Congratulations to the Honorable Dr. Isatou Touray on her appointment to Vice President of The Gambia. The story of Dr. Isatou and her then organization Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) goes back to 2016 when Vicki and I brought six The Chicago School of Professional Psychology students to The Gambia. This was one of the 10 countries LemonAid Fund piloted the Forgiveness, Gratitude and Appreciation (FGA) Approach before launching it on the 22 February 2019. It specifically looked to provide healing of the trauma girls and women experienced during initiation and the cutting associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The women and men of GAMCOTRAP were so selfless that some had spent time in prison, literally lost their hair and had been ostracized for their work.
When I first met Dr. Isatou, she looked deeply into my eyes and said, "I dreamed you were coming to help us. I have seen you in my dreams". There were countless Godincidences during our 10 day stay in The Gambia, however, one of the first stands out to me. As part of an initial meeting with new organizations I have people set an intention for our work together and then have them select an angel that best reflects that intention for themselves and the group. It is always a powerful exercise. This time was no exception. Dr. Isatou picked the first angel for our time together "healing". Then 20 other people picked other angels and we wrote each of them on the board. I was the last person in the circle to pick my angel. Now I have to say that I've had the angels for years and years and there are a few duplicate angels, not because the cards came that way but because the angels have found there way into the bag. I also picked "healing'. The connection between Dr. Isatou and Dr. Nancy was noted by everyone. It created a foundation for trust and a friendship.
As we left The Gambia, Dr. Isatou voiced her desires to run for President of The Gambia to make much needed changes. Although not President, being the Honorable Vice President is pretty close to her dream coming true. Wondering if LemonAid Fund will be back in The Gambia to implement a nation FGA program to help heal not only those who experienced the trauma of FGM, but to help build resiliency and well-being throughout the country for another dream come true.
When I first met Dr. Isatou, she looked deeply into my eyes and said, "I dreamed you were coming to help us. I have seen you in my dreams". There were countless Godincidences during our 10 day stay in The Gambia, however, one of the first stands out to me. As part of an initial meeting with new organizations I have people set an intention for our work together and then have them select an angel that best reflects that intention for themselves and the group. It is always a powerful exercise. This time was no exception. Dr. Isatou picked the first angel for our time together "healing". Then 20 other people picked other angels and we wrote each of them on the board. I was the last person in the circle to pick my angel. Now I have to say that I've had the angels for years and years and there are a few duplicate angels, not because the cards came that way but because the angels have found there way into the bag. I also picked "healing'. The connection between Dr. Isatou and Dr. Nancy was noted by everyone. It created a foundation for trust and a friendship.
As we left The Gambia, Dr. Isatou voiced her desires to run for President of The Gambia to make much needed changes. Although not President, being the Honorable Vice President is pretty close to her dream coming true. Wondering if LemonAid Fund will be back in The Gambia to implement a nation FGA program to help heal not only those who experienced the trauma of FGM, but to help build resiliency and well-being throughout the country for another dream come true.
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