Summer in Senegal 2011

My time in Senegal was amazing. Through the organization, Love Volunteers, I stayed for two months (July and August 2011) with a host family and volunteered at an orphanage 5 days a week for three hours where I helped feed, play with, clean babies. My host family was extremely generous and friendly which made my experience in Senegal even greater. Senegalese people in general are very friendly and the country is known for its hospitality (Pays de la Teranga). I met people from around the world and immersed myself into Senegalese culture by eating the delicious food, learning some basic Wolof phrases, attending a Senegalese Wedding wearing a traditional dress,getting a Senegalese name, and fasting for a day during Ramadan to show solidarity with my host family during my stay in Senegal. The programs coordinator, Binetou, was extremely helpful in showing me around Dakar and the orphanage where I volunteered to help me integrate into my surroundings. All of the staff at Love Volunteers responded quickly to my questions and were extremely helpful and honest. Not only did I volunteer in Senegal, I was able to explore this beautiful country, and practice and speak French outside of a classroom setting. Overall a memorable, exciting, and enlightening experience!