PEACE CORPS SENEGAL 2018-2020
I was a health volunteer in Kolda, Senegal from February 2018 to March 2020. My community had a population of about 800 people, with no electricity or running water. I focused on fostering relationships with my community by learning Pulaar, the predominant language spoken in the region. My success is attributed to my community, the technical work and the friends I made along the way.
COMMUNITY
My most cherished memories where those of daily routines. Since there was no electricity, a lot of the work revolved around the sun. Men and women woke up before the sunrise, to either head to the fields or begin house work. During the day everyone was working or going to school. At the beginning, I walked around aimlessly in my village, before I found my daily routine.
TRAININGS
My sense of purpose revolved around trainings for pregnant women’s health, behavior change of community health workers and youth development education. I learned about the health and school systems in Senegal, which still has traces of colonial era. My most memorable project involved working with my counterpart at the local middle school, to create an all-female after school club, focused around leadership.
VOLUNTEERS
Before leaving for Peace Corps, I thought I was going to be dropped off and only interact with my village. Little did I know, that my biggest support system would become those of volunteers. Difficulty with language, failed projects and cultural misunderstandings where obstacles that I was able to overcome with peer support.
Even though I was mentally preparing to say goodbye to my Peace Corps service, being evacuated due to COVID-19, and having to leave in such an abrupt manner was not easy. I am forever grateful to my village, host family, counterparts, and Peace Corps staff and volunteers for an unforgettable two years.
I learned the importance of listening, digging deeper and understanding how communities play a role in defining a person’s identity. This experience continues to influence my everyday decisions on how I communicate with people and how I continue growing in my community.