12 months, countless screaming donkeys at midnight, several agriculture formations and soap making lessons, countless upset stomachs which turn into not so fun poops, a couple of scorpion and cat rats siting's, and endless experiences to look back on.
When looking at the year as a whole, some pretty cool things have happened. To sum it all up for you, here is what happened:
September 25 2016:
Wide eyed and scared to death, off I went to D.C. airport for my flight into Dakar, Senegal with over 70 new Agriculture and Agroforestry volunteers. My bags were so heavy, they were contemplating putting it into cargo.
September 26 2016: Landed in Dakar at 4AM! So tired, literally sweating already, and dragging my luggage through the airport, I made it! After watching two men try to carry my bag we loaded up and headed to the Thies Training Center which is about like 2 hours away. As we were traveling, our bus broke down and we had to push it off the road. #welcome2Senegal
Saw what a Senegalese Turkish Toilet looks like. Not thrilled to use my left hand as toilet paper.
October 5 (?) 2016: First CBT stay in Keur Karamohobugu with my Bambara host family. Literally know 2 sayings, one is good morning and the other was peace only. My town is filled with sand and there is no water. WHY is there never any water?
Octoberish 2016: Learned that I was going to the hottest region in Senegal which is Tambacounda. Super excited, but also super nervous. Bambara is getting better .... dooni dooni.
November 2016:
Celebrated my first real holiday away from my family, feeling a little homesick, and confused on what I am exactly doing in this country. CBT stays are getting longer and language is getting harder.
December 8 2016:
Move in day in Botou, Tambacounda! I was welcomed by a large group of people, speakers, and food with still limited amount of Bambara. Scared OUT of my mind.
December 23 2016: Heading to Tambacounda regional house to spend time with other volunteers and celebrate Christmas. Site has been really hard and stressful and I feel as if I am going no where. Why am I here? This culture is confusing me, laundry is terrible to do, and I miss home. Also, peanut harvesting....so many nuts.
January 2017:
After falling to sleep at 8 PM on New Years, I needed to find some friends. My cultural integration was great because of past volunteers but I need to find my own friends and make my own relationships. Also, learned how to serve attaya to the family! February 2017:
Finally went back to the Thies Training Center to learn about more agriculture work and how to write grants. I feel as if I can actually start work now in village. I also started finding new work partners to create tree nurseries with to start creating live fences.
March 2017:
Tree nurseries and a whole lot of sitting. My main work doesn't start till August....what do I do?! My Bambara learning has plateaued and I feel as if I am not learning anything anymore.
Led my first formation about Soap Making with some young girls in town.
April 2017:
IT IS SO HOT. Hot season has begun and I started sleeping outside. I take about 3 showers a day and I am still so hot. Also, planned out my vacation for next month to Ireland and England! May 2017:
VACA here I come! Sophie and I headed out to Ireland and England for a full 8 days to get away from Senegal before Ramadan hits. After seeing the Cliffs of Moher, enjoying several beers, and seeing Soph's favorite, Harry Potter Studios, it was time to go back home.
June 2017:
Ramadan, sleeping, and fasting. I have never been more hot and hungry in my entire life.
Brought some cashew tree seeds to a nearby village and extended them.
Taught another Soap Formation to my host moms women's group.
July 2017:
Celebrated the 4th of July in Kedougou and got to see some beautiful water falls! I also received my seeds this month and I will be extending corn, millet, cow peas, and rice.
Led a seed extension class in village.
August 2017:
All the seeds are planted and are doing okay. The rains had me a little worried in the beginning however my plants are popping up! Completed my first grant and made a connection with a local at a high school to support 13 girls this next year in school! Also, Happy Birthday to my little sis back home! September 26 2017: ONE FULL YEAR! Celebrated with some homemade tacos and good friends.
September 28 2017:
Mangroves! I went to Fatick to help plant over 16,000 mangrove propagules in the ground with hope of reforesting an area.
Coming Up:
Applying for one more grant to build a wall at a school, having a Soccer Formation with Ag Work for the young girls of Botou, and starting an environmental club with this new school year.
And now here we are! October 2017, can you believe it?! I am excited to start harvesting some of my crops and see if there are any changes from last year to now when looking at the seed reports. And of course, I can't wait to go home for Christmas to see my amazing fam jam.
Bring on the next 14 months!
