By Kim Willsher in Paris, Sunday Telegraph

A crisis of confidence caused by corruption scandals, French support
of dictatorial regimes and a lack of political direction is
threatening Paris's special relationship with the continent. It is
also being squeezed out by emerging economic powers, such as China
and India, which are anxious to forge links with oil-rich African
nations.

In an attempt to reverse the waning of French post-colonial
influence, Jacques Chirac, the French president, hosted the 24th
Franco-African summit in Cannes last week. More than 30 African heads
of state attended, many to say farewell to Mr Chirac - known as "Papa
Afrique" - who has become a personal friend in his attempt to
continue France's self-appointed dual role as protector and policeman
in the region.

At the end of the two-day summit, at which 48 of Africa's 53 nations
were represented, Omar Bongo, president of Gabon praised the French
president, but criticised Miss Royal and Mr Sarkozy. "As far as I'm
concerned neither of them understand anything about Africa," he said.

There were, however, notable absences. Among them was Paul Kagame,
the Rwandan president, who holds France responsible for the slaughter
of as many as one million of his people in the 1994 massacres. He
claims that Paris supported, funded and trained the "genocidal
regime" that carried out the 100-day slaughter of Rwandan Tutsis and
moderate Hutus. He announced last week that he intended to break away
from the Francophone -grouping and apply to join the Commonwealth.

President Laurent Gbagbo of the Ivory Coast also boycotted the event,
as he has since 2002. He is reported to have fallen out with Mr
Chirac after accusing him of allowing French troops stationed in the
former colony - as they are in Chad, Djibouti, Gabon and Senegal - to
take sides in the country's internal feuds.

advertisement
Thabo Mbeki, the South African president, whose relationship with
France cooled in 2005 after Mr Chirac described his peace efforts in
the Ivory Coast as ineffective, was also absent.

Africa experts say France is suffering from a "lack of direction" on
the continent. "There is a crisis of confidence in France about what
to do about Africa," said Tom Cargill, manager of the Africa Project
at Chatham House in London.

Uncertainty is being fuelled because neither Ségolène Royal nor
Nicolas Sarkozy, frontrunners to succeed Mr Chirac in May's
presidential elections, have the same affection or regard for Africa.

Jean-Paul Gourévitch, the author of France in Africa and an adviser
to the French government on Africa, added: "Jacques Chirac genuinely
believes in Africa and believes in the development of Africa. The new
generation of politicians haven't the same contacts and will approach
Africa with less emotion and more economic considerations."

Mr Sarkozy, 52, is more concerned with controlling immigration from
African countries and has called for a new relationship that
is "cleaner, free of complexes, clear of the dregs of the past and of
obsolescent ideas". Miss Royal, 54, despite being born in Senegal
when it was still a French colony, appears to have little interest in
Africa.

For many French African immigrants scraping a living in Paris, Mr
Chirac and the continent's leaders might as well be meeting on a
different planet.

"They call him Chirac the African but it's just a joke," said Messan,
25, an engineer and sans papiers (illegal immigrant) from
Togo. "France, Britain, Europe, America... none of them give a stuff
about Africa except for what they can get. And it's going to get
worse for us. France is going to do deals with African leaders to get
us sent back."

Lamine, 23, a musician from Senegal, added: "Why isn't Chirac talking
to African trade unionists, to human rights activists, to poor
workers, to immigrants to find out what they want?"

The French Riviera, where the conference is being held, is a place
with many reminders of the darker side of Franco-African affairs.

Perched in the hillsides overlooking Cannes are the luxurious villas
and bolt-holes of numerous African despots past and present, most
infamous among them Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (who died in 1997) and
Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier of Haiti.

In the 1960s France promised military and financial aid to
promote "stability" in its newly independent colonies - which often
meant propping up unelected and corrupt dictators. When, despite
Paris's support, they were finally overthrown, France offered them
refuge and hospitality.

Mr Gorévitch said that supporting dictators was the result of
France's rigid rule on Africa: stability at all costs.

"The policy hasn't changed since de Gaulle," he said. "France
supports the country not the head of that country. So it supports a
country even if it's run by a dictator."

Critics, however, say French foreign policy has been driven by self-
interest and, more recently, by a determination to prevent American
or British influence spreading.

Mr Chirac said: "Relations between France and Africa are vital to our
countries," adding that he hoped that "all the [presidential]
candidates would appreciate the fundamental importance of Africa in
the world".

He added that France was ready to evacuate 2,000 French residents,
4,000 Lebanese and between 500 and 600 Americans from the
impoverished West African country of Guinea where a state of martial
law has been declared following protests against the president
Lansana Conté.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?
xml=/news/2007/02/18/wafrica18.xml

Hi Bob!

When you were in Gabon, did all you guys ever go to a bar in Franceville called
"Marianne's"? In the 80s it was the place to meet when the construction guys
came through to get loads of sand or other supplies. A watering hole or
cold-beer mecca.

I never saw the place but have always wondered what it was like.

Darcy


-----Original Message-----
From: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com on behalf of bobutne
Sent: Sun 2/18/2007 4:20 PM
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Gabon Discussion] France watches Africa slip from its grasp.

By Kim Willsher in Paris, Sunday Telegraph

A crisis of confidence caused by corruption scandals, French support
of dictatorial regimes and a lack of political direction is
threatening Paris's special relationship with the continent. It is
also being squeezed out by emerging economic powers, such as China
and India, which are anxious to forge links with oil-rich African
nations.

In an attempt to reverse the waning of French post-colonial
influence, Jacques Chirac, the French president, hosted the 24th
Franco-African summit in Cannes last week. More than 30 African heads
of state attended, many to say farewell to Mr Chirac - known as "Papa
Afrique" - who has become a personal friend in his attempt to
continue France's self-appointed dual role as protector and policeman
in the region.

At the end of the two-day summit, at which 48 of Africa's 53 nations
were represented, Omar Bongo, president of Gabon praised the French
president, but criticised Miss Royal and Mr Sarkozy. "As far as I'm
concerned neither of them understand anything about Africa," he said.

There were, however, notable absences. Among them was Paul Kagame,
the Rwandan president, who holds France responsible for the slaughter
of as many as one million of his people in the 1994 massacres. He
claims that Paris supported, funded and trained the "genocidal
regime" that carried out the 100-day slaughter of Rwandan Tutsis and
moderate Hutus. He announced last week that he intended to break away
from the Francophone -grouping and apply to join the Commonwealth.

President Laurent Gbagbo of the Ivory Coast also boycotted the event,
as he has since 2002. He is reported to have fallen out with Mr
Chirac after accusing him of allowing French troops stationed in the
former colony - as they are in Chad, Djibouti, Gabon and Senegal - to
take sides in the country's internal feuds.

advertisement
Thabo Mbeki, the South African president, whose relationship with
France cooled in 2005 after Mr Chirac described his peace efforts in
the Ivory Coast as ineffective, was also absent.

Africa experts say France is suffering from a "lack of direction" on
the continent. "There is a crisis of confidence in France about what
to do about Africa," said Tom Cargill, manager of the Africa Project
at Chatham House in London.

Uncertainty is being fuelled because neither Ségolène Royal nor
Nicolas Sarkozy, frontrunners to succeed Mr Chirac in May's
presidential elections, have the same affection or regard for Africa.

Jean-Paul Gourévitch, the author of France in Africa and an adviser
to the French government on Africa, added: "Jacques Chirac genuinely
believes in Africa and believes in the development of Africa. The new
generation of politicians haven't the same contacts and will approach
Africa with less emotion and more economic considerations."

Mr Sarkozy, 52, is more concerned with controlling immigration from
African countries and has called for a new relationship that
is "cleaner, free of complexes, clear of the dregs of the past and of
obsolescent ideas". Miss Royal, 54, despite being born in Senegal
when it was still a French colony, appears to have little interest in
Africa.

For many French African immigrants scraping a living in Paris, Mr
Chirac and the continent's leaders might as well be meeting on a
different planet.

"They call him Chirac the African but it's just a joke," said Messan,
25, an engineer and sans papiers (illegal immigrant) from
Togo. "France, Britain, Europe, America... none of them give a stuff
about Africa except for what they can get. And it's going to get
worse for us. France is going to do deals with African leaders to get
us sent back."

Lamine, 23, a musician from Senegal, added: "Why isn't Chirac talking
to African trade unionists, to human rights activists, to poor
workers, to immigrants to find out what they want?"

The French Riviera, where the conference is being held, is a place
with many reminders of the darker side of Franco-African affairs.

Perched in the hillsides overlooking Cannes are the luxurious villas
and bolt-holes of numerous African despots past and present, most
infamous among them Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (who died in 1997) and
Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier of Haiti.

In the 1960s France promised military and financial aid to
promote "stability" in its newly independent colonies - which often
meant propping up unelected and corrupt dictators. When, despite
Paris's support, they were finally overthrown, France offered them
refuge and hospitality.

Mr Gorévitch said that supporting dictators was the result of
France's rigid rule on Africa: stability at all costs.

"The policy hasn't changed since de Gaulle," he said. "France
supports the country not the head of that country. So it supports a
country even if it's run by a dictator."

Critics, however, say French foreign policy has been driven by self-
interest and, more recently, by a determination to prevent American
or British influence spreading.

Mr Chirac said: "Relations between France and Africa are vital to our
countries," adding that he hoped that "all the [presidential]
candidates would appreciate the fundamental importance of Africa in
the world".

He added that France was ready to evacuate 2,000 French residents,
4,000 Lebanese and between 500 and 600 Americans from the
impoverished West African country of Guinea where a state of martial
law has been declared following protests against the president
Lansana Conté.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?
xml=/news/2007/02/18/wafrica18.xml








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

BELINGA, Gabon, Feb 26 (Reuters) By Antoine Lawson - The pygmies of
Gabon's lush northeast equatorial forests may soon be learning
Chinese.

Buried deep in thick jungle in the least populated corner of the oil-
producing central African state is one of the world's biggest
untapped reserves of iron ore, waiting to be developed. But the
country selected by Gabon to help exploit the huge Belinga iron ore
deposit is not former colonial ruler France, or any other resource-
gobbling Western industrial power.

The chosen partner is China, the newest and hungriest raw materials
raider on the African continent. The Belinga deal in Gabon is only
the latest of a string of multi-billion-dollar energy and commodities
contracts secured by the Asian economic giant to feed its ravenous
economy. China is the world's top steel producer and biggest importer
of iron ore.

After years of stagnation and neglect, people in and around the
isolated Gabonese village of Belinga, surrounded by virgin forest,
are agog with expectation about the arrival of the Chinese and how
this can improve their lives.

Although the consortium chosen to develop the mine, led by state-
owned China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corp., is
only just starting its work on the ground, locals are expecting a
windfall in jobs and other economic benefits.

"All of the people's hopes are riding on the exploitation of the
Belinga iron ore deposit ... the people are waiting for the work to
get going," said Andre Nkoghe Ella, mayor of Makokou, the regional
capital, around 110 km (68 miles) from Belinga.

The Chinese group plans to begin work this year and complete the
project in three years. The Belinga deposit is reported to have
proven iron ore reserves of more than 500 million tonnes.

The $3 billion total investment -- about the level of Gabon's annual
budget -- foresees construction of a 560 km (350 mile) railway to
carry the ore to Cape Santa Clara on the Atlantic coast, a bulk
commodities and container port there and two hydroelectric power
stations. At the moment, the journey from Makokou to Belinga is
either a muddy drive through hills on a dirt road or a more leisurely
motor canoe trip up the Ivindo river, between banks choked with
tropical foliage and teeming with game.

Local inhabitants, including pygmies living in neighbouring forests,
eke out a meagre living by hunting, fishing or cultivating crops.

"There's everything to be done in this almost forgotten area --
roads, electricity and even running water," says boatman Firmin
Tcheka, 41.

It was the Chinese group's promises to tackle all of the basic
infrastructure required to make the project work that won them the
Belinga contract in the face of tough competition.

Brazilian mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD)
<VALE5.SA><RIO.N> and French nickel firm Eramet <ERMT.PA> had
originally been part of the consortium eyeing Belinga. But they
pulled out because they were unwilling to bear the cost of building
the accompanying infrastructure in such a remote, undeveloped
location more than 500 km (300 miles) east of Gabon's capital,
Libreville.

The Chinese consortium picked for Belinga includes state-owned Export-
Import Bank of China, which like its U.S. European and Japanese
counterparts, helps finance its country's firms overseas.

Many African governments like the no-strings-attached approach of the
Chinese, who offer aid or loans not linked to demands for good
governance, transparency or improvements in human rights -- the
Western recipe for development packages.

"When the Chinese come they can provide financing, without a lot of
strings or moralising," said a Gabonese government adviser when he
accompanied President Omar Bongo on a visit to Beijing in
November. "They say, 'the Europeans will come with a lot of
conditions, but we won't interfere'. That's very attractive to
governments here," the adviser added.

Underpinning the Belinga project are more than three decades of
cordial ties between Bongo, Africa's longest serving ruler, and
China. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1974 and
Bongo has visited China at least 10 times. Chinese companies have
constructed roads and public buildings in Gabon and are also mining
manganese and exploring for oil and gas. Bongo hails the Belinga iron
ore venture as "the project of the century" and has made clear he
expects it to create thousands of jobs for his people.

Sensitive to suggestions that China might import its own technicians
and skilled labourers to carry out the project, China's ambassador to
Gabon, Xue Jinwei, says there should be more than enough jobs to go
round -- perhaps 20,000 or more.

"We're talking about a big project that includes the construction of
a port, a railway, dams and the exploitation of the mine itself.
That's a big job that is going to need a lot of people," the
ambassador said.

In anticipation of finding work, miners who once worked at a now
closed uranium mine at Mounana in the southeast of the country have
traveled north to Belinga.

Once in operation, the Belinga mine will sell all its iron ore to
Chinese steel mills. China's hunger for iron ore has grown as its
industry churns out steel for the ships that carry its exports, for
the cars that crowd its roads, and the skyscrapers that crown its
teeming cities.

But in the hamlets and villages around Belinga, the expectations are
more modest.

"I hope that the Chinese can build a nice school, a library with lots
of books," said Nicolas Essone, aged 8, one of several barefoot
children studying at Belinga's mud-hut school.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

In the early 60's, Bethlehem Steel contemplated developing the iron
ore mountain at Belinga. Now, as expected by me since my return to
Gabon in 2002, the Chinese have assumed the mantle as the number one
foreign entity in Gabon. The US isn't even on the radar screen.

Hi Bob,

Big news! What do you think the pygmies think about this?


-----Original Message-----
From: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com on behalf of bobutne
Sent: Sun 2/25/2007 8:18 PM
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Gabon Discussion] China and Gabon



BELINGA, Gabon, Feb 26 (Reuters) By Antoine Lawson - The pygmies of
Gabon's lush northeast equatorial forests may soon be learning
Chinese.

Buried deep in thick jungle in the least populated corner of the oil-
producing central African state is one of the world's biggest
untapped reserves of iron ore, waiting to be developed. But the
country selected by Gabon to help exploit the huge Belinga iron ore
deposit is not former colonial ruler France, or any other resource-
gobbling Western industrial power.

The chosen partner is China, the newest and hungriest raw materials
raider on the African continent. The Belinga deal in Gabon is only
the latest of a string of multi-billion-dollar energy and commodities
contracts secured by the Asian economic giant to feed its ravenous
economy. China is the world's top steel producer and biggest importer
of iron ore.

After years of stagnation and neglect, people in and around the
isolated Gabonese village of Belinga, surrounded by virgin forest,
are agog with expectation about the arrival of the Chinese and how
this can improve their lives.

Although the consortium chosen to develop the mine, led by state-
owned China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corp., is
only just starting its work on the ground, locals are expecting a
windfall in jobs and other economic benefits.

"All of the people's hopes are riding on the exploitation of the
Belinga iron ore deposit ... the people are waiting for the work to
get going," said Andre Nkoghe Ella, mayor of Makokou, the regional
capital, around 110 km (68 miles) from Belinga.

The Chinese group plans to begin work this year and complete the
project in three years. The Belinga deposit is reported to have
proven iron ore reserves of more than 500 million tonnes.

The $3 billion total investment -- about the level of Gabon's annual
budget -- foresees construction of a 560 km (350 mile) railway to
carry the ore to Cape Santa Clara on the Atlantic coast, a bulk
commodities and container port there and two hydroelectric power
stations. At the moment, the journey from Makokou to Belinga is
either a muddy drive through hills on a dirt road or a more leisurely
motor canoe trip up the Ivindo river, between banks choked with
tropical foliage and teeming with game.

Local inhabitants, including pygmies living in neighbouring forests,
eke out a meagre living by hunting, fishing or cultivating crops.

"There's everything to be done in this almost forgotten area --
roads, electricity and even running water," says boatman Firmin
Tcheka, 41.

It was the Chinese group's promises to tackle all of the basic
infrastructure required to make the project work that won them the
Belinga contract in the face of tough competition.

Brazilian mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD)
<VALE5.SA><RIO.N> and French nickel firm Eramet <ERMT.PA> had
originally been part of the consortium eyeing Belinga. But they
pulled out because they were unwilling to bear the cost of building
the accompanying infrastructure in such a remote, undeveloped
location more than 500 km (300 miles) east of Gabon's capital,
Libreville.

The Chinese consortium picked for Belinga includes state-owned Export-
Import Bank of China, which like its U.S. European and Japanese
counterparts, helps finance its country's firms overseas.

Many African governments like the no-strings-attached approach of the
Chinese, who offer aid or loans not linked to demands for good
governance, transparency or improvements in human rights -- the
Western recipe for development packages.

"When the Chinese come they can provide financing, without a lot of
strings or moralising," said a Gabonese government adviser when he
accompanied President Omar Bongo on a visit to Beijing in
November. "They say, 'the Europeans will come with a lot of
conditions, but we won't interfere'. That's very attractive to
governments here," the adviser added.

Underpinning the Belinga project are more than three decades of
cordial ties between Bongo, Africa's longest serving ruler, and
China. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1974 and
Bongo has visited China at least 10 times. Chinese companies have
constructed roads and public buildings in Gabon and are also mining
manganese and exploring for oil and gas. Bongo hails the Belinga iron
ore venture as "the project of the century" and has made clear he
expects it to create thousands of jobs for his people.

Sensitive to suggestions that China might import its own technicians
and skilled labourers to carry out the project, China's ambassador to
Gabon, Xue Jinwei, says there should be more than enough jobs to go
round -- perhaps 20,000 or more.

"We're talking about a big project that includes the construction of
a port, a railway, dams and the exploitation of the mine itself.
That's a big job that is going to need a lot of people," the
ambassador said.

In anticipation of finding work, miners who once worked at a now
closed uranium mine at Mounana in the southeast of the country have
traveled north to Belinga.

Once in operation, the Belinga mine will sell all its iron ore to
Chinese steel mills. China's hunger for iron ore has grown as its
industry churns out steel for the ships that carry its exports, for
the cars that crowd its roads, and the skyscrapers that crown its
teeming cities.

But in the hamlets and villages around Belinga, the expectations are
more modest.

"I hope that the Chinese can build a nice school, a library with lots
of books," said Nicolas Essone, aged 8, one of several barefoot
children studying at Belinga's mud-hut school.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

In the early 60's, Bethlehem Steel contemplated developing the iron
ore mountain at Belinga. Now, as expected by me since my return to
Gabon in 2002, the Chinese have assumed the mantle as the number one
foreign entity in Gabon. The US isn't even on the radar screen.




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I recall seeing groups of Chinese workers when I used to pass in front of the
new Senate during its construction. I also remember when the Chinese president
visited Libreville a couple of years ago. Huge signs of him with Bongo adorned
the Bord de mer from the airport all the way to downtown.

Many interesting articles about Chinese involvement in Gabon can be found here
(in French):

http://forum.hkcinemagic.com/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=27&t=4241

- Brad Hodges



Darcy Meijer <darcy.meijer@...> a écrit :
Hi Bob,

  Big news! What do you think the pygmies think about this?

  -----Original Message-----
  From: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com on behalf of bobutne
  Sent: Sun 2/25/2007 8:18 PM
  To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
  Subject: [Gabon Discussion] China and Gabon


  BELINGA, Gabon, Feb 26 (Reuters) By Antoine Lawson - The pygmies of
  Gabon's lush northeast equatorial forests may soon be learning
  Chinese.

  Buried deep in thick jungle in the least populated corner of the oil-
  producing central African state is one of the world's biggest
  untapped reserves of iron ore, waiting to be developed. But the
  country selected by Gabon to help exploit the huge Belinga iron ore
  deposit is not former colonial ruler France, or any other resource-
  gobbling Western industrial power.

  The chosen partner is China, the newest and hungriest raw materials
  raider on the African continent. The Belinga deal in Gabon is only
  the latest of a string of multi-billion-dollar energy and commodities
  contracts secured by the Asian economic giant to feed its ravenous
  economy. China is the world's top steel producer and biggest importer
  of iron ore.

  After years of stagnation and neglect, people in and around the
  isolated Gabonese village of Belinga, surrounded by virgin forest,
  are agog with expectation about the arrival of the Chinese and how
  this can improve their lives.

  Although the consortium chosen to develop the mine, led by state-
  owned China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corp., is
  only just starting its work on the ground, locals are expecting a
  windfall in jobs and other economic benefits.

  "All of the people's hopes are riding on the exploitation of the
  Belinga iron ore deposit ... the people are waiting for the work to
  get going," said Andre Nkoghe Ella, mayor of Makokou, the regional
  capital, around 110 km (68 miles) from Belinga.

  The Chinese group plans to begin work this year and complete the
  project in three years. The Belinga deposit is reported to have
  proven iron ore reserves of more than 500 million tonnes.

  The $3 billion total investment -- about the level of Gabon's annual
  budget -- foresees construction of a 560 km (350 mile) railway to
  carry the ore to Cape Santa Clara on the Atlantic coast, a bulk
  commodities and container port there and two hydroelectric power
  stations. At the moment, the journey from Makokou to Belinga is
  either a muddy drive through hills on a dirt road or a more leisurely
  motor canoe trip up the Ivindo river, between banks choked with
  tropical foliage and teeming with game.

  Local inhabitants, including pygmies living in neighbouring forests,
  eke out a meagre living by hunting, fishing or cultivating crops.

  "There's everything to be done in this almost forgotten area --
  roads, electricity and even running water," says boatman Firmin
  Tcheka, 41.

  It was the Chinese group's promises to tackle all of the basic
  infrastructure required to make the project work that won them the
  Belinga contract in the face of tough competition.

  Brazilian mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD)
  <VALE5.SA><RIO.N> and French nickel firm Eramet <ERMT.PA> had
  originally been part of the consortium eyeing Belinga. But they
  pulled out because they were unwilling to bear the cost of building
  the accompanying infrastructure in such a remote, undeveloped
  location more than 500 km (300 miles) east of Gabon's capital,
  Libreville.

  The Chinese consortium picked for Belinga includes state-owned Export-
  Import Bank of China, which like its U.S. European and Japanese
  counterparts, helps finance its country's firms overseas.

  Many African governments like the no-strings-attached approach of the
  Chinese, who offer aid or loans not linked to demands for good
  governance, transparency or improvements in human rights -- the
  Western recipe for development packages.

  "When the Chinese come they can provide financing, without a lot of
  strings or moralising," said a Gabonese government adviser when he
  accompanied President Omar Bongo on a visit to Beijing in
  November. "They say, 'the Europeans will come with a lot of
  conditions, but we won't interfere'. That's very attractive to
  governments here," the adviser added.

  Underpinning the Belinga project are more than three decades of
  cordial ties between Bongo, Africa's longest serving ruler, and
  China. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1974 and
  Bongo has visited China at least 10 times. Chinese companies have
  constructed roads and public buildings in Gabon and are also mining
  manganese and exploring for oil and gas. Bongo hails the Belinga iron
  ore venture as "the project of the century" and has made clear he
  expects it to create thousands of jobs for his people.

  Sensitive to suggestions that China might import its own technicians
  and skilled labourers to carry out the project, China's ambassador to
  Gabon, Xue Jinwei, says there should be more than enough jobs to go
  round -- perhaps 20,000 or more.

  "We're talking about a big project that includes the construction of
  a port, a railway, dams and the exploitation of the mine itself.
  That's a big job that is going to need a lot of people," the
  ambassador said.

  In anticipation of finding work, miners who once worked at a now
  closed uranium mine at Mounana in the southeast of the country have
  traveled north to Belinga.

  Once in operation, the Belinga mine will sell all its iron ore to
  Chinese steel mills. China's hunger for iron ore has grown as its
  industry churns out steel for the ships that carry its exports, for
  the cars that crowd its roads, and the skyscrapers that crown its
  teeming cities.

  But in the hamlets and villages around Belinga, the expectations are
  more modest.

  "I hope that the Chinese can build a nice school, a library with lots
  of books," said Nicolas Essone, aged 8, one of several barefoot
  children studying at Belinga's mud-hut school.

  ----------------------------------------------------------

  In the early 60's, Bethlehem Steel contemplated developing the iron
  ore mountain at Belinga. Now, as expected by me since my return to
  Gabon in 2002, the Chinese have assumed the mantle as the number one
  foreign entity in Gabon. The US isn't even on the radar screen.

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






---------------------------------
  Découvrez une nouvelle façon d'obtenir des réponses à toutes vos questions !
Profitez des connaissances, des opinions et des expériences des internautes sur
Yahoo! Questions/Réponses.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The forest people have largely left the interior bush to follow the
timber companies or moved to be around the towns that dot Gabon's major
roads. I doubt if they could care less about the Chinese economic
intrusions other than more roads opened offering easier access to their
game for outsider poachers.

We Americans killed off the buffalos and did our damnest to wipe out
Native Americans. Gabon will experience the same. The forest people
will disappear along with their game. Greed, a rapidly growing human
population and a vengeful Mother Nature will combine to make that a
certainty, I fret.

You may recall that several years ago Micael Fay reported in the
National Geographic about his trek across the entire country of Gabon.

In the latest National Georgraphic issue (March 2007), Fay reports on
the situation of the largest group of Central African elephants. It's a
moving story with outstanding photographs by Michael Nichols.

A few excerpts here:

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0703/sights_n_sounds/index.html

Hi Bob,

I'd like to include this information in the April Letter if I could. I'll cite
your discussion site, of course.

Darcy


-----Original Message-----
From: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com on behalf of bobutne
Sent: Wed 2/28/2007 2:00 PM
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Michael Fay, another outstanding job of reporting to
the world

You may recall that several years ago Micael Fay reported in the
National Geographic about his trek across the entire country of Gabon.

In the latest National Georgraphic issue (March 2007), Fay reports on
the situation of the largest group of Central African elephants. It's a
moving story with outstanding photographs by Michael Nichols.

A few excerpts here:

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0703/sights_n_sounds/index.html




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Committee to Protect Journalists (New York)
March 5, 2007

The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that authorities in
the capital, Libreville, have suspended a satirical newspaper for
three months, apparently after it published commentary critical of
President Omar Bongo, according to news reports and local journalists.

The official National Communications Council (CNC) suspended the
private bimonthly Edzombolo on Tuesday for allegedly
publishing "defamatory and insulting news directed at prominent state
personalities," according to local journalists and the news Web site
Gabonews. The CNC did not identify the allegedly defamatory coverage;
CNC officials did not immediately return messages from CPJ seeking
comment.


But the ruling appeared to be related to a February 9 editorial
headlined, "Omar does not control anything anymore," according to CPJ
sources. The article alleged that Bongo had lost touch with the
concerns of his people, becoming "stubborn and deaf … like a wicked
dictator anointed by God." Bongo has run the oil-rich equatorial
African country for 39 years and is now Africa's longest-serving head
of state. The piece also discussed elections for an administrative
parliamentary committee, which opposition parties had boycotted for
alleged procedural irregularities, local journalists told CPJ.
Bongo's ruling Gabonese Democratic Party holds 81 out of 120 seats in
parliament.

"We condemn the suspension of Edzombolo, which appears to be a
blatant retaliation for its critical commentary," said CPJ Executive
Director Joel Simon. "We demand that the ban be lifted immediately
and that the authorities refrain from attempts to intimidate the
media."

Edzombolo Director Jean de Dieu Ndoutoume told CPJ that he expects to
file a lawsuit challenging the ban, claiming that he was denied a
hearing as required by law, and arguing that the suspensions exceeded
the CNC's authority. Ndoutoume's paper has been harassed previously.
In June 2006, Ndoutoume was detained by police for two days without
charge, and authorities confiscated about 3,000 copies of his paper
in retribution for articles alleging governmental corruption,
according to local journalists.

Norbert Mezui, president of the Gabonese private press association
(known by its French acronym as APPEL), said that the CNC has
routinely ignored its own procedures and regulations. He said APPEL
members are meeting this weekend to prepare a statement.

Gabonese authorities have jailed journalists and banned newspapers in
recent months over critical stories. The private weekly Les Echos du
Nord was suspended for three months in October 2006 in connection
with an article critical of government policy; the term was reduced
to one month following a hunger strike by Director Désiré Ename. Also
in October, the editor of a Libreville weekly was imprisoned for 21
days on a defamation charge. Norbert Ngoua Mezui said he was wrongly
jailed for coverage alleging the disappearance of treasury funds.

CPJ is a New York–based, independent, nonprofit organization that
works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information,
visit www.cpj.org.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200703050997.html

On the other side of that coin-

http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/americas/usa05mar07na.html

Wow That is a big flipside! Imagine being held(tortured) at Guantanamo
Bay for 5 years just because you are a journalist covering an illegal war!

I support President Bongo of Gabon because I really believe that it is
more important to have stability(peace)in a country. We live in a world
now where the major problem is the covert attempts to colonialize
countries thru warmongering and intimidation. The US is the #1
instrument of this policy right now. If you have the time Wiki
Operation Gladio to see how western powers try to plant seeds of unrest
and destabilize governments. After becoming knowledgable about that
stuff a person might come to better appreciate  the 39 years of
stability that President Bongo has achieved in Gabon.

Ciao,
dupont


-- "bobutne" <bobutne@...> wrote:
On the other side of that coin-

http://www.cpj.org/news/2007/americas/usa05mar07na.html







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China in Africa: It's (Still) the Governance, Stupid
Akwe Amosu | March 9, 2007. Foreign Policy In Focus www.fpif.org

Deep inside the tropical forest of Gabon, 500 miles from the coast,
China is going where no other investors dare. A Chinese consortium,
led by the China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export
Corporation, has won the contract to develop Gabon's massive Belinga
iron ore deposit. In return for purchasing the entire output, Chinese
operators will build not only the extractive infrastructure at
Belinga but a hydro-electric dam to power it, a railway to the coast,
and a deepwater port north of the capital, Libreville, for exporting
the ore.

This venture will cost several billion dollars, and China will have
to wait three years before any ore is actually extracted. Since the
site was identified in 1955, no Western investors had stepped forward
to develop it. But with the support of its entire state machine,
Chinese companies are now taking the risk.

China's march into Africa has reminded pundits of those two
proverbial elephants fighting. Evoking the battle between East and
West, they opine that it will be the grass that suffers.

But times have changed. Back in the first colonial scramble, only the
imperialists were at the table to carve up the continent among
themselves. These days, far from being a victim, Africa is at the
table too and cutting deals with enthusiasm. China negotiates with
Gabon's sovereign government over the development of Belinga's iron
ore, not with the former colonial power, France. The debate is no
longer about whether East or West is winning the competition.

The grass may yet suffer, however. Africa's peoples need to be as
wary of being trampled underfoot by their own governments as they are
of foreign powers. There are grave doubts about how well African
governments are representing their stakeholders and whether Africa's
negotiating capacity is up to scratch. The jury is out on whether
Africa can convert Chinese cash into development.

The Scope of Chinese Interest
Few issues have generated as much heat in recent African affairs as
China's engagement in the continent. China has been pushing increased
investment and cheap credit into Africa for at least five years. But
the astonishing levels of expenditure and the breadth of Chinese
involvement reached levels in 2006 that focused minds in the West and
provoked much media hyperbole.

In 1991, Chinese direct investment in Africa was less than five
million dollars a year. By 1994, it was around $25 million and by
1999 just short of $100 million. Just seven years later, He Wenping,
director of the African Studies division in the Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences, believes that direct Chinese investment in Africa
reached $1.25 billion in 2006. The People's Daily and other analysts
suggest a number over $6 billion. China's trade with Africa has
followed a similar pattern, rising from only $12 million in the 1980s
to $10 billion in 2000 and then to as high as $55 billion in 2006. It
is surely no coincidence that Africa, in turn, has seen economic
growth. GDP growth was negative on average from 1975 to 1984,
rollercoastered some more in the 1990s, but is now repeatedly above
5%.

China, meanwhile, has been growing at just short of 10% a year for
the past four years and reached 10.7% in 2006. Such growth, in a
country and an economy that size, generates a huge appetite for
inputs. Electricity demand is so high that last year China added new
power capacity "equal to the entire capacity of the UK and Thailand
combined, or about twice the generating assets of California." China
overtook Japan to become the world's second largest oil consumer in
2003 and now trails only the United States.

In its engagement with Africa, China certainly aims to build a
political constituency for its much-touted "peaceful development."
But its primary interest is petroleum and raw materials. If Beijing's
goal of quadrupling the size of the economy by 2020 is to be met,
energy consumption, and therefore demand, will climb even higher.
Africa has resources in abundance but almost no capacity to process
those resources: a perfect opportunity for a rising economy like
China. Africa can supply its raw inputs and also provide a market for
China's manufactured products.

Over 800 Chinese companies, the vast majority of them state-owned,
are operating in 49 African countries. These companies are the
forward edge of China's operations, although they are backed up by
frequent visits by top-level officials to seal deals and smooth their
path. China is either drilling or exploring for oil in Nigeria,
Sudan, Angola, Algeria, Chad, Gabon, Mauritania, Kenya, Congo
Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, and Ethiopia - and this list is not
exhaustive. China purchases 64% of Sudan's production, which accounts
for around 6% of its oil imports. Angola contributes half of the oil
China buys from Africa. Beyond oil, China is extracting copper and
cobalt from Zambia and Congo. It is buying timber in Gabon, Cameroon,
Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, and Liberia. It buys platinum and
chrome from Zimbabwe and iron ore, coal, nickel, and aluminum from
several other locations.

In each of these countries, the Chinese and the government in
question will sign a broad-spectrum "package deal" that gives the
African partner a number of rewards, featuring a mix of cash,
investment, cheap credit, technical expertise and training, and in-
kind benefits such as new presidential palaces and stadiums, or cheap
infrastructure such as roads, dams, and railways. The Chinese agreed
to such an aid package involving major infrastructural investment for
Angola, which is Africa's second largest oil producer and the
continent's lead supplier to China. A $2 billion line of credit was
announced in 2004, but since then available finance has risen to a
reported $6 billion, over several years, to finance a raft of
different projects such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges,
housing, office buildings, training programs, and the laying of
fiberoptic cable. China's diplomatic support in international fora
has also proved notoriously handy, for example, for President Bashir
of Sudan. Other, less contentious elements include contributing to
Africa's peacekeeping missions, sending medical aid teams to
supplement struggling health services, and training and education
opportunities for African students in China.

China is effectively making Africa an integral part of its economic
development for decades to come. Africa has not seen inward flows of
this volume in all the post-independence years. This is not only a
matter of cash but also the linkages, backward and forward, into
Chinese and African markets and into government policy and planning.
To continue arguing about the desirability of the relationship no
longer makes any sense. China's deep penetration in, and increasing
integration with Africa is an established fact. Much has been made of
Washington's decision to announce its new African Command while
Chinese President Hu Jintao was on his latest tour of Africa -- as if
to warn China that the United States will protect its African
interests. But even if China's rivals in the West wanted to roll back
this expansion, there seems little chance that they could do so.

A New Development Model?
For Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, the inflow of investment
from China is a concrete demonstration that the Western model of
development has failed. He spoke in February 2007 of the need to
build "a strong developmental state" complaining that "neo-liberal
reforms" advocated by the World Bank and others have failed
to "generate the kind of growth they sought." The only kind of good
governance that takes root, he suggested, is home grown, not imposed
from outside. The implication is that African leaders should worry
less about meeting demands for transparency, accountability, rule of
law, and other such "neo-liberal" objectives and focus instead on
economic growth. With China in the picture, they will find the
resources they need.

It is true that Africa seems to be bucking conventional Western
assumptions on investment. In a recent review of the determinants of
FDI in Africa, Elizabeth Asiedu claims that "large local markets,
natural resource endowments, good infrastructure, low inflation, an
efficient legal system and a good investment framework promote FDI.
In contrast, corruption and political instability have the opposite
effect." Yet China does not seem to have been deterred from investing
in African countries despite large-scale "corruption and political
instability" on the continent.

Indeed, some of China's investments go hand in hand with supporting
such corruption and instability. Chinese negotiators and businesses
routinely pay bribes to secure deals. Transparency International's
International Bribe Payers Index, published in October 2006, found
that China was second most likely, after India, to pay bribes abroad.
Civil society activists have argued that Chinese assistance has saved
countries such as Angola and Kenya from having to comply with
pressure from other international partners to improve performance on
transparency and accountability.

China has also exploited Africa's propensity to engage in civil
conflict. The Congressional Research Service in Washington estimates
that between 2001 and 2004, China was the continent's third largest
arms supplier (after Russia and Germany), supplying nearly 7% of
Africa's military purchases. The impact outweighs the volume,
particularly because of China's willingness to sell weapons to some
of the continent's most repressive rulers, including Bashir of Sudan
and Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and to buyers who then feed them into active
conflicts. Light weapons from China have flooded into the Great Lakes
area, where millions have died as a result of civil conflict.

In short, corruption and conflict do not seem to deter China; it is
hungry enough for oil and minerals to overlook these factors when
making investment decisions. Still, China's indifference does not
mean that governance and related factors are not important for
Africa's economic development. Unsurprisingly, the top recipients of
FDI in Africa are oil- and mineral-producing nations, with poor
governance and stability records. But also among them is South
Africa, which is not a major producer of petroleum and whose mineral
sector is already intensively operated. South Africa makes it into
the top rank of FDI winners because its economy is well run. The
country's governance is of a high standard. There is accountability
and rule of law, corruption is relatively low, and stability is
guaranteed, notwithstanding a serious crime problem. While the bulk
of FDI flows into other African nations are mostly concentrated in
the extractive industries, in South Africa they fuel a diverse array
of sectors. Thus if we remove oil and China's appetite from the
picture, we find South Africa's competitive advantage is supreme and
the reforms Prime Minister Meles rejects are indeed critical to
capturing foreign investment.

But Asiedu - with other economists - makes another point equally
significant for Africa's development. She notes that the supply of
FDI does not necessarily trigger the growth that leads to
development. Countries with significant oil and mineral deposits
winning high volumes of FDI – such as Equatorial Guinea and Angola –
frequently fail to spread the benefits. The purchase of goods and
services may expand inside particular enclaves without stimulating
employment and services in the broader economy. Several factors
prevent sustainable growth, including high unemployment and high
rates of corruption, low educational levels, low rates of domestic
savings, and low citizen confidence in government; all may persist
despite intense investment in specific resources. Conversely,
countries that invest the windfall profits from petroleum or minerals
in the broader economy, while respecting the rule of law and
maintaining healthy legal and financial systems, do better at
promoting equitable development, even if they attract investment
largely into the extractive sector. Botswana, with its effective use
of diamond revenues, is a case in point.

Some African leaders, such as the ruling party in Angola and perhaps
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles as well, have seized on the idea of a
Chinese model of development - involving an autocratic and
unaccountable commandist political economy – as an effective
alternative to Western-style reform. Yet the idea that there is no
accountability in China's development model is wrong, even if the
lines of accountability do not look much like the ones advocated by
the World Bank. It is not autocracy in China that has brought
development – quite the reverse. China's transition, while it still
relies on its legacy of a commandist system, is advancing because it
is incrementally reducing autocracy and opening space for choice and
diverse approaches.

The truth is that the barriers to Africa's development are to be
found at home not abroad. Africa's fundamental challenge remains – to
find a homegrown model to overcome centuries of lost human and
material assets and build value at home. Indeed, China's investment
puts the ball firmly in Africa's court. Time and again African
governments complain that they cannot deliver development due either
to a lack of support or to interference from the West. But the
resources, as Beijing likes to say, now come with "no strings
attached." Any failure to share growth and put Chinese earnings to
work will not be China's fault but that of the African recipient
government.

Some countries are aiming high. Last year, for example, Ghana's
establishment of institutions and conditions favorable to national
and international trade aroused China's interest and led to an
increase in Chinese trade. The Ghanaian government encouraged its
private sector to lead in conducting economic activities with Chinese
entrepreneurs.

Ultimately the greatest challenge is not to persuade China to
practice responsible global governance – though this is very
important – but to prevent African leaders from squandering the
tremendous opportunities offered by Chinese capital. To take full
advantage, African leaders need to address two questions; how to cut
deals with China that leave lasting value in Africa and how to
empower constituencies at home.

Let's Make a Better Deal
Despite Chinese rhetoric about the "win-win" nature of the
relationship with Africa, the African side of the table could drive a
harder bargain. It is a common complaint that when China contracts to
deliver infrastructure projects in return for raw materials, it
insists on the use of mostly Chinese labor, even in situations where
African labor is abundant and desperate for opportunities to acquire
new skills. The practice continues, despite the criticism. In another
example, the Nigerian government did not foresee or seek to limit the
damage done by cheap Chinese imports drowning its fledgling plastics
and textile industries. And the Zambian government's failure to
require of Chinese employers reasonable employment standards has
resulted in violent confrontation and political disaffection in the
Copperbelt.

An African Union meeting of experts and diplomats in September 2006
warned that the China-Africa relationship should not follow the
pattern of relations with the West. Participants certainly
appreciated that Chinese investment gave Africa new leverage. But
there was also criticism that China was making "no serious effort"
to "transfer skills and knowledge to Africa" and relied excessively
on labor from home. In a list of challenges for both sides,
presenters at the meeting stressed the importance of
industrialization and ending Africa's seeming perpetual reliance on
export of raw, unprocessed materials; on improving structure of trade
deals, and preventing an increase in Africa's debt, finding
mechanisms to ensure China pays more attention to environmental
damage. China, it was said, should be encouraged to relocate some of
its industries to Africa "as a reflection of a true spirit of
partnership."

The report from this meeting concluded that "the African Union should
be the fulcrum of the emerging Strategic Partnership and should be
able to define the continent's interest more coherently and clearly."
Africa needs a strategy for China just as China has a strategy for
Africa.

To succeed, that strategy might rely on collective bargaining. All
China's deals on the continent have been negotiated with governments
bilaterally, and the details are not made public. But at a pan-
African level, China is perceived to have acquired too much power and
leverage in its bilateral deals to the extent that disadvantageous
agreements are being concluded. It is hard to imagine China accepting
the target proposed in the report of 70% of all Africa's raw
materials to be processed on African soil, or even that joint
ventures should use 80% African labor. But even progress toward such
targets is hard to achieve without increasing leverage. Several
commentators, notably economist Chris Alden, have outlined new,
potentially fruitful approaches for African negotiators; such inputs
are likely to be pushed to the fore as the pan-African leadership
advocates its strategies.

So far, China has proved ready to adjust as Africa begins to flex its
muscle. South Africa's president Mbeki warned late in 2006 of the
risk that Africa could fall into a colonial relationship with China.
In February 2007, during his eight-nation African tour, President Hu
Jintao went out of his way to promise that China would work to make
the trade relationship more balanced. He also said Chinese companies
would be encouraged "to increase investment, provide technical and
management training and help Africa develop processing and
manufacturing industries so as to ease employment pressure and
enhance competitiveness of its exports." The key vehicle for that
encouragement, the China-Africa Development Fund will direct $5
billion toward encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Africa.

China may lose some negotiating advantage if African countries can
start to collaborate and cut better deals, but there could be
benefits as well; Beijing might find it easier to deal with
Africa "in bulk." Chinese policy analysts in Beijing in November 2006
told a visiting delegation from Washington, D.C. that managing
relations and obligations with dozens of countries bilaterally was
proving cumbersome. They were looking to the Africans to establish a
joint body that might coordinate and bundle African needs and
concerns.

Holding China and Africa Accountable
To maximize the benefits of the Chinese windfall, as argued above,
Africa needs to deepen its commitment to better governance and cut a
more advantageous deal with Beijing. But there is a third major shift
in attitude that is critical for Africa's future. Non-governmental
stakeholders need to be empowered and encouraged to hold both the
Chinese and their own governments to account. Ultimately this will
improve both the quality of governance and of the relationship with
China.

This is critical for African governments but it could help China too.
China is most comfortable dealing state-to-state with Africa. Its
engagement in Africa has been remarkable for its focus on government
officials and avoidance of less formal contacts. As a result, Chinese
diplomats and officials in Africa have missed out on learning from
two key constituencies: business and civil society. They too need to
pay more attention to non-governmental voices.

Many African businesspeople have good reason to rue China's impact on
their lives While the benefits of Chinese investment have spread only
partially to the rest of the economy, trade has brought Chinese
manufactures into the markets at prices too low for African
manufacturers to beat. Nascent African industry making plasticware
and textiles, for example, face competition from a player with deeper
pockets than they and no aversion to producing counterfeit goods.
Similarly, Chinese firms are able to bid for building contracts and
other service provision at lower prices than African competitors can
manage. African trade unions and others have collected extensive
evidence that hundreds of thousands of African jobs have been lost as
a result. And in South Africa, it was protests by these same trade
unions that galvanized President Mbeki to warn China, late in 2006,
that dumping of goods had to stop. In a similar vein, protests from
Zambia's civil society, given powerful voice by opposition party
leader Michael Sata, have exposed Chinese labor practices in its
extractive sector businesses.

The views of African populations find expression not only through
government but through their non-governmental representatives.
Governments like that of Ethiopia's Meles, which brushed away
criticism over its shooting of 82 defenseless civilians in 2005 for
protesting in the streets, are apparently puzzled by the suggestion
that they need to be more accountable. But others less preoccupied
with keeping themselves in power at all costs will find, if they
allow non-governmental voices to be heard, that they can be allies in
the relationship with China.

Neither business nor civil society takes a rigidly anti-China view.
The former, rather than rejecting Chinese investment, has mostly
complained about not having sufficient opportunity to take advantage
of the capital inflow. African civil society voices who advocate
better government and civil and political rights at home have
applauded the Chinese for investing in infrastructure, a no-go area
for Western donors for decades, and recognized the qualitative
contrast between the hands-on pragmatism of Chinese expatriates and
Western development efforts from inside the air-conditioned Land
cruiser.

But such groups have also criticized their governments for the lack
of transparency in deals made with China and asked hard questions
about the payment of bribes, colonial-style attitudes and the lack of
jobs for Africans. As Zainab Bangura of Sierra Leone's National
Accountability Group commented recently: "We've spent 15 years
working on conventions against corruption and now the Chinese come in
and they haven't signed any of it. They're secretive and will only
deal with governments, they don't consult civil society or anyone."
On a broader agenda, civil society coalitions like the Darfur
Consortium that represent over 50 organizations have shown leadership
in protesting the carnage and human rights abuse in Darfur, Sudan,
and added their voices to international calls on China to use its
leverage with Khartoum.

By listening to and acknowledging such critiques, African governments
and their sub-regional and regional organizations can gain leverage
in their negotiations with China. Beijing likes to be seen in Africa
as a "brother" nation, in solidarity with Africans. It will take
African critiques more seriously than Western complaints. Some
African governments, particularly those worst affected by the
resource curse, clearly have no intention or desire to become more
accountable or push back in their relations with China. These
arguments will cut no ice with them. But China may choose to seek out
and get to know African civil society anyway. China's new integration
into African economies is proving to carry some alarming risks.
Investment and operation in the Niger Delta have put Chinese oil
workers in harm's way, making them suddenly vulnerable to militants
and hostage-takers. In Darfur, Chinese oil installations have been
attacked. China cannot afford to put all its eggs in government
baskets.

Inevitably, regardless of official attitudes, informal non-
governmental encounters between China and Africa will increase.
Hundreds of thousands of Chinese citizens have moved, legally or
illegally, to African countries. Some 24 African countries are now
approved as destinations for Chinese holidaymakers, not only a good
source of revenue for African tourism industries but a guarantee of
an unprecedented level of person-to-person contact. In addition, with
three Confucius Institutes in South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda, many
more Africans will learn about Chinese culture and study Chinese
language. China's ministry of education believes 8,000 Africans are
currently learning Chinese. With five more Confucius Institutes
projected, that number will rise sharply, with a potentially
lubricant impact on cooperation.

At some point in the future Chinese citizens too might grow more
concerned about China's role in Africa. At the recent World Social
Forum in Nairobi, Chinese groups focused on domestic Chinese issues
found themselves assailed by Western NGOs and, to a lesser extent,
African groups, over Chinese government and corporate practices in
Africa. In a shrinking world, we are only just beginning to see the
consequences of China's opening up to other cultures and communities.

For non-governmental Africa in these new times, the choice is not
between China and the West. The important choice must be made closer
to home. On one side are the rulers who are too lazy, incompetent, or
venal to take the necessary steps to share the benefits of investment
and give Africa's populations the chance to build a viable economic
future. On the other side is the real leadership of presidents,
business leaders, and legislatures who have the self-discipline,
honesty, and commitment to set a new course and use the unprecedented
benefits of Chinese investment to achieve some real development.

Don't focus so much on the elephants. The future of Africa lies with
the grass.


Akwe Amosu is a senior policy analyst for Africa at the Washington
Office of the Open Society Institute and a contributor to Foreign
Policy In Focus (www.fpif.org).

I was in Fougamou 2003-2005.  Were those two schools right next to
eachother?  There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where
you are talking about.  I taught in all the elementary schools
though.


--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@...>
wrote:
>
> Tom,
> Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools across
from Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east side of
Fougamou. I understand the two schools still are standing. You
remember the tennis courts in town?  That would be on the main road
towards, I think Mouela. The house next to the tennis courts, that's
where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou for about 6 months. We all
had a lot of fun their. As you know the people were great.
>
> Dale
> Gabon !
>
>
>
>
> To: gabondiscussion@...: tom_leblanc_chico@...: Thu, 15 Mar 2007
06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps
Volunteer remembered
>
>
>
>
> Hi Dale,That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-
83. Did you build the "college" there?All the best.Tom LeBlanc-----
Original Message ----From: judkinsdale <djudkins@...>To:
gabondiscussion@...: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AMSubject:
[Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer rememberedLouis
Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he was our
Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to include in
anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a point to be
interested in what you had to say and what you were doing. Many
nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after the Peace
Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a doctor.
Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about what he
wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were able to
work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier, Phil
Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken to
Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the hospital
for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to work
there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything that
went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from many
different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that Dr,
Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted
to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer
and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital. After she
saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could
come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright to bring a
friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would
be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers
to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working
there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September
1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it
reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital was a
typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The
hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French
Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou and I started working
side by side with the Gabones Workers. The French Forman asked,"why
were we doing this"? Lou told him we were accustomed to this type of
work. The forman also said the hard work was for thr "Blacks". This
derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not use to this type
of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an
international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we could do
was set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right along
side of them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much progress
he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter and
hard work. We had everything under control and soon the forman left
us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers spirits up joking with
them much like we did at our school worksites. The hospital gave us
two weeks to complete the excavation. We finished this task in one
week and completed the building the folowing week. Team work with the
Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr.
Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite nurses
were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on working
much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall about
three to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady comfortable
place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he motioned
for us to come over and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock in
the morning. By this time he knew our names and also knew we would be
returning to school and, he inquired as to what we were going to
study when we returned to the United States. He was very intrested in
Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr.
Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to the hospital
when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the
hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become a
doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our
Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He liked the idea,
he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.One of our last days at the
hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over to talk. He asked us in
French and one of the nurses interpreted in English. Although Doctor
Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak in French. Lou
and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French to the
Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with his
friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think
this quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along with
his special presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we
knew why he came by the work site every morning? We said we thought
he was interested how work was progressing. He said he was but there
was another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson that
he tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells them, "there
will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people are
willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were
proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to the
Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are
willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled
with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them
all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I
know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I
worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We
visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry
Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of
Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was finished
in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered to
different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much
after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was
looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster
College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he
said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to Medical
School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was
looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon
1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting
on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you tom
for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss you,
Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace Corps
Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God speed
to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet
again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that touched us
all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,
Africa.__________________________________________________________Bored
  stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on
Yahoo! Games.http://games.yahoo.com/games/front[Non-text portions of
this message have been removed]
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Discover the new Windows Vista
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i will post some pics in a couple of weeks.  i'm going back to
fougamou the first week of april (i still live in gabon).  so i will
take lots of pictures for you guys.  i know a lot has changed.  and
there are NO hippos at all there now.  there are 7 elementary schools
there now.

--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Yes, they were off set a bit, but close together.  Once you saw the
schools you would recognize them. The design was pretty much the same
through out Gabon, Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture of
one.  The schools main characteristics was the double roofs.
>
> I know a lot has changed in Fougamou  sense 1963, Our Peace Corps
location where he made our headquarters was on the road that
paralleled the river.  Just West of the spot on the bank of the river
where everyone did their laundry.  This spot was a natural, kind of
an inlet. where the Gabonese women could wade out in the shallows. I
suspect they still use that area.
>
> How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe some of the other guys that
read this post can better identify our house in Fougamou.  Heck, it
might be gone by now.  Our house was so close to the river we were
visited quite regularly by a small hers of Hippos that would come out
of the river at night, walk around and feed a while then slip back
into the river by morning.  We could see their tracks in the morning.
A couple of times they came 10 feet or so from one of the tents
occupied by a couple of volunteers. all in a days work in Gabon.
>
> Maybe you could post some of your pictures from Fougamou. I would
like to see them.
>
> Dale
> Gabon 1
>
>
> To: gabondiscussion@...: no_reply@...: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47
+0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
remembered
>
>
>
>
> I was in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right next to
eachother? There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where you
are talking about. I taught in all the elementary schools though. ---
In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>>
Tom, > Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools
across from Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east side
of Fougamou. I understand the two schools still are standing. You
remember the tennis courts in town? That would be on the main road
towards, I think Mouela. The house next to the tennis courts, that's
where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou for about 6 months. We all
had a lot of fun their. As you know the people were great.> > Dale>
Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@: tom_leblanc_chico@: Thu, 15
Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace
Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > Hi Dale,That was beautiful. BTW,
I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the "college" there?
All the best.Tom LeBlanc----- Original Message ----From: judkinsdale
<djudkins@>To: gabondiscussion@: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13
AMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
rememberedLouis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many
of us he was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted
to include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it
a point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were
doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after
the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a
doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about what
he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were able
to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier, Phil
Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken to
Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the hospital
for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to work
there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything that
went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from many
different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that Dr,
Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted
to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer
and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital. After she
saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could
come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright to bring a
friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would
be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers
to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working
there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September
1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it
reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital was a
typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The
hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French
Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou and I started working
side by side with the Gabones Workers. The French Forman asked,"why
were we doing this"? Lou told him we were accustomed to this type of
work. The forman also said the hard work was for thr "Blacks". This
derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not use to this type
of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an
international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we could do
was set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right along
side of them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much progress
he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter and
hard work. We had everything under control and soon the forman left
us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers spirits up joking with
them much like we did at our school worksites. The hospital gave us
two weeks to complete the excavation. We finished this task in one
week and completed the building the folowing week. Team work with the
Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr.
Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite nurses
were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on working
much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall about
three to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady comfortable
place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he motioned
for us to come over and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock in
the morning. By this time he knew our names and also knew we would be
returning to school and, he inquired as to what we were going to
study when we returned to the United States. He was very intrested in
Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr.
Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to the hospital
when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the
hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become a
doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our
Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He liked the idea,
he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.One of our last days at the
hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over to talk. He asked us in
French and one of the nurses interpreted in English. Although Doctor
Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak in French. Lou
and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French to the
Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with his
friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think
this quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along with
his special presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we
knew why he came by the work site every morning? We said we thought
he was interested how work was progressing. He said he was but there
was another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson that
he tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells them, "there
will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people are
willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were
proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to the
Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are
willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled
with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them
all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I
know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I
worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We
visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry
Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of
Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was finished
in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered to
different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much
after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was
looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster
College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he
said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to Medical
School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was
looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon
1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting
on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you tom
for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss you,
Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace Corps
Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God speed
to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet
again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that touched us
all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,
Africa.__________________________________________________________Bored
stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on
Yahoo! Games.http://games.yahoo.com/games/front[Non-text portions of
this message have been removed] > > >
__________________________________________________________> Discover
the new Windows Vista> http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?
q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE> > [Non-text portions of this
message have been removed]>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> News, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get
it now!
> http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)

I always thought the school that Peace Corps built in Fougamou
became part of the Lycée Technique on the south end of town, past
the Bitoukou stream and across from the Protestant missionary. (The
main road and the Ngounié run north-south.) I still can't place
where those tennis courts could have been. There was a well-used
basketball court there now, next to the mosque and the river. I was
also curious if the Hotel Ngounié (with, of course, a presedential
suite on the top floor) was there back then. There are rocks next to
it that were a popular place to wash clothes when I was there, 2002-
2003.

I posted pictures of Fougamou a long time ago, but they must have
disappeared. I'll post them again under the photos link in the menu.

- Brad Hodges



--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Yes, they were off set a bit, but close together.  Once you saw
the schools you would recognize them. The design was pretty much the
same through out Gabon, Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture
of one.  The schools main characteristics was the double roofs.
>
> I know a lot has changed in Fougamou  sense 1963, Our Peace Corps
location where he made our headquarters was on the road that
paralleled the river.  Just West of the spot on the bank of the
river where everyone did their laundry.  This spot was a natural,
kind of an inlet. where the Gabonese women could wade out in the
shallows. I suspect they still use that area.
>
> How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe some of the other guys that
read this post can better identify our house in Fougamou.  Heck, it
might be gone by now.  Our house was so close to the river we were
visited quite regularly by a small hers of Hippos that would come
out of the river at night, walk around and feed a while then slip
back into the river by morning.  We could see their tracks in the
morning. A couple of times they came 10 feet or so from one of the
tents occupied by a couple of volunteers. all in a days work in
Gabon.
>
> Maybe you could post some of your pictures from Fougamou. I would
like to see them.
>
> Dale
> Gabon 1
>
>
> To: gabondiscussion@...: no_reply@...: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47
+0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
remembered
>
>
>
>
> I was in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right next to
eachother? There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where
you are talking about. I taught in all the elementary schools
though. --- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins
<djudkins@> wrote:>> Tom, > Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we
built the two schools across from Silva's house. The Protestant
Missionary, The east side of Fougamou. I understand the two schools
still are standing. You remember the tennis courts in town? That
would be on the main road towards, I think Mouela. The house next to
the tennis courts, that's where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou
for about 6 months. We all had a lot of fun their. As you know the
people were great.> > Dale> Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@:
tom_leblanc_chico@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re:
[Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > >
Hi Dale,That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83.
Did you build the "college" there?All the best.Tom LeBlanc-----
Original Message ----From: judkinsdale <djudkins@>To:
gabondiscussion@: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AMSubject: [Gabon
Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer rememberedLouis Williams
served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he was our Peace
Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to include in
anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a point to
be interested in what you had to say and what you were doing. Many
nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after the Peace
Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a doctor.
Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about what he
wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were able
to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier, Phil
Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken to
Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the hospital
for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to work
there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything that
went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from many
different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that
Dr, Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I
wanted to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps
Volunteer and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital.
After she saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told
me I could come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright
to bring a friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou
and I would be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace
Corps Volunteers to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part
about working there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer
died in September 1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant
to him. I think it reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job
at the hospital was a typical construction job clearing an area for
a new building. The hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew
complete with a French Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou
and I started working side by side with the Gabones Workers. The
French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we were
accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work
was for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard,
we were not use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not
want to cause an international incident at the hospital so, the best
thing we could do was set the example for the Gabonese and continue
to work right along side of them. After a few days the French Forman
saw so much progress he left Lou and I alone. The job site was
filled with laughter and hard work. We had everything under control
and soon the forman left us completly alone. Lou and I kept the
workers spirits up joking with them much like we did at our school
worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the
excavation. We finished this task in one week and completed the
building the folowing week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is
what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by
and watch us work. His two favorite nurses were always with him. We
would acknowledge him and keep on working much to his delight. Near
the work site there was a small wall about three to four feet high
with palm trees providing a shady comfortable place for the Doctor
to sit and watch us work. One day he motioned for us to come over
and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock in the morning. By this
time he knew our names and also knew we would be returning to school
and, he inquired as to what we were going to study when we returned
to the United States. He was very intrested in Lou's response. Lou
told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed
and invited Lou to come back to the hospital when he beame a doctor.
Lou always said his experience at the hospital and talking with Dr.
Schweitzer convenced him to become a doctor. We also were amazed at
what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our Peace Corps work, building
schools all over Gabon. He liked the idea, he thought it was a good
thing for Gabon.One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer
invited us over to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses
interpreted in English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak
English he prefered to speak in French. Lou and I could speak French
we were intimidated speaking French to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer
sensed this and always put us at ease with his friendliness, and
encouraged us to speak French with him. I think this quality of
putting people at ease was a gift he had along with his special
presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we knew why he
came by the work site every morning? We said we thought he was
interested how work was progressing. He said he was but there was
another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson that he
tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells them, "there
will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people are
willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were
proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to the
Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are
willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese
smiled with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated
them all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very
special, I know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close
in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and
Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and
Jerry Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of
Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was finished
in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered to
different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much
after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was
looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster
College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he
said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to Medical
School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was
looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon
1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting
on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you
tom for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss
you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace
Corps Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile.
God speed to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We
will meet again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that
touched us all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon
1,
Africa.__________________________________________________________Bore
dstiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on
Yahoo! Games.http://games.yahoo.com/games/front[Non-text portions of
this message have been removed] > > >
__________________________________________________________> Discover
the new Windows Vista> http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?
q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE> > [Non-text portions of this
message have been removed]>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> News, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get
it now!
> http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

The hotel in Fougamou in the 1964 era was named Case Passage. Only
problem was that to book a night at the hotel, we volunteers had to
get an OK from the local Prefect.




--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@...>
wrote:
>
> Brad and Lindsey,
>
> When we were in Fougamou in the 60.s. I can't believe I'm saying
that, wow, how time flies. There was not large hotel as you
described. My directions I know are faulty, everything in my mind
seems to run East and West. I'm sure you have the right spot where
the original schools are located across the street from the
Protestant House.
>
> I remember when we built the schools there toward the jungle side
of the road. We would encounter many monkeys squawking at us from the
trees close by.  They finally got use to us, However if we left any
of our tools out , there was a good chance the little bandits would
drag them into the jungle. More than one hammer was found at the
jungles edge of our work site.
>
> Our living quarters would be up stream from that washing site you
described with the rocks. Maybe 200 to 300 yards up river.
>
> How long will you be back in Fougamou? Please remember to snap some
shots of the old schools. If you can find them. Gabon what a great
Country, I wish I was going back with you.
>
> Dale
> Gabon 1
>
>
> To: gabondiscussion@...: niakurondi@...: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:36:20
+0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
remembered
>
>
>
>
> Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)I always thought the school
that Peace Corps built in Fougamou became part of the Lycée Technique
on the south end of town, past the Bitoukou stream and across from
the Protestant missionary. (The main road and the Ngounié run north-
south.) I still can't place where those tennis courts could have
been. There was a well-used basketball court there now, next to the
mosque and the river. I was also curious if the Hotel Ngounié (with,
of course, a presedential suite on the top floor) was there back
then. There are rocks next to it that were a popular place to wash
clothes when I was there, 2002-2003.I posted pictures of Fougamou a
long time ago, but they must have disappeared. I'll post them again
under the photos link in the menu.- Brad Hodges--- In
gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>> >
Yes, they were off set a bit, but close together. Once you saw the
schools you would recognize them. The design was pretty much the same
through out Gabon, Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture of
one. The schools main characteristics was the double roofs.> > I know
a lot has changed in Fougamou sense 1963, Our Peace Corps location
where he made our headquarters was on the road that paralleled the
river. Just West of the spot on the bank of the river where everyone
did their laundry. This spot was a natural, kind of an inlet. where
the Gabonese women could wade out in the shallows. I suspect they
still use that area.> > How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe some of
the other guys that read this post can better identify our house in
Fougamou. Heck, it might be gone by now. Our house was so close to
the river we were visited quite regularly by a small hers of Hippos
that would come out of the river at night, walk around and feed a
while then slip back into the river by morning. We could see their
tracks in the morning. A couple of times they came 10 feet or so from
one of the tents occupied by a couple of volunteers. all in a days
work in Gabon.> > Maybe you could post some of your pictures from
Fougamou. I would like to see them.> > Dale> Gabon 1> > > To:
gabondiscussion@: no_reply@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47 +0000Subject:
Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered> > >
> > I was in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right next to
eachother? There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where you
are talking about. I taught in all the elementary schools though. ---
In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>>
Tom, > Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools
across from Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east side
of Fougamou. I understand the two schools still are standing. You
remember the tennis courts in town? That would be on the main road
towards, I think Mouela. The house next to the tennis courts, that's
where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou for about 6 months. We all
had a lot of fun their. As you know the people were great.> > Dale>
Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@: tom_leblanc_chico@: Thu, 15
Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace
Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > Hi Dale,That was beautiful. BTW,
I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the "college" there?
All the best.Tom LeBlanc----- Original Message ----From: judkinsdale
<djudkins@>To: gabondiscussion@: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13
AMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
rememberedLouis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many
of us he was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted
to include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it
a point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were
doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after
the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a
doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about what
he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were able
to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier, Phil
Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken to
Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the hospital
for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to work
there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything that
went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from many
different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that Dr,
Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted
to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer
and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital. After she
saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could
come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright to bring a
friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would
be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers
to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working
there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September
1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it
reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital was a
typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The
hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French
Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou and I started working
side by side with the Gabones Workers. The French Forman asked,"why
were we doing this"? Lou told him we were accustomed to this type of
work. The forman also said the hard work was for thr "Blacks". This
derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not use to this type
of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an
international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we could do
was set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right along
side of them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much progress
he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter and
hard work. We had everything under control and soon the forman left
us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers spirits up joking with
them much like we did at our school worksites. The hospital gave us
two weeks to complete the excavation. We finished this task in one
week and completed the building the folowing week. Team work with the
Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr.
Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite nurses
were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on working
much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall about
three to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady comfortable
place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he motioned
for us to come over and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock in
the morning. By this time he knew our names and also knew we would be
returning to school and, he inquired as to what we were going to
study when we returned to the United States. He was very intrested in
Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr.
Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to the hospital
when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the
hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become a
doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our
Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He liked the idea,
he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.One of our last days at the
hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over to talk. He asked us in
French and one of the nurses interpreted in English. Although Doctor
Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak in French. Lou
and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French to the
Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with his
friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think
this quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along with
his special presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we
knew why he came by the work site every morning? We said we thought
he was interested how work was progressing. He said he was but there
was another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson that
he tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells them, "there
will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people are
willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were
proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to the
Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are
willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled
with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them
all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I
know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I
worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We
visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry
Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of
Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was finished
in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered to
different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much
after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was
looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster
College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he
said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to Medical
School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was
looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon
1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting
on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you tom
for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss you,
Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace Corps
Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God speed
to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet
again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that touched us
all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,
Africa.__________________________________________________________Bored
stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on
Yahoo! Games.http://games.yahoo.com/games/front[Non-text portions of
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Hi guys,

   It has been fun to read all of these posts. I too was in Fougamou with
Lindsay. The basketball court is the tennis court, there are still posts on the
sides in the middle. There is a lot of brousse next to the courts and a house
next to that. I don't believe there are doors or windows. This might be the
house you guys are talking about.

   Lindsay P

bobutne <bobutne@...> wrote:
           The hotel in Fougamou in the 1964 era was named Case Passage. Only
problem was that to book a night at the hotel, we volunteers had to
get an OK from the local Prefect.

--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@...>
wrote:
>
> Brad and Lindsey,
>
> When we were in Fougamou in the 60.s. I can't believe I'm saying
that, wow, how time flies. There was not large hotel as you
described. My directions I know are faulty, everything in my mind
seems to run East and West. I'm sure you have the right spot where
the original schools are located across the street from the
Protestant House.
>
> I remember when we built the schools there toward the jungle side
of the road. We would encounter many monkeys squawking at us from the
trees close by. They finally got use to us, However if we left any
of our tools out , there was a good chance the little bandits would
drag them into the jungle. More than one hammer was found at the
jungles edge of our work site.
>
> Our living quarters would be up stream from that washing site you
described with the rocks. Maybe 200 to 300 yards up river.
>
> How long will you be back in Fougamou? Please remember to snap some
shots of the old schools. If you can find them. Gabon what a great
Country, I wish I was going back with you.
>
> Dale
> Gabon 1
>
>
> To: gabondiscussion@...: niakurondi@...: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:36:20
+0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
remembered
>
>
>
>
> Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)I always thought the school
that Peace Corps built in Fougamou became part of the Lycée Technique
on the south end of town, past the Bitoukou stream and across from
the Protestant missionary. (The main road and the Ngounié run north-
south.) I still can't place where those tennis courts could have
been. There was a well-used basketball court there now, next to the
mosque and the river. I was also curious if the Hotel Ngounié (with,
of course, a presedential suite on the top floor) was there back
then. There are rocks next to it that were a popular place to wash
clothes when I was there, 2002-2003.I posted pictures of Fougamou a
long time ago, but they must have disappeared. I'll post them again
under the photos link in the menu.- Brad Hodges--- In
gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>> >
Yes, they were off set a bit, but close together. Once you saw the
schools you would recognize them. The design was pretty much the same
through out Gabon, Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture of
one. The schools main characteristics was the double roofs.> > I know
a lot has changed in Fougamou sense 1963, Our Peace Corps location
where he made our headquarters was on the road that paralleled the
river. Just West of the spot on the bank of the river where everyone
did their laundry. This spot was a natural, kind of an inlet. where
the Gabonese women could wade out in the shallows. I suspect they
still use that area.> > How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe some of
the other guys that read this post can better identify our house in
Fougamou. Heck, it might be gone by now. Our house was so close to
the river we were visited quite regularly by a small hers of Hippos
that would come out of the river at night, walk around and feed a
while then slip back into the river by morning. We could see their
tracks in the morning. A couple of times they came 10 feet or so from
one of the tents occupied by a couple of volunteers. all in a days
work in Gabon.> > Maybe you could post some of your pictures from
Fougamou. I would like to see them.> > Dale> Gabon 1> > > To:
gabondiscussion@: no_reply@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47 +0000Subject:
Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered> > >
> > I was in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right next to
eachother? There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where you
are talking about. I taught in all the elementary schools though. ---
In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>>
Tom, > Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools
across from Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east side
of Fougamou. I understand the two schools still are standing. You
remember the tennis courts in town? That would be on the main road
towards, I think Mouela. The house next to the tennis courts, that's
where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou for about 6 months. We all
had a lot of fun their. As you know the people were great.> > Dale>
Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@: tom_leblanc_chico@: Thu, 15
Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace
Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > Hi Dale,That was beautiful. BTW,
I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the "college" there?
All the best.Tom LeBlanc----- Original Message ----From: judkinsdale
<djudkins@>To: gabondiscussion@: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13
AMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
rememberedLouis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many
of us he was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted
to include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it
a point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were
doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after
the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a
doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about what
he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were able
to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier, Phil
Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken to
Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the hospital
for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to work
there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything that
went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from many
different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that Dr,
Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted
to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer
and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital. After she
saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could
come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright to bring a
friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would
be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers
to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working
there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September
1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it
reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital was a
typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The
hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French
Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou and I started working
side by side with the Gabones Workers. The French Forman asked,"why
were we doing this"? Lou told him we were accustomed to this type of
work. The forman also said the hard work was for thr "Blacks". This
derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not use to this type
of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an
international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we could do
was set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right along
side of them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much progress
he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter and
hard work. We had everything under control and soon the forman left
us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers spirits up joking with
them much like we did at our school worksites. The hospital gave us
two weeks to complete the excavation. We finished this task in one
week and completed the building the folowing week. Team work with the
Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr.
Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite nurses
were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on working
much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall about
three to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady comfortable
place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he motioned
for us to come over and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock in
the morning. By this time he knew our names and also knew we would be
returning to school and, he inquired as to what we were going to
study when we returned to the United States. He was very intrested in
Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr.
Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to the hospital
when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the
hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become a
doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our
Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He liked the idea,
he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.One of our last days at the
hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over to talk. He asked us in
French and one of the nurses interpreted in English. Although Doctor
Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak in French. Lou
and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French to the
Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with his
friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think
this quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along with
his special presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we
knew why he came by the work site every morning? We said we thought
he was interested how work was progressing. He said he was but there
was another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson that
he tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells them, "there
will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people are
willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were
proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to the
Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are
willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled
with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them
all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I
know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I
worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We
visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry
Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of
Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was finished
in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered to
different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much
after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was
looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster
College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he
said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to Medical
School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was
looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon
1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting
on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you tom
for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss you,
Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace Corps
Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God speed
to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet
again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that touched us
all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,
Africa.__________________________________________________________Bored
stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on
Yahoo! Games.http://games.yahoo.com/games/front[Non-text portions of
this message have been removed] > > >
__________________________________________________________> Discover
the new Windows Vista> http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?
q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE> > [Non-text portions of this
message have been removed]> > > >
__________________________________________________________> News,
entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get it now!>
http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx> > [Non-text portions of this
message have been removed]>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________
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> http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?
wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mkt=en-us
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>






---------------------------------
Don't get soaked.  Take a quick peek at the forecast
  with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

And it wasn't even a hotel - There was a Caisse de Passage in every town of any
size, a hold-over from the Colonial days - It was a building with two or three
rooms, each with a bed and night stand, no sheets, maybe a table and chair, etc,
and communal shower/toilet facilities, and no food or facilities to cook - The
intent was for travelers (read French businessmen, foresters, etc.) to use them
when they were out and about on business (The French always traveled with their
food box, called 'pot-a-pot' maybe?, for their lunch food, etc.) - When we were
there (post-Colonial) they were managed by the village chief or ? - There was
also a caretaker who let you in and out and generally watched over the place - I
don't remember if there was any cost involved, altho the sum of 200CFA seems to
come to mind - I stayed in the one at Fougamou for a week or so when I first
arrived from N'dende in late October or early November waiting for the Silvis'
to come back from annual leave - As I remember, the Fougamou Caisse was located
across the street from where our Volunteer house would be, just up the street
from the SHO - Fond memories!

Steve Bean
sbean718@...


   ----- Original Message -----
   From: bobutne
   To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:22 PM
   Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Re: Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered


   The hotel in Fougamou in the 1964 era was named Case Passage. Only
   problem was that to book a night at the hotel, we volunteers had to
   get an OK from the local Prefect.

   --- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@...>
   wrote:
   >
   > Brad and Lindsey,
   >
   > When we were in Fougamou in the 60.s. I can't believe I'm saying
   that, wow, how time flies. There was not large hotel as you
   described. My directions I know are faulty, everything in my mind
   seems to run East and West. I'm sure you have the right spot where
   the original schools are located across the street from the
   Protestant House.
   >
   > I remember when we built the schools there toward the jungle side
   of the road. We would encounter many monkeys squawking at us from the
   trees close by. They finally got use to us, However if we left any
   of our tools out , there was a good chance the little bandits would
   drag them into the jungle. More than one hammer was found at the
   jungles edge of our work site.
   >
   > Our living quarters would be up stream from that washing site you
   described with the rocks. Maybe 200 to 300 yards up river.
   >
   > How long will you be back in Fougamou? Please remember to snap some
   shots of the old schools. If you can find them. Gabon what a great
   Country, I wish I was going back with you.
   >
   > Dale
   > Gabon 1
   >
   >
   > To: gabondiscussion@...: niakurondi@...: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:36:20
   +0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
   remembered
   >
   >
   >
   >
   > Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)I always thought the school
   that Peace Corps built in Fougamou became part of the Lycée Technique
   on the south end of town, past the Bitoukou stream and across from
   the Protestant missionary. (The main road and the Ngounié run north-
   south.) I still can't place where those tennis courts could have
   been. There was a well-used basketball court there now, next to the
   mosque and the river. I was also curious if the Hotel Ngounié (with,
   of course, a presedential suite on the top floor) was there back
   then. There are rocks next to it that were a popular place to wash
   clothes when I was there, 2002-2003.I posted pictures of Fougamou a
   long time ago, but they must have disappeared. I'll post them again
   under the photos link in the menu.- Brad Hodges--- In
   gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>> >
   Yes, they were off set a bit, but close together. Once you saw the
   schools you would recognize them. The design was pretty much the same
   through out Gabon, Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture of
   one. The schools main characteristics was the double roofs.> > I know
   a lot has changed in Fougamou sense 1963, Our Peace Corps location
   where he made our headquarters was on the road that paralleled the
   river. Just West of the spot on the bank of the river where everyone
   did their laundry. This spot was a natural, kind of an inlet. where
   the Gabonese women could wade out in the shallows. I suspect they
   still use that area.> > How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe some of
   the other guys that read this post can better identify our house in
   Fougamou. Heck, it might be gone by now. Our house was so close to
   the river we were visited quite regularly by a small hers of Hippos
   that would come out of the river at night, walk around and feed a
   while then slip back into the river by morning. We could see their
   tracks in the morning. A couple of times they came 10 feet or so from
   one of the tents occupied by a couple of volunteers. all in a days
   work in Gabon.> > Maybe you could post some of your pictures from
   Fougamou. I would like to see them.> > Dale> Gabon 1> > > To:
   gabondiscussion@: no_reply@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47 +0000Subject:
   Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered> > >
   > > I was in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right next to
   eachother? There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where you
   are talking about. I taught in all the elementary schools though. ---
   In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>>
   Tom, > Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools
   across from Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east side
   of Fougamou. I understand the two schools still are standing. You
   remember the tennis courts in town? That would be on the main road
   towards, I think Mouela. The house next to the tennis courts, that's
   where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou for about 6 months. We all
   had a lot of fun their. As you know the people were great.> > Dale>
   Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@: tom_leblanc_chico@: Thu, 15
   Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace
   Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > Hi Dale,That was beautiful. BTW,
   I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the "college" there?
   All the best.Tom LeBlanc----- Original Message ----From: judkinsdale
   <djudkins@>To: gabondiscussion@: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13
   AMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
   rememberedLouis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many
   of us he was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted
   to include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it
   a point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were
   doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after
   the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a
   doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about what
   he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were able
   to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier, Phil
   Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken to
   Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the hospital
   for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to work
   there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything that
   went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from many
   different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that Dr,
   Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted
   to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer
   and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital. After she
   saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could
   come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright to bring a
   friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would
   be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers
   to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working
   there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September
   1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it
   reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital was a
   typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The
   hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French
   Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou and I started working
   side by side with the Gabones Workers. The French Forman asked,"why
   were we doing this"? Lou told him we were accustomed to this type of
   work. The forman also said the hard work was for thr "Blacks". This
   derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not use to this type
   of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an
   international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we could do
   was set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right along
   side of them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much progress
   he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter and
   hard work. We had everything under control and soon the forman left
   us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers spirits up joking with
   them much like we did at our school worksites. The hospital gave us
   two weeks to complete the excavation. We finished this task in one
   week and completed the building the folowing week. Team work with the
   Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr.
   Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite nurses
   were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on working
   much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall about
   three to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady comfortable
   place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he motioned
   for us to come over and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock in
   the morning. By this time he knew our names and also knew we would be
   returning to school and, he inquired as to what we were going to
   study when we returned to the United States. He was very intrested in
   Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr.
   Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to the hospital
   when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the
   hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become a
   doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our
   Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He liked the idea,
   he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.One of our last days at the
   hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over to talk. He asked us in
   French and one of the nurses interpreted in English. Although Doctor
   Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak in French. Lou
   and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French to the
   Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with his
   friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think
   this quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along with
   his special presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we
   knew why he came by the work site every morning? We said we thought
   he was interested how work was progressing. He said he was but there
   was another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson that
   he tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells them, "there
   will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people are
   willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were
   proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to the
   Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are
   willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled
   with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them
   all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I
   know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I
   worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We
   visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry
   Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of
   Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was finished
   in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered to
   different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much
   after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was
   looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster
   College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he
   said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to Medical
   School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was
   looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon
   1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting
   on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you tom
   for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss you,
   Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace Corps
   Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God speed
   to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet
   again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that touched us
   all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,
   Africa.__________________________________________________________Bored
   stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on
   Yahoo! Games.http://games.yahoo.com/games/front[Non-text portions of
   this message have been removed] > > >
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   message have been removed]> > > >
   __________________________________________________________> News,
   entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get it now!>
   http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx> > [Non-text portions of this
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   >
   >
   > __________________________________________________________
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   >





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'll take as many pictures of everything that I can.  Like I said,
I'll be in Fougamou the first week of April.  I'll be there for one
week (it's our spring break!!).

Yeah, Brad, the roads are all paved.  Except now the pot holes are so
big, it would be better if they hadn't been paved!!  The roads get
worse each visit I get to make out to Fougamou.

Oh, and Ali told me that the road is going to get finished from
Lamberene to Fougamou for real.  He said that he talked to the new
people that are contracted to do it (Italians).  I said I'd believe
it when it happens.

And Linds, I'll send you lots of pics of Vida...she is getting so big
and cute :)

If anyone else has pics they want me to take of anywhere in Fgm, just
let me know!!

I'll be sure to eat plenty of feuille de manioc, neyembewe (I don't
know how to spell!) and drink LOTS of vin du palme!!!

Lindsay

--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Bean" <sbean718@...>
wrote:
>
> And it wasn't even a hotel - There was a Caisse de Passage in every
town of any size, a hold-over from the Colonial days - It was a
building with two or three rooms, each with a bed and night stand, no
sheets, maybe a table and chair, etc, and communal shower/toilet
facilities, and no food or facilities to cook - The intent was for
travelers (read French businessmen, foresters, etc.) to use them when
they were out and about on business (The French always traveled with
their food box, called 'pot-a-pot' maybe?, for their lunch food,
etc.) - When we were there (post-Colonial) they were managed by the
village chief or ? - There was also a caretaker who let you in and
out and generally watched over the place - I don't remember if there
was any cost involved, altho the sum of 200CFA seems to come to mind -
  I stayed in the one at Fougamou for a week or so when I first
arrived from N'dende in late October or early November waiting for
the Silvis' to come back from annual leave - As I remember, the
Fougamou Caisse was located across the street from where our
Volunteer house would be, just up the street from the SHO - Fond
memories!
>
> Steve Bean
> sbean718@...
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: bobutne
>   To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:22 PM
>   Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Re: Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
remembered
>
>
>   The hotel in Fougamou in the 1964 era was named Case Passage.
Only
>   problem was that to book a night at the hotel, we volunteers had
to
>   get an OK from the local Prefect.
>
>   --- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@>
>   wrote:
>   >
>   > Brad and Lindsey,
>   >
>   > When we were in Fougamou in the 60.s. I can't believe I'm
saying
>   that, wow, how time flies. There was not large hotel as you
>   described. My directions I know are faulty, everything in my mind
>   seems to run East and West. I'm sure you have the right spot
where
>   the original schools are located across the street from the
>   Protestant House.
>   >
>   > I remember when we built the schools there toward the jungle
side
>   of the road. We would encounter many monkeys squawking at us from
the
>   trees close by. They finally got use to us, However if we left
any
>   of our tools out , there was a good chance the little bandits
would
>   drag them into the jungle. More than one hammer was found at the
>   jungles edge of our work site.
>   >
>   > Our living quarters would be up stream from that washing site
you
>   described with the rocks. Maybe 200 to 300 yards up river.
>   >
>   > How long will you be back in Fougamou? Please remember to snap
some
>   shots of the old schools. If you can find them. Gabon what a
great
>   Country, I wish I was going back with you.
>   >
>   > Dale
>   > Gabon 1
>   >
>   >
>   > To: gabondiscussion@: niakurondi@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:36:20
>   +0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps
Volunteer
>   remembered
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   > Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)I always thought the school
>   that Peace Corps built in Fougamou became part of the Lycée
Technique
>   on the south end of town, past the Bitoukou stream and across
from
>   the Protestant missionary. (The main road and the Ngounié run
north-
>   south.) I still can't place where those tennis courts could have
>   been. There was a well-used basketball court there now, next to
the
>   mosque and the river. I was also curious if the Hotel Ngounié
(with,
>   of course, a presedential suite on the top floor) was there back
>   then. There are rocks next to it that were a popular place to
wash
>   clothes when I was there, 2002-2003.I posted pictures of Fougamou
a
>   long time ago, but they must have disappeared. I'll post them
again
>   under the photos link in the menu.- Brad Hodges--- In
>   gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@>
wrote:>> >
>   Yes, they were off set a bit, but close together. Once you saw
the
>   schools you would recognize them. The design was pretty much the
same
>   through out Gabon, Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture
of
>   one. The schools main characteristics was the double roofs.> > I
know
>   a lot has changed in Fougamou sense 1963, Our Peace Corps
location
>   where he made our headquarters was on the road that paralleled
the
>   river. Just West of the spot on the bank of the river where
everyone
>   did their laundry. This spot was a natural, kind of an inlet.
where
>   the Gabonese women could wade out in the shallows. I suspect they
>   still use that area.> > How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe
some of
>   the other guys that read this post can better identify our house
in
>   Fougamou. Heck, it might be gone by now. Our house was so close
to
>   the river we were visited quite regularly by a small hers of
Hippos
>   that would come out of the river at night, walk around and feed a
>   while then slip back into the river by morning. We could see
their
>   tracks in the morning. A couple of times they came 10 feet or so
from
>   one of the tents occupied by a couple of volunteers. all in a
days
>   work in Gabon.> > Maybe you could post some of your pictures from
>   Fougamou. I would like to see them.> > Dale> Gabon 1> > > To:
>   gabondiscussion@: no_reply@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47
+0000Subject:
>   Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered>
> >
>   > > I was in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right
next to
>   eachother? There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where
you
>   are talking about. I taught in all the elementary schools
though. ---
>   In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@>
wrote:>>
>   Tom, > Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools
>   across from Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east
side
>   of Fougamou. I understand the two schools still are standing. You
>   remember the tennis courts in town? That would be on the main
road
>   towards, I think Mouela. The house next to the tennis courts,
that's
>   where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou for about 6 months. We
all
>   had a lot of fun their. As you know the people were great.> >
Dale>
>   Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@: tom_leblanc_chico@: Thu,
15
>   Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1
Peace
>   Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > Hi Dale,That was beautiful.
BTW,
>   I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the "college"
there?
>   All the best.Tom LeBlanc----- Original Message ----From:
judkinsdale
>   <djudkins@>To: gabondiscussion@: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13
>   AMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
>   rememberedLouis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To
many
>   of us he was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone
wanted
>   to include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He
made it
>   a point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were
>   doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life
after
>   the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and
becoming a
>   doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about
what
>   he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were
able
>   to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier,
Phil
>   Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken
to
>   Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the
hospital
>   for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to
work
>   there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything
that
>   went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from
many
>   different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that
Dr,
>   Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I
wanted
>   to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps
Volunteer
>   and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital. After
she
>   saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told me I
could
>   come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright to
bring a
>   friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou and I
would
>   be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace Corps
Volunteers
>   to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working
>   there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in
September
>   1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think
it
>   reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital
was a
>   typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The
>   hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French
>   Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou and I started working
>   side by side with the Gabones Workers. The French Forman
asked,"why
>   were we doing this"? Lou told him we were accustomed to this type
of
>   work. The forman also said the hard work was for thr "Blacks".
This
>   derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not use to this
type
>   of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an
>   international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we
could do
>   was set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right
along
>   side of them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much
progress
>   he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter
and
>   hard work. We had everything under control and soon the forman
left
>   us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers spirits up joking
with
>   them much like we did at our school worksites. The hospital gave
us
>   two weeks to complete the excavation. We finished this task in
one
>   week and completed the building the folowing week. Team work with
the
>   Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr.
>   Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite
nurses
>   were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on
working
>   much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall
about
>   three to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady
comfortable
>   place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he
motioned
>   for us to come over and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock
in
>   the morning. By this time he knew our names and also knew we
would be
>   returning to school and, he inquired as to what we were going to
>   study when we returned to the United States. He was very
intrested in
>   Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr.
>   Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to the
hospital
>   when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the
>   hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become
a
>   doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our
>   Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He liked the
idea,
>   he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.One of our last days at
the
>   hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over to talk. He asked us in
>   French and one of the nurses interpreted in English. Although
Doctor
>   Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak in French.
Lou
>   and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French to
the
>   Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with
his
>   friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think
>   this quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along
with
>   his special presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we
>   knew why he came by the work site every morning? We said we
thought
>   he was interested how work was progressing. He said he was but
there
>   was another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson
that
>   he tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells
them, "there
>   will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people
are
>   willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were
>   proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to
the
>   Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they
are
>   willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese
smiled
>   with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated
them
>   all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very special,
I
>   know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close in
Gabon. I
>   worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and
Fougamou. We
>   visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry
>   Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of
>   Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was
finished
>   in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered
to
>   different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou
much
>   after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was
>   looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster
>   College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and
he
>   said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to
Medical
>   School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was
>   looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon
>   1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I
setting
>   on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you
tom
>   for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss
you,
>   Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace
Corps
>   Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God
speed
>   to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet
>   again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that touched
us
>   all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,
>
Africa.__________________________________________________________Bored
>   stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free
on
>   Yahoo! Games.http://games.yahoo.com/games/front[Non-text portions
of
>   this message have been removed] > > >
>   __________________________________________________________>
Discover
>   the new Windows Vista> http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?
>   q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE> > [Non-text portions of this
>   message have been removed]> > > >
>   __________________________________________________________> News,
>   entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get it
now!>
>   http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx> > [Non-text portions of this
>   message have been removed]>
>   >
>   >
>   > __________________________________________________________
>   > Invite your mail contacts to join your friends list with
Windows
>   Live Spaces. It's easy!
>   > http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?
>   wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mkt=en-us
>   >
>   > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>   >
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

When we finished our service, a gaboprix (grocery
store) had also opened, and sells goodies like cheese
and ice cream. We were very excited about that
development as well as the addition of a pool table to
the hotel across from the Lycee technique!


--- lindsgabon <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

> I'll take as many pictures of everything that I can.
>  Like I said,
> I'll be in Fougamou the first week of April.  I'll
> be there for one
> week (it's our spring break!!).
>
> Yeah, Brad, the roads are all paved.  Except now the
> pot holes are so
> big, it would be better if they hadn't been paved!!
> The roads get
> worse each visit I get to make out to Fougamou.
>
> Oh, and Ali told me that the road is going to get
> finished from
> Lamberene to Fougamou for real.  He said that he
> talked to the new
> people that are contracted to do it (Italians).  I
> said I'd believe
> it when it happens.
>
> And Linds, I'll send you lots of pics of Vida...she
> is getting so big
> and cute :)
>
> If anyone else has pics they want me to take of
> anywhere in Fgm, just
> let me know!!
>
> I'll be sure to eat plenty of feuille de manioc,
> neyembewe (I don't
> know how to spell!) and drink LOTS of vin du
> palme!!!
>
> Lindsay
>
> --- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Bean"
> <sbean718@...>
> wrote:
> >
> > And it wasn't even a hotel - There was a Caisse de
> Passage in every
> town of any size, a hold-over from the Colonial days
> - It was a
> building with two or three rooms, each with a bed
> and night stand, no
> sheets, maybe a table and chair, etc, and communal
> shower/toilet
> facilities, and no food or facilities to cook - The
> intent was for
> travelers (read French businessmen, foresters, etc.)
> to use them when
> they were out and about on business (The French
> always traveled with
> their food box, called 'pot-a-pot' maybe?, for their
> lunch food,
> etc.) - When we were there (post-Colonial) they were
> managed by the
> village chief or ? - There was also a caretaker who
> let you in and
> out and generally watched over the place - I don't
> remember if there
> was any cost involved, altho the sum of 200CFA seems
> to come to mind -
>  I stayed in the one at Fougamou for a week or so
> when I first
> arrived from N'dende in late October or early
> November waiting for
> the Silvis' to come back from annual leave - As I
> remember, the
> Fougamou Caisse was located across the street from
> where our
> Volunteer house would be, just up the street from
> the SHO - Fond
> memories!
> >
> > Steve Bean
> > sbean718@...
> >
> >
> >   ----- Original Message -----
> >   From: bobutne
> >   To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
> >   Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:22 PM
> >   Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Re: Gabon 1 Peace
> Corps Volunteer
> remembered
> >
> >
> >   The hotel in Fougamou in the 1964 era was named
> Case Passage.
> Only
> >   problem was that to book a night at the hotel,
> we volunteers had
> to
> >   get an OK from the local Prefect.
> >
> >   --- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale
> judkins <djudkins@>
> >   wrote:
> >   >
> >   > Brad and Lindsey,
> >   >
> >   > When we were in Fougamou in the 60.s. I can't
> believe I'm
> saying
> >   that, wow, how time flies. There was not large
> hotel as you
> >   described. My directions I know are faulty,
> everything in my mind
> >   seems to run East and West. I'm sure you have
> the right spot
> where
> >   the original schools are located across the
> street from the
> >   Protestant House.
> >   >
> >   > I remember when we built the schools there
> toward the jungle
> side
> >   of the road. We would encounter many monkeys
> squawking at us from
> the
> >   trees close by. They finally got use to us,
> However if we left
> any
> >   of our tools out , there was a good chance the
> little bandits
> would
> >   drag them into the jungle. More than one hammer
> was found at the
> >   jungles edge of our work site.
> >   >
> >   > Our living quarters would be up stream from
> that washing site
> you
> >   described with the rocks. Maybe 200 to 300 yards
> up river.
> >   >
> >   > How long will you be back in Fougamou? Please
> remember to snap
> some
> >   shots of the old schools. If you can find them.
> Gabon what a
> great
> >   Country, I wish I was going back with you.
> >   >
> >   > Dale
> >   > Gabon 1
> >   >
> >   >
> >   > To: gabondiscussion@: niakurondi@: Thu, 15 Mar
> 2007 19:36:20
> >   +0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1
> Peace Corps
> Volunteer
> >   remembered
> >   >
> >   >
> >   >
> >   >
> >   > Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)I always
> thought the school
> >   that Peace Corps built in Fougamou became part
> of the Lycée
> Technique
> >   on the south end of town, past the Bitoukou
> stream and across
> from
> >   the Protestant missionary. (The main road and
> the Ngounié run
> north-
> >   south.) I still can't place where those tennis
> courts could have
> >   been. There was a well-used basketball court
> there now, next to
> the
> >   mosque and the river. I was also curious if the
> Hotel Ngounié
> (with,
> >   of course, a presedential suite on the top
> floor) was there back
> >   then. There are rocks next to it that were a
> popular place to
> wash
> >   clothes when I was there, 2002-2003.I posted
> pictures of Fougamou
> a
> >   long time ago, but they must have disappeared.
> I'll post them
> again
> >   under the photos link in the menu.- Brad
> Hodges--- In
> >   gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins
> <djudkins@>
> wrote:>> >
> >   Yes, they were off set a bit, but close
> together. Once you saw
> the
> >   schools you would recognize them. The design was
> pretty much the
> same
>
=== message truncated ===




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Yes, they knew it was a PC house because of the activity as well as the
American trucks with the 'shaking hands' on the doors - That was a good
time - When I was in Fougamou, I stayed with the Silvis' arranging and
hauling material and generally getting the sites ready - I moved in with you
guys around Christmas because Edia was going to Libreville for a couple of
weeks - Shortly after New Years ( That was a memorable visit to Libreville
for the Holidays!!!) I left for the north and stayed in N'djole at the hotel
there for almost a month waiting for a barge load of cement to be hauled up
from Port Gentil  (as I recall, Morascini was with me for a week or so and
then Wilkes moved him back south)- And from there to the house on the Plaza
in Oyem -

There were several of us who weren't on sites, but were hauling materials:
Jim LaMore, Tony Goebbels, myself, and maybe a couple of others - Morrison
and Metcalf were the mechanics of the bunch and they were ALWAYS busy!! - It
was different life from the sites, as the interaction in the villages was
non-existent - But, we did get to see a lot of the country and were able to
visit some of Gabon II as we went - I stayed with Gino Torres in Mitzic
several times and went way north to visit Muriel Plante once - It was a
different experience from the sites -

Steve


----- Original Message -----
From: "dale judkins" <djudkins@...>
To: <gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 8:58 AM
Subject: [Gabon Discussion] RE: [ Fougamou


Steve,
I think you are right about the small hotel. I was thinking it was across
the street from our house in Fougamou.  I stayed there a couple of times
myself.  Our house sat back, as I remember, about 50 yards or so from the
main road.  Everyone could tell that was our Peace Corps House because of
all the activity there.  Our group was a good one, everyone got along quite
well.  In later years, after the Peace Corps days, I appreciated this more
then ever. To my knowledge we had no bad fealings towards one another. I
can't ever remember of anyone in our group at Fougamou having issues.   We
had Jim Boyd as our Peace Corps Leader, Marion Ackerman as our Master
Carpenter. Tom Otto as our unofficial photographer, Lou williams, Larry
Jackson, Bob Utne, Don Riehard, Jerry Anderson and Myself.  Also, you Steve.
I remember you were on the road a lot hauling supplies to our group and the
others.

  I think the next group closest to Fougamou was at Mouila. Sometimes on a
Friday or Saturday night we would all get together and play cards.  Alll the
guys that were in our Public Works Project in Gabon were outstanding.  We
were in Fougamou to build schools, however the interaction that we all had
with the Gabonese was the greatest gift we received.  There was a lot more
to our project in Fougamou then building schools. When our work day was over
many of us taught our Gabonese Partners French, chauffeuring the trucks,
also building skills at the work site. The Gabonese were very inquisitive of
us all. they knew we were in Gabon to help them in anyway, and many of us
went out of our way to teach them whatever we could about what we knew.  We
learned so much from them.

Brad,  sounds like you spent some time in Fougamou.  How many Volunteers
were in your group?

Dale


To: gabondiscussion@...: sbean718@...: Fri, 16
Mar 2007 07:48:13 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Re: Gabon 1 Peace
Corps Volunteer remembered




And it wasn't even a hotel - There was a Caisse de Passage in every town of
any size, a hold-over from the Colonial days - It was a building with two or
three rooms, each with a bed and night stand, no sheets, maybe a table and
chair, etc, and communal shower/toilet facilities, and no food or facilities
to cook - The intent was for travelers (read French businessmen, foresters,
etc.) to use them when they were out and about on business (The French
always traveled with their food box, called 'pot-a-pot' maybe?, for their
lunch food, etc.) - When we were there (post-Colonial) they were managed by
the village chief or ? - There was also a caretaker who let you in and out
and generally watched over the place - I don't remember if there was any
cost involved, altho the sum of 200CFA seems to come to mind - I stayed in
the one at Fougamou for a week or so when I first arrived from N'dende in
late October or early November waiting for the Silvis' to come back from
annual leave - As I remember, the Fougamou Caisse was located across the
street from where our Volunteer house would be, just up the street from the
SHO - Fond memories!Steve Beansbean718@...----- Original
Message ----- From: bobutne To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com Sent:
Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:22 PMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Re: Gabon 1
Peace Corps Volunteer rememberedThe hotel in Fougamou in the 1964 era was
named Case Passage. Only problem was that to book a night at the hotel, we
volunteers had to get an OK from the local Prefect. --- In
gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@...> wrote:>> Brad
and Lindsey,> > When we were in Fougamou in the 60.s. I can't believe I'm
saying that, wow, how time flies. There was not large hotel as you
described. My directions I know are faulty, everything in my mind seems to
run East and West. I'm sure you have the right spot where the original
schools are located across the street from the Protestant House.> > I
remember when we built the schools there toward the jungle side of the road.
We would encounter many monkeys squawking at us from the trees close by.
They finally got use to us, However if we left any of our tools out , there
was a good chance the little bandits would drag them into the jungle. More
than one hammer was found at the jungles edge of our work site.> > Our
living quarters would be up stream from that washing site you described with
the rocks. Maybe 200 to 300 yards up river.> > How long will you be back in
Fougamou? Please remember to snap some shots of the old schools. If you can
find them. Gabon what a great Country, I wish I was going back with you.> >
Dale> Gabon 1> > > To: gabondiscussion@...: niakurondi@...: Thu, 15 Mar 2007
19:36:20 +0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
remembered> > > > > Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)I always thought the
school that Peace Corps built in Fougamou became part of the Lycée Technique
on the south end of town, past the Bitoukou stream and across from the
Protestant missionary. (The main road and the Ngounié run north-south.) I
still can't place where those tennis courts could have been. There was a
well-used basketball court there now, next to the mosque and the river. I
was also curious if the Hotel Ngounié (with, of course, a presedential suite
on the top floor) was there back then. There are rocks next to it that were
a popular place to wash clothes when I was there, 2002-2003.I posted
pictures of Fougamou a long time ago, but they must have disappeared. I'll
post them again under the photos link in the menu.- Brad Hodges--- In
gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>> > Yes,
they were off set a bit, but close together. Once you saw the schools you
would recognize them. The design was pretty much the same through out Gabon,
Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture of one. The schools main
characteristics was the double roofs.> > I know a lot has changed in
Fougamou sense 1963, Our Peace Corps location where he made our headquarters
was on the road that paralleled the river. Just West of the spot on the bank
of the river where everyone did their laundry. This spot was a natural, kind
of an inlet. where the Gabonese women could wade out in the shallows. I
suspect they still use that area.> > How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe
some of the other guys that read this post can better identify our house in
Fougamou. Heck, it might be gone by now. Our house was so close to the river
we were visited quite regularly by a small hers of Hippos that would come
out of the river at night, walk around and feed a while then slip back into
the river by morning. We could see their tracks in the morning. A couple of
times they came 10 feet or so from one of the tents occupied by a couple of
volunteers. all in a days work in Gabon.> > Maybe you could post some of
your pictures from Fougamou. I would like to see them.> > Dale> Gabon 1> > >
To: gabondiscussion@: no_reply@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47 +0000Subject: Re:
[Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > I was
in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right next to eachother? There
are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where you are talking about. I
taught in all the elementary schools though. --- In
gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, dale judkins <djudkins@> wrote:>> Tom, >
Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools across from
Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east side of Fougamou. I
understand the two schools still are standing. You remember the tennis
courts in town? That would be on the main road towards, I think Mouela. The
house next to the tennis courts, that's where we all stayed. We were in
Fougamou for about 6 months. We all had a lot of fun their. As you know the
people were great.> > Dale> Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@:
tom_leblanc_chico@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon
Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > Hi Dale,That
was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the
"college" there?All the best.Tom LeBlanc----- Original Message ----From:
judkinsdale <djudkins@>To: gabondiscussion@: Thursday, March 15, 2007
9:09:13 AMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer
rememberedLouis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he
was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to include in
anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a point to be
interested in what you had to say and what you were doing. Many nights in
Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after the Peace Corps. Lou was
looking forward to going home and becoming a doctor. Gabon was a measuring
stick for Lou. any questions about what he wanted to do with his life was
answered in Gabon.We both were able to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in
February 1964. Earlier, Phil Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad
accident and was taken to Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with
Phil at the hospital for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou
and I to work there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything
that went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from many
different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that Dr,
Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted to do at
the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I wanted to
help in the construction at the hospital. After she saw me regularly at the
hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could come anytime and work. I asked
her if it would be alright to bring a friend, she said that would be fine
and, I told her Lou and I would be back the next week.Lou and I were the
first Peace Corps Volunteers to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest
part about working there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died
in September 1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I
think it reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital was
a typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The hospital
provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French Foreman. The first
day at the job site, Lou and I started working side by side with the Gabones
Workers. The French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we
were accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work was
for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not
use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an
international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we could do was
set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right along side of
them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much progress he left Lou
and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter and hard work. We had
everything under control and soon the forman left us completly alone. Lou
and I kept the workers spirits up joking with them much like we did at our
school worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the excavation.
We finished this task in one week and completed the building the folowing
week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each
morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite
nurses were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on working
much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall about three
to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady comfortable place for
the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he motioned for us to come over
and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock in the morning. By this time he
knew our names and also knew we would be returning to school and, he
inquired as to what we were going to study when we returned to the United
States. He was very intrested in Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted
to be a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to
the hospital when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the
hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become a doctor.
We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our Peace Corps work,
building schools all over Gabon. He liked the idea, he thought it was a good
thing for Gabon.One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited
us over to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses interpreted in
English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak
in French. Lou and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French
to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with his
friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think this
quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along with his special
presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we knew why he came by
the work site every morning? We said we thought he was interested how work
was progressing. He said he was but there was another reason. He went on to
say we were an object lesson that he tells his young Gabonese workers many
times. He tells them, "there will always be a rewarding culture as long as
the young people are willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told
us we were proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to
the Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are
willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled with
the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them all well. The
experience I had at the hospital was very special, I know Lou felt the same
way.Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three
school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy Villages
together with Bob Utley, and Jerry Anderson. We went to the rapids on the
Ngonia River outside of Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our
work was finished in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were
scattered to different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou
much after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was looking
forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster College. I
received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he said he was working
hard in school, and looking forward to Medical School. I lost track of Lou
shortly after his last letter. I was looking forward to getting together
this October at our Gabon 1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of
Lou and I setting on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories.
Thank you tom for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss
you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace Corps
Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God speed to you
Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet again and toast
the Gabon and all the great people that touched us all along the way.Dale
JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,
Africa.__________________________________________________________Boredstiff?
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Yahoo! Groups Links

Lindsay,

I would love to see some pictures.  I was in Fougamou 93-95 as an English
teacher. I lived in a wood house that had been a PCV house through a number
volunteers. It was on the section of the road after it curved away from the
river.

I understood that Fougamou had changed quite a bit after I left -- in fact the
infusion of money started before I left with several big projects like a hotel 
opening.

Kim
----- Original Message ----
From: lindsgabon <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 11:32:13 AM
Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Re: Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered













             I'll take as many pictures of everything that I can.  Like I said,

I'll be in Fougamou the first week of April.  I'll be there for one

week (it's our spring break!!).



Yeah, Brad, the roads are all paved.  Except now the pot holes are so

big, it would be better if they hadn't been paved!!  The roads get

worse each visit I get to make out to Fougamou.



Oh, and Ali told me that the road is going to get finished from

Lamberene to Fougamou for real.  He said that he talked to the new

people that are contracted to do it (Italians).  I said I'd believe

it when it happens.



And Linds, I'll send you lots of pics of Vida...she is getting so big

and cute :)



If anyone else has pics they want me to take of anywhere in Fgm, just

let me know!!



I'll be sure to eat plenty of feuille de manioc, neyembewe (I don't

know how to spell!) and drink LOTS of vin du palme!!!



Lindsay



--- In gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com, "Steve Bean" <sbean718@.. .>

wrote:

>

> And it wasn't even a hotel - There was a Caisse de Passage in every

town of any size, a hold-over from the Colonial days - It was a

building with two or three rooms, each with a bed and night stand, no

sheets, maybe a table and chair, etc, and communal shower/toilet

facilities, and no food or facilities to cook - The intent was for

travelers (read French businessmen, foresters, etc.) to use them when

they were out and about on business (The French always traveled with

their food box, called 'pot-a-pot' maybe?, for their lunch food,

etc.) - When we were there (post-Colonial) they were managed by the

village chief or ? - There was also a caretaker who let you in and

out and generally watched over the place - I don't remember if there

was any cost involved, altho the sum of 200CFA seems to come to mind -

  I stayed in the one at Fougamou for a week or so when I first

arrived from N'dende in late October or early November waiting for

the Silvis' to come back from annual leave - As I remember, the

Fougamou Caisse was located across the street from where our

Volunteer house would be, just up the street from the SHO - Fond

memories!

>

> Steve Bean

> sbean718@...

>

>

>   ----- Original Message -----

>   From: bobutne

>   To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

>   Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 2:22 PM

>   Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Re: Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer

remembered

>

>

>   The hotel in Fougamou in the 1964 era was named Case Passage.

Only

>   problem was that to book a night at the hotel, we volunteers had

to

>   get an OK from the local Prefect.

>

>   --- In gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com, dale judkins <djudkins@>

>   wrote:

>   >

>   > Brad and Lindsey,

>   >

>   > When we were in Fougamou in the 60.s. I can't believe I'm

saying

>   that, wow, how time flies. There was not large hotel as you

>   described. My directions I know are faulty, everything in my mind

>   seems to run East and West. I'm sure you have the right spot

where

>   the original schools are located across the street from the

>   Protestant House.

>   >

>   > I remember when we built the schools there toward the jungle

side

>   of the road. We would encounter many monkeys squawking at us from

the

>   trees close by. They finally got use to us, However if we left

any

>   of our tools out , there was a good chance the little bandits

would

>   drag them into the jungle. More than one hammer was found at the

>   jungles edge of our work site.

>   >

>   > Our living quarters would be up stream from that washing site

you

>   described with the rocks. Maybe 200 to 300 yards up river.

>   >

>   > How long will you be back in Fougamou? Please remember to snap

some

>   shots of the old schools. If you can find them. Gabon what a

great

>   Country, I wish I was going back with you.

>   >

>   > Dale

>   > Gabon 1

>   >

>   >

>   > To: gabondiscussion@ : niakurondi@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:36:20

>   +0000Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps

Volunteer

>   remembered

>   >

>   >

>   >

>   >

>   > Hi Lindsey and Dale. (Mue dikengui?)I always thought the school

>   that Peace Corps built in Fougamou became part of the Lycée

Technique

>   on the south end of town, past the Bitoukou stream and across

from

>   the Protestant missionary. (The main road and the Ngounié run

north-

>   south.) I still can't place where those tennis courts could have

>   been. There was a well-used basketball court there now, next to

the

>   mosque and the river. I was also curious if the Hotel Ngounié

(with,

>   of course, a presedential suite on the top floor) was there back

>   then. There are rocks next to it that were a popular place to

wash

>   clothes when I was there, 2002-2003.I posted pictures of Fougamou

a

>   long time ago, but they must have disappeared. I'll post them

again

>   under the photos link in the menu.- Brad Hodges--- In

>   gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com, dale judkins <djudkins@>

wrote:>> >

>   Yes, they were off set a bit, but close together. Once you saw

the

>   schools you would recognize them. The design was pretty much the

same

>   through out Gabon, Maybe Bob Utne can get Tom to post a picture

of

>   one. The schools main characteristics was the double roofs.> > I

know

>   a lot has changed in Fougamou sense 1963, Our Peace Corps

location

>   where he made our headquarters was on the road that paralleled

the

>   river. Just West of the spot on the bank of the river where

everyone

>   did their laundry. This spot was a natural, kind of an inlet.

where

>   the Gabonese women could wade out in the shallows. I suspect they

>   still use that area.> > How long where you in Fougamou? Maybe

some of

>   the other guys that read this post can better identify our house

in

>   Fougamou. Heck, it might be gone by now. Our house was so close

to

>   the river we were visited quite regularly by a small hers of

Hippos

>   that would come out of the river at night, walk around and feed a

>   while then slip back into the river by morning. We could see

their

>   tracks in the morning. A couple of times they came 10 feet or so

from

>   one of the tents occupied by a couple of volunteers. all in a

days

>   work in Gabon.> > Maybe you could post some of your pictures from

>   Fougamou. I would like to see them.> > Dale> Gabon 1> > > To:

>   gabondiscussion@ : no_reply@: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:38:47

+0000Subject:

>   Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered>

> >

>   > > I was in Fougamou 2003-2005. Were those two schools right

next to

>   eachother? There are no tennis courts now, so I am not sure where

you

>   are talking about. I taught in all the elementary schools

though. ---

>   In gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com, dale judkins <djudkins@>

wrote:>>

>   Tom, > Thanks for your kind words. In 63 we built the two schools

>   across from Silva's house. The Protestant Missionary, The east

side

>   of Fougamou. I understand the two schools still are standing. You

>   remember the tennis courts in town? That would be on the main

road

>   towards, I think Mouela. The house next to the tennis courts,

that's

>   where we all stayed. We were in Fougamou for about 6 months. We

all

>   had a lot of fun their. As you know the people were great.> >

Dale>

>   Gabon !> > > > > To: gabondiscussion@ : tom_leblanc_ chico@: Thu,

15

>   Mar 2007 06:56:32 -0700Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1

Peace

>   Corps Volunteer remembered> > > > > Hi Dale,That was beautiful.

BTW,

>   I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the "college"

there?

>   All the best.Tom LeBlanc----- Original Message ----From:

judkinsdale

>   <djudkins@>To: gabondiscussion@ : Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13

>   AMSubject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer

>   rememberedLouis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To

many

>   of us he was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone

wanted

>   to include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He

made it

>   a point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were

>   doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life

after

>   the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and

becoming a

>   doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about

what

>   he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.We both were

able

>   to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February 1964. Earlier,

Phil

>   Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad accident and was taken

to

>   Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed with Phil at the

hospital

>   for a short while and got a chance to arrange for Lou and I to

work

>   there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter controlled most everything

that

>   went on at the hospital. She told me she had many requests from

many

>   different people to work at the hospital. Her job was to see that

Dr,

>   Schweitzer's image was a positive one. Rhena asked me what I

wanted

>   to do at the hspital? I told her that I was a Peace Corps

Volunteer

>   and I wanted to help in the construction at the hospital. After

she

>   saw me regularly at the hospital caring for Phil, She told me I

could

>   come anytime and work. I asked her if it would be alright to

bring a

>   friend, she said that would be fine and, I told her Lou and I

would

>   be back the next week.Lou and I were the first Peace Corps

Volunteers

>   to work at Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working

>   there was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in

September

>   1965.Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think

it

>   reinforced his drive to become a doctor.Our job at the hospital

was a

>   typical construction job clearing an area for a new building. The

>   hospital provided us with a Gabonese Crew complete with a French

>   Foreman. The first day at the job site, Lou and I started working

>   side by side with the Gabones Workers. The French Forman

asked,"why

>   were we doing this"? Lou told him we were accustomed to this type

of

>   work. The forman also said the hard work was for thr "Blacks".

This

>   derogatory language caught us off guard, we were not use to this

type

>   of tone towards the workers. we did not want to cause an

>   international incident at the hospital so, the best thing we

could do

>   was set the example for the Gabonese and continue to work right

along

>   side of them. After a few days the French Forman saw so much

progress

>   he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled with laughter

and

>   hard work. We had everything under control and soon the forman

left

>   us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers spirits up joking

with

>   them much like we did at our school worksites. The hospital gave

us

>   two weeks to complete the excavation. We finished this task in

one

>   week and completed the building the folowing week. Team work with

the

>   Gabonese Workers is what Lou and I did best.Each morning Dr.

>   Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two favorite

nurses

>   were always with him. We would acknowledge him and keep on

working

>   much to his delight. Near the work site there was a small wall

about

>   three to four feet high with palm trees providing a shady

comfortable

>   place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One day he

motioned

>   for us to come over and sit with him. It was around ten O'clock

in

>   the morning. By this time he knew our names and also knew we

would be

>   returning to school and, he inquired as to what we were going to

>   study when we returned to the United States. He was very

intrested in

>   Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be a doctor. Dr.

>   Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back to the

hospital

>   when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his experience at the

>   hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced him to become

a

>   doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer knew about our

>   Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He liked the

idea,

>   he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.One of our last days at

the

>   hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over to talk. He asked us in

>   French and one of the nurses interpreted in English. Although

Doctor

>   Schweitzer could speak English he prefered to speak in French.

Lou

>   and I could speak French we were intimidated speaking French to

the

>   Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always put us at ease with

his

>   friendliness, and encouraged us to speak French with him. I think

>   this quality of putting people at ease was a gift he had along

with

>   his special presence that lou and I recognized. He asked us if we

>   knew why he came by the work site every morning? We said we

thought

>   he was interested how work was progressing. He said he was but

there

>   was another reason. He went on to say we were an object lesson

that

>   he tells his young Gabonese workers many times. He tells

them, "there

>   will always be a rewarding culture as long as the young people

are

>   willing to get their hands dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were

>   proving this to the Gabonese workers. He also went on to say to

the

>   Gabonese near by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they

are

>   willing to get their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese

smiled

>   with the Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated

them

>   all well. The experience I had at the hospital was very special,

I

>   know Lou felt the same way.Our work was coming to a close in

Gabon. I

>   worked with Lou at three school sites. Okala, Kango, and

Fougamou. We

>   visited the Pygmy Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry

>   Anderson. We went to the rapids on the Ngonia River outside of

>   Fougamou and many other places in Gabon. After our work was

finished

>   in Fougamou, we built two large schools there, we were scattered

to

>   different job sites in Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou

much

>   after we left Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was

>   looking forward to getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster

>   College. I received a couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and

he

>   said he was working hard in school, and looking forward to

Medical

>   School. I lost track of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was

>   looking forward to getting together this October at our Gabon

>   1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom Otto's recent picture of Lou and I

setting

>   on the steps at Kango brought back some great memories. Thank you

tom

>   for that picture. Lou is struming the guitar.We will all miss

you,

>   Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be the young Peace

Corps

>   Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and easy smile. God

speed

>   to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for us all. We will meet

>   again and toast the Gabon and all the great people that touched

us

>   all along the way.Dale JudkinsPeace Corps VolunteerGabon 1,

>

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>   stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free

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>   the new Windows Vista> http://search. msn.com/results. aspx?

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tom,

You were there that much before me??? (I was there 93-95)  You left some
reputation in Fougamou -- people spoke of you often.

(It was actually funny -- it took me a while to figure out there your name
really was Tom LeBlanc and I had assumed that people were calling you the French
equivalent of Tom "the white guy."  Your last name must have made your time in
Peace Corps very interesting.

Kim

----- Original Message ----
From: Tom LeBlanc <tom_leblanc_chico@...>
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:56:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered













             Hi Dale,



That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the
"college" there?



All the best.



Tom LeBlanc



----- Original Message ----

From: judkinsdale <djudkins@hotmail. com>

To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AM

Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered



Louis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he

was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to

include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a

point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were

doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after

the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a

doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about

what he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.



We both were able to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February

1964. Earlier, Phil Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad

accident and was taken to Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed

with Phil at the hospital for a short while and got a chance to

arrange for Lou and I to work there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter

controlled most everything that went on at the hospital. She told me

she had many requests from many different people to work at the

hospital. Her job was to see that Dr, Schweitzer's image was a

positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted to do at the hspital? I

told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I wanted to help in

the construction at the hospital. After she saw me regularly at the

hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could come anytime and work.

I asked her if it would be alright to bring a friend, she said that

would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would be back the next week.



Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers to work at

Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working there

was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September 1965.



Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it

reinforced his drive to become a doctor.



Our job at the hospital was a typical construction job clearing an

area for a new building. The hospital provided us with a Gabonese

Crew complete with a French Foreman. The first day at the job site,

Lou and I started working side by side with the Gabones Workers. The

French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we were

accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work

was for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard,

we were not use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not

want to cause an international incident at the hospital so, the best

thing we could do was set the example for the Gabonese and continue

to work right along side of them. After a few days the French Forman

saw so much progress he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled

with laughter and hard work. We had everything under control and soon

the forman left us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers

spirits up joking with them much like we did at our school

worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the

excavation. We finished this task in one week and completed the

building the folowing week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is

what Lou and I did best.



Each morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two

favorite nurses were always with him. We would acknowledge him and

keep on working much to his delight. Near the work site there was a

small wall about three to four feet high with palm trees providing a

shady comfortable place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One

day he motioned for us to come over and sit with him. It was around

ten O'clock in the morning. By this time he knew our names and also

knew we would be returning to school and, he inquired as to what we

were going to study when we returned to the United States. He was

very intrested in Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be

a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back

to the hospital when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his

experience at the hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced

him to become a doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer

knew about our Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He

liked the idea, he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.



One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over

to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses interpreted in

English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak English he prefered

to speak in French. Lou and I could speak French we were intimidated

speaking French to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always

put us at ease with his friendliness, and encouraged us to speak

French with him. I think this quality of putting people at ease was

a gift he had along with his special presence that lou and I

recognized. He asked us if we knew why he came by the work site

every morning? We said we thought he was interested how work was

progressing. He said he was but there was another reason. He went

on to say we were an object lesson that he tells his young Gabonese

workers many times. He tells them, "there will always be a rewarding

culture as long as the young people are willing to get their hands

dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were proving this to the Gabonese

workers. He also went on to say to the Gabonese near

by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are willing to get

their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled with the

Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them all well.

The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I know Lou

felt the same way.



Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three

school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy

Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry Anderson. We went to the

rapids on the Ngonia River outside of Fougamou and many other places

in Gabon. After our work was finished in Fougamou, we built two

large schools there, we were scattered to different job sites in

Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much after we left

Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was looking forward to

getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster College. I received a

couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he said he was working

hard in school, and looking forward to Medical School. I lost track

of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was looking forward to

getting together this October at our Gabon 1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom

Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting on the steps at Kango

brought back some great memories. Thank you tom for that picture.

Lou is struming the guitar.



We will all miss you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be

the young Peace Corps Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and

easy smile. God speed to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for

us all. We will meet again and toast the Gabon and all the great

people that touched us all along the way.



Dale Judkins

Peace Corps Volunteer

Gabon 1, Africa.



____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tom,

   I was in Fougajazz from 2002 to 2003, and got the impression that you were THE
PCV posted in Fougamou by which all others should be measured. I used to go with
Mama Bodinga to the plantation out toward Sindara. (She was overjoyed to receive
your package from the U.S. while I was working there.) I picked up a lot of
Eshira (the local language), went hunting and fishing with Peeblé (who told
stories of every PCV who ever worked in Fougamou), attended all night Bwiti
ceremonies, and did anything and everything to fully absorb the local culture.
Nevertheless, I was often told by locals, "Ah, there'll never be another Tom."

   (I'm also sending this to Nate Smith, who was there around the same time as
me, for his information.)

   Brad Hodges



fougamou@... a écrit :
           Tom,

You were there that much before me??? (I was there 93-95) You left some
reputation in Fougamou -- people spoke of you often.

(It was actually funny -- it took me a while to figure out there your name
really was Tom LeBlanc and I had assumed that people were calling you the French
equivalent of Tom "the white guy." Your last name must have made your time in
Peace Corps very interesting.

Kim

----- Original Message ----
From: Tom LeBlanc <tom_leblanc_chico@...>
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:56:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Hi Dale,

That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the
"college" there?

All the best.

Tom LeBlanc

----- Original Message ----

From: judkinsdale <djudkins@hotmail. com>

To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AM

Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Louis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he

was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to

include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a

point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were

doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after

the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a

doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about

what he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.

We both were able to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February

1964. Earlier, Phil Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad

accident and was taken to Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed

with Phil at the hospital for a short while and got a chance to

arrange for Lou and I to work there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter

controlled most everything that went on at the hospital. She told me

she had many requests from many different people to work at the

hospital. Her job was to see that Dr, Schweitzer's image was a

positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted to do at the hspital? I

told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I wanted to help in

the construction at the hospital. After she saw me regularly at the

hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could come anytime and work.

I asked her if it would be alright to bring a friend, she said that

would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would be back the next week.

Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers to work at

Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working there

was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September 1965.

Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it

reinforced his drive to become a doctor.

Our job at the hospital was a typical construction job clearing an

area for a new building. The hospital provided us with a Gabonese

Crew complete with a French Foreman. The first day at the job site,

Lou and I started working side by side with the Gabones Workers. The

French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we were

accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work

was for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard,

we were not use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not

want to cause an international incident at the hospital so, the best

thing we could do was set the example for the Gabonese and continue

to work right along side of them. After a few days the French Forman

saw so much progress he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled

with laughter and hard work. We had everything under control and soon

the forman left us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers

spirits up joking with them much like we did at our school

worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the

excavation. We finished this task in one week and completed the

building the folowing week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is

what Lou and I did best.

Each morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two

favorite nurses were always with him. We would acknowledge him and

keep on working much to his delight. Near the work site there was a

small wall about three to four feet high with palm trees providing a

shady comfortable place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One

day he motioned for us to come over and sit with him. It was around

ten O'clock in the morning. By this time he knew our names and also

knew we would be returning to school and, he inquired as to what we

were going to study when we returned to the United States. He was

very intrested in Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be

a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back

to the hospital when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his

experience at the hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced

him to become a doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer

knew about our Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He

liked the idea, he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.

One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over

to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses interpreted in

English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak English he prefered

to speak in French. Lou and I could speak French we were intimidated

speaking French to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always

put us at ease with his friendliness, and encouraged us to speak

French with him. I think this quality of putting people at ease was

a gift he had along with his special presence that lou and I

recognized. He asked us if we knew why he came by the work site

every morning? We said we thought he was interested how work was

progressing. He said he was but there was another reason. He went

on to say we were an object lesson that he tells his young Gabonese

workers many times. He tells them, "there will always be a rewarding

culture as long as the young people are willing to get their hands

dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were proving this to the Gabonese

workers. He also went on to say to the Gabonese near

by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are willing to get

their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled with the

Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them all well.

The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I know Lou

felt the same way.

Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three

school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy

Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry Anderson. We went to the

rapids on the Ngonia River outside of Fougamou and many other places

in Gabon. After our work was finished in Fougamou, we built two

large schools there, we were scattered to different job sites in

Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much after we left

Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was looking forward to

getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster College. I received a

couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he said he was working

hard in school, and looking forward to Medical School. I lost track

of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was looking forward to

getting together this October at our Gabon 1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom

Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting on the steps at Kango

brought back some great memories. Thank you tom for that picture.

Lou is struming the guitar.

We will all miss you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be

the young Peace Corps Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and

easy smile. God speed to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for

us all. We will meet again and toast the Gabon and all the great

people that touched us all along the way.

Dale Judkins

Peace Corps Volunteer

Gabon 1, Africa.

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

Bored stiff? Loosen up...

Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.

http://games. yahoo.com/ games/front

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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__________________________________________________________
Don't pick lemons.
See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






---------------------------------
  Découvrez une nouvelle façon d'obtenir des réponses à toutes vos questions !
Profitez des connaissances, des opinions et des expériences des internautes sur
Yahoo! Questions/Réponses.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Brad,

How are the Bodinga's?  How are all their kids?  I have a drum in my house with
the handprint of one of them --  Eloge, I think.  I taught two of them -- Eloge
and Stephan. When I was there, the health volunteer lived in their compound, and
the other education volunteer  lived next door in a house with a porch.  (I
lived on the other end of town, closer to the bars)

Kim




----- Original Message ----
From: Brad Hodges <niakurondi@...>
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Nate Smith <gabosmith2000@...>
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 2:15:17 AM
Subject: RE : Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered













             Tom,



   I was in Fougajazz from 2002 to 2003, and got the impression that you were THE
PCV posted in Fougamou by which all others should be measured. I used to go with
Mama Bodinga to the plantation out toward Sindara. (She was overjoyed to receive
your package from the U.S. while I was working there.) I picked up a lot of
Eshira (the local language), went hunting and fishing with Peeblé (who told
stories of every PCV who ever worked in Fougamou), attended all night Bwiti
ceremonies, and did anything and everything to fully absorb the local culture.
Nevertheless, I was often told by locals, "Ah, there'll never be another Tom."



(I'm also sending this to Nate Smith, who was there around the same time as me,
for his information. )



   Brad Hodges







fougamou@yahoo. com a écrit :

           Tom,



You were there that much before me??? (I was there 93-95) You left some
reputation in Fougamou -- people spoke of you often.



(It was actually funny -- it took me a while to figure out there your name
really was Tom LeBlanc and I had assumed that people were calling you the French
equivalent of Tom "the white guy." Your last name must have made your time in
Peace Corps very interesting.



Kim



----- Original Message ----

From: Tom LeBlanc <tom_leblanc_ chico@yahoo. com>

To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:56:32 AM

Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered



Hi Dale,



That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the
"college" there?



All the best.



Tom LeBlanc



----- Original Message ----



From: judkinsdale <djudkins@hotmail. com>



To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com



Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AM



Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered



Louis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he



was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to



include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a



point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were



doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after



the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a



doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about



what he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.



We both were able to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February



1964. Earlier, Phil Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad



accident and was taken to Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed



with Phil at the hospital for a short while and got a chance to



arrange for Lou and I to work there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter



controlled most everything that went on at the hospital. She told me



she had many requests from many different people to work at the



hospital. Her job was to see that Dr, Schweitzer's image was a



positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted to do at the hspital? I



told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I wanted to help in



the construction at the hospital. After she saw me regularly at the



hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could come anytime and work.



I asked her if it would be alright to bring a friend, she said that



would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would be back the next week.



Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers to work at



Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working there



was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September 1965.



Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it



reinforced his drive to become a doctor.



Our job at the hospital was a typical construction job clearing an



area for a new building. The hospital provided us with a Gabonese



Crew complete with a French Foreman. The first day at the job site,



Lou and I started working side by side with the Gabones Workers. The



French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we were



accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work



was for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard,



we were not use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not



want to cause an international incident at the hospital so, the best



thing we could do was set the example for the Gabonese and continue



to work right along side of them. After a few days the French Forman



saw so much progress he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled



with laughter and hard work. We had everything under control and soon



the forman left us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers



spirits up joking with them much like we did at our school



worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the



excavation. We finished this task in one week and completed the



building the folowing week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is



what Lou and I did best.



Each morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two



favorite nurses were always with him. We would acknowledge him and



keep on working much to his delight. Near the work site there was a



small wall about three to four feet high with palm trees providing a



shady comfortable place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One



day he motioned for us to come over and sit with him. It was around



ten O'clock in the morning. By this time he knew our names and also



knew we would be returning to school and, he inquired as to what we



were going to study when we returned to the United States. He was



very intrested in Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be



a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back



to the hospital when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his



experience at the hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced



him to become a doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer



knew about our Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He



liked the idea, he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.



One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over



to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses interpreted in



English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak English he prefered



to speak in French. Lou and I could speak French we were intimidated



speaking French to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always



put us at ease with his friendliness, and encouraged us to speak



French with him. I think this quality of putting people at ease was



a gift he had along with his special presence that lou and I



recognized. He asked us if we knew why he came by the work site



every morning? We said we thought he was interested how work was



progressing. He said he was but there was another reason. He went



on to say we were an object lesson that he tells his young Gabonese



workers many times. He tells them, "there will always be a rewarding



culture as long as the young people are willing to get their hands



dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were proving this to the Gabonese



workers. He also went on to say to the Gabonese near



by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are willing to get



their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled with the



Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them all well.



The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I know Lou



felt the same way.



Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three



school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy



Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry Anderson. We went to the



rapids on the Ngonia River outside of Fougamou and many other places



in Gabon. After our work was finished in Fougamou, we built two



large schools there, we were scattered to different job sites in



Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much after we left



Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was looking forward to



getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster College. I received a



couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he said he was working



hard in school, and looking forward to Medical School. I lost track



of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was looking forward to



getting together this October at our Gabon 1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom



Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting on the steps at Kango



brought back some great memories. Thank you tom for that picture.



Lou is struming the guitar.



We will all miss you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be



the young Peace Corps Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and



easy smile. God speed to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for



us all. We will meet again and toast the Gabon and all the great



people that touched us all along the way.



Dale Judkins



Peace Corps Volunteer



Gabon 1, Africa.



____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _



Bored stiff? Loosen up...



Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.



http://games. yahoo.com/ games/front



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

Don't pick lemons.

See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

http://autos. yahoo.com/ new_cars. html



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





------------ --------- --------- ---

  Découvrez une nouvelle façon d'obtenir des réponses à toutes vos questions !
Profitez des connaissances, des opinions et des expériences des internautes sur
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Papa Bodinga published an Evia-French dictionary while I was there, and a
festival was held in Ngoissa to celebrate. He had mostly lost his hearing when I
last visited in 2004. The family is fine. Only the youngest two, a daughter and
son, lived at the house in Fougamou while I was there, but the other children
visited often.




fougamou@... a écrit :
           Brad,

How are the Bodinga's? How are all their kids? I have a drum in my house with
the handprint of one of them -- Eloge, I think. I taught two of them -- Eloge
and Stephan. When I was there, the health volunteer lived in their compound, and
the other education volunteer lived next door in a house with a porch. (I lived
on the other end of town, closer to the bars)

Kim

----- Original Message ----
From: Brad Hodges <niakurondi@...>
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Nate Smith <gabosmith2000@...>
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 2:15:17 AM
Subject: RE : Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Tom,

I was in Fougajazz from 2002 to 2003, and got the impression that you were THE
PCV posted in Fougamou by which all others should be measured. I used to go with
Mama Bodinga to the plantation out toward Sindara. (She was overjoyed to receive
your package from the U.S. while I was working there.) I picked up a lot of
Eshira (the local language), went hunting and fishing with Peeblé (who told
stories of every PCV who ever worked in Fougamou), attended all night Bwiti
ceremonies, and did anything and everything to fully absorb the local culture.
Nevertheless, I was often told by locals, "Ah, there'll never be another Tom."

(I'm also sending this to Nate Smith, who was there around the same time as me,
for his information. )

Brad Hodges

fougamou@yahoo. com a écrit :

Tom,

You were there that much before me??? (I was there 93-95) You left some
reputation in Fougamou -- people spoke of you often.

(It was actually funny -- it took me a while to figure out there your name
really was Tom LeBlanc and I had assumed that people were calling you the French
equivalent of Tom "the white guy." Your last name must have made your time in
Peace Corps very interesting.

Kim

----- Original Message ----

From: Tom LeBlanc <tom_leblanc_ chico@yahoo. com>

To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:56:32 AM

Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Hi Dale,

That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the
"college" there?

All the best.

Tom LeBlanc

----- Original Message ----

From: judkinsdale <djudkins@hotmail. com>

To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AM

Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Louis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he

was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to

include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a

point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were

doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after

the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a

doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about

what he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.

We both were able to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February

1964. Earlier, Phil Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad

accident and was taken to Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed

with Phil at the hospital for a short while and got a chance to

arrange for Lou and I to work there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter

controlled most everything that went on at the hospital. She told me

she had many requests from many different people to work at the

hospital. Her job was to see that Dr, Schweitzer's image was a

positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted to do at the hspital? I

told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I wanted to help in

the construction at the hospital. After she saw me regularly at the

hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could come anytime and work.

I asked her if it would be alright to bring a friend, she said that

would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would be back the next week.

Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers to work at

Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working there

was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September 1965.

Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it

reinforced his drive to become a doctor.

Our job at the hospital was a typical construction job clearing an

area for a new building. The hospital provided us with a Gabonese

Crew complete with a French Foreman. The first day at the job site,

Lou and I started working side by side with the Gabones Workers. The

French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we were

accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work

was for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard,

we were not use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not

want to cause an international incident at the hospital so, the best

thing we could do was set the example for the Gabonese and continue

to work right along side of them. After a few days the French Forman

saw so much progress he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled

with laughter and hard work. We had everything under control and soon

the forman left us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers

spirits up joking with them much like we did at our school

worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the

excavation. We finished this task in one week and completed the

building the folowing week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is

what Lou and I did best.

Each morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two

favorite nurses were always with him. We would acknowledge him and

keep on working much to his delight. Near the work site there was a

small wall about three to four feet high with palm trees providing a

shady comfortable place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One

day he motioned for us to come over and sit with him. It was around

ten O'clock in the morning. By this time he knew our names and also

knew we would be returning to school and, he inquired as to what we

were going to study when we returned to the United States. He was

very intrested in Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be

a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back

to the hospital when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his

experience at the hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced

him to become a doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer

knew about our Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He

liked the idea, he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.

One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over

to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses interpreted in

English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak English he prefered

to speak in French. Lou and I could speak French we were intimidated

speaking French to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always

put us at ease with his friendliness, and encouraged us to speak

French with him. I think this quality of putting people at ease was

a gift he had along with his special presence that lou and I

recognized. He asked us if we knew why he came by the work site

every morning? We said we thought he was interested how work was

progressing. He said he was but there was another reason. He went

on to say we were an object lesson that he tells his young Gabonese

workers many times. He tells them, "there will always be a rewarding

culture as long as the young people are willing to get their hands

dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were proving this to the Gabonese

workers. He also went on to say to the Gabonese near

by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are willing to get

their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled with the

Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them all well.

The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I know Lou

felt the same way.

Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three

school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy

Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry Anderson. We went to the

rapids on the Ngonia River outside of Fougamou and many other places

in Gabon. After our work was finished in Fougamou, we built two

large schools there, we were scattered to different job sites in

Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much after we left

Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was looking forward to

getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster College. I received a

couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he said he was working

hard in school, and looking forward to Medical School. I lost track

of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was looking forward to

getting together this October at our Gabon 1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom

Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting on the steps at Kango

brought back some great memories. Thank you tom for that picture.

Lou is struming the guitar.

We will all miss you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be

the young Peace Corps Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and

easy smile. God speed to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for

us all. We will meet again and toast the Gabon and all the great

people that touched us all along the way.

Dale Judkins

Peace Corps Volunteer

Gabon 1, Africa.

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

Bored stiff? Loosen up...

Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.

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Découvrez une nouvelle façon d'obtenir des réponses à toutes vos questions !
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  Découvrez une nouvelle façon d'obtenir des réponses à toutes vos questions !
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Kim,

Yeah, people loved my name. Whenever I walked by the primary school on my way to
the college all the kids would come running towards me shouting "moutangounie!"

Also, when I first arrived I got malaria and went to the hospital. There was a
long line and everybody insisted I go to the frong (I was the only white guy
there). After speaking with the male nurse about my symptomes, he opened a big
book and asked my name. I said "LeBlanc" and he said, "Non--votre nom." When I
repeated it, he asked for my identification papers. When he saw that my name
really was LeBlanc, he turned to the long line of people outside and yelled out:
"Hey everyone, this guy's name is LeBlanc!" Everyone cracked up laughing. It's
one of my fondest memories.

It sounds like things have changed a lot since I left. When I was there all the
roads were still dirt roads. Sounds like there's pavement and even a hotel! I'm
sure I wouldn't recognize it if I were to return. Maybe some day I will.

Tom


----- Original Message ----
From: "fougamou@..." <fougamou@...>
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 4:40:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Tom,

You were there that much before me??? (I was there 93-95) You left some
reputation in Fougamou -- people spoke of you often.

(It was actually funny -- it took me a while to figure out there your name
really was Tom LeBlanc and I had assumed that people were calling you the French
equivalent of Tom "the white guy." Your last name must have made your time in
Peace Corps very interesting.

Kim

----- Original Message ----
From: Tom LeBlanc <tom_leblanc_ chico@yahoo. com>
To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:56:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Hi Dale,

That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the
"college" there?

All the best.

Tom LeBlanc

----- Original Message ----

From: judkinsdale <djudkins@hotmail. com>

To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AM

Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Louis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he

was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to

include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a

point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were

doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after

the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a

doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about

what he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.

We both were able to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February

1964. Earlier, Phil Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad

accident and was taken to Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed

with Phil at the hospital for a short while and got a chance to

arrange for Lou and I to work there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter

controlled most everything that went on at the hospital. She told me

she had many requests from many different people to work at the

hospital. Her job was to see that Dr, Schweitzer's image was a

positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted to do at the hspital? I

told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I wanted to help in

the construction at the hospital. After she saw me regularly at the

hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could come anytime and work.

I asked her if it would be alright to bring a friend, she said that

would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would be back the next week.

Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers to work at

Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working there

was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September 1965.

Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it

reinforced his drive to become a doctor.

Our job at the hospital was a typical construction job clearing an

area for a new building. The hospital provided us with a Gabonese

Crew complete with a French Foreman. The first day at the job site,

Lou and I started working side by side with the Gabones Workers. The

French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we were

accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work

was for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard,

we were not use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not

want to cause an international incident at the hospital so, the best

thing we could do was set the example for the Gabonese and continue

to work right along side of them. After a few days the French Forman

saw so much progress he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled

with laughter and hard work. We had everything under control and soon

the forman left us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers

spirits up joking with them much like we did at our school

worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the

excavation. We finished this task in one week and completed the

building the folowing week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is

what Lou and I did best.

Each morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two

favorite nurses were always with him. We would acknowledge him and

keep on working much to his delight. Near the work site there was a

small wall about three to four feet high with palm trees providing a

shady comfortable place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One

day he motioned for us to come over and sit with him. It was around

ten O'clock in the morning. By this time he knew our names and also

knew we would be returning to school and, he inquired as to what we

were going to study when we returned to the United States. He was

very intrested in Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be

a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back

to the hospital when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his

experience at the hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced

him to become a doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer

knew about our Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He

liked the idea, he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.

One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over

to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses interpreted in

English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak English he prefered

to speak in French. Lou and I could speak French we were intimidated

speaking French to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always

put us at ease with his friendliness, and encouraged us to speak

French with him. I think this quality of putting people at ease was

a gift he had along with his special presence that lou and I

recognized. He asked us if we knew why he came by the work site

every morning? We said we thought he was interested how work was

progressing. He said he was but there was another reason. He went

on to say we were an object lesson that he tells his young Gabonese

workers many times. He tells them, "there will always be a rewarding

culture as long as the young people are willing to get their hands

dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were proving this to the Gabonese

workers. He also went on to say to the Gabonese near

by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are willing to get

their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled with the

Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them all well.

The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I know Lou

felt the same way.

Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three

school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy

Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry Anderson. We went to the

rapids on the Ngonia River outside of Fougamou and many other places

in Gabon. After our work was finished in Fougamou, we built two

large schools there, we were scattered to different job sites in

Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much after we left

Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was looking forward to

getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster College. I received a

couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he said he was working

hard in school, and looking forward to Medical School. I lost track

of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was looking forward to

getting together this October at our Gabon 1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom

Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting on the steps at Kango

brought back some great memories. Thank you tom for that picture.

Lou is struming the guitar.

We will all miss you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be

the young Peace Corps Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and

easy smile. God speed to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for

us all. We will meet again and toast the Gabon and all the great

people that touched us all along the way.

Dale Judkins

Peace Corps Volunteer

Gabon 1, Africa.

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

Bored stiff? Loosen up...

Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.

http://games. yahoo.com/ games/front

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Brad,

Wow! That's quite a compliment. Maybe I should go back just to dance in another
Bwiti ceremony!

Tom


----- Original Message ----
From: Brad Hodges <niakurondi@...>
To: gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Nate Smith <gabosmith2000@...>
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 8:15:17 AM
Subject: RE : Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Tom,

I was in Fougajazz from 2002 to 2003, and got the impression that you were THE
PCV posted in Fougamou by which all others should be measured. I used to go with
Mama Bodinga to the plantation out toward Sindara. (She was overjoyed to receive
your package from the U.S. while I was working there.) I picked up a lot of
Eshira (the local language), went hunting and fishing with Peeblé (who told
stories of every PCV who ever worked in Fougamou), attended all night Bwiti
ceremonies, and did anything and everything to fully absorb the local culture.
Nevertheless, I was often told by locals, "Ah, there'll never be another Tom."

(I'm also sending this to Nate Smith, who was there around the same time as me,
for his information. )

Brad Hodges



fougamou@yahoo. com a écrit :
Tom,

You were there that much before me??? (I was there 93-95) You left some
reputation in Fougamou -- people spoke of you often.

(It was actually funny -- it took me a while to figure out there your name
really was Tom LeBlanc and I had assumed that people were calling you the French
equivalent of Tom "the white guy." Your last name must have made your time in
Peace Corps very interesting.

Kim

----- Original Message ----
From: Tom LeBlanc <tom_leblanc_ chico@yahoo. com>
To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:56:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Hi Dale,

That was beautiful. BTW, I was teacher in Fougamou in 81-83. Did you build the
"college" there?

All the best.

Tom LeBlanc

----- Original Message ----

From: judkinsdale <djudkins@hotmail. com>

To: gabondiscussion@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 9:09:13 AM

Subject: [Gabon Discussion] Gabon 1 Peace Corps Volunteer remembered

Louis Williams served in Gabon from 1963 to 1964. To many of us he

was our Peace Corps Brother. He was the type everyone wanted to

include in anything we did. Lou was everybody's friend. He made it a

point to be interested in what you had to say and what you were

doing. Many nights in Gabon, Lou and I would talk about life after

the Peace Corps. Lou was looking forward to going home and becoming a

doctor. Gabon was a measuring stick for Lou. any questions about

what he wanted to do with his life was answered in Gabon.

We both were able to work at Dr. Schweitzer's Hospital in February

1964. Earlier, Phil Bosserman, a Peace Corps Leader had a bad

accident and was taken to Schweitzer's Hospital Lambarene. I stayed

with Phil at the hospital for a short while and got a chance to

arrange for Lou and I to work there. Rhena, Schweitzer's daughter

controlled most everything that went on at the hospital. She told me

she had many requests from many different people to work at the

hospital. Her job was to see that Dr, Schweitzer's image was a

positive one. Rhena asked me what I wanted to do at the hspital? I

told her that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I wanted to help in

the construction at the hospital. After she saw me regularly at the

hospital caring for Phil, She told me I could come anytime and work.

I asked her if it would be alright to bring a friend, she said that

would be fine and, I told her Lou and I would be back the next week.

Lou and I were the first Peace Corps Volunteers to work at

Schweitzer's Hospital. The hardest part about working there

was getting Rhena's approval. Dr. Schweitzer died in September 1965.

Lou's time at the hospital was very imprtant to him. I think it

reinforced his drive to become a doctor.

Our job at the hospital was a typical construction job clearing an

area for a new building. The hospital provided us with a Gabonese

Crew complete with a French Foreman. The first day at the job site,

Lou and I started working side by side with the Gabones Workers. The

French Forman asked,"why were we doing this"? Lou told him we were

accustomed to this type of work. The forman also said the hard work

was for thr "Blacks". This derogatory language caught us off guard,

we were not use to this type of tone towards the workers. we did not

want to cause an international incident at the hospital so, the best

thing we could do was set the example for the Gabonese and continue

to work right along side of them. After a few days the French Forman

saw so much progress he left Lou and I alone. The job site was filled

with laughter and hard work. We had everything under control and soon

the forman left us completly alone. Lou and I kept the workers

spirits up joking with them much like we did at our school

worksites. The hospital gave us two weeks to complete the

excavation. We finished this task in one week and completed the

building the folowing week. Team work with the Gabonese Workers is

what Lou and I did best.

Each morning Dr. Schweitzer would stop by and watch us work. His two

favorite nurses were always with him. We would acknowledge him and

keep on working much to his delight. Near the work site there was a

small wall about three to four feet high with palm trees providing a

shady comfortable place for the Doctor to sit and watch us work. One

day he motioned for us to come over and sit with him. It was around

ten O'clock in the morning. By this time he knew our names and also

knew we would be returning to school and, he inquired as to what we

were going to study when we returned to the United States. He was

very intrested in Lou's response. Lou told him that he wanted to be

a doctor. Dr. Schweitzer was impressed and invited Lou to come back

to the hospital when he beame a doctor. Lou always said his

experience at the hospital and talking with Dr. Schweitzer convenced

him to become a doctor. We also were amazed at what Dr. Schweitzer

knew about our Peace Corps work, building schools all over Gabon. He

liked the idea, he thought it was a good thing for Gabon.

One of our last days at the hospital, Dr. Schweitzer invited us over

to talk. He asked us in French and one of the nurses interpreted in

English. Although Doctor Schweitzer could speak English he prefered

to speak in French. Lou and I could speak French we were intimidated

speaking French to the Doctor. Dr. Schweitzer sensed this and always

put us at ease with his friendliness, and encouraged us to speak

French with him. I think this quality of putting people at ease was

a gift he had along with his special presence that lou and I

recognized. He asked us if we knew why he came by the work site

every morning? We said we thought he was interested how work was

progressing. He said he was but there was another reason. He went

on to say we were an object lesson that he tells his young Gabonese

workers many times. He tells them, "there will always be a rewarding

culture as long as the young people are willing to get their hands

dirty". Dr. Schweitzer told us we were proving this to the Gabonese

workers. He also went on to say to the Gabonese near

by, "look at these youg Peace Corps Workers they are willing to get

their hands dirty, so should you". The Gabonese smiled with the

Doctor. They all showed him nuch respect, he treated them all well.

The experience I had at the hospital was very special, I know Lou

felt the same way.

Our work was coming to a close in Gabon. I worked with Lou at three

school sites. Okala, Kango, and Fougamou. We visited the Pygmy

Villages together with Bob Utley, and Jerry Anderson. We went to the

rapids on the Ngonia River outside of Fougamou and many other places

in Gabon. After our work was finished in Fougamou, we built two

large schools there, we were scattered to different job sites in

Northern Gabon. I didn't get to see Lou much after we left

Fougamou. Our time was short in Gabon and Lou was looking forward to

getting back to Pre-Mid Classes at Westminster College. I received a

couple of letters from Lou after Gabon and he said he was working

hard in school, and looking forward to Medical School. I lost track

of Lou shortly after his last letter. I was looking forward to

getting together this October at our Gabon 1,11,and 111 Reunion. Tom

Otto's recent picture of Lou and I setting on the steps at Kango

brought back some great memories. Thank you tom for that picture.

Lou is struming the guitar.

We will all miss you, Lou. You were a good friend. You will always be

the young Peace Corps Volunteer from Missouri, with the quick wit and

easy smile. God speed to you Lou. Have some palm wine waiting for

us all. We will meet again and toast the Gabon and all the great

people that touched us all along the way.

Dale Judkins

Peace Corps Volunteer

Gabon 1, Africa.

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It has been interesting to read all the stories and anecdotes going
back and forth in the past couple of weeks or so.

However, one thing got my attention in Mr. LeBlanc's last post and
his reference to Bwiti and comparing it to the "modern" religions of
the West.

There seems to be a big misconception among many people (mostly
westerners - but even younger Gabonese) that Bwiti is an old
indigenous religion of the region, but this is not so - especially
the Fang version of Bwiti which is the one mostly practiced in
Gabon.  Bwiti is essentially a 20th century "religion" that is an
amalgamation of Christianity, Fang traditional religion, and animism.

The first of the Bwiti churches began around 1910 and the colonial
authorities and Christian missionaries tried to stop them by
imprisoning followers and even executing some.  The local Christian
ministers and priests had Bwiti churches burned as they saw them a
dangerous cult which was twisting Christianity.  Also at the onset
and even today, many Fang themselves, who were not necessary
Christian themselves were and are against Bwiti as they saw it as a
threat to Fang tradition due the Christian elements and influences.

Bwiti only got popular and known more widely in Gabon after World War
II when it was allowed to develop openly, and when Leon M'ba who
later became the first president of Gabon, was put in prison for his
role and participation in a Bwiti ceremony during which a woman was
murdered.

He eventually brought the Bwiti to the statehouse and today it still
exists in Gabon at highest levels of the government.

For more information on the Fang you can look up a book by that name
by Dr. Chike Aniakor and edited by Dr. George Bond who was the
Director of the Institute of African Studies at Columbia University.
It is small book designed for students and has some basic but
interesting information.


--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, Tom LeBlanc
<tom_leblanc_chico@...> wrote:
>
> Dale,
>
> Thank you very much for your kind words.
>
> FYI, the Protestants weren't too keen on Bwiti either. In fact, I
probably only got away with doing it because the American Protestant
Pastor (Silva, I believe?) at the time I got initiated just happened
to be taking his annual leave. When he got back the following year,
he told the two volunteers who replaced me not to even think about
getting initiated. Otherwise he'd see to it that they were medivacced.
>
> Eating the iboga was definitely a very harsh experience. But I'm
convinced that it allowed me to approach the brink of death without
really dying. Actually, I think that it was a combination of the
iboga and the various elements of the ritual that allowed me to have
the out-of-body experience and then return to this world. Frankly, it
was blissful.
>
> It's a pity that Bwiti isn't recognized for what it really is--a
religious sect. The only difference between the "modern" religions of
the West and the indigenous religion of Bwiti is that the former
require faith whereas the latter actually shows you the real thing.
>
> Still, it's probably a lot easier to have faith than to go through
a Bwiti initiation. A few days after word got out that I had been
initiated, the police came by to scold and warn my initiators
saying, "It's all right to initiate Africans, but not Europeans. What
were you thinking? What would you have done if he had died? You would
have been in big trouble and we would have thrown you in jail for
life. Don't do it again."
>
> Tom

Wow. I know the Fang have the reputation among most of Gabon's other ethnic
groups as being "sauvage," but these descriptions of Bwiti ceremonies chez les
Fang really sound different than any of the Bwiti ceremonies I attended among
the Gisir, Punu, and Mitsogho further south. I never attended one, but I also
learned that the Nzebi of Koulamoutou have a version of the Bwiti. Does anyone
know more about the differences, if any?

   Brad

bobutne <bobutne@...> a écrit :
           Thanks Amin. The Fang book by Aniakor is available on Amazon.com at
about $2 a copy, used. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-
listing/0823919943/ref=sr_1_olp_1/102-6292961-9284901?
ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174440507&sr=8-1

Anyone besides me attend a Fang burial ceremony (all night duration
with Iboga use prevalent), where a portion of the deceased was eaten
by all the male participants?

--- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, "Amin F. Abari"
<aminabari@...> wrote:
>
> It has been interesting to read all the stories and anecdotes going
> back and forth in the past couple of weeks or so.
>
> However, one thing got my attention in Mr. LeBlanc's last post and
> his reference to Bwiti and comparing it to the "modern" religions
of
> the West.
>
> There seems to be a big misconception among many people (mostly
> westerners - but even younger Gabonese) that Bwiti is an old
> indigenous religion of the region, but this is not so - especially
> the Fang version of Bwiti which is the one mostly practiced in
> Gabon. Bwiti is essentially a 20th century "religion" that is an
> amalgamation of Christianity, Fang traditional religion, and
animism.
>
> The first of the Bwiti churches began around 1910 and the colonial
> authorities and Christian missionaries tried to stop them by
> imprisoning followers and even executing some. The local Christian
> ministers and priests had Bwiti churches burned as they saw them a
> dangerous cult which was twisting Christianity. Also at the onset
> and even today, many Fang themselves, who were not necessary
> Christian themselves were and are against Bwiti as they saw it as a
> threat to Fang tradition due the Christian elements and influences.
>
> Bwiti only got popular and known more widely in Gabon after World
War
> II when it was allowed to develop openly, and when Leon M'ba who
> later became the first president of Gabon, was put in prison for
his
> role and participation in a Bwiti ceremony during which a woman was
> murdered.
>
> He eventually brought the Bwiti to the statehouse and today it
still
> exists in Gabon at highest levels of the government.
>
> For more information on the Fang you can look up a book by that
name
> by Dr. Chike Aniakor and edited by Dr. George Bond who was the
> Director of the Institute of African Studies at Columbia
University.
> It is small book designed for students and has some basic but
> interesting information.
>
>
> --- In gabondiscussion@yahoogroups.com, Tom LeBlanc
> <tom_leblanc_chico@> wrote:
> >
> > Dale,
> >
> > Thank you very much for your kind words.
> >
> > FYI, the Protestants weren't too keen on Bwiti either. In fact, I
> probably only got away with doing it because the American
Protestant
> Pastor (Silva, I believe?) at the time I got initiated just
happened
> to be taking his annual leave. When he got back the following year,
> he told the two volunteers who replaced me not to even think about
> getting initiated. Otherwise he'd see to it that they were
medivacced.
> >
> > Eating the iboga was definitely a very harsh experience. But I'm
> convinced that it allowed me to approach the brink of death without
> really dying. Actually, I think that it was a combination of the
> iboga and the various elements of the ritual that allowed me to
have
> the out-of-body experience and then return to this world. Frankly,
it
> was blissful.
> >
> > It's a pity that Bwiti isn't recognized for what it really is--a
> religious sect. The only difference between the "modern" religions
of
> the West and the indigenous religion of Bwiti is that the former
> require faith whereas the latter actually shows you the real thing.
> >
> > Still, it's probably a lot easier to have faith than to go
through
> a Bwiti initiation. A few days after word got out that I had been
> initiated, the police came by to scold and warn my initiators
> saying, "It's all right to initiate Africans, but not Europeans.
What
> were you thinking? What would you have done if he had died? You
would
> have been in big trouble and we would have thrown you in jail for
> life. Don't do it again."
> >
> > Tom
>






---------------------------------
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Profitez des connaissances, des opinions et des expériences des internautes sur
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