Fellow Stories
True gap year stories from Fellows abroad!
Check out the latest blogs from Global Citizen Year Fellows in Brazil, Ecuador, and India!
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Class Year
Country
The Girl at The Glass
Tess Langan
2011-05-02
After living here for six months, however, I no longer find myself comparing life in America to life in Senegal...Instead, I find myself comparing Tess American to Tess Senegalese.
Read MoreThe Donkey Hunt
Josh Hamilton
2011-04-26
On a relatively warm Sunday morning which is usually the day for rest here in Senegal, I was unpleasantly awaken by my host brother François; who asked me to accompany him in a search for the family donkey. At first I thought of it as a part of the humorous Senegalese culture, but shortly after...
Read MoreLost and Found
Clara Sekowski
2011-04-25
Since my sister warmed up to me several months ago, I’ve noticed some changes. My host-mother always used to act apologetic for the existence of Ndeye Fama, and it embarrassed me. She would say that Ndeye Fama is ugly, and crazy, and stupid as she swept the floor in front of her. It made me...
Read MoreToubaab, Redeemed
Clara Sekowski
2011-04-25
My second day in Ross-Bethio, I tagged along on a USAID mosquito net distribution project. Towards the end of our rounds, we sat under a canopy of a house on the border of the village, speaking to the village chief. I was completely exhausted and dehydrated and couldn’t drink any of the water they offered...
Read MoreA Responsible Night In Peace
Emily Hess
2011-04-25
Looking back on some of the first nights in my homestay, I remember seeing the two-year old of the family sleeping on a mattress in the living room without a mosquito net. There was a mosquito net, but it was tied up above the bed of my parents in the other room. For the most...
Read MoreTaking it to the Streets – Malaria No More
Amanda Brinegar
2011-04-25
GCY fellows walked 11 kilometers on Sunday April 16th with Malaria No More to raise awareness about the curable and preventable disease that kills 1 child every 45 seconds. Malaria No More has the goal to halt and reverse all incidences of malaria in Africa by 2015. [slidepress gallery=’malaria-no-more’]
Read MoreMalaria, Know More
Naomi Wright
2011-04-25
During some of my first weeks in Senegal, when I was living in Dakar, my four-year-old host sister didn’t come down for breakfast one morning. In response to my worried inquiries, her mother shrugged and nonchalantly indicated that the girl was sick, “Elle est malade, c’est le paludisme.” Malaria. I was shocked. Though I was...
Read MoreXeex Sibbiru
Gus Ruchman
2011-04-24
The fight against malaria, as with AIDS and tuberculosis, is a multilateral war of attrition. Education of doctors and patients alike, accessibility of preventative measures, and medicines, tests, and infrastructures that comprise treatment systems are forming a defensive web against a disease with as many social as medical implications. Though there is a long way...
Read MoreMalaria No More
Madeleine Balchan
2011-04-24
Preparing for my seven-month stay in Senegal, I visited the doctor for seven shots and an anti-malaria pill prescription. Options? Take a pill daily or weekly. Side effects? Sun-sensitivity or suffer physchlogical effects. My mom’s thoughts? “AAHH! MY BABY’S GOING TO AFRICA!” My thoughts? “YES! CRAZY, VIVID DREAMS!” I didn’t realize how soon I’d encounter...
Read MoreMalaria No More
Johannes Raatz
2011-04-24
On April 17th, GCY Senegal fellows met up in Dakar for a public awareness campaign in the fight against poverty. The event was spearheaded by Malaria No More (MNM), an organization working across Africa to end malaria caused deaths by 2015. Currently, a child dies of malaria every 45 seconds. Although the situation is grim, malaria,...
Read MoreFrom My High Horse
Amanda Brinegar
2011-04-22
I grew up in a family of independent, empowered women. My immediate family consists of my sister, my mom, my father and myself so it is safe to say that the women usually have the final say. Growing up, my father would never let me believe that I was any less than someone else, especially...
Read MoreThe Tropical Holiday Season
Johannes Raatz
2011-04-22
As did many of the other Senegalese GCY fellows, I traveled to Dakar early, ahead of our December monthly meeting. Three extra nights in the city allowed me to take advantage of the Festival of Black Arts and Culture. Ongoing throughout the month of December, it was the third time such a festival was organized...
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