Notes From Friends . . . our interpretation of ‘Blog’

Mom’s time in Senegal was not always peaceful. Her letters home describe how remote she was; how culturally alone; how very very (VERY) different it was from Denver, Colorado. Her assigned project having to do with health care was a bit of a bust so she gravitated to what she knew: education, and to who she knew: girls. I think she related to the trials of the hardworking women but ultimately connected her heart to Guéoul through the universal language of children.

Her involvement in the school was subtle back then. A mural on a school wall, a friendship with a female teacher. It wasn’t til years later (you’ve heard this story!) that she discovered that for the youth of Guéoul, there could be more than struggling in that little village for their whole life. You know what, back then there was a train going through town which brought a little commerce. Today that train is gone and the tracks get pulled up little by little to be turned into something else. Anyway, she discovered through her own host family that if a girl could get more education, she could be a financial benefit to her family. If you remember my mom’s own personal story, you know that it was education that got her out from behind the typewriter serving the CEO to being the commander of her own life. Not everything translates from US experience to Senegalese experience, but her premise was IT CAN’T HURT. 

I’m glad Mom lived to see our first graduates and college students. I hope we can continue to give these willing students the support they need to complete what can sometimes be an uphill climb. They want to do the work and it is so rewarding to assist them in these little ways that make a huge difference. 

You can contribute to Friends of Gueoul year-round HERE!