By Seynabou Camara, YES 2011-2012, Senegal hosted by CCI Greenheart in Augusta, GA

Ramadan is a time when many people in Senegal focus on community service, as Ramadan is seen in Islamic tradition as being a month when all the rewards of God are multiplied. This year, YES alumni in Senegal celebrated Ramadan by helping to bring food to people in need in Dakar, Thies, and Bambey.

In Dakar, alumni organized a Food Drive to collect food for the Ginddi Center, a place where children who live in the streets can find shelter and support. These children have often run away from home because of difficult family situations, or have been sent out to beg for money. Alumni began the Food Drive by visiting several stores around the city to distribute flyers to shoppers and ask for donations. They also collected food from their families and friends. Through these efforts, more than 20 kilograms of milk, sugar, dates, and other essential food items were collected in just one week. These items were stored at the American Councils Office in Dakar until June 21, 2016, when alumni Souleymane Mbaye (YES ’11), Khadija Diedhiou (YES ’11), and Seynabou Camara (YES '12) went to the Ginddi Center to deliver them. The director was very grateful for the donations, and alumni plan to organize future activities with the children at the center.

Inspired by the Ramadan Food Drive in Dakar, YES ’16 alumnae Bineta Seck and Khadija Ba organized a fundraiser in Thies to support local families in need. Like the alumni in Dakar, Bineta and Khadija used fliers, family, and friends to spread the word about their initative. Around $120 were collected and used to buy onions, chickens, and sweet potatoes, which were divided into 25 packages and distributed to 25 families.

In Bambey, Mouhamedoune Ndieguene (YES ’15) and Madjiguene Babou (YES ’16) volunteered throughout the month to raise money for food, make meals, and serve those meals to the hungry in collaboration with local association WE ARE WE. In total, more than 600 meals were served.

Alumni in Senegal hope to make Ramadan service events a tradition in years to come.