Rooftop Thanksgiving

Written by Jordan Paulding- 7th grade Piedmont IB student (What Thankful is)

This Thanksgiving I’m so thankful I got to come on this trip. I am thankful for a lot of things like sleeping in a bed. There are a lot of kids that have to sleep on the dirt ground.  I’m thankful for the things I have and clothes I wear. I’m thankful for the YMCA and the staff and children I got to meet.  I’m most of all thankful for my family. 
Since I’ve been here we have had fun playing soccer with kids and adults, giving out candy and touring around Senegal.  

I liked the thanksgiving dinner too. This part was my favorite. When everyone announced their names it was funny because our group tried to say it in French but barely could.  I made a new friend too, his name is Hubert Mendy. It’s French. I also know how to say turkey in French it’s dinde. 

I even learned what tribe my family is from too. It’s called Bambara. They said I look like the people from that village.  African and US YMCA people know how to party!!!  It was fun watching adults be like kids at the after thanksgiving celebration. It was so much food at dinner.  

I think the president’s wife cooked everything. It was sooo good. Then the YMCA Senegal and the YMCA Charlotte signed an agreement to help each other. After we ate cake we all got gifts.  A real African shirt. THEN we partied until 1:00am.  It was way pass my bed time. Mr. Mike, Mr. Todd and Mr. Toussaint showed everybody their dance moves. But I think Xzabia and I had the best dances. 

There are a lot of poor people in Africa but they are so grateful for what they have and a lot of times are very happy and fun. It’s not always sad here. People really love each other here. I’m glad my mom let me come.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving in Sènègal Africa 2017

Written by Dena Paulding-YMCA Executive Director McCrorey Y (The Village)

The Village- We all have been there physically and metaphorically and for the most part getting through life lessons navigated by parents, grandparents, siblings, neighbors, teachers, mentors, leaders and peers has been important and at times, necessary.  These are our people, tribe...our village.   

Two preteens, and a teenager can teach you a lot about how you view the world.  Unconditional kindness and love, contagious laughter, the awe of something new, a lesson learned and the ability to connect and engage in an instant with little effort to total strangers in a foreign land. I’m so thankful for Elle, Xzabia and Jordan. Grateful that us adults saw fit to bring our future leaders to present day experiences. 

An early morning Thanksgiving speech from Xzabia started our day on the right path.  The sharing of smiles and “EyeSpy”with Elle lightens any mood and the eagerness of when we can play a game of soccer with the next set of kids from Jordan, all reminds us how to be thankful for the small stuff that make big differences. I’m thankful we have resources to share and the ability  to buy and distribute milk, rice and oil to a small village at our half way mark, back to Dakar.  

Children and teens welcomed us as we approached and ushered us to meet Diacounda’s (Pronounced:Ja-cön-da) Godmother Ndeye. She took pride in introducing family and friends in her village. Toussaint engaged in a impromptu dance with the elders, Heather and Denise ask questions on how meals were prepared and Jordan instantly became a focus for the teenage girls who giggled.  Sierra and Alphonse became fast friends with common interests. Michael and Todd strategized on how to move continuous resources, while Ndeye gave us all a tour of the sewing shop in her village. Symone, Courtney and Elle picked fabric where the ladies made garments and head dresses to sell.  We were all in awe of the quick skill it took to tie each of us in head dresses. It was fun showing them moff to our loved ones via Skype/FaceTime during our stop at lunch. Xzabia danced freely in the courtyard as curious children tried to mirror her moves.  The time was short but impactful. The village concept is very simple.  Work, communicate, share, laugh, help, forgive, guide, learn, love and Pray. 

Naps, laughs, snacks & French rap...on the way to Kaolack!

Day 4: Kaolack YMCA

Written by Courtney Stein, Harris Y Associate Youth Service Director

Alphonse has been with us since the moment he greeted us with his infectious smile and warm welcome at the airport. He is our  personal tour guide, translator, French teacher, and friend. While he grew up and volunteered at the YMCA of predominantly young adults Parcelles Assainies that we visited for soccer and celebration yesterday, Alphonse became a staff member and the director of the Kaolack YMCA in October of 2016 - nearly the same day I became a Y employee!

Our 4 hour journey to Kaolack today was filled with the staples of any Senegalese road trip: naps, laughs, snacks, and French rap! 

 When we arrived to the beautiful Horizons Bleus in Koalack were we stayed overnight, we were greeted by a new friend!

We spent our time touring Alphonse's YMCA seeing his office, the student's computer lab, classroom, and making crafts with the children!

The president of the Kaolack YMCA shared (over the subwoofer softly bumping Lil Wayne, Drake, and Rihanna) that it is a challenge to convince parents to let their children participate in Amenesence (an Afterschool enrichment program for children of the community run by volunteers) because of the Young Mens Christian Association can defer Muslim families. They work hard to recruit Muslim volunteers in the hopes of reaching more children for English lessons, crafting, computer skills and fellowship.

We then journeyed to another cell, or sight, which was literally a woman's home. Aida opens her doors to the neighborhood children and often uses her own money to provide supplies for young volunteer teachers to tutor all grade levels in reading and math in the confines of her back yard.  Aida also offers a program for young girls who do not complete school to learn the sewing trade. 

Alphonse and Aida inspire us with their passion and pride in the YMCA. 

Our night ended with a performance from Alphonse's volunteers, then lots of singing and dancing. From African gospel hymns to Wiz Khalifia's Black and Yellow - Kaolack knows how to throw an anniversary party! Happy 35th Birthday Senegal YMCA!

YMCA, the true definition of unity

Reflections from Senegal -shared by 16 year old Xzabia Harris, Y Achievers Program, West Mecklenburg High School

Unity/un:iti/noun/
"the state of being united or joined as a whole"

A group of young women unite to pick out a fabric to have it personally customized to their liking just for them. Size nor height mattered ;  different women from different backgrounds and different ethnicities united as one.

Soccer is a universal sport, but here in Senegal they contribute the sport in their daily routine. You may ask "How does that symbolize unity?"  It symbolizes unity because individuals from different ethnicities and different religions are being united as one. They come together on a common liking and pursue their passion of playing soccer. It was an absolute honor witnessing one of our own playing with the team , and to see how welcoming they were with open arms.

Summary/ The YMCA is a Christian based facility, what I admire the most is how we can open our arms to the community of different ethnicities and different religions. The YMCA is the true definition of unity. Here in Senegal some individuals may not consider their home their sanctuary but when the doors of the YMCA open it is filled with joy and happiness . But most importantly the YMCA is their sanctuary , their home , their utopia and still manage to unite as one and stay as family.

Written by,

Xzabia Harris

Y Achievers Program

16 years old, West Mecklenburg High School

 

Our Great Big Small World

Day 2: Post written by Symone McGee

People like to use the expression, "the world is small" to describe those funny moments when you see a familiar person in a strange location or when your best friend somehow knows your favorite cousin. We never really think about the ways in which our world (which is, in reality, a VERY big place) is small. Small because of the similarities we share with people all around the world. Today, in a country thousands of miles away from my home, the size our world came into focus in 3 ways.

1.      Programs: We met the leaders of a program that helps young adults to connect to the workforce. This program serves students in 6 countries around the world. This reminded us all of our program in Charlotte, YAchievers where we help to build bridges for students towards a brighter future.  And get this...the program directors name was also SYMONE. :) We also visited the classrooms of students in their primary school...shout out to Y Readers!

2.      Volunteerism: At our Y, volunteers are at the heart of how we change lives in our community. In Dakar, volunteers serve as teachers at schools in areas far from the city. Children who do not have access to a quality education receive literacy training through a program called Amensence. It is truly a Y without walls.

3.      Our communities: After spending the morning choosing designs for custom made dresses in the city, we ventured to the suburbs. The difference was drastic and instantly noticeable. The biggest difference was the children. In the city the students were in classrooms with desks and notebooks. Here, the students were outside, most without shoes. The table in their classroom was a large tire with a slab of wood across it. It made me realize that the "tale of two cities" that we experience was not only an issue in Charlotte but here as well.

I know that through this experience I am changing as a person. I feel even more inspired to make a change through our Y. "Ak Benn"- one more step. 

Symone A. McGee

YMCA of Greater Charlotte

High School Initiatives Manager, Community Impact

Bonjour from Dakar, Senegal: Day 1

Greetings from Dakar, Senegal!

 

The team gathered for the experience of a lifetime on Saturday. We took the short flight to JFK airport in New York and then had a layover for several hours. We took walks around the airport to got our steps in, ate good food and the girls made a pact to take as many pictures as possible - posed and candid. We’ll only have this opportunity once and we want to remember it forever!

 

The flight from JFK to Dakar was delayed, but we had movies and games to occupy some of the time. The flight was just under 7 hours and we are all still getting used to the time change. For me, landing was an emotional experience and riding through the city seems unreal. Our first stop after the airport is our home away from home, Villa Rosa.

Our home this week, the Villa Rosa Hotel

We shared breakfast, had a little down time and then shared lunch. After lunch, we took a tour of the city and the African Renaissance monument and made our way up to the top for an amazing view of the entire city. We also visited a museum near the ocean which had some great cultural and historic pieces.

African Renaissance monument

Oceanside in Africa

 

View City of Dakar, capital of Senegal

Hospitality here is so amazing and we are so appreciative of our Senegal Y Family.

 

To all of our family and friends back home, we appreciate your love, support and prayers!

 

Sincerely, 

 

Scierra Bratton

YMCA of Greater Charlotte

Marketing Coordinator

 

2017 Global Service Learning Team

The YMCA is a community based organization with presence in more than 119 countries. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has a long-standing partnership with the Senegal Y which began in 2005. For over 10 years Charlotte and Senegal have partnered through sharing of resources and numerous cultural exchanges between the U.S. and West Africa.

The 2017 Global Service learning team will strengthen their personal and professional leadership development through an international experience with the Senegal YMCA in West Africa in November 2017. By developing global competencies and perspectives we expand the Y’s collective ability to positively impact and serve our increasingly diverse communities.

2017 Global Service Learning Team -Pictured above L to R:

Michael DeVaul, Chief Community Impact Officer
Scierra Bratton, Y Association Marketing Coordinator- Impact & Development
Xzabia Harris, Y Achievers Student- West Mecklenburg High School
Symone McGee, Community Impact Manager of High School Initiatives

Heather Suttmiller, Johnston Y Branch Service Manager & Administration
Courtney Stein, Harris Y Associate Youth Service Director

Dena Paulding, McCrorey Y Executive Director
Toussaint Romain, Y Volunteer DIG Committee

Todd Tibbits, President & CEO

*not pictured- the team is excited to also include Dena Paulding’s son Jordan Paulding as well as Todd Tibbit’s wife Denise and daughter Eliana.

This experience is more than just a trip, the team meets monthly before travel for planning, preparation and even presenting research topics to learn about the country of Senegal. Each team member has committed months of time and efforts in fundraising to support the program experience and the annual donation given to the Senegal Y. As of November 6th, 2017 the team has raised over $11,400!! Thank you to all the friends, family and community members that have helped share the Y's for all mission, beyond borders: 

http://campaigner.ymcacharlotte.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=1080

Stay tuned to this blog for daily updates written personally by members of the 2017 team! Official departure date November 18th, 2017