We are soon leaving for Senegal! It is when I say that word (usually with a lot of excitement) that I realize that many have never heard it. I then explain: “it’s in West Africa…” and it’s already too late. The person I was speaking to is no longer listening. They heard the word “Africa” and are imagining the worst: wars, massacres, famine… Maybe that’s why the last time I was there, Mame Coumba kept feeding me so much to the point that my clothes would no longer fit! You get my point — what we hear about “Africa” does not have much to do with the reality we will see in Senegal!
Why have I decided to take students to Senegal? I have been thinking about it for quite some time, and after 4 trips there, it’s finally happening, I can share all the excitement Senegal brings with others who want to learn about it and discover it. When I went to Senegal for the first time, it was with a group of College American students — I was then a participant myself, ready without being ready. I had little knowledge about Senegal (really less so that this SMC group who studied Senegal for a whole semester) and was ready… to not be ready and be confused and intrigued. Little did I know that I would LOVE being in Senegal. I can say that in less than 24 hours, I felt completely comfortable. The weather was great, I was crazy about the food (being one of the most picky eaters — my parents could hardly believe me when I bragged that “over there, I like everything!”), I found the city of Dakar to be lively and beautiful, with many nice cafes and restaurants, beautiful art, and unbelievably friendly people with a good sense of humor and open to many conversations on so many topics, and who were so open minded. Those 6 weeks went by very quickly and naturally, I cried when I had to leave. I knew I had to go back.
[Photos of the Grande Royale School in Guinaw Rail. The group photo (3rd photo) shows Moise St Louis (trip leader). I’m the other trip leader (with pink glasses) on the 4th photo, taken by a kid at the school. The last photo shows Ibrahima Pouye, treasurer at Waranka GR and artist, here finishing a painting on glass.]
When I finally stopped studying (and earned my PhD) and got my first teaching job, I knew I could afford a plane ticket to Senegal — finally! After 6 weeks there the first time and many visits, I felt I knew Senegal. I wanted to do service that time and found a nonprofit managed by Senegalese people. After I exchanged a few emails with them, I bought my plane ticket, ready for my little adventure. It became clear after a few hours — I didn’t know Senegal, not even Dakar, where I spent 6 weeks before! I was in a very different part of Dakar then, Guinaw Rails, outside of Dakar. It was a different world and I missed things such as having access to a fridge and not having cold water to drink in the summer. I missed a few other things like that for the first few days. Then I got used to it because the neighborhood was so lively; people were so kind and helpful, I probably asked many stupid questions and did many more stupid things not even questioning them, but I felt I was for the first time really talking to Senegalese people instead of simply having great excursions. At the end of my 3 weeks in Guinaw Rails working with kids at Waranka GR, I knew that I would come back many times and eventually bring students. Guinaw Rails is also the place where we can meet incredible people who are ready to improve the lives of the community and take action to make it happen. It is the place where there are many active young people giving themselves the tools to succeed in life, where children are so passionate about learning that they don’t want to leave the school even when it’s 8 pm. It is a place where I see my friends and laugh a lot with the kids. And now is the time to share it with students. In spite of the dust and the challenges that Guinaw Rail faces, I’m sure that they will give this neighborhood a chance and also see the beauty, the successes, and the extreme kindness of its people that make Guinaw Rails unique.
[Photos of the English Club in Guinaw Rails welcoming us (first photo) and having performances for us (second photo).]
Laurence C. (trip leader)
Senegal: Culture and Service 