I can’t believe I’ve been in Senegal for a month! The last 5 weeks have been full of new friends, information, and experiences. I started my training in DC, where I met my stage – the 52 women and men who will be spending the next two years in Senegal with me. I could write this entire post about my stagemates. They are artists, writers, athletes, teachers, comedians, parents, and world travelers, and I am honored to be surrounded by such talented, inspiring humans. Together, we flew into Dakar and watched the sunrise (pictured above) as we drove to the Peace Corps Training Center in Thies (pronounced “chess”). The Thies Training Center is essentially a small, American paradise in the midst of Senegal. It has western style toilets, air conditioned classrooms, and an ice cream shop within walking distance. I will spend about half of my total training time here, where I learn Peace Corps policies, basic first aid and medical information, and technical skills that I will use during my service.
The rest of my time here has been spent in Community Based Training (CBT). During CBT, I attend daily language classes and live with a Senegalese host family. On the whole, my CBT family is a lot like my family back home. We are a small family by Senegalese standards: my father only has one wife, and they have three children (ages 14, 12, and 10). My host sisters love listening to Beyonce. My mother enjoys drinking tea and can spend the entire afternoon talking to her friends about their children. My father is a loving man with a great sense of humor. They have been hosting volunteers for years (I’m their 8th), and it shows in their patience with my lack of language and cultural knowledge. I’ve spent a total of 3 weeks with them, and I’m slowly becoming better at living in Senegal. I’m proud to say that I have mastered the bucket shower, I can now eat cleanly with my hands and I can do laundry the Senegalese way, which involves making a specific noise with your clothes while you wash them. I’ve also started learning Pulaar du Nord, a beautiful (albeit difficult) language spoken in the northern regions of Senegal.
In the last week, I also received my permanent site placement! Come May, I’ll be moving to Mbahkna, a village in northeast Senegal in the region of Matam. I was able to travel there for a few days to meet the volunteer I’m replacing and my future host family. Close to 20 people live in my compound, spanning three generations, along with donkeys, goats, chickens, and a dog. My family, like most in Mbahkna, provides for themselves as fishermen and rice farmers. I was only able to stay for about two days, but I’m really looking forward to getting to know the people and the village better during my service.
Although I’m only a month in, it’s fair to say that I’ve fallen in love with Senegal. It’s a hot, dusty, friendly, loud, diverse, beautiful country. I can’t wait to continue to share it with you all over the next two years!
It sounds like you are off to a great start! I’m so glad that you are settling in and meeting some awesome people. You are always in my prayers. I can’t wait to see your future posts. Jeremy says hello! (In his own way!)
Tell JJ I say hello too! I miss you guys!
Love hearing your updates Hannah! I’m glad things are exciting and that you are thriving as you adjust and learn how to live a Senegalese life! I’ll get WhatsApp soon and know that I’m thinking about you and sending my support and love from afar as you continue your PeaceCorps journey.
Language training and First aid training by Peace Corps are the best! Glad you are enjoying it. What an experience!
Thank you for the fascinating update Hannah. Interesting commentary on your intro to Senegal, and great photos! Best wishes, Ellen
Dear, sweet niece, it is so great to hear from you and learn that you are happy and healthy. And you write beautifully! Sounds like your learning curve is straight up rather than a curve. How fun is that?! Thanks for the photos, too.
So, at your site you will live with a host family and not on your own? That is different from other PCV’s experiences. What might your daily schedule there look like? Let me know when you have a mailing address there, just in case I want to send you something.
Love you so very, VERY much! Aunt Linda
At my permanent site, I’ll be living with a family! I will have my own room and bathroom in a compound with the rest of my family. For the first few months, I’ll just be working on learning the language and integrating into my community, so my daily schedule will probably include a lot of sitting down with people to ask questions. Once I get to Mbahkna, I’ll let you know my mailing address and more about my life there!
What an amazing adventure you are on! You’ve got me feeling nostalgic for my own PC volunteer training experience in Ecuador. So glad you are happy and learning so many new things. Can’t wait to hear more about your site and your work assignment. Love you, cutie!
Hannah good to see you getting settled in Senegal. We had a good trip after we left you in Thies. Spent most of our time installing solar lights in our school and a medical hut we built in Alex Casillas Village of Farou Sere as well as Huts in our Village near Latmingue. Its hard to remember how hot it can get in Senegal but dosent take long to be reminded. Don’t know much about the area you are going to but hope it might be a little cooler than the Kaolack region we are in. Look forward to your blogs. We plan to come back in January . Wioll be in touch.
Candler
Sounds amazing! Glad everything’s going well, and cant wait to hear about the rest
I am just now reading this… bad sister, sorry.
Everything looks and sounds beautiful and amazing. Love you lots!
Beautiful “1 month down” post! What an amazing place and experience. We wish you the best and are thinking of you as you transition to permanent site! Please tell your host family hello from us. Love you!