-8 days to go…

Hello! As my first week in Senegal draws to a close, I thought that, since I now have both internet and can use punctuation on the computer at the same time, it is best to update you all on my first week!
Our flight from Gatwick was pretty eventful, with our first flight delayed resulting in us 6 being escorted by airline staff for a super quick transfer, and eventually my bag being left in Lisbon! Anyway, an hour late, we arrived in Dakar, to be greeted by our country host, Mr T, and the heat. Even at 2am, we were sweating as we walked off the plane!
After spending two days all together in Dakar with Mr T, four of us, Charlotte, Rosie, Susie and I have moved to the small, rural fishing town of Yene. The past week has been a blur of meeting new families, teaching in the summer school, singing on the beach with a semi-professional rapper and attempting to learn Wolof. (How successful we have been remains to be seen!) Mine and Charlottes classes have been lovely and enthusiastic, and a few of the girls even walk us to and from school everyday!
After a week of staying in Yene, we are finally becoming accustomed to the powercuts, water shortages and bucket showers, and are really enjoying the friendliness and beauty of the country! Whilst I am looking forward to getting to Joal and starting our actual project, it will be a shame to leave here!
Thank you all so much for your messages and letters and support both during my fundraising, my leaving and my settling in for the first week, it has been much appreciated!

B x

10 days to go…

With only 10 days to go until I leave for Senegal, I thought it was probably time for a blog update!

Back in July I went back up to the Isle of Coll, along with all of the volunteers going to Senegal, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Japan for an intense 5 days of training. We spent time as country groups and as a whole group, learning about our countries, specific projects and how to get the most out of our years abroad. Senegal is one of the last countries to leave, it’s amazing to think that as I write this, many of them, especially the Thailand volunteers, are having an amazing time exploring their new homes and projects! Seeing all of their amazing pictures makes me even more eager to go! Perhaps the part I was most excited/apprehensive about, was meeting my partner. My partner will be the person I spend the most time with, hang out with and share a room with for a whole year… But it has all worked out very well! In these blogs you’ll probably be hearing all about mine and Charlotte’s adventures! We instantly got on well, and I’m so so excited about sharing the year with her!

Thanks to the detailed post reports from the previous volunteers, we have found out a lot about our project already. It sounds like I’ll be busy! We’re staying with a host family in Joal and, with many smaller projects on the side, will be teaching English in two secondary schools and a sixth form. These have an average class size 60-70!

I know that some people have been asking or have been concerned about our departure. Some of you may have heard that Senegal has had its first case of Ebola, and that it is spreading in many of its neighbouring countries. At the moment however, it is just the one known and isolated case in Senegal, so we will be flying out on the arranged date, and proceeding as normal, as the danger is currently low.

So, when I arrive in 10 days time (if I can ever squeeze all that I have planned to take together in just a few bags) we will be spending 2 days in the capital, Dakar, then four of the six of us, will be volunteering in a place called Yene for about 2 weeks, before starting in our projects!

It has all got very close and exciting now! A huge thank you to the many many people who have supported me over the past year, both with fundraising and emotionally! Everyone has been so amazing, I really don’t think I can thank you all enough!

BV x

The Senegal Girls!