The beautiful town St. Louis (Pronounced St. Lu-ee)

 Had the opportunity to conduct focus groups 4 hours north of Dakar in the beautiful and historical coastal town of St. Louis.

Ocean front Mosque. Seriously, the water breaks just on the other side.

Crossing the bridge from one island to the other. Heading to the high school for the focus groups.

What I looked like after my hour walk to the high school. I was sweating pretty profusely!

High school where I held the focus groups.

My hotel beach. The ocean was so warm.

Breakfast. Juice and coffee. Had to take it easy, my stomach wasn't feeling too superb.

The nun walking had just stopped and kindly asked me if I was lost... I said no, just captivated by the architecture. She drew a big smile and kept on walking. Sometimes its the little moments and brief interactions that turn out to be most memorable.

More insight from Dakar's youth... and another working weekend.

Conducting a focus group on Saturday morning, the first day of Ramadan - presenting new sexual health elements of conseil-ados.com website. The purpose was to see what the youth thought about the sexual health content presented on the website, including what they thought of the images, the use of comic strips, interactive online quizzes and scenarios, and whether the information was clear and informative. I was also trying to get a better understanding of their internet utilization habits in general and how and where they acquire and search for sexual health information.

Every focus group is different. Some are more talkative. Others less. The one that took place this morning was more challenging than others. While the participants were students, age 15 - 20, most had a really difficult time expressing themselves in French. It was hard to watch them struggle when it was their turn to talk, literally stuttering and searching for words. After the first 15 minutes, I decided to carry on the rest of the time in Wolof, the spoken language of the people in Dakar. Even so, the participants were shy. This experience such a novelty for them - getting asked their opinions and to express themselves, to say how they feel, what they think, what they want. It was honestly hard to watch and listen. Part of me felt happy to literally give them a microphone. The other part of me was aching inside, feeling the emotions build up in my throat, as I listened and watched and posed questions. These kids live a hard life, having to traverse the daily struggles of modern poverty in Dakar. Not knowing what they will do after high school. Yet they are so kind and polite. So patient.
 They speak of being grateful to have the opportunity to hear the radio show we played for them (the radio show I'm evaluating), discussing menstruation. After listening to it the girls mentioned they did not even know some of the basic information presented in the show. The boys said they would go home and tell their sisters what they had learned.

These youth lack so much information and opportunity! I think back to all my education, to my opportunities, the spoils of knowledge provided to me - and here they are, on a Saturday and Sunday, given nothing in return but some information and a moment to express themselves, and they are thanking me!?
It is truly difficult to comprehend these massive disparities of life, of the world, when they are right in front of you. People say it all the time, but it really does change you. It alters your way of thinking, of seeing the world and how you will choose to go about living in it.

Focus group. One down...

First focus group! I was the note taker, though I couldn't participate or take many notes because the conversation took place in Wolof, the local language, but it was great to observe.

These girls were too young to participate, so they had to just sit and observe... waiting patiently for the free lunch.

The guys...

The girls. The girl in white had to have me wait so she could apply make-up before taking this photo. They know how to pose.

Good times, but tiring. Always like hanging with the youth. Fascinating.

A Saturday in Dakar

Close-ups of veggie and fruit stands never get old to me.

Just a random walking pic. I always feel like I have to sneak photos in before I get the glares from the locals.

Yes I bought one.

Walking the market.

My favorite part of the day. Drinking Senegalese mint tea, my new must have. We sat on this bench at a makeshift cafe on the side of the street for 2 hours, drinking, talking, watching the life taking place on the street around us around. Here is where we also decided that we would make a short documentary about polygamy in Senegal.

View from our bench. The man sitting here is the barista.

The other customers sitting to my right were laughing at me for being so excited to drink the bag water.

Largest cathedral in Dakar.

Senegal's White House. We got to see the changing of the guards.

Potatoes with spices. Delicious street snack.

Curiosity.

"Les Raps" - The rapid cars / cheap public transportation.

This was the best day I've spent in Dakar so far and my one month of being here. Got to walk around the city, explore the downtown, the big weekend market, drink Senegalese mint tea, people watch, take photos, chit chat - completely unaware of time. Simply wonderful.

Solo work trip to coastal city of Mbour

My photos are not very telling, I'm really not doing the best job at taking pictures, but nevertheless, here is a glimpse at my work and play in Mbour. First photo, walking around a neighborhood in Mbour, recruiting youth to take a questionnaire. Public health evaluations in action. It was bloody hot.

More youth taking my questionnaire. Success.

Post-work, beach visit in Mbour. Beautiful!

Sitting under a palm tree, this man must of read my mind because he came behind me, grabbed a coconut, sliced is open and offered it to me and walked away. I was so grateful!

My view as I sat under a palm tree, hiding from the afternoon sun. It was so nice to step away from the crowded city. Beach, ocean and no crowds, so rejuvenating.

Ride back to Dakar, the car broke down, naturally, this is Africa. So we waited.

While the car was getting fixed,  I bought 7 large, ripe mangoes for $2. Unreal.

Also bought some coffee and chewed on a stick. These sticks are actually sold in the market and are used by everybody to clean their teeth. Everybody liked to inform me that the Prophet Mohammed used these after every meal. So I had to try it. I found it amusing, yet the taste of the sticks was not too pleasant and I'm not so sure cleaning teeth part was working for me.

First Rain

The first rain of the season has graced Dakar. I got to experience this element of mother nature while sitting at a plastic table on the beach, feet in the sand, eating fresh barbequed fish by candle light. The beach by my house turns into a restaurant after dark - all the fresh catch of the day is at your disposal. Pay no more than $2 and you got yourself a giant plate of fish, grilled onions and a bit of greens. I was trying to explain to my Senegalese friend that this same experience would be expensive and very sought after in California! Here in Senegal, fresh fish dinner by candle light with your feet in the sand is the food and ambiance of the lower class - that's fine, I'll take it. 
In addition to this ambiance was our conversation about the most pressing issues and barriers to health and health care in Senegal and the possible solutions. Hence I was incredibly content. The wind nor the rain could deter my probing to know more, to ask, to listen, and to understand the culture that is so inextricably connected to the decisions affecting the health of children, adolescents, and mothers. These days it is no secret that no health issue can be simplified, nor solution realized without the involvement of the people and a profound understanding of their individual and collective cultures, needs and wants, and the context in which they live in and in which the health system functions. That said, its much easier to acknowledge this approach rather than to practice and implement it.
Anyways, much to my dismay, we had to succumb to the rain and head for cover. And now here I am... writing this post with the sound of rain pounding against the roof of my room and wind blowing the bamboo and palm trees outside my door.
I do intend to write more about the health issues, my work and the wonderful people I am encountering, but its these day to day experiences and conversations that I am surprised by and grateful for that I can't help but share.

Ngor Island - where I'll be spending my weekends

A view from the island. This is a great right wave...looking forward to surfing it!

Tidiane made us some mint tea on the beach. All you need is some rocks, charcoal, mint and water. And boom, you got your tea on the beach.

Exploring the island.

The island passage ways.

50 cent boat ride to Ngor island. Packed. I thought the life vests were a nice touch.

Waiting for boat to take us to Ngor island. Ngor straight ahead.

Free HIV/AIDS testing... yes please.

"Voluntary HIV/Aids Testing"

Youth getting tested