By Mouhamadou Mbacke (YES 2016-2017 Senegal, hosted by American Councils for International Education PO in Willsboro, NY) 

When I was in the USA, I heard about summer camps and how exciting they were. I knew kids in my community would love something like that, so I decided to create my "YES Summer Camp" project when I returned to Senegal. My summer camp started in August, two months after I came back from my exchange year, and lasted nine days. While the camp was not exactly like the camps I saw or heard about when I was in the USA, it brought some joy to the life of my little brothers and sisters. Additionally, this camp was just the beginning and I'm hoping to do something bigger next year.

During camp, I introduced my siblings to American games, including: mandala, which my host mom bought for me during Christmas; caribou, a game that I learned at my YES preparation camp; and video games. I also introduced them to basketball, which is now their favorite sport! More importantly, I showed them to how to be a good citizen by organizing a neighborhood clean-up in our district.

Everybody in my community appreciated my initiative and supported me during the project. I really feel the impact of YES in my life after this achievement.