Bill Blinton

8.3.08

I MET BILL BLINTON!

Well, at least that’s what my invitation said. I went to the garden (Fann) to work one day and a flurry of activity was around the DIG garden. I asked Lope what was going on and he told me that Laura Bush was visiting! Then a few moments later he amended his statement by saying George Bush was visiting! Not knowing what to believe, I just went to work weeding and watering the garden when I got a phone call from my APCD Massaly. He told me that a “high profile” guest would be visiting the garden (the DIG garden). I obviously asked right away if it was George Bush and Massaly began laughing. His laughter made me assume it wouldn’t be anyone quite THAT high profile, but then he said, “No, Bill Clinton is coming”. Even cooler! I found out that it was scheduled for Aug 3^rd, the Sunday I was supposed to leave for IST in Thies! I also found out it was an invitation only event. I spent the rest of my gardening time devising schemes that would get me into the event. Perhaps dressing as a caterer? Maybe a custodian? My mind began playing all the spy movies I had ever seen looking for an answer. Just as my creativity began to wane, I received another phone call. This time it was my country director Chris Hedrick. He called to tell me that he put my name on the list and that I had an invitation! So much for posing as a caterer! I received my invitation the Sunday of the event and thought it quite amusing when I realized they spelled Bill Clinton’s name wrong. Bill Blinton. Real smooth Senegal. The event itself was pretty low key though there was a lot of press invited. Basically the purpose of the visit was so Clinton could see how the garden looked and promote its good work. The garden (like mine) grows veggies for the HIV/AIDS patients to supplement their nutrition. Studies have shown that patients with better nutrition absorb their medications better. The garden also has one meal a week where patients, friends, and family come together to eat with the hopes of addressing the major stigma around AIDS that Senegal has. The Clinton Foundation has done amazing work lowering the prices of those medications making them more readily available for low income families who need them. Several people gave speeches and then Clinton spoke about his foundation and the great work the garden was doing.

 Random side note: One thing I have had fun learning is Senegalese phone etiquette. Basically you can answer your phone whenever it rings and it’s not considered rude. Even in movies or important meetings. While Clinton was giving his speech this woman’s phone rang loudly and I was shocked when she answered it and had a very loud conversation while Clinton was trying to speak!

 At the end, he shook some hands and YES, I DID meet him! Not only did I meet him, I was privileged enough to have a conversation with him. I told him I was a PC volunteer and worked in the garden every now and then. He thanked me for my work and we began talking about how Senegal will be a catalyst for other African countries to have similar projects. Inshallah!

 Other people of interest who were there: Chelsea Clinton (who stared daggers at me the whole time “daddy” and I talked), Ted Danson and his wife. Random. By the time it was over, it was late and raining so I decided to leave for Thies early the next morning.

From Bill Clinton Visit