Written by Abdou Cisse - CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

For those who read my last blog, you would have definitely tried to guess what I did on Sunday, after my 10 km hike the day before.  After a day busy with activities, Sunday was supposed to be a day to rest and recover, but an experience more exciting than resting was presented to me.
Hunting parrots! 
I jumped when one of my brothers told me, on Saturday night, that he was going on a field trip to the forest the next morning to capture parrots that will be domesticated or sold to tourists as pets. I was eager to experience this.
On Sunday morning we walked the path of the forest. Walking a distance of about 6 km. I was seduced by the natural richness of this forest. Along the way, I noticed all sorts of wild fruits (mades, tolles, locust bean, cashew, mango), lots of Palmyra trees and especially palm trees on which hung bottles to collect the wine, the famous “bounouck”, dense mangroves along vast stretches of rice fields with large oysters clinging to the roots of rhizophoras, and more.

However, a moment of fear almost spoiled my appetite for discovery: it was when a pretty brown snake crossed the road a few centimeters of our path. I “almost” jumped when my younger brother stayed absolutely calm (shame!!).
After a few minutes of walking, we arrived in an area with lots of baobab trees, which serve as the parrots’nest. They made holes in these giant trees to live inside of them, so one had to climb to fetch them. An entire technique is implemented to climb, trap and capture the parrots. So for a first experience, I chose not to climb but to act as an observer. I was excited to see the first parrot that would be captured and become my companion. And tatataaaaa ....nothing. And yes, my disappointment will be yours. There was no parrot in the area. I think they were inspired by our hiking the day before and left to do the same. The day was not successful. We could just hear the screeches of other birds that were teasing us by taunting us. And after having put away all of our belongings to go back to the village, a beautiful green parrot came singing over our heads as if to say "you will not have me." I did not get a parrot but I gained good experience of discovery, which contributed to my facilitation in the village.

​Since my arrival in Diembéreng, Wednesday, March 16, I am constantly expanding my knowledge and sympathizing with people, thanks to my courtesy visits but also to my interest in community activities. I am in a very warm and very open community. My host family is making every effort to facilitate my integration... 

Oops, I'm here sharing my experience and I forgot that my mom is traveling and I have to go arrogate her gardens, especially since the pump is broken and water must be drawn from wells that are a bit deep. It is a bit tiring but it's cool nonetheless.

​Very happy to have shared my experience with you all. Until next time, work awaits me. 

​Version originale en français 

A la chasse aux péroquet!

Pour ceux qui ont lu mon dernier blog, vous avez certainement essayé de deviner ce que j’ai fait au lendemain de mes 10 km de plaisir, c’est-à-dire le dimanche. Après une journée aussi chargée en activité, le dimanche se présentait comme une journée de repos pour bien récupérer, mais une autre expérience plus excitante que le repos s’offrait à moi. 
A la chasse aux péroquetttttttttttttttt !!!!!

J’ai sursauté quand un de mes frères m’a annoncé, le samedi soir, qu’il allait en excursion dans la forêt le lendemain matin pour capturer des perroquets qui seront domestiqués ou vendus aux touristes comme animaux de compagnie. J’avais hâte de vivre une telle expérience.
Le dimanche matin nous avons arpenté le chemin de la forêt. Marchant sur une distance d’environ 06 kilomètres. J’ai été séduit par la richesse naturelle de cette forêt. Tout au long du chemin, j’ai remarqué toutes sortes de fruits sauvages (mades, tolles, néré, anacarde, mangue), beaucoup de rôniers mais surtout de palmiers sur lesquels étaient accrochées des bouteilles pour recueillir du vin, le fameux bounouck, une mangrove touffue qui longe de vastes étendues de champs rizicoles avec de grosses huitres accrochées aux racines des rhizophoras, etc.

Toutefois, Un petit moment de frayeur a failli gâcher mon appétit de découvert ; c’est quand un joli serpent de couleur marron a traversé la piste à quelques centimètre de nos pats, j’ai « un peu » sursauté au moment où mon jeune frère est resté zen (la honte !!).

Au bout de quelques minutes de marche, nous sommes arrivés dans une zone de forte présence de baobabs, qui servaient de nid aux perroquets. Ils faisaient des trous dans ces gigantesques arbres pour y loger. Il fallait donc monter les chercher. Toute une technique est  mise en place pour monter, piéger et capturer les perroquets. Alors pour une première expérience, j’ai choisi de ne pas monter mais d’agir en simple observateur, tout en ayant participé à la mise en place de la technologie qui permet de monter. J’étais excité de voir le premier perroquet qui allait être capturé et devenir mon compagnon. Et tatataaaaa…., zéro. Et oui, ma déception sera la vôtre. Il n’y avait aucun perroquet dans les environs. Je pense qu’ils se sont inspirés de notre randonnée de la veille et sont partis faire pareil. La journée n’a pas été fructueuse. On pouvait juste entendre les cris des autres oiseaux qui se faisaient un malin plaisir de nous narguer. Et après avoir rangé toutes nos affaires pour rentrer au village, un joli perroquet de couleur verte est venu chanter au-dessus de nos têtes comme pour nous dire « vous ne m’aurez pas ». Je n’ai pas eu de perroquet mais j’ai gagné une bonne expérience de découverte, qui facilite d’avantage mon intégration dans le village.

Depuis mon arrivé à Diembéring, ce mercredi 16 mars, je ne cesse de multiplier mes connaissances et de sympathiser avec les gens, grâce à mes visites de courtoisie mais également à l’intérêt que je porte aux activités de la communauté. Je suis dans une communauté très chaleureuse et très ouverte. Ma famille d’accueil ne ménage aucun effort pour faciliter mon intégration. Oups, je suis là à raconter mon expérience et j’ai oublié que ma maman est en voyage et que je dois aller arroger ses jardins maraichers d’autant plus que la pompe est en panne et qu’il faut puiser aux puits qui sont un peu profond. C’est un peu fatiguant mais c’est cool quand même.

Ravi d’avoir partagé mon expérience avec vous. A bientôt, le boulot m’attend. 

Written by Adnane Sounni - CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

Influential people are those who impact or shape the way the others act or do things, right? 
Our Akhilleus that we will read about in this blog is Demba Diawara. 83 years old. He is the Imam and chef of Keur Simbara village. That man has done more for his village and several other villages than what other NGOs may have. 

​Demba Diawara has been working with Toastan NGO for nearly 20 years. He is engaged in a movement for the abandonment of the female genital cutting and stopping child-forced marriage. He has walked to 348 villages in order to raise awareness concerning the wrong habits people in the villages practice. He never had formal education; however his commitment to his work makes him gain huge respect in his community and elsewhere.
Due to his work as an activist, Demba Diawara received much recognition from world NGOs and even some other influential people. He traveled to London, Paris, Brussels, and Malaysia to assist conferences and pass training. He also visited United States three times, and among the people he met was the current US president Barack Obama in the White House, and the Former US President Jimmy Carter who offered him a signed copy of his book “The White House Diary". He told me: “I spent three days with Jimmy Carter. He is a great man”

He knows Arabic and can read the Coran as well, that is why when I held a meeting with the community, he immediately stated: “the most important thing for us in this village is education, especially reading Arabic and Coran and knowing how to pray. We are so glad to have a volunteer that can help us learn Arabic and some Coran."

I always enjoy spending time with my host grandparent and the whole family as well. While my Grandpa is preparing attaya (tea), we discuss his work as an activist, his achievement, the countries he traveled to, and the world-famous personalities he met.

Demba Diawara has the right to be proud of himself and his achievements as well. We can take him as an example to prove that the key to community development is the community itself. There are some people in these community, like Dembara, with some help can flourish.
I hope this blog gives you a little idea about this man because I am sure that it’s not sufficient to talk about all the marvelous things that man has done for the others. Anyway, we will meet him in other blogs for sure.

Thanks for reading. Meet you in other blogs.
Adnane Sounni

Keur_Simbara

​Written by Ndeye Awa Gueye - CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

After a month in Thies of capacity building training and ending with the Swearing In Ceremony in Dakar, I headed to my new site: Dinguiraye on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 3:10 PM. 
After a long and difficult path, I arrived safely but very tired because the road is unpaved and impractical in Dinguiraye.
​
Dinguiraye is a Baol village (one of the ancient kingdoms of Senegal) and is located in the region of Diourbel. At approximately 30km of an unpaved road in the Bambèye department, Dinguiraye is a great village but difficult to access or get to.

The population is composed of a majority Wolof and other ethnic groups who are a minority and often come from the surrounding villages.
It is a very religious Muslim village with the grand famous family Gadiaga, very well-known marabouts in Senegal.  An old lady told me that "anyone who sets foot in the village will have their wishes fulfilled."
My welcome was not the best because the information to the host family was not very well transmitted. But I was lucky to have been welcomed openly by the Gadiaga family who I really appreciate- among whom I now have a mom, sisters and brothers very nice and I would even say very funny and with whom I talk to a lot around tea until late hours at night sometimes.

However, soon after, I left the village to go to Baba garage, located 8 km from Dinguiraye for health reasons and to maintain and sustain our partnership with the women's center of socio-economic development of Baba Garage created by Ms. Diop.
After having arrived at the center Tuesday, April 5, 2016, with Ms. Diop and my sitemate Boubacar Biro Diallo, we were greeted by the presidents of the various committees of women's centers, with whom we held a short meeting.
Upon my arrival, I began visiting the sub-prefecture, the Gendarmerie, the health center, the Centre d’Appui au Développement Local (CADL), and more.

​I also participated in the making of soaps (during the entire process) with the women of the center.
This is truly an experience that has started well, despite the remoteness of the area and some social realities that pose a few problems.

Development is my passion; Baba Garage is my mission!!!

​Version originale en français 

Après un mois à Thiès pour une formation de capacitation clôturée par une cérémonie de prestation de serment à Dakar, cap à mon site : DINGUIRAYE
Samedi, 12 mars 2016 à 15h 10mn, j’ai pris départ pour mon site.
Après un long et difficile chemin, je suis bien arrivée mais avec bien fatigué car la route qui mène à Dinguiraye est quasi impraticable.
Dinguiraye est un village du Baol (un des anciens royaumes du Sénégal) et se trouve dans la région de Diourbel.  A environ 30km de route non goudronnée du département de Bambèye, Dinguiraye est un bon village mais difficile d’accès.
La population est composée d’une majorité Wolof et d’autres ethnies qui sont minoritaires et viennent souvent des villages environnants.
C’est un village à très forte croyance musulmane avec la grande famille Gadiaga qui sont des marabouts très connu au Sénégal. Une vieille dame m’a dit que « toute personne qui met ses pieds dans le village, aura ses vœux  exaucés. »
L’accueil n’était pas des meilleures car l’information n’était pas bien reçu. Mais,  j’ai eu la chance d’être accueillie ouvertement par la famille Gadiaga que j’apprécie beaucoup. Dans laquelle j’ai maintenant une maman, des sœurs et des frères super sympas et je dirai même très drôles avec qui je discute beaucoup autour du thé jusqu’à même parfois très tard dans la nuit.
Toutefois, j’ai quitté ce village pour aller à Baba garage, situé à 8 km de Dinguiraye pour des raisons de santé et aux besoins de respecter notre partenariat le  centre de développement socio-économique des femmes de Baba Garage créer par Mme DIOP.
 Arrivée au centre le Mardi, 05 Avril 2016, avec Mme DIOP, et mon binôme Boubacar Biro DIALLO, on a été accueilli par les présidentes des différentes commissions des femmes du centre avec qui on a tenu une courte réunion. Juste après, j’ai été installée à la case.
Comme début, j’ai eu à visiter  la Sous-Préfecture, la Gendarmerie, du poste de Santé, le Centre d’Appui au Développement Local (CADL) entre autres.
J’ai eu également à participer à tout un processus de fabrication de savon avec les femmes du centre. 

C’est vraiment une expérience qui débute bien malgré l’enclavement de la zone et les réalités sociales qui posent quelques soucis.
Le Développement ma passion, Baba Garage ma Mission !!!

Written by Lucy Chihana, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Malawi

This year has been one of the most craziest in my life: from graduation to moving out to my own little place I now call “home.”  Its not exactly what I had in mind when I was in college when I decided I wanted to volunteer for a year after graduating. The reality lead me to Balaka among people I never met and a place I never knew. Being someone who moved from one site into a new one I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, I was scared and often found myself alone. In this new site I wasn’t open enough to learning much, I looked at almost all things as a test and this often made me home sick, alone and sad. I pretended to be fine and happy most of the time.

My sadness didn’t last long because all around me were happy people who always greeted me with a lot of smiles who managed to spread it to me. For starters my host family is awesome!! Oh wait... and she’s a chief who is super great, her 7 grand-kids and her daughters are really great. They call me “Auntie” and do some little chores like laundry for me. Our neighbors are very good.  People in my community are also great despite most of them not really knowing me because I haven’t had a community meeting yet, but still some come to the chiefs house just to say hi and tell me how honored they are to have me in their village. I really like my village, it’s got a beautiful view, friendly dramatic people, people who are willing to learn, a lot of kids, a lot of football and netball, as well as an active community even though it gets too hot sometimes.  And I still don’t have a house of my own which makes it hard for me sometimes but am taking it one day at a time I will figure it out eventually.

Close to my host family is Tsalani Primary school where I volunteered to teach twice a week. Its a school that was constructed by Buildon: a non governmental organisation that constructs primary school in rural areas. Combined efforts from parents in this village lead to the birth of Tsalani. However Tsalani primary school only has one block meaning 2 classes: standard 1&2 with 3 teachers and no staff room or teacher houses. This is the closest school to my village otherwise all other kids from as early as standard 3 (8 years old) have to walk 4-5 kilometers to school and then back home. This demotivates many kids who dropout of school at an early age... especially girls.
​
There are a lot of wonderful and beautiful things I am looking forward to in this village during my 1 year stay: learning how to cycle, new language, cultural dances, community days, my hospital work, travelling, friendships and most importantly my project. I love my village, its people, and how they make me feel. I am definitely HOME.

Written by Boubacar Biro Diallo - CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

Playing with small children is my passion. My first activity this month was to entertain myself with the children of the village in teaching them educational songs that my mom, responsible for the community daycare "Jaam ak Salaam de Nema II" in Ziguinchor, had taught me.
I started with a group of five children 3 to 4 years old.
I would say here are my first students and my best friends in the village. After two days of educational activities, the group was strengthened with the participation of their brother and sister students in primary school.

​Before the end of the week, all of the children in the village (students or not) came to tell me "uncle Boubacar we want to learn today too!"
Sometimes, when their parents would pass me they would say, “Boubacar, these children are wearing you down every day," Smiling, I reply that no, I actually love playing with them. I spend great times with these children and it is with great pleasure that I contribute to their intellectual development.

​These children, I love them. They are great and I have hope that they will be very useful towards the development of their community and country.

Without foreshadowing, I see future CorpsAfrica Volunteers before me. I would like then to share with you this little song to remember the seven days of the week.

Remember please:
"Hello madam Monday!
How is madam Tuesday?
Very well madam Wednesday.
Tell madam Thursday
To come Friday
To dance Saturday
In the Sunday room (3times)
Thank you CorpsAfrica, thank you mother Liz, thank you uncle Boubacar!!! "

On this note, I will meet you next month Insha-Allah.

Version originale en Français 

Vive les enfants

Jouer avec les petits enfants c’est ma passion. Ma première activité de ce mois était de me divertir avec les enfants du village en les apprenants des chansons éducatives que  ma maman, responsable de la garderie communautaire «Jaam ak Salaam de Néma II» à Ziguinchor m’avait enseigné.
J’ai commencé avec un groupe de cinq enfants âgés de 3 à 4ans.

Je dirais voici mes premiers élèves et mes meilleurs amis dans le village. Après deux jours d’animation pédagogique, le groupe s’est renforcé avec la participation de leurs frères et sœurs élèves à l’école primaire.

Avant la fin de la semaine tous les enfants du village (élèves ou pas) viennent me dire « Tonton Boubacar nous voulons apprendre aujourd’hui aussi ». 
Parfois, en passant leurs parents me disent : « Boubacar ces enfants te fatiguent chaque jours » en souriant je réponds non j’aime bien jouer avec eux. Je passe de bon moment avec ces enfants et c’est avec un réel plaisir que je participe à leur formation intellectuelle.

Ces enfants, je les aime. Ils sont formidables et j’ai espoir qu’ils seront très utiles pour le développement de leur communauté et du pays.
Sans faire de prophétie, je vois des futures volontaires de CorpsAfrica devant moi. C’est ainsi que je partage avec vous cette petite chanson pour retenir les sept jours de la semaine.
 Retenez s’il vous plait :
« Bonjour madame Lundi !
Comment va madame mardi ?
Très bien madame mercredi.
Dites à madame jeudi
De venir vendredi
Danser samedi
Dans la salle de Dimanche (3fois)
Merci CorpsAfrica , Merci maman Liz, merci tonton Boubacar  !!! »
C’est sur cette leçon que je vous donne rendez-vous le mois prochain insha-Allah.


                                                                                               Boubacar Biro DIALLO
                                                                                          Volontaire CorpsAfrica/Sénégal
                                                                                                         A Baba Garage  

Written by Vanessa Chimutu, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Malawi

With my arrival into the community I had so such mixed feelings and emotions pertaining to what I was supposed to be doing here, but by and by, everything fell into place.

I was acquainted with everyone at the school where my partner organization (Age Africa) is placed. Now there was a lot of misconceptions as to who was going to come here, the staff at the school were expecting a white person who was male.  And aside from this, they had the preconceived notion that I was going to just teach. But once I explained myself and the work I am going to be doing here it was understood, at least that’s what I think. The head teacher then took me on a tour of the school which I must say was brief since they only have four class blocks which are the classes as well as the library.

The head then begun to tell me some of the challenges which they experience at the school, such as, high dropout rates, pregnancies, and theft, just to mention a few. I also observed that the school had no geography teacher for the form fours, so after shadowing the teacher who was teaching them and was leaving the next week I was excited to volunteer to teach the students a subject which I majored in at university! Isn’t this great!!!!!!  One way of getting to know the students at the school better. Well enough about the school….. Moving on.

I had the liberty to also meet the chiefs of the villages and and introduce myself to them, in actual essence, the Group Village Head is Lambulira, who oversees all 46 chiefs that surround her locality. It was such an honor to have met her, and we got into a few talks of the works that they have done in her location, she mentioned the building of the new health center, and also the improving the quality of their Early-childhood Development Centers (EDCs). She also raised concerns as to how different organizations come and go with just giving them false hopes, (this right here got me nervous as people may be having high expectations towards me). Thus far I have managed to visit one of the EDCs and the health center and talked to a lot of people about how these operate (A special blog will be uploaded concerning this).

Other observations I have made about the village is that people grow a lot of tobacco here, other crops include maize, sweat potatoes and soya, but due to the bad weather conditions, a lot of maize has been burnt, and this has had a lot of people worry as to how they will survive through out the year since maize is the staple food. For entertainment they play a lot of soccer and netball and interesting enough this is from people of all ages.  They also go to church, watch a lot of movies translated into chichewa, which are known as video shows, people can actually stay up late watching these, aside from this, they can also sometimes organize discos.  What caught my attention the most is that, all the people will be involved in all these activities which I find fascinating.

Written by Soukaina Bouihi, Photos by Abdellah Azizi, CorpsAfrica Volunteers in Malawi
Reposted from Abdellah Azizi Photography

During our stay in Nitundu village, we had the chance to meet some of the most inspiring people we met.
At the age of 26 years, Imani is already father of two boys, Abderaahman 4 years old, and Soudaissi 7 mounts, and a business man trying every day to make a living out of selling used shirts in the villages surrounding Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.
In his small house made of two rooms, one bedroom, and a multi-functional room, Imani welcomed us with his warm smile, and comforting words, as we sat for tea break with his sister Assiatu, while he ironed shirts he brought from Lilongwe the day before, using a steal iron that operates on shackles. For added value he washes the shirts and iron them, before selling theme in the markets.
Imani makes a daily trip at 5 am to the markets.
During the rainy season, the business gets slow for Imani, because rain makes it hard for him to showcase his shirts.

Written by Hameth Ndoye, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal 

The palm fruit tree  occupies a very important place in the Diola Culture, and today we will choose the palm in its usefulness to eat; and for that I will make you discover the different steps to prepare Fi Teuf. 
First one must go up on the palm tree to get the palm nuts, then retrieve the nuts from the root. Once this work is done by men, it is time for the women to take over. 
The women boil hot water in a pot with the palm nuts. 
Once finished, more hot water is then poured into the mix,  then the juice is filtered in order to get the liquid that is now the oil palm wine. 
This oil palm wine is placed on the fire under high heat, then vegetables and fish or choice of meat can be added to the sauce. Rice can be cooked aside. 
This is the Fi Teuf's recipe. The used nuts can also be crushed to produce the palm oil that can be used in cooking meals.The residue of palm wine is given to animals but also can be used to light a fire.
Palm oil is marketable and is a great source of income for women, especially since it is a typical resource of Casamance, even in Cabrousse in Senegal. ​​

Written by Emas Potolani, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Malawi
Reposted from eMas' Korner

On March 12, 2016, I made a pledge through the AIESEC YouthSpeak Initiative (you can make yours right here: https://aiesecmalawi.typeform.com/to/y4iD6a). My pledge is about quality education. To be honest, I was motivated to make this pledge by my pupils in my class and of course at my school. 

These kids motivate me so much. Many of them come to school without eating anything at home due to the hunger crisis that has hit my community and many other communities in Malawi. Many of the kids if not all, come to school with very dirty clothes and some come without any writing materials. Yet all of these challenges among the unmentioned ones do not stop these kids from coming to school every week day.
Comrades, these innocent souls keep hoping for a better future. This is what keeps me going and motivates me to stand in the gap and sacrifice all I have in order for the children in my community to be able to attain a brighter future.

Now, as regards to the pledge I made, it is in alignment to the Sustainable Development Goals which were agreed upon by World leaders in Rio last year, 2015. I will not explain much on the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but you can spare some time and read here: http://www.sdgfund.org/mdgs-sdgs.

However, let me highlight that the pledge I made is in line with SDG 4 which talks about ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education as well as the promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all. Yes, "inclusive and equitable quality education as well as promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all." Now, here is the thing, my standard 3 pupils in the picture below are part of the "ALL" being talked about in the SDG No. 4. 

Written by Sarah Kazira, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Malawi

​Two weeks ago I had the opportunity of attending the last CHATS (Creating Health Approaches to Success) sessions of the term with 8 girls under AGE Africa. AGE (Advancing Girls Education) Africa is CorpsAfrica's partner organization that I got placed with, and they run these CHATS programs which are basically life skills lesson for the girls. After we had finished with the session, we were walking towards the market and I took this time to have a little chat of my own to just try and understand the girls a little bit more. I wanted to find out what their dreams are and where they see themselves in the coming years. I started asking each one of them what they wanted to be after they finish school.

"I want to be a nurse" said one girl.

"Why do you want to be a nurse?" I asked her.

​"Because I want to help sick people in my village and I know that my parents will be proud of me if I become a nurse," came her reply. I did not ask her anymore questions as I turned to the next girl and asked her what she wanted to be when she is done with school. I was not surprised when she mentioned that she too wanted to be a nurse just like the previous girl. Neither was I surprised when 7 out of the 8 girls I was walking with said they too wanted to be nurses with reasons varying from "the profession inspires me" to "I like how they look in their uniform." 

Having had this same talk with a lot of girls before them, I was expecting the nursing profession to take a lead in their choices. Honestly, I was expecting all 8 of them to say they wanted to be nurses. About 98% of the girls I have spoken to since I came to Nsondole all said they want to be nurses and it came as a surprise to me when one of the girls (I will call her Charity ) had a different profession in mind. As the 7th girl was still explaining to me why she wanted to become a nurse, Charity just shouted to me "ine Sarah ndimafuna ndidzakhale mtolankhani" (as for me Sarah, I want to be a journalist), and before I had time to respond she continued on to say "Most of the girls in this school want to be nurses. They think that is the only option they have, some of them cannot even manage to be nurses. If you are a successful woman in this community, that means you are a primary school teacher or a nurse and most of us don't want to be teachers" I never expected to hear this from Charity, but before I could even comprehend all she had said, she continued on "But I want to be a journalist, when I hear them presenting on the radio I always imagine myself doing it." 

I was truly impressed by the words of this young girl. I had already discovered that the students from this community were not exposed to different career choices, that all they were left with was to be nurses. For most of them, the highest point of success for a woman is to be a nurse. But here was one of them who was brave enough to differ and aspire to be more. 

In light of this problem, as soon as the students get back for school, I plan on starting a club for both the boys and girls just so we introduce each other to the different career choices out there. So wish me luck

Written by Abdou Cissé, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal 
Do you know my town ???

"♪ ♫♫ ♪ you know my beautiful village, stretching along the water. With its beautiful foliage, giant “fromager” trees.. With its beautiful shores, facing the ocean. Enchanting are these women singing and dancing in the dense forest. A Diembéreng, diembhéring, Diembéreng village of Casamance ... ♪ ♫♫ ♪ " 
Just to use a part of the famous song of Metzo Diatta who contributed a lot to make known this beautiful village located in Lower Casamance.

​Diembéreng is also known for having been the shooting scene of the film Emitey, directed by the great Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene, who retraces part of the colonial history of this village and highlighting the capture of Senegalese riflemen.
Diembéreng, my new town, is populated mainly by the Diola who speak the Kuwaataay dialect. They are divided into six districts (Houdiabouss, Kaingha, Etama, Etoune, Haloudia and Kaoute). The village is a cultural melting pot where different ethnic groups mix in their richness and diversity, with so many languages, cultures, religious beliefs and religious practices.
Diembéreng indeed offers the image of a land of integration and harmony and of diversity where the respect for differences and the dignity of individuals constitutes the wealth of a successful blend of customs and irreconcilable beliefs of various origins.
In fact, the village consists of Christians, Muslims and animists who live in perfect harmony. It is common to see families where parents are animists and children are divided into the Muslim and Christian religions; or the dad is an animist, the mother Christian and the children are Muslim and Christian. These socio-cultural realities reinforce the social cohesion of the Kwatay community.

Diembéreng also has giant trees called “fromagers”, abundant mangrove, large palm trees that provide the Diola their famous Bounouck (palm wine) and a variety of fruit plants, offering a green landscape which inevitably attracts the first visitor. This picturesque and enchanting landscape enhanced by an abundant and lush vegetation is characterized by beautiful beaches along which are located tourist camps- all things that make it a tourist-oriented area of excellence.

Its famous public square, Asseb, remarkable for its imposing “fromagier” trees, houses a small market that allows for the rotation Diembéreng Cape Skiring. It is this place that the Diembéreng festival is celebrated each year in April, offering the public the opportunity to spread all of its cultural richness. The village also houses the mayor of the town that bears the name of Diembéreng.
The town hall, the first of our visits, attracts attention and its visitors with the youth of its staff (90% of the staff is young) under the direct authority of an equally young and energetic mayor. I like it here, and particularly salute this dynamic environment and the availability of the municipal team that was very receptive to CorpsAfrica’s involvement. For it is this openness that served as a marker in the pursuit of our mission, my brother CorpsAfrica Volunteer Hameth Ndoye and myself.

I would like to point out in my acknowledgements and thank Mr. David Diatta, responsible for state-owned issues of the Town Hall, who made himself available to me and introduced me to the parish Diembéreng Piarist sisters who invited us to participate in a hiking activity on the occasion of the celebration of their 50th anniversary in Senegal, coinciding with the date of Saturday, March 19, 2016.
Let me now share with you the highlights lived in my new town which have marked for a good start of integration for me.

My 10km of pleasure ...
The invitation of the Piarist sisters was an opportunity for me to participate in the first activity in my village, to be in direct contact with young people but also to prove myself useful. The hike has mobilized more than 300 young people who walked from Cape Skiring to Diembéreng for a distance of 10km. The departure was set for 9:54 AM at the roundabout Cape Skiring. Warm-up chants of the youth were rhythmic to the hikers’ steps. Sometimes they were sung in French, sometimes in Wolof or in Diola. This jovial atmosphere, embellished by rhythmical and cadenced dance steps, removed the grip of fatigue from the hikers. In order to represent CorpsAfrica best, I offered to volunteer and be the “the garbage man”. I ran left and right to retrieve the empty water bags from the hands of the hikers to avoid environmental pollution. I was also the “water boy” which enabled them to quench their thirst and to better withstand the sunlight rays which darted on their skulls. I was especially wanted by this sponsor who was given the task of monitoring the state of his group and was running left and right to inquire about it from me. 

​The worth of my first aid training was to be determined since the hike was not monitored by firefighters nor Red Cross officials. My improvised first aid role allowed me to quickly locate a girl who suffered from heart problems and was beginning to show signs of fatigue. I then urged the organizers who immediately reacted (shout out to the Red Cross, I was happy to be in the shoes of a rescuer). Another shout out to Abdoulaziz Noujoum who gave me some photography lessons and tips. This allowed me to generate a good report which very much pleased the organizers. My availability and involvement during this activity gained me an invitation to have a drink with the organizers (Piarist priest and sisters) at the end of the activity. I took the opportunity to share the photos and videos I had taken with them- they really appreciated it.

The group arrived at Diembéreng at 12:45 PM in a concert of songs and dances that attracted the entire community. I could say that I did 10km on foot without being "Fatou Gueye," (a term used by hikers to ask if there are people who are tired or not. "Are you Fatou-gueye?"). In any case I never said yes.

To finish, nothing but fun and pleasant times for this first Saturday in my beautiful village. After a day as charged with activities, Sunday came as a day of rest to recover well, but…

Do not even try to guess what I did on Sunday. To be continued.

Version originale en Français 

UNE INTEGRATION EXCITANTE.

​Vous connaissez mon village ???
«♪♫♫♪ connais tu mon beau village, qui s’étend au bord de l’eau. Avec son beau feuillage, de fromager géants… Avec ses beaux rivages, qui font face à l’océan.  Entant tu ces femmes qui chantent et qui dansent dans la forêt dense. A diembéring, diembhéring, Diembéring, village de Casamance…♪♫♫♪» pour reprendre une partie de la célèbre chanson de Metzo Diatta qui a beaucoup participer à faire connaitre ce beau village qui se trouve en basse Casamance.
 
Diembéring est aussi connu pour avoir été le théâtre du tournage du film EMITEY, réalisé par le grand cinéaste Sénégalais SEMBENE Ousmane, qui y retrace une partie de l’histoire coloniale de ce village, mettant en exergue la capture de futurs tirailleurs sénégalais.
Diembéring mon nouveau village est peuplé essentiellement de Diola parlant le dialecte Kwatay. Ils sont répartis dans six quartiers (Houdiabouss, Kaingha, Etama, Etoune, Haloudia et Kaoute). Le village est un véritable creuset culturel où se côtoient plusieurs ethnies  dans leur richesse et leur diversité, avec autant de langues, de cultures, de croyances religieuses et de pratiques  cultuelles.
Diembéring offre en effet cette image d’une terre d’intégration et de symbiose des diversités, où le respect des  différences et des dignités individuelles constitue la richesse d’un  mélange réussi d’us, de coutumes et de croyances d’origines diverses et à priori inconciliables. 
En effet, le village est composé de chrétiens, de musulmans et d’animistes, mais qui vivent en parfaite harmonie. Il est fréquent de voir des familles où les parents sont animistes et les enfants partagés entre la religion musulmane et chrétienne ; ou encore le papa animiste, la maman chrétienne et des enfants musulmans et chrétiens. Ces réalités socioculturelles renforcent la cohésion sociale de la communauté Kwatay.
Diembéring  c’est aussi des fromagers géants, une mangrove abondante, de grands palmiers qui procurent aux Diola son fameux Bounouck (vin de palme), ainsi qu’une diversité de plantes fruitières, offrant un paysage verdoyant qui séduit forcément le premier visiteur. Ce paysage pittoresque et enchanteur renforcé par une végétation abondante et luxuriante est aussi caractérisé par de belles plages le long desquelles sont implantés des campements touristiques.

 Toutes choses qui en font une zone à vocation touristique par excellence. Sa célèbre place publique, Asseb, remarquable par son imposant fromager, abrite un petit marché et le garage clando qui permet de faire la rotation Diembéring Cap-skiring. C’est sur ce lieu qu’est célébré chaque année, au mois d’avril le convoité festival de Diembéring, qui offrent  à la population l’occasion d’étaler toute sa richesse culturelle. Le village abrite également la mairie de la commune qui porte le nom de Diembéring.
La mairie, première étape de nos visites, attire l’attention et séduit le visiteur par la jeunesse de son personnel (90% des agents sont jeunes) placé sous l’autorité directe d’un Maire tout aussi jeune et dynamique. Il me plait ici, de saluer particulièrement ce dynamisme et la disponibilité de l’équipe municipale qui s’est montrée très réceptif par rapport à l’approche d’intervention de CorpsAfrica. Car, c’est cette ouverture d’esprit qui nous a servi de balise dans la poursuite de notre mission mon frère volontaire de CorpsAfrica Hameth Ndoye et moi-même.

Je voudrais distinguer dans mes remerciements Monsieur David Diatta, le chargé des questions domaniales de la mairie, qui s’est mis à ma disposition et qui m’a présenté à la paroisse des sœurs Piaristes de Dièmbéring qui nous ont invités à participer à la randonnée pédestre organisée à l’occasion de la célébration de leur cinquantenaire d’existence au Sénégal, coïncidant avec la date du Samedi 19 mars 2016.  
Permettez-moi à présent, de partager avec vous des moments forts vécus dans mon nouveau village et qui marquent pour moi, un bon début d’intégration.

Mes 10km de plaisir…
 L’invitation des sœurs Piaristes était une occasion pour moi de participer à une première activité du village, d’être en contact direct avec les jeunes mais également de faire preuve d’utilité. La randonnée a mobilisé plus de 300 jeunes qui ont marché de cap-Skiring à Diembéring sur une distance de 10km. Le départ est pris à 09 heures 54 minutes au niveau du rond-point du Cap-Skiring. Des chants de mouvements de jeunesses ont rythmé les pats des randonneurs. Tantôt ils sont entonnés en français, tantôt en wolof ou encore en Diola. Cette atmosphère joviale, agrémentée par des pas de danse rythmés et cadencés ôte à la fatigue toute emprise sur les excursionnistes. Naturellement, je ne me suis pas fait prier pour prendre ma dose de joie et de plaisir ainsi généreusement offerts par un peuple à l’hospitalité légendaire. Aussi, pour bien représenter la philosophie de CorpsAfrica, me suis-je proposé d’être le Mister Poubelle du jour. Je courrais de gauche à droite pour récupérer les sachets d’eau vides des mains des randonneurs pour éviter la pollution de l’environnement. J’étais également le porteur d’eau qui leur permettait de se désaltérer et de mieux supporter les rayons solaires qui se dardaient sur leur crâne.  Je me voulais surtout ce mécène qui s’était donné la mission de veiller sur l’état de forme de ses protégés d’un jour en courant de gauche à droite pour m’en enquérir. Histoire donc de faire valoir ma formation en secourisme puisque la marche n’était pas encadrée par les pompiers ou des agents de la Croix Rouge. Mon rôle de secouriste improvisé, m’a permis de repérer très vite une jeune fille qui souffrait de problème cardiaque et qui commençait à manifester des signes de fatigue. J’ai alors interpellé les organisateurs qui ont aussitôt réagis (petit clin d’œil à la croix rouge, j’étais heureux d’être dans la peau d’un secouriste). Clin d’œil également à Abdoul Aziz Noujoum qui m’a donné quelques cours de photographie. Ce qui m’a permis de faire un bon reportage qui a beaucoup plu aux organisateurs. Ma disponibilité durant cette activité m’a value une invitation à prendre un verre avec les organisateurs (sœurs Piaristes et prêtre) à la fin de l’activité. J’en ai profité pour mettre à leur disposition les photos et vidéos prises. Ce qu’ils ont beaucoup apprécié.
     
Le peloton est arrivé à Diembéring à 12heures 45 minutes dans un concert de chants et de  danses qui ont attirés toute la communauté. Dire que j’ai fait 10km à pied sans être « Fatou-gueye » (expression utilisée par les randonneurs pour demander si y a des gens qui sont fatigués ou pas. « Tu es Fatou-gueye ? »). En tout cas je n’ai jamais répondu par l’affirmative.
Au finish, que du plaisir pour ce premier samedi passé dans mon beau village. Après une journée aussi chargée en activité, le dimanche se présentait comme une journée de repos pour bien récupérer, mais…
N’essayer même pas de deviner ce que j’ai fait le Dimanche. A suivre.

Written by Amadou Alpha Ba - CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal 

On March 22, I woke up very excited because this was the awaited day to join my site. 
We were 4 volunteers to join their respective sites.
Sometimes I'm stressed, sometimes very excited, because my site is an interesting village in the fishing sector and it faces the Betenti islands.
Arrived at Soudiane Bambara, at 128km from home, we met very welcoming and open villagers. The atmosphere was at amazing and I did not want to leave this village.

After Soudiane Bambara, we traveled 45 km to reach Loul Sessène, another site where a Volunteer is posted. We arrived there in the twilight. A quiet landscape, the people still working. And what I liked most was the house where the Volunteer lodged, for there was a small garden. Everything was in order and there was a smell of onion which was almost at its harvest period.
From Loul Sessène we went to Fatick, the hometown of the current President of the Republic of Senegal. We spent the night there. We were only 2 Volunteers left to go in the Niombato (Toubacouta & Missirah). We took advantage of the free evening to visit the city a little.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we took the road to Foundiougne.
From there we crossed the BAC. But not before enjoying the freshness of the sea and the panoramic views of the mangroves of the area.

On Google Map, the trip from home to Missirah is 4 hours and 27 minutes in a car. Cool! Seems like it is not too far, but given the number stops we did, it might be worth the longer ride. 

To Missirah ... To be continued.

Version originale en français 

249km de curiosité

Le 22 Mars, je me suis réveillé très excité, car c’est le jour tant attendu pour rejoindre mon site.
On était 4 volontaires à partir dans leurs sites respectifs.
Dès fois je suis stressé, dès fois très excité. Du fait que mon site est un village très réputé dans le milieu de la pêche et il fait face aux îles du Betenti.
Arrivés à Soudiane Bambara, à 128km de chez moi, nous avons vu des villageois très accueillants et très ouverts. L’ambiance était au rendez-vous. Même quand on quittait, je n’avais pas envie de partir.
Après Soudiane Bambara, nous avons parcouru 45 km pour atteindre Loul Sessène, un autre site où une camarade est basée. Nous sommes arrivés là-bas vers le crépuscule. Un paysage calme, la population toujours au travail. Et ce qui m’a le plus plu est la maison où loge le volontaire, il y a un jardin maraicher. Tout était en ordre et on sentait l’odeur de l’oignon qui était presque à sa période de récolte.
De Loul Sessène, nous sommes allés à Fatick, la région natale de l’actuel président de la république du Sénégal. Nous avons passé la nuit là-bas. Nous étions que 2 volontaires à aller dans le Niombato (Toubacouta & Missirah). Nous avons profité de cette nuit pour visiter un peu la ville…
Le matin de bonne heure, après le petit déjeuner, nous avons pris la route pour Foundiougne. 
De là, nous avons traversé le BAC. Mais avant, on a profité de la fraicheur que dégageait le bras de la mer. Une vue panoramique sur les mangroves de cette zone
Sur Google Mapp, le trajet de chez moi jusqu’à Missirah en voiture est de 04h 27mn. Cool. Il y aura un gain de temps. Mais vu les escales que nous avons fait, alors ça merite de faire durer davantage le trajet.

A Missirah… A suivre…

Written by Gnagna Dabo - CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

Hello everyone!
Here is my first blog and I will write you all a short description of my site to best feed your imagination before I give you my first impressions.

Loul Sesséne is one of four rural communities in the municipality of Fimela, located in the department of Fatick, in the Fatick region.
The climate that prevails the area, under the influence of the sea, favors the development of certain plant species such as:

• Palm trees
• Palmyra trees
• Coconut trees
• Fruit trees such as mango, citrus, cashew.

There are also other species:
• Trees: Kadd (Acacia albida); Uul; Aoom; Gouye (Baobab) Dakhar (tamarind); Ditakh (Senegalese Ditarium); Nguédiane; Gang; New; Beer; Soto; Mbul; Derkassou (Mahogany); Loro.
• Shrubs: Nguer (Senegalese Guiera); Sus; kinkeliba; Ratt (Combretum glutinosum); Kel; Nguiguis; Sideem; mboss; Seker; Salaan; Tabanaani.
• Grass: Xaaxaam, Salguf, Striga, Thiakhat

The fauna, mainly consisting of birds and reptiles, is also home to wildlife like monkeys, jackals, rodents (hares, squirrels, skunks, ...). One could also find deer and antelope.
My rural community consists of more than 15 villages and is identified by what is called the Ngelmaak (palaver tree) as shown below.

Next time, I will discuss the socio-economic indicators to identify key resources that this rural community includes.

Until next time! 

Version originale en français 

​Bonjour à tous!
Voici mon premier blog et je vais vous faire une petite description de mon site pour mieux alimenter votre imagination avant de vous donner mes premières impressions.
Loul Sesséne est une des quatre communautés rurales de la commune de Fimela qui se trouve dans le département de Fatick, de la région de Fatick.
Le climat qui y règne dans la zone, sous l'influence de la mer, est favorable au développement de certains espèces végétaux comme:

• Le palmier
• Le rônier
• Le cocotier
• Les arbres fruitiers tels que les manguiers, les agrumes, l'anacardium occidental.

On y trouve aussi d'autres espèces:

• Arborées: Kadd (Accacia  Albida) ; Uul ; Aoom; Gouye (baobab) ; Dakhar (tamarinier) ; Ditakh (Ditarium Sénégalensis) ; Nguédiane ; Gang ; New ; Beer ; Soto ; Mbul ; derkassou (Acajou) ;  Loro.
• Arbustives: Nguer (Guiera Senegalensis ); Sus ; kinkéliba ; Ratt (Combretum glutinosum) ; Kel ; Nguiguis ; Sideem ; Mboss ; Seker ; Salaan ; Tabanaani.
• Herbacées: Xaaxaam, Salguf, Striga,Thiakhat

La faune, composée pour l’essentiel d’oiseaux et de reptiles, abrite encore des espèces sauvages comme le singe, le chacal, des rongeurs (lièvres, écureuil, putois, …). Il existerait même de biches et des antilopes.
Ma communauté rurale compte plus de 15 villages et elle s’identifie à ce que n’appelle le Ngelmaak (arbre à palabre) que voici :

La prochaine fois nous aborderons les indicateurs sociaux économiques du milieu afin d’identifier les principales ressources que cette communauté rurale englobe.
Mettez vous dans le bain de mon site en attendant que je trouve un appareil photo ou vidéo et les news vont tomber. A bientôt !

Written by Soukaina Bouihi/Photos by Abdellah Azizi: CorpsAfrica Volunteers in Malawi

​In Every CorpsAfrica Volunteer’s service, there comes a time when they are introduced into a new site, and a new community. Over a month ago, we came to our site, Mulanje, south in Malawi, an hour drive from Blantyre. Whatever I write about this place’s beauty, it would not do it any justice, so I will just say that everywhere you turn, any time of the day, you come across an almost painted view, it is that magical. What makes it more interesting is that we live at the foot of Mulanje Mountain, a touristic attraction and one of the country’s most beautiful spots.

Unfortunately, we did not have the chance of being placed with a Malawian host family, which made us seek all kinds of guidance and understanding by socializing with locals on a daily basis. However we do live with a different kind of host family, Richard, our roommate, a 21 years old British volunteer, and Seth a young Malawian man, working in Mulanje. They have been really helpful with everything we need to know, since Richard was two months ahead of us, and Seth has been living here for a while too. 

Written by Dinisse Sylva, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

My name is Dinisse Sylva and I am a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in a village in the Fatick region called Soudiane Thiéléme.

Soudiane thiéléme is a village located in the municipality of Djilas. It is approximately twelve kilometers to the west of Kaolack, about seven kilometers from west of Djilas, about seven kilometers from Nguéniène leaving Nguédiéne to go a little south, and about 12 km from the city of Joal.

I arrived in the village Sunday, March 13, 2016 at approximately 6:00 PM, before the introductions with the community, following the presentation speech made by the staff who accompanied me and the village chief, and the songs and dances that symbolized the welcoming reception.
The next day, Monday, March 14, I began visiting families in the village and in the afternoon I visited some gardens. I did the same on Tuesday.

Wednesday the 16th,  I visited the weekly market of Nguéniène. Quickly I made  friends and I began to learn Serere (the local language).

Until next time

Version originale en français 

Je m’appelle Dinisse SYLVA et je suis un volontaire de CorpsAfrica dans un village de la région de Fatick appelé Soudiane Thiéléme.

Soudiane thiéléme est un village qui se trouve dans la commune de Djilas. Il est environ à douze kilomètres de Kaolack de l’ouest vers l’est, à sept kilomètres environ de Djilas de l’ouest à l’est, à sept kilomètres environ de Nguéniéne en quittant Nguédiéne pour aller un peu vers le sud, et 12 km environ de la Commune de Joal.

Je suis arrivé dans le village Dimanche 13 Mars 2016 à l’environ de 18H, avant la prise de contact avec la population, à la suite des discours de présentation fait par le staff qui m’accompagnait et le chef de village, des chants et des danses retentissent pour symboliser l’accueil de bienvenue.
Le lendemain Lundi 14 Mars, je commence les visites des familles du village, l’après-midi  je visite quelques jardins. Le mardi je fais de même.

Le mercredi  16 je visite le grand marché hebdomadaire de Nguéniéne. Rapidement je me fais des amis et je commence à apprendre le sérère (la langue locale).

A bientot

Written by Limbani Kamanga, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Malawi

March 26, 2016 marked my one month stay in Chiradzulu. Though far from perfect, my stay in rural Chiradzulu has been remarkable to say the least. The past 30+ days have exposed me to diverse social nuances that continue to challenge - and in the process, deepen my comprehension of the dynamics of life in Likoswe village.

In relation to my service as a CorpsAfrica volunteer, a few salient reflections are in order. So far, I have attended 4 community gatherings (I organized 2 of the 4 meetings) and generally speaking, all 4 meetings were fruitful in a sense that I noticed raw desire for progress in most of the attendants. The zeal to initiate change has been visible during all 4 meetings. For example, during one of the meetings that I organized, a lady named Mrs. Ellen Chikuse gave an assurance that the residents of Likoswe village have the ability to work as a unit when solving collective problems. "Achimwene, anthu a mwa Likoswe sititengela pamgong'o ntchito za chitukuko," she declared. To me, her courage to utter such a bold remark invoked a sense of belief and inspired me give out the best I can.

Written by Tusayiwe Sikwese, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Malawi

It's been a month and a bit since I came to my site here in the scorching sun of Maluwa village, Phalombe. Yes scorching sun, the kind that heats up the bare dusty road and burns your feet.  Literally burns your feet. The kind that has my host mother, Miss Kanjo, and I dripping of sweat and drinking gallons of water everyday in an effort to keep cool. But I didn't let that get in the way of knowing my community and it definitely didn't hold the community back from keeping me busy.

Anyway, first things first. On the 2nd of March 2016, (that was a few days after I had settled in my home stay) I went to meet the Chief of Maluwa village.  Very nice man, and full of energy too. He scheduled a day for my first community meeting. When the day of the meeting came, the skies were heavily grey and I was hoping that it would rain. Why? Phalombe is extremely hot! And I would have loved for it to rain so it would cool down for a bit... AND I WAS NERVOUS. I had never done this before, well I had been at community meetings before but I never had to say why I was there and what not. The most I had to do was greet the community and that's it. A walk in the park! But this, this was very different. It was just me. 

Unfortunately or fortunately, (depending on how you see it,) the skies had cleared and were a lovely blue. So I started off for the bwalo (the community's meeting space). I took the long way there because that was the only way I knew ( I got lost by the way). But the good news is I got there, somehow! When I got to the bwalo, there were less than 10 people. Uh-Oh. I was worried. But the chief was there and he had told me that people had gathered earlier on but had left because of the grey skies. He assured me that people would come and that we would start as soon as a few more people arrived. And people came in large numbers, the meeting happened and was a success. I was overwhelmed with happiness and felt welcomed. I learned of the challenges the community was facing and the many committees that exist in the community, most of which scheduled meetings with me for later that week and the following week. Busy, busy, busy.

My favorite part of this day was at the end of the meeting, when we were all walking back to our houses. A woman approached me and we got talking. She told me about the business that her and her fellow women, in a village called Mwanga, were doing. She asked if I could teach them anything I knew about doing small businesses. I was very very very happy. For me, it showed that the community had indeed welcomed me, were ready to work, and that meant I was going to immerse myself without much trouble.

​A week later I went to visit the women's business group in Mwanga (a neighboring village within my site). I was so psyched! I couldn't wait to learn all about their wine business, how they make it and how it fares in their community. I found it really cool how they make their wine using bananas, water, lemons, yeast and sugar, without any using machines.  How cool is that?!! Now I'm looking forward to seeing how they actually make it! Minus the hot road that burnt the bottom of my left foot. I bet you're wondering how that happened. Long story short, the straps of my sandal cut and I had to walk some distance before I found a kabaza (bicycle taxi) to take me back to my hosts house.

I honestly didn't think the ground itself would be that hot until I walked barefoot. So I thought to myself, how do those people that walk barefoot everyday feel? Sad moment.

Okay so that aside, I have been doing a whole load of other things. I've been helping out with a Nursery school building project that has been funded by Village X (CorpsAfrica's partner organization at present). The project should be done by the second week of April. I've also been volunteering at Chisugulu Community Day Secondary School (it's very close by my hosts house-she's the schools' headmistress) with my first task as an invigilator. I've always wanted to do that, so that was exciting.

The community has so much to offer and I have learned so much from them in such a short time. I'm looking forward to learning a lot more from them throughout my service and of course sharing my knowledge with them-when they ask. It's a give and take process!!

I really could go on and on but I must stop here for now. I can't wait to share with you why and how these business oriented women branched away from small typical village businesses (selling vegetables, fritters and the like) to their current business. And to share pictures of the Nursery School when it's complete... And all the things that make each day very different from the other, in Tusa's new world :-).

Written by Mama Diop, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

​My last night before I joined the group of volunteers was filled with many questions: How would the group of persons that I’ll meet be? Will they share the same motivations as me? What would the training that we will undergo be like?   
But the first night I spent in Thies in the training center was enough to lighten up my concerned questions. In fact, the first meeting before the beginning of the training gave me the opportunity to discover that I was going to form a CORPS with intelligent, ambitious, and friendly persons concerned by the underdevelopment of our continent, Africa. 
Thus, I could feel my determination and my commitment fostered by the fact of finding new friends who all understood what they should do for their country instead of asking what their country should do for them.
It was also great for me to see people from Morocco, after one year of service to their populations, decide to capitalize their experiences in our country.
With this beloved group, I have spent a month full of exchanges, experiences, knowledge and joy.
I keep thinking about all the different persons who presented during our training and were very willing to share with us their knowledge and experiences.

Moreover, we were taught tools by two very likeable persons, Aziz and Amath, which allowed us to “Design Think” during two immersion exercises in two villages. This training allowed us to integrate with villagers for a short period of time, to adapt to their ways of living in order to identify together with them their real problems. As a result, at the end of our training, the happiness and the acknowledgments from the local populations revealed their satisfaction to our attempt to improve their living conditions.

​Indeed, these exercises permitted me to discover many things:

• Firstly, I am now persuaded that no one can develop a territory without discovering its potentials and weaknesses.
• Secondly, I am convinced that no territory can be developed without the involvement of local actors.
• Finally, the development is “bottom-up” but not “top-down".

These above-mentioned statements I discovered in theses villages fed my ambitions to pass a whole year with another community and to at least improve their living conditions.
Fortunately, my will to complete this mission keeps on rising as I am very lucky to be brought in a welcoming and open community that is very willing to work with me.
With this community, I have a new family, I have started to adopt a new life and I’ll do many interesting things. 

Until next time! 

Written by Lusekelo Simwela, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Malawi

Meet Richard Tamera, he doesn't look like much at first glance, standing at no more than 5 feet nothing, he is tiny. He has this small but hoarse voice that made me chuckle the first time I saw him or rather heard him. He was one of the participants of a workshop I was invited to by buildOn, CorpsAfrica’s partner NGO that I am working with. The workshop was to teach facilitators a new adult literacy program. I was late, or at least that's what it seemed like, I found Mr. Simon Gondwe leading a discussion on topics handled the previous day as Richard raised his hand to comment, the tiny man, I barely heard what he said as I sat down looking at my phone that said 7:50. “I thought they said they will start at 8:00 am?”

That thought quickly disappeared in my mind as facilitators, one after another presented on different topics. They were centered on facilitation and leadership skills, they touched on group dynamics and several other important skills. That day ended with Richard not even crossing my mind. It wasn't till the next day after lunch that I had a chance to converse with the group. He was first to speak, I asked him 5 why questions as my field manual said I should. That was when he started his story, from the very beginning. 

He had finished his form four education and as thousands of young Malawians like him he had nothing to do, he engaged in odd jobs one after another. He lived in an area called Madzi Aphitsa, which literally means 'water has been over boiled' this is because of the hot water Springs that the area is famous for. It is a remote and hilly area that is barely accessible even by motorcycles. He came from there. I realized that his story was remarkable when he told me the distance he had to travel to attend school. He and other young people like him had to travel 8 kilometers to the nearest primary school and even more to the nearest secondary school. But he persevered even though most of his friends dropped out finishing his education waiting for the next step. 

While most could have seen his education as a ticket out of the village, he thought of the youth of the village who like him had to walk 8 kilometers to school. He then decided to do something about it. Equipped with only an old wood as a black board and a few chalks, he started a school for the children in the community. Teaching grade 1 and 2, those who were too young to walk 8 kilometers everyday. He taught these children until the village got inspired by his actions and went to the district commissioner's office who helped him with books and other learning materials. This caught attention of buildOn who last year built the first school block, right next to the tree he taught at. He continues to teach the children but has now taken on an even bigger challenge. He has just finished training for the village's first ever adult literacy center. The young tiny man, Richard, the most inspiring person I have ever had the privilege to meet.

At the beginning of the first week, the Village development Committe paid me a visit to welcome me and introduce themselves. We had a little chat and they asked me to schedule a day for my first community meeting. Gosh! How I dreaded facing the crowd, having been diagnosed with chronic stage fright, but oh well, duty calls.  So I set the date for the following Tuesday. I found myself at the proposed meeting site 30 minutes early to articulate my speech and deal with my nervousness, but alas! 2 hours elapsed before anybody showed up. One of the VDC (village development committee) members showed up only to tell me that the meeting had been rescheduled for the following week, and here I was thinking, "why didn’t anybody tell me?”  I swallowed the bitter sweet pill of relief and disappointment with a smile and kept my cool. Another hour elapsed before some other VDC members showed up and they took me for a 2 hours walk around part of the village which I never anticipated to happen at this day. Luckily enough, I had a bottle of water which I kept gulping throughout the journey which brought me back home with sore legs.

The third week, history repeated itself and the community meeting never took place as the Group Village Head had other commitments. I was really getting frustrated at this point and I went back home feeling depressed and thinking I had failed. The next few days though were relieving as I met with a Volunteer woman from the National Initiative For Civic Education who was also waiting for the same community meeting. We talked about our work and we both explained to each other how our organizations will be working in the village. What excited me was the initiative of starting a community library where she asked me to collaborate with her in sourcing books and other reading materials as well as identifying a suitable site together with the VDC for the community library and resource center.
It’s day number 32 and I am yet to have my first community meeting, but, the community library initiative is almost ready to kick-start and I feel very proud to have been part of such a great cause.
So here are my most important lessons from the 32 days on site which I hope to use throughout the remaining 333 days in sight:

•I have learned that you just have to go try something if there is even a remote possibility of something great happening for your work as well as beneficial to the community. You have to learn to convince yourself that the possibility is greater than the inevitability of doing nothing.
•I have learned that failure doesn’t have to be this life-shattering, I’m-never-going-to-do-this-again experience but is in fact an opportunity to gain valuable learning experience and it gives one a chance to see that learning WHAT NOT TO DO is just as valuable as knowing WHAT TO DO.
• Last but not least, the CorpsAfrica journey is a process, but when you can embrace the process of success and failure, you get another step closer to YES!

Thisisdee

Written by Walid Chougna, CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Senegal

Hello!
On January 28 we left Morocco to go to Senegal, my best friend Adnane and I, to join CorpsAfrica/Senegal.
When we arrived in Dakar and headed out of the airport, the first people we met were Hiba and Emmy. I knew Hiba but did not know Emmy, so I thought he was Senegalese. But I was wrong because he is from Rwanda, and he works at the CorpsAfrica Headquarters in Washington DC.
After we took a taxi to hotel Sokhamon at 02:00 AM. At the hotel, we chatted for a while. I also really liked the location of the hotel as it was next to the beach.

On January 29 at 10:30 AM, Hiba and Emmy invited us to go out with them but wouldn't tell us where. They wanted it to remain a surprise. We later found out that we were heading to Gorée Island and we took a boat to get there.

We loved Gorée Island and had a great time. It was also the first time that I drank ginger and "bissap" tea.
Later, we returned to the hotel and stayed there for an additional 2 days. We had fun and thank Hiba and Emmy because they have done a lot of things to keep us happy.

Next, we left to go to the Red Cross center in Thies, where we met many Senegalese friends who came to join the training of the 1st group of CorpsAfrica Volunteers.

To be continued!

Version originale en Français 

​Des Moments Inoubliables.

Bonjour!

Le 28 janvier on a quitté le Maroc vers le Sénégal, moi et mon meilleur ami Adnane, pour rejoindre le groupe CorpsAfrica /Sénégal.

Quand on est arrivé à Dakar, et on est sorti de l’aéroport et les premières personnes qu’on a rencontrées étaient Hiba et Emmy. Je connaissais Hiba mais je connaissais pas Emmy donc j’ai pensé qu’il était sénégalais.  Mais je me suis trompé car il est du Rwanda il travaille au Siège de CorpsAfrica à Washington DC.

Après on a pris un taxi pour partir à l’hôtel Sokhamon vers 02h00 du matin. On a été à l’hôtel et on a beaucoup discuté et j’ai beaucoup aimé la place où se trouve l’hôtel car il est à côté de la plage.  

Le 29 janvier à 10h30 Hiba et Emmy nous ont invité de partir avec eux dans une place mais personne ne voulait nous dire à quel endroit on va partir. Ils voulaient que ça reste une surprise. On est parti à l’Île de Gorée et on a pris un bateau pour y aller.

On a beaucoup aimé l’Ile de Gorée et on a passé des bons moments. C’était aussi la première fois que j’ai bu le gingembre et le bissap.

Après on est retourné à l’hôtel et on est resté 2 jours. On s’est bien amusé et je remercie Hiba et Emmy parce qu’ils ont fait beaucoup des choses pour qu’on soit heureux.

Après cela on est parti au centre croix rouge à Thiès et on a rencontré beaucoup d’amis sénégalais qui sont venus pour la formation du 1ier groupe de volontaires de CorpsAfrica.

A suivre! ​