Diarra Pont

Diarra Pont
Diarra Pont: My village in southeastern Senegal, 75km west of Kedougou.
"Life in the Peace Corps will not be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient only to maintain health and meet basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed—doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language.

But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps—who works in a foreign land—will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace."

-John F. Kennedy

Monday, April 1, 2013

Kedougou Youth Leadership Camp


As a regional project, we invited 22 adolescents (ages 13-16), half boys and half girls, from the four subregions to Kedougou for a week-long residential camp during their school vacation. We rented out a campement and were able to conduct nearly the entire camp within its compound. Although I was not able to invite anyone from my village, I stayed at the camp as a supervisor for the entire week since I was in charge of morning and afternoon snacks, in addition to photographing the week, and leading in arts and crafts sessions. I am amazed at how well the camp came together! The theme of the camp was leadership and we truly did have an amazing group of kids. We did arts & crafts (tie dye, drawing, painting, making backpacks), as well as challenge course activities (bowl stack, human knot, counting to 20 as a team, and jumping through a rope in groups). We had a few dance sessions as well (Ballet, bollywood, and Zumba). We also had guest speakers for a career panel, to play "Best Game," a money management game, a women's doctor for health questions, Peace Corps cultural coordinator, Awa, came to address male and female roles in the household, dating at young ages, continuing one's education, and female genital mutiliation. We also talked on types of communication and rights of the youth as well as had family planning sessions. We had a great field trip to a waterfall in Dindefello for a nature walk! The kids had an amazing time and were very sad to leave by the end. I hope someone takes up this project again since it was a huge success! Unfortunately I cannot since I will leave before it happens again.

Campers!

Monitors/camp counselors

First Aid session

Money Management Game

Ballet

Jeopardy session after learning about family planning

Helping with skits

Looking for animals

Waterfall fun

Art session

Soccer in the evenings

Women's doctor visit

Listening to a presentation

Learning guitar

Awa presentation

Challenge course activity: counting to 20 without repeats or interuption

Group painting activity

Certificate presentation

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