Back into Africa

(My thanks to David Brock for the picture. Left to right: Dave Wilkins, Matthew Walpole, John Walpole)

The name Dave Wilkins has by now become a household name among the readers of the Costa Blanca Group's newspapers as we have followed Dave's adventures throughout Asia in his "Asia Odyssey", and at present his travels entitled "Into Africa" are being serialised. On that occasion he travelled with an American, by the name of Paul as they made their way across country. Paul was on the way to South Africa, and Dave was hitching a ride to Cameroon.

The travels of Dave, who calls himself "Wanderin Wilco" are amazing in themselves, but are made all the more awe-inspiring by the fact that several years ago David was struck by a horrific stroke that left his entire left side paralysed, including his left-side vision. Everyone else who I know that has had a similar misfortune to suffer this fate is now taking life easy. Let's face it, this is a major league setback that requires one to learn a whole set of skills. The main one will be in your head, and that is all about coping and wanting to carry on. Most such people don't even bother to go to the supermarket anymore, as that is simply too much effort.

Dave Wilkins is not everybody else. He is one of a kind, and the only reason I dare labour this point is because of the example that it gives. I hope his stories will be shared with people who are trying to cope with like debilitating circumstances because it just might be that they are capable of far more than they are aware. perhaps they thought there was no point in even trying. Of course, Dave is aware of what are supposed to be his limitations, and he is not actually trying to be a superman, but you know what: he is a superman. In fact he is a super-Superman because Dave has gone Back into Africa, and this time he is on a mission.

Dave is member 007 of The Malima Support Group of Spain that gives guidance and raises financial support for The Malima Project. The Group have adopted the village of Gouria, in the Extreme North of Cameroon, located in the Mandara Mountains along the border with Nigeria. A teacher at Cambridge House Community College in Valencia, Spain, Judith Burnett did some volunteer work in the region with the London based VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas). While there she was requested to help bring education to the village of Gouria.

From humble beginnings, The Malima Primary School, which she founded now has 200 students, and a large number of children in kindergarten waiting to enter the educational main stream. In addition there are adult classes for the parents. David visited the school as one of the supporting parents from Newton College of Elche to see for himself how the money donated was being used. Now he is totally committed to the village.

As proof that angels walk among us everyday, a most generous couple, Bob and Jan from Ontinyente in Spain offered the school, and the people of Gouria their surplus-to-requirements Nissan, Long-wheel base 4X4, as the village is so rural and remote and generally without transport of its own. The Malima Support Group hereby wishes to express their appreciation to Bob and Jan for their thoughtfulness and kindness. Once there, the vehicle will instantly transform life by being able to drive the necessary distance to collect water at a time when the village would normally not have any. As well, it will be able to act as their own ambulance, something they have never had before.

On the ninth of February, which is Dave's birthday, and as he pointed out, it is the date when Stanley set out to find Dr. Livingstone, Dave, together with the father and son driving team of John and Matthew Walpole left the docks at Alicante for the ferry crossing to Algiers on a 5,000 kilometre drive across the Sahara Desert to personally deliver the car. Their route is due South passing El Golea, In Salah, Tamanrasset, Arlit in Niger, and on into the Northern Plateu of Nigeria, a left turn across and into the Extreme Northern Cameroon, and the village of Gouria.

Crossing the desert there are paved roads for most of the way, providing the shifting sands do not completely cover them, but it is not exactly the same as driving the Autopista del Mediterranean. This is adventure in the making with many unknowns along the way. Already David has been reporting on their progress, and as one might imagine he tells tales of constant danger, life under the stars far away from life as we usually know it, and always the sand is constant. So far, so good!

That they will have some pretty good stories to tell when they get back is without doubt. We can be sure that there is at least one hotel along the way that goes by the name of "The Mirage." Let's hope it's real.

For more information regarding the Malima Project please visit www.Malima-Project.org