And it goes on - with the two Rappenauers in Ivory Coast

The Monday begins by meeting with our representative in Ivory Coast and discussing the tasks of the week.

After that, there is a lesson in price calculation, percentage and three-rate bills. The "dime" seems to have fallen. It was simply not possible for me via the email way Isaac to convey these types of calculations which are so important for every merchant. He has to fulfill this task now too. Over the next few days, we will keep coming back to it, as well as providing the basics of statistics that will enable it to spot trends and developments better and earlier than its competitors.

From the left; Savanee`, Isamael, Isaac, Peter and Ursula

Then there is a foot reflexology therapy by Ursel to the "reward". After a siesta we drove to the Cyber-Cafe. Here was the handover of urgently needed material and tools such as a machine switch, which should prevent when the power fails (which, thank God, rarely occurs) and this is then suddenly supplied with very high voltage that the computer will be damaged (What happened before is). With the meter you should check the voltage and only when the voltage is "normal" high, turn the devices back on. After we explained and practiced the procedure, this was understood and very well received. The switch will be installed by a friendly electrician. Typically, IT technicians equip such systems (eight-computer, two-printer network) with uninterruptible power supplies. These are very safe but also very expensive. The money about 2.000 € we have saved us by the machine switch (12 €).

At dinner (Moroccans) we then made the travel expenses with Isaac. Then we went with the "taxi" back to the hotel.

The offer of the Cyber-Cafe`s

On Tuesday, an hour late we go home with Isaac to his family. He lives in a "favela" or also known as a "slum". We take the dented sheets of the wood-burning stove with us and hope to find someone who can straighten them out. “No problem,” says Isaac and puts it into his cousin's hand. After an extensive and very warm welcome from the whole family, we visit an area where there is the possibility of realizing a horticultural project. On the way there we are surprised by a rain shower. Not that special, because it's still rainy season. We briefly stay with a family with three small children. As it turns out, the little ones are all sick. We are greeted with large, but tired and feverish eyes. After the rain stopped we hiked on and got to know the owners of the gardens. Isaac is optimistic that he can cultivate a small piece of land there. We will try, if we get the land, to start organic vegetable growing here. Let's see ... On the way back we decide to go to the Moroccan to have lunch there. That was the keyword for Aischa (Isaac`s sister) to invite us to dinner. But since we are vegetarians and there should be fish and rice for lunch, we prefer to go to the restaurant. Isaac comes with us and keeps us company. We enjoy our "obligatory" vegetable rice which has proven to be tasty, filling and plentiful. The restaurant has a veranda right next to the thoroughfare, which is separated from the street by a yellow square pipe grille. We sit inside the restaurant because noise and dirt are more or less bearable here. I notice that two very hungry children's eyes have been watching us eat since we ordered. I ask Isaac the child, who turns out to be a boy of around eight, to ask him to come to dinner. The little man with the soccer shirt confirms my assumption. While we wait for the boy's order, his brother joins us. The boy orders vegetable rice with chicken and a Fanta. We supplement the order with a dessert (a slightly larger coconut macaroon). The two prefer to take the food with them. Whether the food has reached the home of the two is questionable? ... As hungry as the two were ... Our bill: Lunch for four people plus drinks and desserts: 14.500f = 22,10 €. Then we buy two small mattresses with Issac. Because Isaac has to sleep on the floor of the hut due to lack of space. Due to the lack of space in the hut, Isaac can only put two narrow mattresses on the floor. When asked the next morning, Isaac declared that he slept very well on it. At around 19 p.m. in the hotel, we end the day with a small dinner. Price: 00f = € 14.000.

children playing along the way

Wednesday:

Isaac comes later and takes a small breakfast. We discuss the day. At the same time, we learn that the founding ceremony of the association will take place on Friday and that people are invited and the mayor and savannah are invited. Savanne 'we met the day before. He is mainly responsible for youth issues. We invited our club members, some sponsors and Arin from Thailand to video chat. So everyone can participate without having to go through the arduous journey. Afterwards we transported home the wooden car cooker together with Isaac. Discussed the course of the installation of the water pipe and then bought a sink and siphon with his brother Abbas. Abbas was appalled how expensive that is. Now it was about the transport for the sink and the mattresses. We were able to persuade the two of them not to take the motorcycle but in the taxi. Back to the hotel. In the evening, a discussion about a new income opportunity. From Abidjan we had brought him a newspaper ad "TamTam" ("Tip of the Week"). Isaac was thrilled ....

Unfortunately, the children are ill. Glassy eyes are looking towards us

On Thursday: Again and again trouble with the management. We need a walk now to have a clear mind for decisions. We walk to a "river" near the hotel where we live. The river turns out to be a small lake. We circle around him and discover two hotels. After seeing them we decide to move out of the "La Grace" (supposedly the best house on the square). We change the hotel and move to the hotel Iman`s, which I had chosen on my first visit. The decision to relocate greatly facilitates. Short break, then it goes to the city for lunch - as always to the Moroccans. Ordered sandwich this time. Something new ... Hopefully the stomach and intestines do it with ...? Ursel will give a speech in French the next day - the big day of the public event and the presentation of our association. Isaac should translate these "simultaneously" into Malenke. My speech is delivered by Isaac. Translated by him from English into French and Malenke. I will just stand there and focus on making photo's, video's and connecting to video chat. We offered the interested people from Africa, Europe and Asia a video chat at the same time and thus allows you to be there "Life" without having to go through the arduous journey. Everyone is very excited and preparations are in full swing ...

The meeting place: women and men are sitting separately

On Friday:

The big day of the presentation of our association to the population and the authorities in the city council of the city of Daloa has begun. We meet Isaac with the Moroccan and wait there until the "start signal" that the brother of Isaac will give when the preparations are completed and all the guests have arrived. 15: 00 clock should be that. At 15: 30 we are still sitting in the restaurant and we can not leave .... As a precaution I postponed the beginning of the video chat and informed the participants about it. To 15: 30 we decide to drive without a "start signal" to the fairground. Some of the dignitaries of the magistrate have been late. At 16: 00 pm start of the event. Some of the "important" people are still missing. One of the colleagues of the missing man drives off with the motorcycle and picks it up. Finally we are complete, or not. As it turns out, Savanee`s illness and not much to the disappointment of Isaac. Savannee is a friend and at the same time chairman for youth affairs in the neighborhood. Well, everyone else (except the mayor - is on business in China) and the head of the city administration Idriss Coulibali (which we will meet in the evening in the hotel) are there. Isaac repeats his / our speech and I stand by it. Glittering applause during and at the end of the speech. After that, the various leaders of the city speak. Next comes Ursel. It is greeted with thunderous applause mainly by the women. Her speech is always supported by applause and nodding approval. Followed by applause at the end. Among other things, in her speech she promotes health care and homeopathy. On the question of which women have experience in health issues and naturopathy spontaneously two women report. Ursel will try to create a health program with these women. She has finally gained over 25 years of experience in her practice. This knowledge and experience puts you at the disposal of the women of the district and beyond. A suitable training room and date will be created.

Here are some impressions of the event: