I apologize for not posting in awhile, but I was having a hard time feeling motivated recently. It is common for a volunteer, after being in country for about a year, to wonder: “What have I accomplished during my first year.” I arrived in The Gambia on October 11, 2017, eager to begin my Peace Corps adventure, and then one year later I was at a low point.

I arrived back from my wonderful European vacation to extremely uncomfortable weather. It was still rainy season and unbearably hot and humid. My garden was completely overrun with weeds, and my corn project was a failure. It was difficult to be energized about anything, and all I could manage to do was lay in front of my fan and read books.

When I checked in at my school, I discovered the principal had left without notice during the summer, the agriculture teacher I enjoyed working with last year did not return, and the new teacher had not arrived yet. Evidently, it is typical for the Gambian school year to start slowly. The first couple of weeks are full of staff meetings, cleaning classrooms, developing curriculum, and organizing schedules. Education in The Gambia can be very challenging.

Fortunately, there were many things that helped lift me out of my funk. The kids in my compound were thrilled with the new box of books that arrived while I was gone. They still enjoy the blackboard I had made for them, and Isatou is becoming an accomplished artist. The older girls are interested in learning, and enjoy mentoring the younger kids. The children always lift my spirits, and my host family was understanding about my reclusive nature during those first weeks back home.

Happily, I had some work to do in the air conditioned PC office, and was able to sleep in the air conditioned PC transit house for a few nights, which made the uncomfortable five hour trip by gelly and ferry to Kombo worthwhile. Mam Anta is the first person you see when you enter the office, and she greets every PCV by name with her warm welcoming smile. She is always willing to help us learn how to use the office equipment, fill out required forms, and schedule work assignments. We are so lucky to have her. I organized my agriculture and yoga lesson plans, printed out all the materials I will be using, and met with staff to understand my media team assignment.

I also attended an IAA (I Am American) meeting, a committee that addresses the diversity of PCVs. It is a dynamic and compassionate group, and afterwards I was asked to join. As the oldest PCV in the country, I will definitely bring a different perspective to this group, and I look forward to participating. It was good to spend time with other PCVs in Kombo, and they helped me understand what I was going through was not unusual.

On my 72nd birthday I spent the afternoon being pampered at the upscale hair salon. The stylist was about my age, and he had worked in the US during the late 60s & 70s. I had so much fun sharing stories with him about that free spirited era, while he was making me feel special. After relaxing in Kombo and celebrating my birthday, I had a shift in attitude. I am now ready to tackle my second year in The Gambia.

During the summer Kumba and I attended a RTY (Roots Tribe Yoga) Ambassador Training workshop. Kumba is a General and Home Science teacher, and is very enthusiastic about the RTY program. We will have twelve sessions, and ten students can participate at a time. We hope to have two groups complete the program during this school year. I will be writing a comprehensive post about RTY in the future, but the essence of the program is to use yoga to empower young people to reach their potential.

The curriculum is divided into three parts, and each part has four sessions. Part One = ME: my body – my mind – my emotions – my power. We will teach individual yoga poses, how to get in touch personal feelings, breath work, journaling and meditation. Part Two = YOU: who are you – giving and receiving – reacting vs. responding – actions and intentions. They will learn partner yoga poses, listening and communication skills, and the class will design a community service project. Part Three = WE: support systems – interconnectedness – unity – tribal ceremony. The community service project will be implemented, and students will be able to experience the benefits of working together to reach a goal.

Augusta is the new Agriculture Science Teacher, and like most women in The Gambia performs a lot of her work with a baby on her back. I am continually in awe of the strength of Gambian women, performing their tasks with grace. Augusta is an experienced teacher, and I am happy to be partnering with her for my PC agriculture project. For my primary project the students will plant a live tree fence, enclosing about an acre of land. They will cultivate native Acacia trees, which grow quickly, are drought tolerant, and have thorns to protect themselves from the wandering livestock.

ATC (Agricultural Technical College) is a Senior Secondary School for students in grades seven through twelve. The school’s mission is to have all students graduate with the academic proficiency to continue their education, and practical skills to improve their lives. Unfortunately, education is not always valued by families (especially true for girls), and it can be difficult to motivate kids to take their school work seriously. The classes are large, the teachers are overworked and underpaid, and progress is slow and frustrating at times.

The agriculture students will also learn basic gardening skills, beekeeping and animal husbandry. Gambians do not traditionally invest their limited resources to better manage their livestock, but we hope that by educating the youth, the benefits will become evident. There is a Mandinkan saying – “domadin domadin” which means moving forward slowly slowly.

Looking back, I am pleased with the progress I’ve made during my first year here. I have a good living and working situation, enjoy my Gambian and PC friends, and am confident I can navigate most situations appropriately. I’ve had both successes and failures, recognizing failure is often the best teacher. I now understand the value in moving slowly during the first year of service, while I developed community support for my projects, maximizing the potential for lasting results. I also realize that big is not necessarily better. A small success that creates a permanent change, can help people reach their fullest potential.

As I begin my second year in The Gambia, I am delighted to be part of a culture I previously knew nothing about. I am indebted to my compound family, as they have welcomed me to participate in their daily activities, religious events, and household celebrations. It is a joy to be a “mamamusso” (grandmother) to their flourishing families. Observing the cycle of life here, has whetted my appetite for a deeper understanding of all citizens of the world.