Yellow House
By: Kedi Belew
During my time in Bwiam, I had the opportunity to participate in Bwiam General Hospital’s annual Walk for Health and Sports Tournament. This event involves a lively 5k walk around the community with music and dancing. The afternoon and evening conclude with a series of competitive games and various races. The goal of this event was to promote and encourage those in the community to exercise and participate in daily physical activity. Hospital staff were divided into four “Houses”— Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green. I was a member of the Yellow House where I quickly built a close relationship with my teammates and fellow hospital staff. Bright and early on a Saturday morning, we kicked off the 5k walk, where I had the chance to connect with other hospital staff and share joyful moments dancing with the children we encountered along the way in Bwiam. After the 5k Walk, we went back to the hospital where we celebrated with more dancing and a traditionally shared Gambian meal- Chicken Benachin. Though brief, the 5k walk allowed me the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture and witness the community’s deep sense of unity and mutual support.
In the evening, as we prepared for the sports tournament, each team set up their tent, and we came together to warm up with a few laps around the track. Wearing our bright “Yellow House” shirts, we took turns practicing for our individual events. I signed up to represent my team in the 4×100 relays and the “Lime and Spoon” event. Adults and children from the community gathered in large crowds around the field to watch the tournament. The children would approach me to wish me good luck in my competitions and run up to me after to congratulate me on a job well done. The tournament turned into a highly competitive yet entertaining event, filled with friendly teasing and witty exchanges between the teams. Although the Yellow House finished last when all points were tallied, I felt like a winner by the end of the day. Witnessing the lively, tight-knit community of all ages coming together in such numbers to advance community health was unlike anything I have ever seen. In my Medical Anthropology class, I learned about strengths-based community initiatives, and now I had the chance to be a part of one.
After the tournament was over, we ended the night with a community dinner, more music and dancing, and playful mockery between the winning and losing Houses that lasted for weeks. My nicknames around the hospital became “Yellow House Sprinter” and “Lime and Spoon”. It became a funny and sentimental reminder of the spirited competition and friendships I had made during the tournament.
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce.