Thanks to David Brock for the pic.
The name Dave Wilkins has by now become a household name to readers of these pages as we have followed his exploits throughout Asia, in his Asia Odyessy, and presently we are hearing of his adventures as he entered “Into Africa.” On that occasion he travelled with an American adventurer by the name of Paul as they made the drive overland. Paul was on his way to South Africa and David was hitching a ride as far as 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 the misfortune to suffer this fate is sitting back and taking life easy. Let’s face it, this is a major league setback that requires one to re-learn a whole set of skills. The main one is in one’s own head, and that is all about coping and wanting to go on. Most such people don’t even bother to go to the supermarket anymore, as that is simply too much of an 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 coping 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 funds 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, Judith Burnett did some volunteer work with the U.K. agency VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas), and while there she was asked to help to bring education to the forgotten village of Gouria.
From humble beginnings the Malima Primary School that she founded, now has slightly over 200 regular students, plus a full class of kindergarten children ready to enter into the main stream. As well, adult classes are also offered the parents. David visited the project as one of the supporting parents of Newton College, Elche, to see for himself what was being done with contributed funds. Now he is totally committed to the village.
As proof that angels walk among us everyday, a most generous couple, Bob and Jan from Ontinyent offered the school and the people of Gouria their surplus-to- requirements Nissan, Long-wheel base 4X4, as the village of Gouria is so rural and remote, and generally does not have any transport of its own. The Malima Support Group hereby gratefully acknowledges the thoughtfulness and kindness of Bob and Jan. Once there, the vehicle will instantly transform village life by being able to drive the necessary distance to collect water at a time when the village normally has none, and to also act as their own ambulance, something they have never had before.
On the ninth of February, which is David’s birthday, and as he pointed out, the same date that Stanley set off to look for Dr. Livingstone, Dave, together with 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 and a left turn takes them into the North of Cameroon and finally to the village of Gouria.
Crossing the desert there are paved roads for most of the way, provided the shifting sands have not completely covered them, but it is not exactly the same thing as a drive along the Autopista del Mediterraneo. This is adventure in the making with many unknowns to be faced along the way. Already David has been reporting back on their progress, and as one might imagine he tells tales of constant danger, life under the stars far away from life as we know it, and always the sand is ever present. Whenever a cold snap crosses our path dumping lots of snow, that makes news involving driving in the snow and snow removal. But at least that is temporary. The sand in the desert is permanent. As I write this the news is “so far, so good.”
That they will have some pretty good stories to tell when they return is without doubt. I urge readers to watch the pages of this newspaper. We can almost be sure that there will be at least one hotel along the way that calls itself “The Mirage”. Hopefully it will be real.
To learn more about The Malima Project please visit www.Malima-Project.org.
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