Thursday, February 20 Our day started after breakfast with a study and discussion session, "How Do I Make Sense of the Poverty I see in Senegal?" at the hotel. As Americans with money to travel, this question is a difficult one not only here but in other developing nations. We shared feelings and observations; I shared that making personal connections however small which may in some way improve another's lot is one way to make some sense and how good I felt maki...

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 Today's guest speaker, Abdou Sarr, Executive Director of World Education, arrived at 9 AM. We convened in the private meeting room with the curtains closed as we were told Mr. Sarr preferred the room to be secluded in that way. Abdou Sarr has been the driving force behind World Education's work in Senegal to establish the Network of Community Radios for Peace and Development in Casamance which now has 17 radio stations. After warm gr...

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 After the hotel's buffet breakfast, we gathered in the private dining room to begin the day with the daily journal entry (mine from the horrific travel experience to Senegal) and then a short text reading. We had a short study session "Why We Are Here?" with some readings related to our reactions to and interactions with those who live in poverty. Our guest speaker, Senyabou Maie Cisse, the Founder and Coordinator of USOFORAL was the g...

February 17, 2014 After a solid fours hours of sleep in a lovely room at the Radisson Blu in Dakar, I awoke, took a shower and got dressed, and got down to the breakfast buffet just before it closed at 10:30 AM . It was one of those nice international hotel type buffets with granola, cereal, eggs to order, various cheeses, meats, smoked salmon, breads, croissants, yoghurt, fruit, and juice. I joined the cousins, Karen and Carole for breakfast. Once finished ba...