Before I left for the Senegal Trip my worries consisted of getting mosquito bites, getting sick, and not being able to connect with my host family or other people in the village. As I spent the first day with my host family those worries dwindled, as I witnessed the extreme kindness and hospitality each family offered. On my first day with my family, my host mother and I shared a large bowl of rice and she made sure I ate more than half the bowl. Overeating was a familiar feeling during my time in Guedj Martin, as my family was very adamant about ensuring I had enough to eat. After we ate, she set a place on the bed for me to rest, and while I initially felt strange sleeping in her bed, as I got to know my family, I appreciated the gesture greatly. After just a few days, I noticed a bond forming between me and my three year old host sister Awa. She would run up to the horse carriage waiting to walk me to the hut. When I first met her she was shy and confused. One of the ways I communicated with her was by letting her wear my hat. This small interaction became a daily ritual where I’d offer her my hat and we’d take photos or play games. The last week with my family was especially memorable, as I got into a routine and anticipated the time of day when I could see them again. I would play music and the kids would dance, while my host mother sat at the edge of the bed, tapping her foot to whatever song I decided to play that day. They would sing to me and ask me to sing too, and the last few days were when I truly understood how much I would miss them. My last day in the village, was one of the most valuable days of the trip, as it was the day we celebrated the connections we made with the villagers, as well as say goodbye to our families. When my host mother and sister came, they brought me a dress and had me change right away. Seeing everyone in clothing their host families picked out made the goodbye ceremony even more special and despite the sandstorm that was happening throughout the ceremony, it was still one of the best experiences of the trip. After we finished eating and the families began to take final photos with everyone, the fact that I was leaving started to sink in. When I heard my host mother had gone home due to the dust, I could feel myself holding back tears, thinking I had missed my chance to say goodbye. After a few minutes she and my sister walked in and a sense of relief washed over me. This helped me realize just how important saying goodbye to them was to me. We sat for about an hour, playing with the kids until the bus arrived. I hugged my host sister goodbye and handed her the hat she played with the first day I arrived. My mother held my hand and walked me to the bus, noticing the tears on my face. She kissed me on both cheeks and hugged me goodbye, within a crowd of other families and villagers surrounding the bus. I turned away and stepped on the bus knowing this could be the last time I’d see me family. This moment was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life, and I am extremely grateful my family and so many other families in the village opened up their homes to us and allowed us to interrupt their time of festivities. The people of Guedj Martin displayed to me what it takes to create a thriving community and having exposure to an environment free of judgment or hate, guided my understanding of why helping communities like this one is so necessary. -Teresa
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