Friday graduation

Our students have graduated the first stage of the three-stage training to be community health workers in their villages. Today, we had a long review of everything we had presented for the week, followed by a pair of skits the students put on to show their understanding and the kind of resistance they anticipate. After that, one student sang a rap song he had composed to honor us and honor the post of community health worker in the village! It was very fun.

We then had a number of speeches (what graduation doesn't?) followed by presentation of certificates and handshakes all around. Cameras were popping and I am sure someone will post a photo or two of the entire class with their certificates. They are very proud of what they have accomplished.

At the same time, the team is proud of its work. Several of us learned about and taught subject matter we had never encountered before, because much of what we covered is drummed into us from childhood. Everyone on the team did a great job of stirring the students into interactive sessions and arranging for activities to reinforce teaching techniques.

The remainder of today will be shopping (mostly picking up custom orders from various places visited the day we arrived). Then we have a special dinner at a restaurant before retiring for the evening. At 4:30am we will be aroused and will reach the airport sometime around 5:15am for our flight to JFK at 7:30am.

We are tired and happy, but certainly looking forward to returning to our families and homes. Senegal has been warm and the people have been gracious - as always - and our work is complete for this week. Now we are heading back to the north to await the coming of Spring!

-- Tom