Amsterdam Day 52: Senegal Day 1: Operation Tabaski

We left the hotel at about 8am to start the day. We arrived at the Delta office and this is what we saw. 

The truck with the sheep was already at the office and they were ready to unload the sheep into the Delta truck. 

The guys took the 12 sheep and loaded them up into the truck. They then added the Delta banners around the truck. We then loaded up into the three vehicles, including the sheep truck, and headed to the first travel agency. 

As we arrived, the drummer and rapper started their music announcing our arrival to the travel agency. Everyone in the agency was very excited to see us coming with their sheep. We awarded the agency with their certificate and gave them their sheep. We shook hands, introduced ourselves, and took a lot of pictures. As you can see, we are inside the travel agency with the sheep. And the sheep had to leave its little gift also. 

Here is a little video showing you a little how the experience went. This was the third agency that we visited. 

http://youtu.be/_4r-ZpRQ_JQ

We then loaded up in the truck to deliver more sheep

As we were riding through the city, the music group was singing and playing loudly about why we there and what we were doing. Everybody was looking our way as I'm sure that this was not a regular sight in Senegal. 

We continued throughout the day visiting agency after agency repeating the show until we had visited 10 of the best travel agencies in Dakar. 

One of our final visits of the day was to an orphanage. This wasn't just a normal orphanage though. This was an orphanage for children that have been rescued from human trafficking. This was the most rewarding and humbling part of Operation Tabaski. The kids all came out to dance and sing along with our musicians. 

The director of the orphanage came out to accept the two sheep that we presented. She was such a humble warm woman that it touched my heart that she would sacrifice so much for these children. She kept saying merci, merci for the sheep and our support, but all I wanted to do was thank her for the real important impact that she was making in life's of these kids. Sure, we were providing the Thanksgiving Turkey as it were, but she is providing so much more. It was very touching. 

I snuck a picture of the children's bedroom as we were on our way out. I wanted to have a picture to be able to show my children how these children lived. 

And this was the end of Operation Tabaski. The sheep were delivered to the travel agencies, and preparations were beginning for the holiday next week. As promised, it was quite a show, and very, very “Local”. We rode with sheep in a big open truck that we branded Delta, with local talking drum players announcing our arrival at each agency.  It was hot, dirty, smelly, and wonderful!!  The agents and community really responded to it.