On est ensemble

Greetings from sunny Santhiaba and Centre Sunu Ker. Great things have happened in just a few weeks time. My assignment when coming here was to assist the coordinator who has fallen ill, but finally I ended up at the hospital myself for a couple of days. This has not stopped the centre from blooming of activities and joy.
The last few weeks have been all about preparing the visit of our Finnish guests, who arrived one week ago. The residence has gotten a whole new touch, as the floor has been painted in a light brown colour, new carpets have been bought and the rooms of our guests have been decorated and cleaned. Also, a new cupboard for drying dishes has been built and installed in the residence kitchen. Henriikka, Tapio and Leea finally arrived last week. They are here to complete their individual projects, thus I am no longer the only toubab, (Wolof meaning white person), in the neighbourhood.
We are very happy for the arrival of our new guests and are already introducing them to the city and the Senegalese way of living. We have been sightseeing around the city centre, buying tissues and accessories, bargaining with sellers as well as getting a glimpse of the beautiful beaches of Dakar. They are integrating very well.

Not only have our Finnish guests arrived last week, the library has also opened its doors with great success. Approximately sixty children lined up outside of the library on Wednesday afternoon, which is more than the year before. Our librarian Jean-Louis took great care of them, helping them with the registration. What’s more, new books for children and adults can be borrowed, thanks to the donation and cooperation of the American embassy, which has given us books and magazines in both English and French.

The illiteracy course is continuing successfully, with a classroom now completely crammed with both new and old students. They are all making great progress. Many of them are about to finish their ABC book and can now continue on with reading other books and newspapers. As the students and I are getting to know each other better, I also get ideas of how to motivate them to develop their career goals. Pascal and I are working together with students of three different levels, giving each student the liberty to work at their individual level. We usually discuss a certain topics all together in the beginning of the lesson to practise expressing oneself orally in French. Later we continue on reading and writing letters, with the help of newsletters or interesting magazines. The centre gave the beginners books of their own to motivate them and help them economically.

There are now about 27 children participating in the children’s club, which is taking part twice a week. The children have been using their creativity to make necklaces and bracelets from garnish pearls and shells. We are also making paper bags from recycled paper and are at the same time discussing topics as moneysaving, health and work. Every time there are drums or singing involved during class the ambience immediately rises among the children. Henriikka started working with the children last Saturday, teaching them how to make bags from used tissues and plastic bags using a knitting method.

I am grateful to have been given the possibility to participate in the every day life of the people living in Santhiaba. Sometimes I climb the stairs to the roof, looking out over the rooftops of the suburb. I have now come to see the structure in what seemed to be a mess at the first glimpse of a Finnish eye. The terranga, the respect among religions, the security and the salutation procedure are things that fascinate me. I arrived in this country alone but I will be leaving with a new family. If only the Finnish culture could learn from a people that regards everyone as their brothers and sisters. On est ensemble.

Good night from Africa

Julia