The OWEN Project

The nets had to be repaired, and Makale also threw in money (from where I don't know *), to buy more nets so that OWEN Pirogue can catch more fish.  It's been a many day process, and the materials (bill shown) as well as funds to pay the 10-15 men that I typically see working in video.  500,000 cfa, the amount shown in the bill is about $900 when transferred via Xoom, an international money transfer service.  

We weren't catching fish, and the captain concluded that the nets had holes. Time to painstakingly look for them, and fix them.  More employment....  

Part of the reason that fishermen are coming to Dakar to fish with the OWEN Project is because we take care of them.    

There are always two captains on the boats:  one to stand high up at the bow to scout for fish, the other at the motor to expertly steer the boat so that the fishermen can drop the nets in the right arc.  Last night, the captain at the front of the boat was knocked off balance by the rough seas that arrive with winter, and fell into the bottom of the boat, breaking his arm.  Makalé went to the port at midnight to hail a cab to bring him to the hospital.  I sent $200 to help with expenses.  OWEN pirogue will be unable to work until the team figures out who can substitute in.