After a transformative experience serving as a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Ghana, I embarked on a new journey as an Exchange Volunteer in Senegal. This opportunity felt like the perfect continuation of my commitment to service and community development, this time in a different cultural landscape.
My journey began with an early arrival at the Blaise Diagne International Airport, where I had an hour of quiet reflection before my colleagues from other countries arrived.
Before coming to Senegal, we started with online classes for learning Wolof, a language that was entirely new to us. For a month, we diligently studied under the guidance of our Language and Culture Facilitators (LCFs), Pape Sanou and Ousmane Ba. Their patience and dedication to teaching us were invaluable, and thanks to their support, we arrived in Senegal better prepared to immerse ourselves in the community.
Our first days in Senegal were spent in Dakar, a city alive with culture and history. Visiting the beach, I felt the vastness of the ocean reflected the possibilities ahead. A visit to the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar reminded me of the resilience and strength of the Senegalese people, traits I was soon to witness firsthand.
After visiting the CorpsAfrica office in Dakar and meeting the welcoming staff, we were ready to head to our respective sites for in-person language and cultural training. Despite a mix of emotions, I was eager to begin this new chapter.
My worries quickly dissipated upon meeting my host family, the Ndiayes. Their warm welcome made me feel instantly at home. My host mother’s embrace was an anchor in this new environment, and being given the name “Ramatoulaye” by my host sister deepened my sense of belonging. I already felt part of the family.
In the days that followed, my fellow exchange volunteers and I began integrating into the Thienaba community. Visiting the other host families, each of us received local names, often in honor of a family member, which cemented our bond with the community. Our hosts were incredibly supportive, speaking to us in Wolof and gently correcting our mistakes with humor. This made the learning process both fun and engaging.
Adapting to the local cuisine initially proved challenging, even though the ingredients were familiar. The dishes, while similar to those in Ghana, carried a unique flavor that took some getting used to. Yet, like all new experiences, I soon found my palate adjusting, and with it, a deeper sense of belonging began to take root.
One of the highlights of our integration was sharing “Ataaya” (tea) with our families, a cherished tradition symbolizing hospitality. We also enjoyed local delicacies like thièboudienne, thièle, and homemade juices like jus bui, jus bisap, and jus dakkar. It was in these moments, with the flavors of home filling me with warmth, that I knew I had found my place in the land of Teranga.
Before leaving the community for Pre-Service Training (PST), my colleagues and I prepared local juices and pastries to share with each host family as a token of our appreciation. This gesture was met with heartfelt gratitude. The families expressed how much they would miss us, and some offered good prayers for our future. It was a touching reminder of the deep connections we had already formed in such a short time.
As I continue to navigate this new chapter in Senegal, I hope that my time here will be impactful and enriching. I look forward to building lasting connections and making a difference in the lives of those I meet along the way. Here’s to embracing new experiences, learning from others, and contributing to this beautiful community in the land of Teranga.