While this trip has focused on culture and service in Senegal, I could not help but notice and think about the environmental aspects I have been witnessing here. As an environmental studies major and an intern at the farm, I find it interesting to make connections between the things we are learning about the society and the environmental attitudes that are present. For me, I instantly noticed thousands of melons. Yes, literally thousands of melons, everywhere! I have been so intrigued, like why so many melons? Where are they being grown? How is that helping their economy? What is the agriculture system like here? All of these questions were going through my head, while on the outside I just looked excited about the melons (see photo). I talked about the melons so much that Lamine, one of our SIT guides, made a stop so I could buy two. And the children at Waranka taught me the Wolof word for melon, “haal”. So with all of that, I think I found a research paper topic!
My other favorite photo was taken by Cheikh, a member of the english club, while I was eating lunch with his family. We ate ceebujen, or fish and rice! I was so welcomed into their home by all of his family members, making this experience one of the best! I felt right at home and got to know all of his family! Cheikh gave me my Senegalese name, Coumba, which is his mothers and niece’s name. We bonded over the name while we enjoyed a delicious lunch. I will remember the moment this photo captured as the time when I truly experience Senegalese community and family.
Senegal: Culture and Service 