Life in Senegal: Excerpts from the Blog of Peace Corps Worker Abby Augarten
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Scarsdale resident and Cornell graduate Abby Augarten is now working in Senegal for the Peace Corps. She is publishing a blog about her experiences there and kindly gave us permission to excerpt portions of it for you. Here are just a few paragraphs from her more extensive posts. Read more here:
About Abby:
I graduated from Cornell University in 2013 with a BS in International Agriculture and Rural Development. Looking to apply my agricultural studies outside of the classroom, I moved to the East End of Long Island after college to work in organic vegetable production and dairy farming on two farms. I am now a Sustainable Agriculture Extension Agent with the Peace Corps in Senegal, serving from September 2014 to November 2016
Training: (from September, 2014)
Our group is sixty volunteers in agroforestry, urban agriculture, and sustainable agriculture (that's me!). Everyone has tons of stories to tell and laughs to share, which has made for a fantastic first week; it's a little bit like summer camp. It has been a week full of health and safety trainings, administrative overviews, vaccinations, interviews, cultural lessons, agricultural technical trainings and so much more.
Tomorrow we leave for our Community Based Training (CBT) and I will be in the town of Mbour. During the next couple months we will be dividing our time at our CBT homestay and the Thies training center. I will be at my CBT site with four other volunteers learning Mandinka and our Language and Cultural Facilitator, having language classes during the day and practicing Mandinka and experiencing the culture from my host family! I am prepared to have the language skills of a newborn and embarrass myself to no end, but to laugh it off with my new family.
Here I am with Sophia. Sophia is my oldest sister and she lives in Dakar, so I only spent time with her when she visited for Tabaski. Despite her less than thrilled facial expressions, she was one of the cheeriest people I met during community based training. She loves singing and dancing to Rhiana, talking about boyfriends and bra sizes, and most importantly– dressing me up for Tabaski. She did my makeup (no I'm not that tan, and yes I am wearing green eyeliner, blackened eyebrows, and lip gloss). She also did my hair- no one knew that you aren't supposed to brush out a Jew fro and make a Snookie bump. And the dress I am wearing was a gift from my youngest sister Oumy, who's a tailor.
Mother and daughter! Though it took a solid month for me to win her over, by the end of CBT I felt I could really talk to my host mom. She put up with my nonexistent Mandinka and I'm happy to have made her proud by the end of CBT. She seemed to always know when to give me a radi (frozen juices that are the equivalent of Senegalese ice cream), which she makes and sells for a living. And she did whatever she could to make sure I was always well-fed, bathed, and most importantly, happy.
Weather:
For those who have been concerned about the weather- yes, it is very hot and humid (though we are spoiled by an air-conditioned classroom). We've had a lot of rain (and power outages) and we are hoping for more. While typically the rainy season would be nearing an end around now, this year has been one of the most unpredictable years for Senegalese climate in the past few decades. With a very late start to the rainy season, everyone is hoping that the rainy season continues so that the crops can reach maturity in time to harvest, or problems with food insecurity would be exacerbated.
Language:
Mandinka is a minority language spoken by approximately 2-3% of Senegal's population. It is primarily spoken in central and southern Senegal, in the regions north and south of the Gambia (it is also greatly spoken in the Gambia). I won't know my permanent site for a couple months but I am so excited! Yesterday we had our first language class and I have a lot to learn! So far I've learned the word for cow (niiso), so I should be ready for any conversation!
Initial Weeks:
(October) If you ask anyone who has spent any time in Senegal, they will tell you just how important greetings are. How are you, How's the family, How is work, How is your health, How is the heat? So as I spent the hour bus ride to Mbour for my CBT stay, reviewing the greetings I wrote down the day before, I felt ready. However, what I hadn't realized was that an exchange of greetings, while very important, only takes up about thirty seconds.
By the time I finished exchanging greetings with mbama ("my mother"- a word I learned from her repeating it and simultaneously shaking her breast) and then with my new sisters, only a few minutes had passed. I was given a new Senegalese name, which I butchered and then forgot, just as I had done with all of my family members' names as well—a few more minutes had gone by. And the realization of how little I actually know settled in. All of my Mandinka skills were already on the table which left me with nine more hours in the day and nothing to say.
My mornings are filled with chores, a delicious bean sandwich and café touba (pretty much the chai equivalent for coffee), and then language class. The afternoon potentially involves a cold beverage on the days we need a little pick-me-up, lunch with my family, and a couple hours of lounging with my family under the mango tree and drinking attaya (tea). At 4 pm—ish—when the sun and heat are less brutal, we go to the garden where we get to practice our technical skills. So far we've built a compost pile and a few double dug beds, with a nursery and moringa intensive bed next on the list. As we would gather materials all over town, pushing our quite noisy wheelbarrow, neighborhood kids would come running from all directions. It was a game—who could push the wheelbarrow the fastest, gather the most materials, or get the most attention from the toubabs. But they were the best helpers, as we would search for cornhusks within garbage piles and strip leaves from huge heaps of stalks. And it gave us a purpose and place in the community, which I am so grateful to have. Though there really is nothing weirder than hearing "Toubab, I love you," as you are carrying a shovel full of fresh manure that you are collecting from the middle of the street.
Site Assignment:
(October 31) Last week was the moment we have all been counting down towards- site reveal! We walked out to the basketball court where the map of Senegal is painted, put on blindfolds and endured the building suspense. We each were spun around and led to our spot on the map, handed an envelope, tried to refrain from giggling or trying to figure out who was around us by blindly reaching out and touching those surrounding, and finally told to open our eyes.
I will be spending my two years in Koungheul Soce! Koungheul Soce is located in the eastern part of the Kaffrine region, in the peanut basin (pros peanuts are delicious, cons growing peanuts is rough on the soil). Koungheul Soce is 2 km from the nearest road town, but has the feel of a remote, quiet village- best of both worlds!
This week I had the opportunity of visiting Koungheul Soce and the volunteer I will be replacing- Sam, or Binta as she goes by in Senegal. Instantly I could feel just how much the volunteer loved the community and how much the community loved her. I met my family, future work partners and counterparts, and even my dog! I stayed in what will be my hut and my home for the next two years, and felt comforted by the family surrounding it. I was finally surrounded by Mandinka speakers, and to see what I was working towards was just the motivation I needed. I met work partners, saw a school garden, orchard, and seed bank project, and I am incredibly inspired and excited to build upon the existing projects and to develop new ideas with my counterparts.
Notable Moments from Koungheul Soce:
Peanuts:
The women here are amazing- endlessly working and putting the needs of the family and community above their own. They wake up, go to the well, water the garden, get the kids ready for school and send them off, and then finally have breakfast for themselves at nine. At ten they are off to the fields, working in the heat until 1:30. Then they come home for lunch, and crack and shell peanuts under the tree for a couple hours before going to work in the field or the garden. All the while caring for all of the children. One day my mom instructed me to rest- I told her how she needs to go rest! I said that she's so strong and that she works so much and does such amazing things- all of which she shrugged off and denied. I meanwhile, just have a sore butt from sitting, studying and talking. I have, however, successfully accomplished the two-hand cracking of peanuts (simultaneously opening peanuts in both my left and right hands).
Speaking of peanuts. I am nearing the end of my jar of my American peanut butter. Apparently I am eating a solely peanut based diet.
Dance time!
There's easily twenty young kids in my compound and do they love to sing and dance! They ask for songs in English and what started as the ittsy bittsy spider and mama shark, quickly evolved to the hokey pokey, the Macarena, and the chicken dance. The pretty much love any opportunity to shake their butts. A round of the Macarena has now become a common pre dinner ritual, though sometimes we switch it up. They reciprocate by teaching me some Mandinka dance moves of my very own. I'm just so glad I can't see what I look like- but they get a kick out of it!...so I probably look like a fool. If anyone has English song and dance suggestions, I am ready to diversify and all ears!
Read more about Abby's experiences in Senegal here:
School Board Nominating Committee Announces Slate of Candidates
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The SBNC Administrative Committee announces the slate of 2015 candidates for the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC).
The candidates in each of the five elementary school districts are:
1. Edgewood – Moira Ann Crouch, Daniel Moretti
2. Fox Meadow – Elizabeth (Liz) Guggenheimer, Pam Rubin, Beverley Sved
3. Greenacres – Elyse Mall Klayman, Terri Simon
4. Heathcote – Qing (Claire) He, Jacqueline Irwin, Sarah Persily, Jodie Roure, Laura Toniolo
5. Quaker Ridge – Jonathan Birenbaum, Lauren Rimland
The SBNC election will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Residents may vote in person in the Auditorium lobby at the Scarsdale Middle School on that date from 7:00 to 10:00 AM and from 2:00 to 9:00 PM, or by mail-in ballot received by 4 pm on Election Day. In the event of a snow day, the election will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2015.
The Administrative Committee is seeking the election of 2 candidates in each district, with the exception of Heathcote, where it is seeking the election of 3 candidates to include the replacement of an SBNC member who has recently resigned.
All election information is available at www.scarsdalesbnc.com. Brochures containing biographical information on each candidate and instructions for completing and returning mail-in ballots will be mailed to Scarsdale residents and are also available on the website. Contributions to support the cost of printing and mailing the election brochure are appreciated; to donate, visit www.scarsdalesbnc.com/please.donate.
Holiday Photo Opps
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Ambassador Girl Scouts from Troop 2672, Maia Deforge, Annabelle Stanley, Elena Ludwig, Megan Reynolds and Sarah Jathas (not pictured Dorianna Marambio) with some of the Christmas gifts they donated for a family of 9 for the adopt-a-family program supporting the Don Bosco Center in Port Chester.
The 9th annual WJCS Have-a-Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive run by WJCS Board Member Linda Plattus, second left above, collected almost 250 gifts and 50 gift cards totaling almost $6,000 worth of donations, enough to brighten the holiday season for 600 children across Westchester County, many of whom benefit from WJCS programs for children.
Special guests of the luncheon were a parent and child from the WJCS Infant-Toddler Learning Center in Yonkers. Yesenia Calixto, center above, shared her personal story and explained how her son, Brandon, has grown and matured, particularly in social skills, under the guidance of the program. The Infant-Toddler program recognizes the impact of early experiences on later learning abilities, and Calixto said her family is very grateful for its services. The Infant Toddler Learning Center is just one recipient of gifts collected at the annual Holiday Gift Drive, which was attended by Vicki Forbes, left, program director of WJCS Building Better Beginnings, which oversees the learning center, and Susan Lewen, director of development at WJCS.
Together with Plattus, who hosted the party in her home, several local companies donated food and other necessities, including Buon Amici, Cherry Lawn Farm Market, Cooked & Co., House of Flowers, Lange's Of Scarsdale and Standing Room Only. Support WJCS by sending gift cards, gifts or donations to: WJCS, Attn: Tamar Moskowitz, 845 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603
The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association celebrated the holidays on Sunday, December 7 at Davis Park with a sing along, hot cocoa, the lighting of the holiday tree and a visit from Santa.
It is concert season at Scarsdale Middle School. December 3rd was the first of six winter concerts, featuring the Eighth Grade Band, the Butler/Fountain/Choice Eighth Grade Chorus, and the Seventh and Eighth Grade Jazz Band. Below is a picture of Mr. Nicholas Lieto conducting the Eighth Grade Band.
The Eighth Grade Band performed "Into the Clouds," "Earth and Sky," "Atlas" from Th Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and "The Avengers" conducted by Nicholas Lieto, Band Director.
The Eighth Grade Chorus performed "What a Wonderful World," two of the three songs from "Tres Canciones de Los Elementos: Eschuchar al Viento and Fuego under direction of Chorus Director Daniel Boniello and accompanied by Rumiko Isaksen.
The Jazz Band performed "All the Things Your Are," "Cool Joe, Mean Joe, Killer Joe," and "Blue Bossa" conducted by Band Director Nicholas Lieto.
Local Teens Fight Hunger
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BBYO and DoSomething.org teamed up this fall to launch "Can-Tribute," a campaign that rallied young people across North America to fight hunger in their local community through a food collection drive. The campaign started on September 23, just before the Jewish High Holidays to align with the Yom Kippur tradition of collecting food for the needy during the day of fasting, and lasted through November 30.
"You have a voice and you have power,' said Kyle Price, a high school Junior at Rye Country Day School. "Our involvement in the hunger crisis is crucial and we cannot shy away from our responsibility. Together we can make a difference through awareness and action."
To celebrate the conclusion of the campaign, BBYO Westchester Region, in partnership with Westchester Reform Temple, Tempe Beth Shalom, Mid-Westchester JCC, Hebrew Institute of White Plains, Rosenthal JCC, Solomon Schechter School, Jewish Education Project, Jewish Student Connection, Jewish Community Center of Harrison, and Westchester Jewish Council, hosted a pre-screening of the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1. The pre-screening was attended by more than 280 teens and was an additional opportunity for teens to socialize and support the community. Over 600 pounds of food was collected at the theater for the Westchester Interfaith Food Pantry. Across North America, the leaders of the top three biggest drives won seats for themselves and 20 friends at their local BBYO pre-screening.
"BBYO has a long tradition of teens coming together to stand up for the causes they believe in and to take action to create change in their communities and our world," said Natalie Spring, Director of Campaigns and Movement Initiatives at BBYO. "Working with DoSomething.org on this campaign, we're able to connect more teens to the value of repairing the world."
"DoSomething.org is all about making social change accessible to young people and working around events in their lives like holidays and movie premieres to make social change a part of a lifestyle" said Naomi Hirabayashi, Chief Marketing Officer at DoSomething.org
The Can-Tribute campaign and pre-screening event is an example of the community-wide events that BBYO offers teens in our community. In December, Westchester Region BBYO will host "Let's Wrap", an event to celebrate the holiday season and conclude our first semester!
For more information about ways to give back to the community and be a part of BBYO Westchester Region, please contact Dana Shakarchy, Regional Director, at dshakarchy@bbyo.org or (917) 968-9638.
Tales from the Shark Tank
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If you watch the popular TV show Shark Tank on December 12th, you may see a familiar face. Scarsdale's Howard Adler will appear on the show with investor Daymond John and inventor Morri Chowalki who stopped by Adler's office for an update on a product that made its debut on Shark Tank in December, 2013.
At the time, Morri Chowalki was selected from hundreds of candidates to pitch his idea for a "Hanukkah Tree Topper" on the show. He was successful in getting funding from entrepreneur Daymond John to launch the product which is a Star of David that sits on top of a Christmas tree. The product is targeted at interfaith families where one spouse celebrates Christmas, and the other Hannukah.
With funds in hand, Morri met Howard Adler who couldn't have been a more perfect partner to produce the interfaith tree topper. Adler and his brother Cliff, also of Scarsdale, run Kurt S. Adler, a leading producer of Christmas ornaments, lights and collectibles. Though these two are Jewish they could easily be called the Kings of Christmas as they dominate the market for Christmas goods. Their products are sold throughout the U.S. and the world.
The Hanukkah Tree Topper is now produced in two varieties – the original silver star of David and a stained glass star that lights up and is powered by batteries. Adler reports that though the market for the product is limited to families of mixed faiths, it is selling nicely and will continue to be sold in upcoming years.
Adler told us that the Shark Tank crew came to his showroom a few weeks ago and filmed him speaking to Morri and Daymond for hours – but assumes it will be edited down to a short clip to be aired on the December 12th show.
In the meantime, if you're looking for a Hanukkah Tree Topper for your Christmas tree, they are in stock at Bed and Bath in Elmsford and available on Amazon.
