Senegal Study-Service Term
Though Goshen College has sent students to West African countries since 1993, the first Senegal Study-Service Term unit began in 2004. Senegal, located on the Atlantic Ocean, borders Mauritania to the north, Guinea to the south, Mali to the east and surrounds Gambia. Its capital, Dakar, is the westernmost point in Africa.
Study
Students live in the city of Thiès for the study portion of the semester. French classes are held four mornings a week, and an introduction to the Wolof language is also taught. During afternoons and weekends there are lectures and field trips to begin learning about Senegal’s history, religion, environment, social issues, the arts and other elements of Senegalese culture which will be experienced in various ways. Students use French and Wolof with their host families and as they travel around Thiès and the country.
Service
During the second half of SST, students head out to different locations in Senegal, where they serve in a local community and meet a new host family. Common service assignments include working at a health clinic or hospital, or assisting in a community development project. You may find yourself working in a deaf school in Dakar or supporting AESCAW, a women’s organization in Richard Toll.
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Off to Service!
Six students left this morning for their service learning assignments. Zach and Lukas are off to Fatick where they will work in a mental health center (Fatick Centre de Sante Mentale Dalal Xelo. Ben and Spencer will spend their time in a Muslim community (Ndem) that has many development projects…
Last Classes, Bandia Game Park and a Farewell Thank You Party
On Monday and Tuesday we had our final lectures on the status of women in Senegal and the heart breaking situation with street children in Senegal’s large cities. Thousands of children are brought into cities each year where they leave their families of origin. Parents hope for a better life…
The Arts, Ndem and a Village Visit
Our week began with a visit to the artisan village in Thies where we had a lesson on a variety of drums, including the Jembe. Our next stop was at a silversmith shop. The artist created a silver bracelet while we watched him at work.