For Christmas 2017, I got the best gift imaginable. My American family came to visit me in Senegal! Their trip here lasted about two weeks and took us all the way across the country. We spent more than 24 hours in cars, buses, and horse carts traveling, in addition to the 24 hours of flights they took before they arrived. The trip included some fun, touristy stops but everyone agreed that the best part of the journey was the time we spent in my village.

I couldn’t have prepared for how full my heart felt during the days we spent in my site. For me it was two worlds colliding – literally two families becoming one. My American family was patient with my limited translation abilities. My Senegalese family was warm and welcoming, throwing us a dance party and feeding us delicious food. My American family brought gifts, candy, and toys, and my Senegalese family gave them each Senegalese names to show that we are all part of one family. Now, we’re all Pams!

While I could write novels about my feelings during the trip, that wouldn’t be a fair representation of our time in my village.As someone with feet planted firmly in both worlds, my feelings were unique. Part of what I loved about my family’s visit was that I got to experience seeing my village for the first time through their eyes. They kept making comments which reminded me of my first days and weeks in village, and I think their observations summed up our trip in the best ways. For that reason, I’ve asked my family for their thoughts on my village in the hopes that you can get a more comprehensive story of our trip and my host family. As a very biased reporter, I hope these other (slightly less biased) reports will show you just how special my village is.

Thoughts from my dad, Oumar Pam

“Being in Hannah’s village was the high point of our trip to Senegal. It was hands down the best food we had in the entire country. The pace of life there was relaxing but still a lot of fun. We spent a big part of each day sitting on a mattress and having people feed us. The one thing that stood out the most was how loving and giving the people are in Mbakhna. Seeing Hannah there with her Senegalese family was immeasurable joy.”

Thoughts from my mom, Mairame Pam

“Being in Hannah’s village was an amazing experience that I will forever treasure! The people were so warm and welcoming. As we walked through the village greeting people, we were regularly invited in to sit on mats and talk, often sharing tea or food. The sense of community and hospitality for all people was amazing.”

Thoughts from my sister, Hawa Pam

“Senegal was very dusty. The people were incredibly hospitable. It was refreshing to be so far removed from the western world – especially in Hannah’s site. I gained a lot of insights about how Hannah lives and learned a ton about Senegal.”

Thoughts from my sister, Adama Pam

“It was really exciting to be in Hannah’s village, and get to see what is, in almost its entirety, Hannah’s life now. Meeting people was tiring, the wind was harsh and some hours were hot, but it felt very homely and natural. The buildings and landscape were ‘classically dessert village’ to me, but what I was most struck by was its simplicity yet fullness. I am so glad we were able to visit (to see Hannah) and meet the Pams. That village is now a second ‘home’ and another environment and lifestyle that I understand and respect.”

One of the goals of Peace Corps is “to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.” During this trip, my family helped me fulfill that goal by spending time getting to know my life and my family here. By reading this blog, you too have helped me achieve that goal. I hope that these accounts have helped you to see that my village in Senegal is an incredible place full of amazing people. Their hospitality is unmatched. They are happy to welcome total strangers into their homes, to feed them, to give them a place to sleep, and to teach them about Senegalese culture. They are patient and generous, and if you ever make it to Senegal, they will invite you in with open arms and bowls of rice.