Podcast Summary: The Interview with Leslie Heaney – "One Man's Mission in Senegal" Featuring Nicholas Fox Weber

Release Date: December 19, 2024

Introduction

In the December 19, 2024 episode of The Interview with Leslie Heaney, host Leslie Heaney engages in a heartfelt conversation with Nicholas Fox Weber, an accomplished art historian, prolific author, and dedicated humanitarian. The episode, titled "One Man's Mission in Senegal," delves deep into Nicholas's transformative work in Senegal through his organization, La Corsa, highlighting his unwavering commitment to improving health, education, and basic amenities in underserved communities.

Guest Background

Nicholas Fox Weber is not only the author of 15 books, including his latest work on Mondrian, but he has also served as the executive director of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation for four decades. Leslie Heaney and Nick’s friendship began on a hiking trip in Italy, laying the foundation for their collaborative spirit and shared passion for making a positive impact.

Journey to Senegal

Nicholas recounts his initial trip to Senegal in 1999, catalyzed by a chance conversation with Dr. Gilles Dubois, a dermatologist who founded an organization providing medical care in Senegal. This encounter ignited Nicholas's mission to support healthcare and education in the region.

Nicholas Fox Weber [06:06]: "I think it's just the kind of... we can make a difference by taking those small steps."

Establishing La Corsa

Upon returning from his first mission trip, Nicholas sought financial support from the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation to aid Dr. Dubois's efforts. This initiative eventually evolved into La Corsa, an organization dedicated to sustaining and expanding medical and educational projects in Senegal.

Nicholas Fox Weber [18:36]: "La Corsa, which is the word in Pular for love, with respect, had become fairly active."

Key Projects and Achievements

1. Medical Support:

   • Medical Equipment Donations: Through partnerships with organizations like Project Cure, La Corsa facilitated the delivery of essential medical equipment to hospitals in Senegal. Nicholas shares the story of acquiring a new surgical bed after 11 years of persistent efforts.

     Nicholas Fox Weber [16:19]: "It took me 11 years, but finally I was able to fulfill that promise after I discovered an organization in America called Project Cure."

2. Educational Initiatives:

   • Girls' School Establishment: Nicholas played a pivotal role in establishing a co-educational school in a remote Senegalese village. Persuading the local Caliph, he secured approval to educate girls, transforming 220 children’s lives.

     Nicholas Fox Weber [31:55]: "We built a school where now 220 children, boys and girls, are learning to read and write in French and Arabic and some in English. It's game-changing."

3. Community Development:

   • Wells and Water Access: Installing wells provided clean water, enabling community gardens and livestock watering, thus significantly improving daily life.

     Leslie Heaney [38:01]: "They had installed a well there. And watching the ripple effect of just that one project and what it had done for this village from allowing them to not only have clean and running fresh water..."

4. Emergency Services:

   • Ambulance Fundraising: Inspired by the dire need for reliable transportation to medical centers, Nicholas’s son, John, successfully raised over $35,000 to fund a rugged ambulance tailored to Senegal's challenging terrain.

     Nicholas Fox Weber [26:18]: "John, in the course of a year, managed to raise over $35,000 working with his friends at his school, going to family friends and being incredibly resourceful."

Challenges and Cultural Integration

Nicholas discusses the logistical hurdles of transporting medical supplies, such as navigating customs for blood donations. Additionally, he highlights the cultural sensitivities involved in advocating for girls' education, emphasizing the importance of building trust with local leaders.

Nicholas Fox Weber [24:34]: "It's a climate that's terribly hot, up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit a good part of the time and can be very windy, which brings in desert sands."

Impact and Inspiration

Leslie reflects on the profound impact of Nicholas's work, noting how seemingly small contributions can lead to significant, transformational changes in communities. She underscores the importance of immediate, tangible actions over abstract charitable donations.

Leslie Heaney [38:46]: "What is next for La Corsa? ... Seeing how these small acts... can transform people's lives, it's very inspirational."

Broader Perspectives on Philanthropy

Nicholas addresses the common concern of prioritizing domestic issues over international aid, advocating for a compassionate approach that sees helping others, regardless of distance, as a familial responsibility.

Nicholas Fox Weber [37:25]: "We can do a great deal in rural Africa for significantly less money. When you know of a need somewhere, it just becomes very hard to resist."

Advice for Aspiring Humanitarians

Nicholas encourages listeners to engage with La Corsa by visiting their website, understanding their missions, and contributing in ways that resonate personally, whether through financial support or hands-on involvement.

Nicholas Fox Weber [38:46]: "Familiarize themselves with La Corsa, that they go to our website and develop at least some knowledge of what it is that we're doing."

Nicholas’s Literary Pursuits

Beyond his humanitarian efforts, Nicholas is a dedicated author. His latest book, Mandarin: Mondrian's Life, His Art, His Quest for the Absolute, explores the life and artistic journey of the abstract painter Piet Mondrian. Nicholas shares his personal connection to Mondrian's work, inspired by his childhood experiences.

Nicholas Fox Weber [43:12]: "It was a chance for me to explore him and the qualities of his art."

His forthcoming projects include a biography of Anni Albers and The Art of Tennis, which intertwines the aesthetics of art, ballet, fashion, music, and tennis, celebrating tennis as an art form itself.

Future Plans and Closing Thoughts

As the conversation draws to a close, Leslie expresses immense admiration for Nicholas's multifaceted contributions and the inspirational nature of his work. She encourages listeners to explore La Corsa's initiatives and consider how they can contribute to meaningful change both locally and globally.

Leslie Heaney [45:50]: "I know others that listen to you and learn more about you and La Corsa will feel the same."

Nicholas reciprocates the gratitude, highlighting the potential for future collaborations and continued positive impact through their shared efforts.

Conclusion

This episode of The Interview with Leslie Heaney offers a compelling narrative of Nicholas Fox Weber's dedication to humanitarian causes in Senegal, seamlessly blending his professional expertise in art history with his passion for social change. Listeners are left inspired by the tangible differences one individual can make and are encouraged to take actionable steps towards contributing to similar causes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Nicholas Fox Weber [06:06]: "I think it's just the kind of... we can make a difference by taking those small steps."
• Nicholas Fox Weber [16:19]: "It took me 11 years, but finally I was able to fulfill that promise after I discovered an organization in America called Project Cure."
• Nicholas Fox Weber [18:36]: "La Corsa, which is the word in Pular for love, with respect, had become fairly active."
• Leslie Heaney [38:01]: "They had installed a well there. And watching the ripple effect of just that one project and what it had done for this village from allowing them to not only have clean and running fresh water..."
• Nicholas Fox Weber [31:55]: "We built a school where now 220 children, boys and girls, are learning to read and write in French and Arabic and some in English. It's game-changing."
• Nicholas Fox Weber [37:25]: "We can do a great deal in rural Africa for significantly less money. When you know of a need somewhere, it just becomes very hard to resist."
• Nicholas Fox Weber [38:46]: "Familiarize themselves with La Corsa, that they go to our website and develop at least some knowledge of what it is that we're doing."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing a detailed overview of Nicholas Fox Weber's impactful work in Senegal and his contributions to the fields of art history and literature.