Above, Newton Lake, Camden County, the area where Mr Boukar works as a computer scientist.
Below, Mr Boukar taking his picture with George Washington at the National Constitution Center. This room has life-size bronze sculptures of each of the signers of the Constitution, which took place across 2 grassy lawns at Independence Hall in 1787.
Bottom pictures, Mr Boukar in the Newton Friends Meeting urban farm in Camden, New Jersey click here.
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Yaou Boukar MS is a computer scientist in Camden County, New Jersey. He was educated in journalism in France, and for 11 years has been trained and working as a database manager in the United States of America.
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Musician from Niger gives concert in Washington Square Park in Manhattan click here
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Growing up in peace, living in peace. Yaou Boukar. MJoTA 2015 v9n2 p0909
I
grew up in Niger, in the Fulani tradition. Fulanis are a ethnic group in West Africa. We speak Fulfulde. Fulanis are traditionally nomadic, although my family is not. Most important, we have a strong code of behavior that includes truthfulness, and respect for each other and our cows.
Cows were the heart and soul of my family's livelihood. As soon as I was old enough, I was a herd boy, independent, and protector of my herd of cows.
I led the
animals to places where to find the best pasture, water, and keep
them safe. I was initiated to the “empirical science” of the
livestock to distinguish foot steps or make animals respond to a
signal.
I was the youngest boy among my siblings and my challenges
were to do as well as the big boys. This effort paid off most of the
time. Alerted early of these kind of challenges, I developed survival
skills to be independent and autonomous.
At elementary school, I
collected and saved most of my money to buy my first big
item, a elegant dress shoes in fifth grade. From elementary school,
my social responsibility kept growing from expected to surprising.
When I was in elementary school, my
father died and I became the
provider for my mother and my sisters. By 7th grade I was selling animals
to buy and stock staple food for the year when the millet, corn, and wheat price is at its
lowest. By 7th grade I mastered money handling, planning, and
strategic plan implementation. At the time, I was practicing the
valuable lessons and tips that I was being taught by my father’s sister.
In
1984, when I was a teenager, a drought ravaged local herds, including my family’s
200 cows. By the time the rains came and broke the drought, my family had only 8
cows, of which 6 are mine. Personally, I had not lost a single cow, and I
had cash for those that I sold.
After reconstituting the herd, my
family paid more attention and listened to my input. My
input and strategies are valuable most of the time and I became
trusted and consulted even by the elders for major decisions.
Conscientious of my social responsibility, I understood my options were to
focus on schoolwork or go back to the village to help.
I was not afraid
of hard labor, but being in school seemed to be a reason to assume
less responsibilities and have fun with my friends. And also seemed to me a better way to plan for my future.
By 10th grade, I
ensured my family yearly food stock and lived in my own house built
with my classmates help on a 6,460 square feet.
After studying at African and French universities, I came to America on an agricultural scholarship.
Since 2001 I have trained as a computer scientist. All the skills I have have come from the social education,
freedom, and autonomy of a herder’s life style. The trust and
mentorship of my aunt reinforced my education.
Is it now possible for young people to be away from their electronics to accept life
lessons and mentorship?
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