So today was another day of the counterpart workshop and, even though it’s only halfway done, I feel like so much has happened. First off, I had yet another experience in Senegalese scheduling: we had to create a schedule for who I need to meet in Bambey after I get installed (I’ll officially be moving there the 19th Oct!) and the schedule consists of me meeting one person, each day, for a month… tres Senegalese (compared to American style of have as many meetings as possible and get them all done the first week). Second interesting Senegalese behavior, it’s killing me with how many languages they speak. Today a counterpart told us he spoke 4 languages: English, French, German, and Italian… no, he also speaks Serer, Wolof, Pular, and a little Mandinka…. Most Senegalese people don’t count their native language in the total of languages, compared to me who will probably always count Wolof as a language I know even if I forget it a month after getting home.
After speaking with my counterpart (who I have decided will be way more useful than my supervisor) I had that exciting first day of school feeling. Now, before you call me a nerd, let me explain: it’s that feeling of there being exciting things in the future, new things coming, but they’re not there yet, so the work level isn’t scary, annoying, or overwhelming. My counterpart really wants me to work with organizing the women’s groups and creating more concrete bylaws and rules so they function better. She also really wants me to create a girls group for girls that have dropped out of school. Hopefully I’ll be able to create a group like that as well as a group for girls in school. Mostly I’m really excited to get to work and get started! Back to the village tonight, but then I have a few days at the center with nothing going on. I’ve decided to take advantage of my off weekend by staying at the center, not going to Dakar. A break with worrying about nothing and lots of internet time will be amazing!
A Prochain!
KO
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