Aujourd’hui, je dois dire suma dek bi dafa rafete. (Today I must say that where I live is beautiful!) The day I arrived at my home stay in Point Serene it was not quite, alright not at all what I expected or anticipated: Pointe Serene can be characterized by long walks on the beach enjoying a beautiful sunset over the ocean, pleasant mornings waking up to the sound of chirping birds and waves crashing up against the shore. It is truly amazing how you can build up an idea of how a six month homestay in a small village in Africa is supposed to be like based on what you have see on television or read in a news article. Once you see things for yourself it can transform your entire perspective.
As the fresh prince of Point Serene my royal contribution was getting down and dirty at the farm – doing agricultural work. I collected algae from the beach and turned it into compost/fertilizer through a process of drying it out in the sun, mixing it with cow manure and other compostable waste on the farm (weeds, onion tops, etc).
It’s amazing how you can have a heavy media influenced perspective of Africa taken from what you saw on television or read in a news article. Once you see things for yourself it can transform your understanding.
