Words.

I wish I had a really amazing way to kick off this post other than not feeling much at all. I am slowly coming to realization of all that I am immersed in over here, and while I am loving it and learning so much from this experience I am completely heartbroken. I know wholeheartedly that I am meant to be here and know that I have a purpose of some sort while here, however I think my expectations were a lot larger than feasible. This picture to me is so powerful, it says so much I was taking film which I am trying to get uploaded successfully on here and Jen caught this as we were driving through the suburbs of Pikine, but it really reflects it all in a weird way right now....

Today I put my head down on the bus and teared up, I no longer wanted to see all that we were passing on the way to the Angela Davis School. I wanted no more pictures, I wanted no more sense of smell. I wanted out. No picture, no scent was going to escape the conditions we are surrounded by here.I wish I could capture the smell around here and bring it back for all to smell, maybe then something would make the pictures come to life more. As I look back on my pictures I can smell a stench that consists of  garbage, urine, burnt garbage, death, the smells burns your nostrils as you walk the streets and tears well from the overwhelming aroma.

 I came to Dakar with the expectation that I was going to make a difference, that I would begin a movement. Not to say that I can't I just don't know how I will completely complete that task. The things I have witnessed are numbing, they take it out of you, they break you down, they break your heart. I cry.

I realized how small I am in this big large world we live in, I have nothing to be ashamed of, I have nothing to complain about, I have education, healthcare, food, clean water, a place to call home with four walls and roof, I have a bed to rest on --- I have so much.  Back home we are surviving we will never struggle, our problems are nothing to compared to what I've seen. I really have nothing to say to explain the heartache I felt when I returned from Pikine today, that is when it all hit me...

We spent the day at the Angela Davis School where we are celebrities in that town because we are from America. It is a city with 1.2 million people who live in extreme poverty and when I say extreme I'm saying like what you see on the TV ads times one hundred. Things you wouldn't think would be considered a home are. We stick out as you can imagine when we arrive places, however in the Senegalese they will welcome you into their home or school with open arms and treat you as such. We were greeted, introduced, taken on a tour, introduced to the students and then were prepared a feast of some yummy Senegalese food. They will give you so much food that a plate full would feed four back home. However it is okay to turn food down because what ever is not eaten will be given to someone who wasn't able to eat. We were also given ceremonial tea which is a big deal in this culture, it is a series of three rounds of tea, each time they brew it, it gets sweeter. A male will prepare and serve it and will make sure each glass is filled, emptied, filled several times to create a foam and the higher he can have the tea kettle above the glass the smarter and knowledgeable he is. The tea contains a certain tea from here, fresh mint, and lots of sugar!

Unfortunately, I will not be able to post any pictures of the children I am working with because of the research I am doing I do not have clearance or permission to display pictures of the children here. Personally I can but in regards to using my pictures and stuff from my trip here for my research I can only show my pictures on a personal level, so pretty much I have to print them off and show them off so that no one will copy them and use them! 

Bottom line they completely melted my heart today, they have it, its in Pikine right now and the pictures show just that. But as we exited the school today the children came swarming to us because we all had cameras that they could see themselves on. The kids are amazing, they are contagious, their eyes and smiles say so much, the pictures I have truly speak a thousand words. The children are beyond precious, they hold on to you, ask for you to take their picture and when you do they swarm you to see it and smile, giggle, and point as they admire themselves. I also handed out pens to them as I boarded the bus, they were grabbing on to me they were begging, then I ran out. I wish I brought more stuff, they need it far more than we do and I have the means to give it to them. They rejuvenated me today, however they really started to break me down, it is such a weird and odd feeling to put into words. It really truly is, but those few pictures that were taken today have already touched me, I cannot even look at them without tearing up.

People are strong here. People amaze me here.People are beautiful here. People take pride in the things they make and sell. People are happy off of nothing. People are proud here. Proud of who they are, where they come from. Senegal makes them happy and proud. It is inspiring. It is moving. It is West Africa. It is Dakar, Senegal.

Video Tour

Today we took a city tour which was heartbreaking and eye opening. I took lots of pictures as I bet those who follow along on facebook have seen. I got out my video camera to try and capture what exactly are seeing hearing. This really doesn't do anything justice, it really truly doesn't. The smells here are indescribable I write of them in my journal however to put a direct description is far from happening unless you witness it first hand. I almost wish I would capture a jar of it and bring it home for those to open and smell, however I would avoid it. I wish I could describe what I'm feeling but I am numb to it and am afraid for the day that it will all hit me I have a feeling it will be after Wednesday. That is the day we begin at our placements. Well I should be fast asleep already. 

Good night to all!!

Language lessons tomorrow and hopefully time to actually post something good lol!

Traveling to Dakar

 As jet lag sets in I will try to force out a post worth reading however hopefully I can compose something worth reading tonight. For most of you it is still early on Sunday for us over here it is only 9 but we've been forced to stay awake to try to get on their time here, its been hard we had dinner at four and were practically sleeping at the dinner table. Jet setting over night is not something I would like to do numerous times in my lifetime, it is exhausting. Not to mention once we landed we were bombarded by people and it was only 9:45 am we still had a whole city tour and a class meeting...to much, to much!

The flights went effortlessly for the most part, there was minor turbulence that woke me up about five times throughout the whole seven hour and fifteen minute flight over here. I was nervous the whole day because of the unknown however it was kind of silly now and I had a great support system sending me off and a great support coming over here with. We were served dinner and drink on the plane then the lights were finally dimmed to sleep and once the lights turned back on it was another meal which was just a light breakfast. The last two and half hours drug on and on and on and on until finally land appeared!!!! NO MORE OCEAN!!!

I have still not completely processed the fact that I am in Africa but the minute I step outside it is a pleasent reminder that I am not in America and yes it has been a slight shock, one I can't quite put into words yet, maybe with a few more pictures a few more situations and immersing myself in the community will help comprehend and maybe put in to words what I thinking/feeling. For now and for a future post: I was able to talk with a local man about education over here, lack of money, etc. We went to a market today and went on a mini city tour where we walked down a road where mothers were homeless with young children, I witnessed two toddlers fighting over their mother for the food she was still able to produce, then followed by two young boys in matching soccer jerseys asleep on a curb. 

The day I flew out this was a line from my devotional: "In My presence you can face uncertainty with perfect peace." couldn't agree more. As for now the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions are alot to take in and comprehend and to even understand myself and maybe it would just be best to sleep on it and immerse back in to it tomorrow with fresh eyes and mind. I can already tell I will be enjoying my time here, but will go home with a heavy heart and many new views and questions. Please continue to send prayers our way!!

All is well in Dakar,

Kate

Adventure Awaits

This is going to be a quick one because I am minutes away from packing my car and hitting the road to the east side of the state. However I wanted to take a couple of minutes and write my last post from the U.S until I return. During our three weeks of departure we had to write a poem about ourselves using the 'I am' format, and while I was overly excited to share with my classmates and future travel partners all about me, we all had to and during it all we all had a common trend. Little did we know though that our professors said that once we return we will see a transformation of poems from what we see and witness while abroad. Before I leave I want to share mine with any one who reads, and when I return I plan to write another one and see how it changes. Here is mine:

I am compassionate about a special population and enjoy a good laugh

I wonder why there are so many corrupt things in this world and why so few are doing anything to make a change

I hear the sound of music as a temporary escape from the high pace everyday life

I see people being fake to others to get ahead in life and other being genuine and not getting the credit they deserve

I want a world where everyone is accepted and embraced despite their difference; in my mind I believe everyone deserves a shot

I am compassionate about a special population and enjoy a good laugh

I pretend that people close to me don’t let me down or hurt my feelings

I feel an array of emotions and the ebb and flow life offers

I touch the sturdy ground of pavement as I run and train for races

I worry that my time here will be cut short

I cry over a sad movie, story, or anything really. My emotions are probably slightly unstable

I am compassionate about a special population and enjoy a good laugh

I understand that our time is precious and limited; I’ve learned to start following my dreams

I say chase your dreams, follow your heart

I dream of becoming a strong advocate for the special education community and a strong mentor for someone

I try to please everybody, but am learning to put myself first at times

I hope to leave a lasting impression on this Earth; I hope I make a difference somehow.

I am compassionate about a special population and enjoy a good laugh.

Lastly I wanted to remind myself and all of you the meaning behind the name of my blog follow through and although the lyrics of the song pertain to a relationship more than likely back in October when I began to share about my journey I wrote as to why I chose the title, etc. As I leave today my ipod has the song and I will listen to it as I fly to Africa. "Oh this is the start of something good..." 

 Please continue to send your prayers my way and to the group in which I will be traveling with. May we be blessed with safe and healthy travels and may we all soak it all up and enjoy every moment we are abroad. Thanks again to all of you who have shared encouraging words, prayers and well wishes. They will all be carried with me as I travel to Africa. Thank you beyond words and I hope to continue to share of my journey while there. My next post will be when I am in Dakar-- how awesome!! All the best!

Katie

Three Days.

It is unreal that there are just three days left until we all board the plane(s) and jet set half way around the world... no big deal right?! This morning I packed my car up and am anxious to head to Holland and hopefully relax a bit, maybe check out my boat and soak up some sunshine!!! I took a  minute this morning to take it all in, and let me tell you that as of late, thoughts of gratitude and being excited were few and far between. This week posed a lot of challenges for me, coming to terms with packing my life in a suitcase for three weeks, the enormity of what I will be immersed in three short, speedy days is hard for me to fully grasp. I don't think this trip would have its full meaning if it didn't set you up for a flurry of emotions. I hate saying goodbye and I of course get homesick--I'm the girl who hated sleepovers....

 I will credit the group of individuals that I will be traveling with there is an energy among them all that subsides any nerves, I think that is because we are all in the same boat we are all experiencing highs and lows and emotions that cannot be put into words. I struggle with the unknown too what I will be feeling, what I will be seeing, and what lives I will be moved by. We talked yesterday about working at the Angela Davis school which is located in a suburb outside Pikine which has millions of people living there. the thing is all the students who attend that school are in severe poverty but are producing outstanding school achievement --- from what our professors said they said that the sights that we will see there are ones you would only think you'd see in a movie. I am looking forward to being put out of my element and to really have an immense sense of thankfulness in my life and where I come from.

 Looking forward I am already finding ways in which once i learn about education there and the conditions there how I will be able to work from the U.S  and try to implement some suggestions, I know it may be a far fetch idea, but no idea is too small these days after all I never imagined I would be traveling to Africa. I have spent the past three weeks working through the literature and regulations and treaties and education policies from around the world and within our own and it has been amazing all the information I have learned and what we will be immersed in or that progress is being made!

Thank you to all of you who have sent wonderful messages and love and support throughout the past couple of months, it has meant so much. All messages are tucked away in my carry-on and will be my motivation, encouragement and my love away from home. I look forward to blogging throughout my adventures and hopefully posting pictures from time to time and video as well! This has been quite the journey up until this point and I'm not even there yet, I can only imagine what is awaiting me come Sunday. I hope to post one more time before I leave the states, until then take care and enjoy the sunshine!

Quickly Approaching

This time next week I will already be in Dakar for 12 hours which is unreal and hard to grasp. We have been very busy preparing and becoming more informed on the area in which we will be living in for three weeks. Although it is a very exciting and once in a lifetime opportunity my nerves and anxieties are beginning to take hold and kick in. I have been doing a great deal of research on the education foundations and laws over there as well as the comparisons to United States as well. Although I wish I had more details on what I will be encountering while I am abroad I really have no idea at this point. But am beyond excited to share along the way. What I do know is that it will be the first time we are traveling to the developmental school which will be very eye opening and full of new learning opportunities, heartbreak, and hope. I just recently went and purchased school supplies that I will be giving to the children at the school I will  be working in, they are always loving pens, pencils, and paper--it is very expensive over there. Aside from working on my own work within the school, we as a group will be traveling to the following places:

- NGOs Museums, Art galleries, Craft markets

- Pikine

- Supermarkets

- Angela Davis School

- IFANN Museum

- Yoff

- Goree Island

- Mariame Niasse School

The hotel that we will be staying in is located in the heart of the city with great store fronts surrounding us, I hope the first day will be filled with lots of pictures of the surrounding areas and our hotel. I will be rooming with other girl from my program and am very excited to be spending my journey with a familiar face, but all nine of us that are going all bring something to the table and that is refreshing and we all share a common passion for working while over there. While I am hoping that at nights I will be able to blog about my daily adventures I am not 100% that we will always have power, therefore we will be living with headlamps and laughter I'm sure. I hope to blog and post pictures as much as possible. I am also working on bringing a flip-cam which will allow me to capture video along the way which would be rather amazing! The weather in Kalamazoo has been a great reminder that although it is great to be lounging by the pool in 85 degree plus weather next week I will be covered in long skirts and shirts with head wraps on in 90-100 degree weather with high humidity---makes me thankful for shorts already. I look forward to updating later this week on a couple other things we have been working on in class--including tomorrow I will post about the University in which we are invited to in order to study while we are over there. For now I leave with a video from a documentary that we watched last week within this video there are glimpses into the Dakar looks like and the people that we will be surrounded by. It has a powerful message, and we are looking into being able to go to his music club one night while there, the music over there is supposed to be amazing!!!

Have a great Sunday!!

Yesterday began the three weeks leading up to departure we have class twice a week for three hours where will are beginning to prepare for what to expect and begin to finalize our projects while we are there. Thankfully I have all my research proposal already complete so I will continue to look in to the school that I will be working in as well as reading up on some articles pertaining to Senegal and their education system. My first glimpse of what I'm getting myself into is this picture below that is on the cover page of our class page....I'm in love already.

Then I went on to find....

Despite all of my recent emotions and highs and lows of the realization that I will be half way around the world in three very fast approaching weeks these pictures and talking about the situations and experiences we will be put in dissolve any hesitation at this point. The faces on these children show a happiness and a need, a need that I hope through my work and presence will some how be impacted. Although I am aware that much of my existence in the classrooms will be to observe and discover I CANNOT wait to interact, take pictures, and hand out the goodies I am preparing. From my mentor's previous experience she has given me these bits of advice: 1) you will want to pack the kids in your suitcase 2) you cannot adopt from this country 3) if you're emotional you will cry [that's a given] 4) all the kids will sworn you 5) they will chase your bus when you leave ** 6) They will LOVE their pictures being taken && be thrilled to see it immediately after you take it **7) They LOVE crayons, markers, pens, paper, nail polish, && and any other type of school supply because it is so expensive over there. ---- Oriental trading company here comes a large order I'm thinking!

Aside from the kiddos we have begun talking about the main focus of our trip and what the main goals are to focus on those being globalization and all that falls under it. We have begun to explore the definition and look at examples from around the wrong at how developing countries are suffering in all aspects and what consequences are occurring due to the impact of globalization. It is very eye opening, saddening, however is a call to action for me. It helps subside the anxieties I have been feeling and pushes me to keep praying and finding positivity to move me through this journey with an open mind. 

I am curious to see how the next couple class periods go and how they begin to move and effect me even more. There is an urgency and a calling for me to go and this is a beautiful reminder that I am following not only my heart but a life long dream and I am already so humbled and feeling very blessed by this opportunity.

I have started reading a devotional book every day and I swear that this book is a miracle worker, every day I wake up to an ah-inspiring message that navigates me through my day yesterday's were these:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." --Philippians 4:13 

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

-- Isaiah 41:13

This is perfect for me right now, for those close to me you know that I have been experiencing some pretty intense and high anxiety emotions, this for me is something to be expected and I have realized that without these emotions/fears/anxieties this trip would not be all that it is. This is a once in a life time opportunity.

Stay tuned for more Africa news, its here. It's real. It's pretty amazing!