Even after our short stay here, we have built up enough trust in a few families where we can just show up and join for coffee or food should we feel like it. This is, in our percpetion, unimaginable in Belgium.
When a member of the family goes out, is home late or is ill s/he can be sure that any children are taken of by others. Food gets cooked and laundry gets done.
In our perception, this gives so much peace of mind knowing that people truly care for each other in a way that it is not "forced" or "according to contract".
There are, however, critical sidenotes to be made.
First of all, the division of tasks is very gender based. Women should do women things (cooking, washing,...) and men do men things (fishing, building,...)
Secondly, the hierarchy in a family is super important. Younger brothers or sisters should always listen to the older brothers - this is regarded as showing respect to older family members.
Lastly, there are some other very clear rules ... which we still don't grasp fully.
For example, in the Mbaye family (Mballing) one person makes a large pot of coffee in the morning. When everyone wakes up they trickle in and sit down to drink coffee. Some people will get some breakfast and share with whoever asks or needs. When Dries goes running in the morning, he also stops by the family to drink a cup of coffee and have a chat. You come and go as you please once you are part of the 'gang'.