Don't get stuck...

Yesterday turned out to be an adventure. We were scheduled to depart for the farm at eleven, but due to Senegalese time, we ended up leaving at twelve thirty. I enjoyed a relaxed morning, relishing a croissant and cappuccino for breakfast while working on my blog and preparing lessons for the following week.

Our hosts arranged for us to visit Sow Culture, a sustainability farm. A key component of Global Education is the Sustainable Development Goals THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development, which are seventeen targets established by the United Nations for both developing and developed nations. These goals are part of a global initiative to eliminate poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace and prosperity for all. We were excited to tour the farm and see the sustainability practices being demonstrated and implemented by this community. To get to the farm, you must travel about forty-five minutes east, into the desert. Our group split into two cars. One car included Dominique (Fatoumata's husband and our host), two of their children, and Cori and Julie. The other car had Fatoumata, Jessie, Mai, and me. We were fortunate to have private drivers for the entirety of our visit. Fatoumata's friend and tailor, Papi, drove one car, while my car was driven by teacher and friend Mr. Sow.

As we traveled along the sandy path with Mr. Sow, Fatoumata, Jessie, Mai, and myself in the car, we suddenly got stuck in the sand. After a few attempts to spin the wheels, we all exited the vehicle. The four women began to push while Mr. Sow handled the steering, but the car only sank further into the sand. Thick, black smoke started to emanate from the car, covering our clothes and shoes. He tried reversing, but the car continued to sink deeper. At this point, various community members—children, families, men in cars, and even people on horseback—stopped to assist us.

We were fortunate to be in the cooler town of St. Louis, but as we traveled east, the temperature rose by a good fifteen degrees. Eventually, we found ourselves sitting outside the car in the heat, waiting for assistance. The other car, carrying our two fellow Fulbright participants, their host, and two of their children, successfully made it to the farm. After some time, the other car returned with Dominique. It took nearly three hours and the help of fifteen people, but at last, the car was freed from the sand!

At the farm, we observed the community's dedication to creating beautiful classrooms, a play yard, farms, solar power, clean well water, and products made solely from their farm's resources. The community has financed everything independently, although the government covers the salaries of the two teachers at the community school. The heat, along with the scarcity of food and water for the day got to me, so my tour was slightly shortened and ended with a rest on the cool balcony upstairs.

We also experienced a traditional Senegalese communal meal, Yassa Chicken, which is presented in a large communal bowl at the center. The process starts with washing your hands, taking off your shoes, and sitting in a circle around the bowl. You eat with your right hand and can choose to use a spoon or your hands.

We were escorted off the farm to avoid getting stuck again and returned to the hotel two hours later than expected. Mr. Sow played Senegalese music in the car, and I thoroughly enjoyed dancing and vibing along as we drove through the streets of Saint Louis. The streets were bustling with chatter and energy, with people dressed up for their evening events. We quickly went upstairs to freshen up and get ready for the school community event. It turned out to be quite an evening, so I'll save that story for another post.

Push!

The well

Baobab tree

Kindergarten classroom

Yassa Chicken

Lunchtime!

Wall art on the building