Here to Learn

Today was the day I have been looking forward to since finding out that I was selected for the Fulbright Teachers Program. We got to meet the kids! The morning began with breakfast and moving our luggage to our new hotel. We had so much luggage that the car had to move our luggage and we walked. We got checked into our new rooms and then got our ride to our school with teacher and our driver, Mr. Sow.

The school is gated and the classrooms are open concept- there are no hallways between classrooms. The teachers are all on different schedules due to over-crowding. Our host teacher, Fatoumata had us observe Mr. Sow's ESL class. We got to help groups talk through and write thinking around a social problem and come up with solutions. It was exciting to talk with students and work through the language barrier- students spoke French, Wolof ( local language), English, and some even spoke Spanish! At first, the students were nervous to talk in front of us as many of them had never heard Native English speakers before. After we took a few pictures and were acting out words to help them, we were all laughing and having a blast.

I loved the energy and excitement of the room. We went into the staff lounge between classes and visited with other teachers. We shared donations of supplies with the school which were graciously received and put to use. I enjoyed watching the PE class that was out in the middle of their grounds. The students were running lines and learning to do forward rolls on mats just like at home. Then we observed Fatoumata's English class. She was continuing a grammar lesson, and we got put on the spot! I am looking forward to continuing to see engagement and management strategies for these classes of 50-75 students.

We left the school around two for the day and then returned for lunch. One thing I have learned here is about Senegal Time. Senegal Time is definitely not US time! If someone says 3 PM it might be anytime between 3 and 4:30. Taking the time and living a peaceful and non-rushed life is a priority here. Several of our meals have taken two to three hours. It has been a good reminder to slow down and embrace each moment and connect. I have met some of the kindest strangers here.

This evening, we went on a horse-drawn carriage ride around the island of Saint Louis. It is an island rich in Colonial History. We passed people on the street, beaches, markets, and many animals, as our guide told us about the island. This trip has been both humbling and eye-opening. My best friend used to ask her girls, "Is this a YOU problem or a world problem?" As I drove around in the horse-cart tonight and witnessed such a different way of life and reflected on my life, I was really struck with the quote of Senegalese poet, Baba Dioum. " In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand, and we understand only what we are taught."

Senegalese artwork

Artwork- it's all bike parts

St. Louis waterfront

Our "First Day of School"

Our Host Teacher

Teachers don't have their own classrooms, they simply report to specific classrooms at certain times. They move around from room to room throughout the day and store their stuff in lockers in the faculty lounge.