Final thoughts on Senegal trip - a success!

What a trip it has been.  I arrived with some doubts about the viability of the project and left with confidence and enthusiasm for its eventual success.  I saw EVERYTHING.  Owen, Ariane, the rented room, the store where our gas Jerry cans and motors are safely guarded, the bank account  and met the team.  I know understand how the business works.  I know what the planned for and unplanned for costs are (insofar as that's possible).  I also became more familiar with the sea, and how the rhythms of this business are completely dependent on the conditions at sea.  I have seen "high seas" that are kind of terrifying - no one can go out in those conditions!  I have observed the spending, for taxis, paying people for services and also for when times are tough.  The biggest expense is gasoline!  If you have a big catch, the $500-$600 of gas is inconsequential, but if you don't catch, then money has to be available to fill the Jerry cans for another go at it.  When I was there, we had not gone fishing for a bit due to high seas, but the <$100 we passed out to 13 fishermen is pocket change in comparison.  

We have a rudimentary system now for tracking spending/earning - it's a notebook, but I recorded all of info in a Google document. Makale will resume some of his other activities to earn money to support Owen and Ariane (and himself..he has taken nothing from the project for himself).  He has a restaurant and a side hustle selling paintings.  I will be sending money monthly instead of on a panic basis. This way, hopefully, finances can be more stable and the bank account can gradually grow.