Celebrity Guest Bloggers

Greetings from New Jersey...we are back from Africa.  Jennie has invited us to write a guest blog about our of visit to see her in Senegal.

I must say that we came back from the trip very proud of what Jennie has accomplished since March, 2010.  We were able to see the projects (well covers and latrines for the school) that she was instrumental in completing.  We met her family and were introduced to many others from the village who tell us that she is a very hard worker.  Jennie is a master at speaking Seereer, her village language, and has learned enough Wolof (another of the local dialects), and remembered enough from her French classes to get us safely through our trip. 

We were also able to meet about a dozen of her fellow Peace Corps volunteers from the Kaolak region and enjoyed hearing them discuss their grant applications and plans for projects in their respective villages.  She and her PCV friends have a really good networking and support system going. 

We experienced what it's like to live without electricity or running water. We helped Jennie pull water from the well to water her garden,  took a bucket bath in the evening and made visits to the pit latrine at night using battery operated headlamps. And imagine waking to the sounds of a rooster crowing, donkey braying and the sights of donkeys and goats wandering outside Jennie's hut.  Really a huge step back in time!

Jennie's village mother, Funjai, made us some traditional meals over an open fire and we shared the food with Jennie from a common bowl in her hut.  But we cheated and used "sporks" instead of eating with our hands.  Although the food was different than we are used to, it was quite good.

As we loaded our things onto the charette (donkey-pulled cart)  for the ride to Keur Socce for the beginning of the journey back to Dakar and our flight home, many of Jennie's family were on hand to say good bye.  It was a cheerful end to a good visit.   We really enjoyed the African experience and wish Jennie nothing but the best in completing her upcoming projects. 

May God bless you, Jennie,  for all that you are accomplishing in Senegal!

Mike and Patty Wysong

 Dad and Ba

 Mom and Ya