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Published: July 13th 2010
Senegal is now an ocean away and I am back in Florida. It was great to end my wonderful experience with an exciting program: La Colonie de la Démocratie et l'Environnement (a.k.a. Democracy and Environment Camp).
No surprise: June and July were hot-- it way so hot thinking in the shade worked up a sweat. And unfortunately I had to do that plus lots of moving around. But I had a ball. I did not mean to be in charge of anything but after a few days I had all the keys to open up and was the last to leave after closing up. In the frequent needs for improvising and changing the schedule most often yours truly figured out how to make it work. Our time was productive with many doses of fun. There were 7 staff members with about 15 American volunteers and we needed everything said in at least 2 languages, and I was most fluent in French and English.
Day 1 it rained buckets. After sliding through the mud (which felt like quicksand and black slime; only one person fell, on one hand) and difficluty finding our location (a good piece from the main road
just past the baobab trees, right at the orange building, around the cinderblock wall...), we began at 6PM instead of 11AM. So we were quickly behind. Plans covered from breakfast at 8AM until lights out at 11PM making things hectic. Plus we were sleeping at 7 locations. Mine was the nicest (not a coincidence) but farthest away, a 30 minutes walk.
Camp was in an elementary school with 13 rooms, 3 of which had electricity. The "facilities" were outhouses. I used the teachers' area when I HAD to. Others told me the students' area was horrible. I believed them without verifying. Drinking water was brought in big jugs by donkey cart or motor scooter. There was one faucet to wash dishes after meals.
Senegalese students are used to rote learning, copying notes, listening with little interaction, and repeating verbatim. We pushed them to give opinions, do critical thinking, take initiative, and to see application in their lives for issues of democracy and the environment. Not an easy leap. Some were spunky and ready to jump and others not sure how to go about it. All made extraordinary progress. They also taught me much about their lives and their
culture that I could not begin to guess at.
In discussing gender it was mind blowing to learn that women seldom put their children first, and seldom sacrifice for them. Kids are the father's responsibility and if the mother takes that he will put his efforts and resources elsewhere, mostly another wife / wives and their children. Mothers favor sons: girls go to husband's family so sons are indulged (even manipulated) to provide household help and comfort to mothers when daughters-in-law come to the family compound.
Among the 80+ girls there were 10 ethnic groups. There were 3 with the same first and last names. Of 16 girls from one town, 14 had the same last name. One girl about 17 years old was married, treated badly, divorced, and now wants a health career as a midwife-nurse practitioner. They told me female genital mutilation is greatly reduced but still practiced in rural areas. One girl planned to study in Spain, another hoped for US medical school. Their ambitions and enthusiasm were fantastic.
Leaving Senegal was a happy event for me. I appreciate the many, many people who encouraged my adventure. I was grateful for all those I met, all the things I did, all the places I saw, and all the new I was able to experience. Can't wait for what other opportunities lie ahead!
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WELCOME HOME!!
Welcome Home, mama!!! What a wonderful experience / journey / adventure(S) you had...thank you for sharing them with me/us. Thank you for being such a wonderful example. We are very happy to have you home and welcome you home and look forward, as well, for the next opportunity, journey, and understanding/awareness increase. Much Much Love!!