By Khi’Aura
Feb 14th ( Happy birthday mama)
Yesterday was pretty fun and today is a new day filled with adventures . We swam in the ocean yesterday and let me tell you it was very salty .Small recap of yesterday we learned some new Wolof/ French words. Then we ate dried fruit from the tree, i forgot what the tree is called. We walked to our first market to get sugar , tea and meant for ( atiea) i don’t think i typed that right but its a type tea that Samba Sow drinks and he loves it , I didn’t try it tho because i would rather not drink after people. I might drink some next time ( i will drink some next time ) . Then we talked about how next week is gonna be like kinda and then we ate and I took a nap outside and it was wonderful. A few of the other slept outside my bug hut ( sussie, Sam, Sahara,Liv,ibby and harry) it was nice until i had to go pee and was scared to go because its a new environment. So yea it was a pretty good day … Also we had this spiritual thing the instructors did for us it was sweet and beautiful.
February 19th
The last 2 days have been new I slept really good at my homestay… besides the bump under my eye from a mosquito. My homestay siblings and mother are so nice I have 3 dogs, 1 parrot, 3 sheep’s (one just had a baby), a lot of baby chicks and a lot of roosters. My sisters name are Jenny, Mari, and sofie, i dont know my brothers name yet and i would probably get confused because the 2 brothers i have are twins and they are identical twins . My mothers name is Julia she is so sweet. And our neighbors are so funny they are saharahs and Henry’s family . The food is amazing um yesterday we ate goos goos with they type of meat i had no clue what it was , i had one bite and that was all. I think it was cow tongue but that’s just my guess lol.
February 22nd
Happy Tuesday, today we went on a field trip to this small island and we took a boat ( it was my first time on a boat traveling/moving) I bought 2 bracelets from this one seller she gave me one free one and it was the bracelet she was wearing and then gave me a hug and then i ran back and gave her a hug . I tried to bargain and get 2 for 1000 but they barely get any customers so I understood and bought 2 for 2000 which was fine i love supporting my amazing black/African brother and sisters. After the trip we sang happy birthday to slim and they all ate butter cake i had a small bite and gave the rest to the birthday boy . But seriously the cake was frozen butter that you put on bread and topped with Nutella that said “happy birthday slim” it was funny and sweet but really funny because that was the only cake in the area . I told them i would like a rice cake lol.
February 26
So today was our last day In Diakhanor I’m gonna miss my whole family .we left at like 10 and we are going so slow because the van we are in is kinda broken its like Betty 2.0 ( Betty is my old Honda Civic back home ) all the cars here are like Betty 2.0 lol maybe even 3.0 . As I’m on this trip I’m kinda missing my fam and friends more than i thought I would , i dont feel like i fit in and kinda dont want to i get ignored so often which is ok but ya know I listen to others and when i talk they end up walking away mid conversation. The only person i get along with is Saharahs crazy self and ibbybear. I love Africa and the people and kids here but i kinda expected something different i don’t know what i expected but definitely not this , But I’m truly so grateful to even get to come here and experience everything – xoxo Khi’Aura
March 7th
Hey there we are in Dindefelo now. Little update on everything that has happened . So Matthew, Espoir and i stayed behind because me and Matthew had to quarantine, while everyone went trekking for 3 days to Dindefelo and from what we heard we are lucky we got to stay back. Matthew and i had a good time with Espoir i got to talk mom and dad and that help a lot hearing their voices it made my mood / mindset change . I still miss home but I’m also really loving It here in Senegal , i want to go to my second homestay already . I find myself being really happy when I’m around Senegalese people the kids just make me smile and i just cant wait to be in my homestay. Also i forgot to mention I’m gonna miss the stars at night they are so beautiful. Anyhow i miss Anijha and marissa so much lol.
March 15th
Hey Hey so today is the day lol. OMG we are in our second homestay in Temento Samba !!!!and i just fall more in love with with Senegal each day , my family I’m staying with is literally so awesome . I was so excited when i got put with them they are full of energy but not draining energy . their are a lot of kids but i dont think they are all my siblings i think some may be my cousins their is Haby, ( which I’m named after!) Saly, Tapsi,Malado,roughy,Ansotou,Bincta, Iborw.i know that malado , tapsci,and Haby are my sibling and even Saly maybe . I dont know what my moms name is my dads name is Haby ( present: that wasn’t his name i found that out the next day) that’s who I’m named after and my younger sister Haby . I stayed up learning French alphabet and counting and learning games. I think they may think I’m a vegetarian i meant to say i only eat fish and chicken but its ok . My mom makes the best atayya . At first i thought Shai from Diakhanor did but no he has nothing on my mom . Also we have this cute black and white goat that i ended up picking up with the help of my younger siblings, that goat has so much energy its funny he’s like a little puppy. I wish Saharah was their because i came up with the name to call us the Goat Buster. Also today i picked up i think like a few week old goat so adorable . And lastly my room is so bougie i have like a queen size bed with a dresser with a mirror and my own little bathroom connected to my room ! Ok that’s all ill talk to you later bye bye
March 21st
Happy birthday to muah !! Happy birthday to munch from Senegal. So we went to Kolda for the day and i got to talk to my mom and my dad which really just made my day i cried tears of joy when i got my phone because @1:26 i turned my phone on and at 1:27 my mom texted me at that time which i was born at and 6:27am Portland oregon time and said happy birthday and wrote me a little paragraph. And that made me happy and sad because I wasn’t with my family and friends. Then after that we went to a wedding and the bride was soooo beautifulllllll and after we did other normals things but yea I wish i would have celebrated with my host family because my little sister was sad and grumpy all day my host dad said and it would have been great but yea I’m blessed to see another year and to be in Senegal right now – bye bye
March 29th 2022
So first things first i want to say thank you! Words cant describe how grateful i am to have had the opportunity to stay in your wonderful house filled with wonderful people and energy. From the first day when i looked out the bus window and saw rouguy and Haby i was hoping i would get put with you guys. With out even having met them i knew y’all would be wonderful. All the woman and young ladies in the house inspire me to do better and the men as well. I had a rough start the beginning of this program i missed home and just wasn’t having a good start.but when i came here everyday was great because of how well y’all treated me . And the only time i thought about home was when i thought about how excited i was to tell them about you guys. Nothing but smile everyday for me i could cry tears of joy because of how happy i am . I want to thank you for having a roof over my head and for feeding me even when I’m full . I love your kids you raised them great and I’m gonna miss everyone in this house and our neighbors so much . I would say goodbye but this isn’t a good bye this is a until next time . Also thank you guys for being patient with my language speaking i feel like I understand even tho I didn’t understand if the makes sense so thank you. I love you guys and until next time – Haby balde
But since i already have like 7 paragraphs already I thought i would stop their i hope you all enjoys some of the pages in my journal! My last yak ( I hope i get yak of the week *cough *cough Arron hey there hahah jk maybe ) I’m gonna miss senegal and cant wait to come back with my family next time !!!! Until next time senegal !!!!
Khi’Aura -Haby balde
