Just Beginning

Wow! this means "yes" in Wollof. Yes I have some money to go ahead with this project.  I'm calling it River Gamiba Roots
I've been dreaming it for a longtime now. Fatou, kind woman who kept watch over the land for me has passed away. I still sense her presence there, inviting me with her smile, and her bowl. I want to fill this bowl with all good things: for the village, for the visitors, and the children of the future.
The land is on the river Gambia, and opposite James Island. Twice weekly, tourist boats visit this place, where once slaves were transported, having been stolen from their homes and villages.
Celebrated in the book Roots, by Alex Haley, this village, Albreda Juffure, now has a slavery museum, a cafe, and an American statue with the caption "never again". Otherwise life goes on as usual in this quiet fishing village.
The land is visible on Google Earth, at Albreda Juffure, just to the left of the long jetty. You can see some trees in the corner.
Before houses can be built, we need to stop the water coming in, using rocks. My friends Batch Ngom and Modou Jobe are coming to meet me, and bringing a team of guys to help raise up the land and make it water safe. Batch is our inspirational djembe teacher, Modou Jobe will be supporting us with transport and translation.