Nightwatch

I’m currently taking cover from the ominous clouds overhead, huddled up in the nearest hut at the local hotel and waiting patiently for another monsoon to hit. Rainy season has arrived in Senegal. There are negatives and positives to that statement. Some perks are it’s no longer unbearably hot outside, the hallucinogenic greenery starts to reappear all around you and it is kind of fun to run for cover once the winds start howling. Cons? Everyone is in a consistent state of diarrheal misfortune and swollen with various unknown skin infections. Also, sleeping inside is still too muggy and uncomfortable, yet sleeping outside in the cool breeze becomes risky when you could wake up to the tickling raindrops drenching everything you own. And worst of all, deadly mosquitoes come alive. Malaria is at an all-time high.

The last volunteer conference we had was in the beginning of April with the Malaria No More team where we discussed effective methods for fighting again malaria as well as an action plan for the future. Since school is almost over and summer break is starting for everyone, the beginning of June was the perfect time to start seriously working with people about the dangers of malaria and the importance of prevention.

A new program was introduced called “NightWatch”, a 6-day curriculum about malaria designed for young teenagers. The main objective is to show the students that by keeping themselves safe under their mosquito nets, they’re keeping their dreams and goals safe too. With a little help from my counterpart, the health teacher, and the local health worker, we got to work.

The first day, 32 kids showed up! We did a brief overview of the entire week and what to expect. The next day about 50% of the students answered yes when asked if they have a mosquito net, but no, they do not sleep under it.  The other half did not own one at all. When asked why they did not sleep under a net, they had various responses like the fact that it’s too hot, mosquitoes don’t exist, and the nets make them claustrophobic.

We spent the next two days discussing the myths and facts about malaria in engaging conversations, brainstorming ways to combat this horrific disease in a united effort. When asking them if they personally have ever had malaria or if anyone in their families had it, every single student raised their hands. In this simple realization, the students themselves then voiced that they don’t want to see this show of hands in the classrooms of their future children.

The next day, the students sauntered in the classroom beside a big beautifully decorated mosquito net hung from the top of the classroom ceiling. We sorted through the myths, facts, and questions about how to use the net.

Then I passed out flag shaped pieces of white fabric and told the kids to design the flag using crayons and pictures in order to demonstrate their plans for the future.

One of the students decorating her banner

Each student took turns ducking under the mosquito net and presenting to the class their dreams drawn on their flag. We had a surprising variety of career goals such as police women, doctors, nurses, soccer players, and even journalists. After each presentation was over, we clapped and said in unison, “mballen jam” which means, “sleep in peace.”

Group photo under a bed net!

The final two days, the students took a 9 question exam on the malaria and bed net facts we covered all week. Afterward, we taught them to make homemade neem mosquito repellent and handed out certificates of “NightWatch” completion. 

Their certificates included a promise to be the good example for their families by sharing the information they learned and holding their fellow villagers responsible in joining the fight as well. I’ll be doing more follow-up activities in the later months to see how effective the program really was and how much information they retained.

Not only were efforts being made in my village, but almost all the volunteers in my surrounding area agreed to do a neem lotion tourney at our regional meeting in the beginning of the month. We spent the whole second week going around to different villages teaching how to make the mosquito repellent and sensitizing them about malaria.

bowl of neem leaves

PC volunteer Tucker and fellow neighbor stirring the lotion

 Every demonstration seemed positive and successful. We hope that by word of mouth, the local women will be motivated to cook it up and sell it after being satisfied by their personal satisfaction. We're creating a force field against malaria!

The last week of June, the Malaria No More team from Dakar is coming down to my region to talk about even more preventative efforts, ideas, and what the next steps will be. Go team.

Bob Marley, clean water, smooth jazz

Greetings lovely people!

It’s officially been wayyy too long since I've written in this thing! It's been a little over a year since I've been living in my village now and thankfully things have been coming together nicely. In the beginning of May, my middle school English club had its first meeting. I was hoping for a club with a fun vibe, far from the strict work environment they feel in the classroom, something that would grab the attention of young teenagers and inspire them to learn English in an interesting way. Since it was the anniversary of Bob Marley's death that following Friday and since they worship him here, we decided to pay tribute. The topic of the day was children's rights and duties, so we ended up jamming to his soulful music while picking apart the lyrics of "Stand Up For Your Rights". I figured it was suitable :)

That following Monday, I had my first meeting with my elementary school girls club! We began by playing fun icebreakers out in the sandy school yard and simply spending the rest of the time talking and getting to know each other.

50 girls showed up! I was thrilled. They were extremely shy at first but I have high hopes they'll eventually open up and feel safe and comfortable to talk about the important issues in their lives. If the club continues on through the summer so they have a positive outlet to look forward to.

A little less than a year ago, World Vision built a beautiful new school for the youngsters at the edge of my town. After visiting and hanging out with the kiddies every chance I could, I realized there is no clean water anywhere nearby for them to drink. It turns out the school pays about 30 bucks for the local caretaker to fetch water from the nearest well every day, which is a good distance away in a private compound. 30 bucks may not seem like a lot, but it is for them. I figured this was an unnecessary expense which could be better spent toward a school garden for the children's meals. With the extra grant money I had left from fixing the middle school well, we went ahead and starting digging at the kindergarten too!

With only a few more meters to go, the children and staff couldn't be more excited and relieved. The mere presence of the new well struck a chord with the school guard and without any hesitation he began building a giant fence for the garden. Since the rains have started regularly in the past two weeks, the garden will be our next focus.

The end of May went out with a bang. My friends and I decided to take a load off and head up north to St. Louis for their famous annual Jazz Festival.

We danced every night, walked along the beaches and sat along the hotel poolside while our ears delighted in the authentic jazz music.

It was four days of mayhem as we navigated our way around the French Colonial style city, flooded with European tourists and fine dining from all over the world.

I can't explain to you how confusingly diverse this country is! In the south you are surrounded by lush mango filled jungles and powerful waterfalls, then you drive a couple hours and you are in the blistering heat of the desolate desert trying to dodge camels crossing your path. Drive a few more hours and you're in the bustling tourist cities of Dakar and St. Louis, way out of the comfort of your quiet peaceful village life existence.