Destination Guinea

During the month I lived in Guinea I was fortunate to achieve all the goals I had been assigned. I had worked with organizations such as FONDIS, the Ministry of Tourism, and the University of Sonfonia toward the development of the Farenya Project. I had visited and worked in the Village of Farenya. I had survived both a car accident in the Fouta Djallon and more than one marriage proposal. Most importantly, I had somehow managed to acquire an F1 Student Visa for my friend, Moussa Fofana, to come study at the University of South Carolina.

The day I was scheduled to leave I was convinced I had done nearly everything there was to do in Guinea and I had experienced it all. I was mistaken.

I spent my final day in Guinea saying my goodbyes to the people I had been lucky enough to meet. Though it had only been a month, I had made many friends and I knew I would probably never see most of them again. I promised each person I would come back, and we would meet again. Something I very much would like to see happen.

My African host family While Mr. Bah was driving me around the city to say my farewells, he abruptly pulled the car to the side of the road and began to point out the rear window of the vehicle. We had just passed a taxi whose engine was engulfed in flames.

Bystanders surrounded the car trying to extinguish the flames by beating them out using tree limbs. It only took seconds before it became clear to me the flames were not being subdued, and the car might explode. I reached under my seat and grabbed the fire extinguisher and began running toward the car.

Using nearly the entire extent of my French language skills, I yelled out over the gathering group of onlookers, “Excusez–moi, Excusez–moi!!!! J’ai aide!!!” I pushed through the crowd and began to put the fire out.

Car sans flames I can thankfully say that during my years of working in restaurants in Columbia this was in no way my first time using a fire extinguisher. We were all fortunate the fire extinguisher actually worked.

After the fire had been put out, the people began to clap and shout “Foutay Foutay!!!” (Susu slang for white person). I can only imagine what the driver of the taxi must have thought to see his car’s engine go up in flames only to be extinguished by a loud American speaking broken French. On my last day in Africa, I finally felt I had done my part in building up America’s image in Guinea.

I spent the rest of my day preparing for my 11 pm check–in time at the Conakry International Airport. I must have packed and repacked my bag five times to accommodate all the gifts I was charged with distributing back in America. I arrived at the airport, checked my bag, and began the thankfully uneventful journey back to South Carolina. When I finally landed in Charlotte, I was met by my mother and stepfather who promptly took me to the nearest hot shower of which I was in dire need.

Recently emptied fire extinguisher Thanks Mom.
Mattress delivery truck
“Friends of Fisher”
Mr. Bah behind the wheel of his new car.
Home destroyed by neighbors as punishment for murder by the owner.