Senegalese Students
- Vickie Obenchain
- Apr 20, 2018
- 2 min read
Today was really fun.
We started our day going to a Private School which was a combined ECE and lower school. It was really sweet. The kids were sweet, kind and very welcoming. They adored Space Shep and even found another classroom mascot which another teacher had brought.
Afterwards, we went to their equivalent of muscle beach here in Dakar. At night there are hundreds of people, mostly men, working on along the cliff of the Atlantic. We went at 11am, so we could actually get to play on the equipment.
Lastly, we went to a public middle school and high school. Currently, public school teachers are on strike here in Senegal and have been for 2 months now. So only those who are not on strike were holding class, ironically, they were all science teachers, so I got to sit in on a middle school chemistry class, a high school organic chemistry class and a physics class.
Afterwards we went to see the Portuguese club (most students will be able to speak at least 4 languages when they graduate high school), who were working on songs, dances and skits. They are really talented and it was super fun to watch.
At the end we spoke with high school students, interesting comments included:
· They love America: the singers, the music, the big cities
· One young man learned English because he wants to play in the NBA, and if that doesn’t work he wants to work in a fancy car dealership
· They love Senegal and are hoping for its development
· Even without their teachers there, due to the strike, they are determined to learn
· They feel America is losing its influence
· They were made to feel ashamed after some of the comments made by our government officials on Africa and travel visas. (They are mainly a Muslim country)
· They think American kids are brave, free and beautiful
· They think they have succeeded so far in life because of their dynamic and inspirational teachers
Tomorrow I head to my host community. I don’t know how much internet access I will have but I will hope to post as the week goes on. I am nervous but excited as well.
I was so happy to hear from you. It sounds as if you are really enjoying your new friends. Life sounds simpler and less stressful than your life in California.
Matt said he and you were texting this afternoon. Who is doing Earth Day at your CA School?
Daddy got your birthday gift and seemed very happy that you remembered his BD with all you have going on. You really are a very special person.
I took dad to a Mexican restaurant last eve for his BD. This place is very unique in its decor, music and food. It was also Prom nite so we got to see the kids dressed up in their gowns and tuxs. Brought back wonde…