So many things to tell about my week in Diourbel. I've decided to divide it up into three sections: Education, Family, and Diourbel.
Education
The education system is run differently than ours here in Virginia Beach. Students, that can, attend Preschool. From there they go to elementary school. But, in order to go on to middle school students must pass a test. It's the same for middle school. You must take a test to move on to high school. Finally, high school students take a very hard Baccalaureate test to make it into the university. According to Yamar about 70% of the children in Diourbel attend school. One of the problems is the cost. It cost $30 a year which is a lot of money in Diourbel and if you have 3 or more children it becomes very hard to send all your children to school. Another problem faced in Diourbel and all of Senegal is girls. Many girls now attend school but the drop out rate is high due to poverty and early marriages. The problem girls face is cultural, however teachers like Yamar are working to educate families and husbands on the importance of girls staying in school. He also finds sponsors for girls that need it. One of the important things I learned from the students in Diourbel is their passion to learn. They want to be in school and are very respectful towards their teachers. The English students were amazing and kept asking, "How is my English?" I told them their English was awesome! It made me laugh because they speak Wolof, French, and English, when I only speak English! I told them they were way ahead of me when it comes to languages! They are Global Students.
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WOW! Can you believe this awesome welcoming our first day at school?
We also visited Nous GROUPE SCOLAIRE XAADIMOU RASSOUL private school where Yamar also teaches English, Tabara's (Yamar's daughter) pre-school, Coumba's (Yamar's wife) 1st grade classroom, and a Koranic School.
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Pull out your phone and start filming and children love it! My 1st graders back home do the same thing!!
This is Coumba's 1st grade classroom. She has 100 students! The next time I complain about to many students in our 1st grade classrooms in Virginia Beach, I'll remember this day and the little ones who still learn with so many students! Teacher's are amazing in Diourbel. The other picture is Tara and I in our beautiful dresses Yamar had made for us. We are standing with Coumba and her Principal. |
The last school we visited for just a short period was the Koranic school. This is where boys come to learn the Koran. They recite it and write it.
EDUCATION: Talking to teachers and students in Diourbel made me realize no matter where you are in the World teachers are devoted to teaching their students and students want to learn. The biggest difference that made an impact on me was that these teachers are teaching their students with little or no supplies. I can open the two closets and many cabinets in my classroom and everything I need is right there. My classroom is wireless, my students have computers and IPads. ** I really have a lot to think about. **
FAMILY
This is my Senegalese family. I miss them so much! When you are away from home you are always ready to come back, however I was not ready, I did not want to leave.
Below are some pictures of the time we spent with Yamar and his family at their home in Diourbel. Beautiful family!
Family Trip
On Friday, our last full day in Diourbel, we took a trip to the Reserve de Bandia (www.reservedebandia.com)
Tara and I treated the whole family to thank them for our time in their home and to thank Yamar for the cultural/educational experience he provided for us.
On Friday, our last full day in Diourbel, we took a trip to the Reserve de Bandia (www.reservedebandia.com)
Tara and I treated the whole family to thank them for our time in their home and to thank Yamar for the cultural/educational experience he provided for us.
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Diourbel
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Driving around Diourbel and the market.
We also visited The Grand Mosque in Touba. The Mosque is the most visited Islamic pilgrimage site in West Africa. It's a beautiful place. I feel honored that Yamar took us here. It's a peaceful place to come and pray. What I found really calming was the praying five times a day. There are broadcasting towers in most places with large speakers that call out the prayers. There is a picture of one in the Diourbel section and below I was able to record what you will hear five times a day if you visit Senegal. But, as Yamar told us it does not matter what religion you are you can pray to your God. All religions and people are accepted in Senegal. So, five times a day I was reminded to think of my God and to be thankful.
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