Farewell and Departures

On Friday night we celebrated our host families with a small program and party. Adama opened the meeting and translated when necessary. David gave a small thank you from Goshen College. The heart of the program was statements of gratitude and a song from the students. This was followed by impromptu responses from the families, also expressing their gratitude and connection. We finished the evening with a delicious spread made by Madame Samb, Emma Z’s host mother.

Students left for service on Saturday morning. They left for a variety of locations (St. Louis, Grand Mbao, Mbour, Ndangane Sambou, Sandiara, Fandénr, and Gorom). They will be connected to different activities on service (farming, agro-ecology, health clinics, after school programs, teaching, child care, and of course some hanging out and being in place with their Senegalese hosts). They left using a variety of forms of public transportation (small bus, sept-place, taxis). Finally, they negotiated multiple transportation changes, kept their luggage safe, and found their hosts in their new homes. They all arrived safely by mid-afternoon. We look forward to hearing about their experiences and learnings!

*Brandon and Bree are waiting in Thiès until Monday when they will leave for a town called Toubab Diallo where they will be working with the Djarama Association.