By Chloe Shurr

Some people limit themselves to new experiences due to the challenges that language barriers involve. From the past 6 days we have spent here in Senegal, experiencing the hospitality that this beautiful country offers in 3 different places, I believe that our group and I can say that language has not been the deterring factor. We have exposed ourselves to different cultural normality’s that are very different from what we are used to, all being positive and enjoyable. We’ve had two special people, Bandia and Kecouta who have welcomed us into their homes without knowing us at all. It has been a huge privilege to have experienced those times with their kids and have important conversations regarding the history of Senegal and what their place means to them. 

When we arrived in Kecouta’s village, more than 30 kids surrounded us, like how Becca talked about in her blog post, the hands of the children immediately went to grab our hands. Throughout our time in the, any chance the kids got they were holding our arms and hands wanting to take us places around their home, school, and soccer field. The happiness the kids expressed was one aspect that opened my eyes up the most. Although we come from places all around the world, verbal communication doesn’t always have to be the main way to communicate or express your feelings. We did so much from dancing and playing sports with them. In those times, the simple jesters we had between one another was enough to know we were welcome and wanted in the spaces they created. 

We also played a soccer game that ended in a defeat against us but was a great way to connect with the entire village. Although soccer is not my main sport, it was extremely fun to see how much they care about the sport and what it means to them. Throughout the entire game, the kids had relentless energy and seemed like they could play for hours while most of us just wanted water and shade. Even though we lost, seeing the kids’ faces and the others watching jumping up and down made it all better. As well as still holding our hands walking back to the village, they didn’t change their minds about us and still cared. The game showed me that while we come from different places around the world, sports can be the main way for connections to happen and share the similarities about something you and someone else’s loves.

The last night we spent in the village, we spent some time talking to Kecouta and another person of the village. We spoke about big themes of friendship, trust, and what it means to give back. We imagined our ideas of “aid” and “helping people” as foreign to their society’s way of thinking and what they would actually benefit from the most. For the people in the village, friendship and trust is a big part in their way of living and beliefs. With friendship comes a lot of trust, and to the villagers that means everything to them. Friendship is more meaningful than coming to their home and giving them clothes and shoes to wear, they explained that the benefits would be more so for us and not long-term for them. Would you give something to a friend that you weren’t sure they actually wanted? Or would you work to make sure that whatever you give fit within relationship and understanding? Maybe we could buy goats, cows, and chickens in which they build upon and use for food in the future and make a living from in the short term. They would rather us help around the village than going and buying unnecessary items they don’t necessarily want or need. All they want is for us to feel welcomed and that we can come back anytime.

While there are many languages spoken all around the world, it doesn’t have to be something that people make assumptions about. It doesn’t have to restrict you from having a good time. We spend a lot of time thinking of the what ifs and negatives, but if you open up yourself and take a risk that will most likely turn into something positive, then you will have made most of your time in a unique place.