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!