About Senegal:
This francophone nation is located at the westernmost point of
Africa. French colonizers implemented a policy of cultural and
political assimilation in Senegal, putting energy into creating a
democratic government. More schools
were
built in Senegal than in any other French African colony, and a
Senegalese intellectual elite rose to prominence in the 1920s. Since
gaining their independence in 1960, the Senegalese have maintained a
stable, peaceful democracy. However, Senegal today is one of the
most impoverished nations in the world: unemployment, illiteracy,
and hunger are widespread. Caught between the azure waters of the
Atlantic Ocean and the fast approaching Sahara Desert, Senegal is
poorly suited for agriculture and industry. While luxury hotels dot
the coast around the capital city of Dakar, many Senegalese families
crowd into one or two room houses and live in poverty.
The Project:
In Dakar, cool breezes blow off the ocean, past fishermen hauling in
their brightly-painted wooden
pirogues.
After a day in the capital city the group heads off along the coast
to its rural host village. In contrast to the vibrant atmosphere of
the coast, inland rural villages are often characterized by
unemployment, hunger, illiteracy, and widespread poverty. The group
makes its home in one of these small villages, working alongside
local people on several much needed projects identified by village
leaders. While exact projects will be determined in the spring based
on the community’s needs at the time, past projects have included
building a school cafeteria, planting an orchard of cashew and mango
trees, implementing an irrigation system for the community garden,
and teaching English to local children. Each student also undertakes
an independent project; possible topics include how the village
political structure functions, the Senegalese health system and the
fight against HIV, or Senegalese music and dance. The group resides
in a small house or school building and each day students help local
women prepare meals for the group. Living conditions in Senegal are
extremely simple and our accommodations are basic. Living and
working alongside Senegalese villagers, participants have the
opportunity to make lasting connections with their neighbors.
Through impromptu soccer matches, dance and drumming sessions, and
discussions over evening tea, students expand their understanding of
Senegalese life and culture
Weekends:
On
weekends the group makes trips on a traditional pirogue at the
Langue de Barbarie National Park where giraffes, rhinos, and
antelope abound, or to the Île de Gorée, whose colonial architecture
and Maison des Esclaves evoke the days when the French relied on
Senegal for gold, military strength, and slave labor. There are also
opportunities to explore the strikingly beautiful beaches of Île de
Ngor, or the Village des Tortues, a reserve for giant African
spurred tortoises.
Extra!: Community Service
Senegal 2007 participant, Grant Wenzlau, teamed up with a couple
of the men in the group's host village and to
create this movie (click to see on
YouTube). The story is
based on the founding legend of the village and was shot and
directed by Grant using an old film camera during program.
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