Written by CorpsAfrica/Senegal Volunteer, Mr. Daouda Gueye
One Friday afternoon, after my lunch of "Thiebou Djeune" (rice with fish: Senegal’s national dish) I layed down in my room and as I was falling asleep, my phone rang. I got up and took the phone, without knowing that this call would completely change a part of my life.
Me: Hello!
Interlocutor: Hello, is this Mr Gueye?
Me: Yes, it’s me.
Interlocutor: Great. My name is Mr. Mamadou.
Me: Yes Sir, it’s great to hear from you.
Interlocutor: I called to inform you that you have been selected for the CorpsAfrica Volunteer internship
Me:😳😊 Thank you, received.
Having already an idea of what was expected of me, the quote "Growing up means accepting and getting out of your comfort zone to go and meet other." came back to my mind.
When I arrived at Pre-Service Training (PST), I saw faces I had never met in my life. They were all from Senegal’s four corners and ready to offer a part of their lives to somewhere they knew nothing about. Each Volunteer was ready to serve, stimulate the development, happiness, and the smile of a community somewhere in Senegal far from the warmth of their own cities.
One Friday afternoon, after my lunch of "Thiebou Djeune" (rice with fish: Senegal’s national dish) I layed down in my room and as I was falling asleep, my phone rang. I got up and took the phone, without knowing that this call would completely change a part of my life.
Me: Hello!
Interlocutor: Hello, is this Mr Gueye?
Me: Yes, it’s me.
Interlocutor: Great. My name is Mr. Mamadou.
Me: Yes Sir, it’s great to hear from you.
Interlocutor: I called to inform you that you have been selected for the CorpsAfrica Volunteer internship
Me:😳😊 Thank you, received.
Having already an idea of what was expected of me, the quote "Growing up means accepting and getting out of your comfort zone to go and meet other." came back to my mind.
When I arrived at Pre-Service Training (PST), I saw faces I had never met in my life. They were all from Senegal’s four corners and ready to offer a part of their lives to somewhere they knew nothing about. Each Volunteer was ready to serve, stimulate the development, happiness, and the smile of a community somewhere in Senegal far from the warmth of their own cities.
After 24 hours spent together with the other Volunteers, I had the confirmation of something Mr. Mamadou had told me during the interview: "CorpsAfrica is a family." Yes, CorpsAfrica is truly. It’s a family in which Volunteers, the staff team, the Director, and everyone is more committed than the other, working in a global movement without any shame or secrecy, but with mutual respect... It was brilliant!
After one month spent together, a month rich in training and learning, experience sharing, and discovery, deep inside me I really felt that I had become a better person than the day I got here.
I totally feel ready to volunteer for the development of my country, living and working with people on the basis of the use of existing resources. And as said by RABII DIK: "Participation in social activities as a volunteer is an important element in the quality of life and sustainable development at the individual and at the societal level…. Helping others is also helping yourself, it is giving the rendez-vous with your generosity and well being, helping others is knowing your reason for being!"
Now, my only satisfaction will be to actively participate at all levels in local development in my working area.
Now, my only satisfaction will be to actively participate at all levels in local development in my working area.
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