pitching in and the mason and his crew working diligently on it. Here are some photos taken by Ebrima on two subsequent visits in late June and early July.

Also, here is a really touching email from Ebrima (Ebou) to my parents - the fundraising and promotion powerhouse in Canada - about the project. It really captures how the village feels about the house!

Dear Mr & Mrs Mullally,

I'm so happy to receive wonderful your email, and thanks a lot for your encouraging words! I'm so thrilled by the excitement that the birthing house has brought to everyone. As for me the most striking thing about this project is that I am yet to see its kind in rural Gambian villages where deliveries happen in unclean and unfavourable environment , so we are the pacesetters!

Yes, I and everyone in the village are all looking forward to see the successful completion of the project and the first baby to be born in the birthing house! I only wish to see you both here in the Gambia for a grand opening of the project! Attached are the photos of the building taken on Sunday and we are hoping to send you photos of the completed house inside the next months. Please tell everyone who put his or her money on the project that the women of Penyem are very much grateful and I can see lots of more collaboratiive work between us happening in the future. Until I hear from you again. thanks a lot.

Kind regards,

Ebou

“When we talk about understanding, surely it takes place only when the mind listens completely -- the mind being your heart, your nerves, your ears- when you give your whole attention to it.”
—Jiddu Krishnamurti

Walls started!

The team works quickly! Ebrima and I visited two weeks later and the walls were started. It was amazing to see the house literally taking shape.