By Aita Diakhate (YES 2010-2011, Senegal, hosted by AYUSA in Lowell, Massachusetts)

YES Alumni in Tambacounda organized a blood drive with the Sara Guillel’s Hospital on October 8, 2017. Prior to the drive, Saliou Diop (YES 2014-2015, Senegal, hosted by YFU in Pittsburgh, PA), Maimouna Diaby (YES 2014-2015, Senegal, hosted by Ayusa in Springdale, MD) and Khaby Ba (YES 2015-2016, Senegal, hosted by AFS in Cleveland Heights, OH) recruited a group of 80 potential donors among with their family members, friends, teachers and adults of all ages.

With the help of Mr. Madické Niakhasso, a local politician, alumni were able to provide snacks for the donors and hire a DJ to attract pedestrians to raise awareness of the event. Unfortunately, only 25 of the individuals who promised to donate blood came. “That didn’t discourage us because we used the event as an opportunity to talk about the YES program and all it has to offer, about the differences between Senegal and America and we told prospective students about the tests and the various test-taking locations,” said Maimouna Diaby.

Photo above: donors waiting for their turn to donate blood. 

The doctors were really kind and thanked the alumni for their engagement, even though they didn’t have the results they were hoping for. One of the doctors said: “Even if we had only one blood bag, it wouldn’t matter because this one little bag is probably going to save one worthy life”.

The alumni in Tambacounda plan on organizing a blood drive in a high school, which they hope will be more successful, as they noticed that students are more eager to donate.