Senegal SST

Small businesses

One assignment during the past six weeks was for students to work singly or in pairs and interview a small business owner.  Students were to find out how the person learned their skill or how they got started in their business.

Departing for Service Assignments

On Saturday, 12 June, students departed Thiès for service assignments scattered throughout the country.  There was excitement and nervousness in the air as good-byes were said. Some farewells with host family members were difficult and emotional.

Concluding Activities

This week was the conclusion of the “study” portion of the term, and the last days activities included language testing and a time to evaluate all the different aspects of the program thus far.  Although this can be tedious and tiring, it also provides invaluable information for those who will…

Tapestries of Thiès

Manufactures Sénégalaises des Arts Décoratifs, located in Thiès, was one of the artistic centers inspired by President Senghor in the 1960’s.  Designs for the brightly colored tapestries are chosen from paintings submitted by Senegalese  and other African artists.

Joal-Fadiout

Joal was the boyhood home of Senegal’s first president and poet Léopold Sédar Senghor.  During our stay in Joal we visited the Senghor home and museum where a guide told us about his life and contributions.

Bandia Game Reserve

On our recent field trip to Joal-Fadiout we stopped at Bandia Game Reserve.  We enjoyed observing African animals close up in their natural habitat.  The park was created in 1990 and contains species native to Senegal and from other parts of Africa.   We ended our stay with a picnic in…

Music of Sénégal

Our recent lecture on music took place at Thiès Regional Museum housed in a small old fort.  Our lecturer described traditional uses of music and musical styles.  He brought others with him to demonstrate jembe (drums),  several stringed instruments and the balafon.   At the end of the lecture students had…

Activities at Chez Goshen

This week (June 3) at Chez Goshen the meal was made by Alysha, Leah, Erin, Noah, Josh, and Patrick.  It included preparing vegetables and fruit, cooking rice, beans, and cookies in a hot kitchen, and improvising to make “Café Touba”  (a sweet spiced Senegalese coffee) using an old sock for…

Language and Lectures

For the past 4 ½ weeks our daily routine has included language study in the mornings and lectures or presentations about Sénégal and its culture in the afternoons.

Monastery, Lac Rose, Orphanage, and the Beach

This past Sunday we took a field trip that combined a variety of stops.  We began our day at Keur Moussa, a Catholic monastery, where we caught the end of the morning mass that uses traditional harp-like instruments, called “kora,” in the service.