By Christy Wolyniak, News Intern

Ballard liveaboards Mara Garrity and David Allen are teaming up to raise funds for the Mandinka tribe in the remote village of Sare Kaba, Senegal.

Allen’s mother married into the Maneh family of the Mandinka tribe and passed away a few years ago. He remained in contact with the family and was approached by Mara Garrity, when she realized they shared a similar passion for the same group of people.

“[It’s those] little soul sparks – you don’t know why you need to go, you just know you need to go,” said Garrity.

Growing up listening to stories about her mother’s dreams to go to Africa, Garrity is now fulfilling those aspirations by partnering with Allen on the Mandinka Tribe Foundation.

“[They are] bringing in a sense of hope with action – just having hope doesn’t cut it,” said friend Sara Pelfrey.

As a 501(c)3, the Mandinka Tribe Foundation is working to empower the people with sustainable solutions that will hopefully last and better the community.

Pelfrey was excited to jump onboard when the organization began a few months ago and assisted Garrity with the design and maintenance of their website. Owner of Soulfood Books in Redmond, Pelfrey put together a benefit concert in early October and raised $900 for the nonprofit.

“[The foundation] is cutting out the middle man. They are taking steps to make sustainable change by connecting with the tribe themselves; not going from an ethnocentric point of view but taking a look at the culture and what their needs are,” said Pelfrey.

Garrity and Allen hope that through their fundraising events, they can raise enough money to buy a corn grinder for the Maneh family. Other essentials include providing quality seed, farming equipment, materials to build wells, and mosquito netting to prevent the spread of malaria.

“They look at us like we’re family. I mean, my mom’s there. They’re really sweet [people],” said Allen.

Allen seemed optimistic about their upcoming journey. As a photographer, Allen documented his last visit and plans on gathering more photos to put on display at Soulfood Books.

“Ultimately, our goal is set in the belief that we don’t change anything for them [as far as economic standards under a huge corporation]. This is the basic stage of trying to help out a family,” said Garrity.

Garrity and Allen have been in contact with Allen’s stepfather. who lives in California and has served as their central contact for information on what supplies the tribe needs most and how to attain them.

Sare Kaba is far from a vacation destination as it is in the bush country. Garrity and Allen agreed they are not traveling as tourists and spoke of their simplistic lifestyle of living on boats in a close-knit community. Taking this consciousness of a family who looks out for one another, Garrity is excited to share in the culture with the Mandinka people.

“I want to go dance with the women, chant, learn their prayers and dive into the same song of life [that they are in],” said Garrity.

These two individuals will spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with the Maneh. Allen said they hope they can get a few things for them and see where their foundation grows.

There will be a benefit concert hosted at Conor Byrne on Thursday, October 20. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $7. For more information visit mandinkatribefoundation.org.