By Suzi Lamb, International Development Manager

Returning to Senegal two years after my first visit in May 2005, it was fascinating to see how much had changed. Projects Abroad in Senegal has come a long way, doubling the number of full time, permanent staff to four and adding new projects like Medicine and Sports.

The Teaching and Care projects have also expanded to include new schools and kindergartens and we now provide four meals a week at the talibé street children centres. I was pleased to see that many of the host families I met two years ago continue to welcome volunteers and I was bombarded with lunch and dinner invitations. Many of them are in touch regularly with previous volunteers and proudly show me the photos of the family with the volunteer. Special thanks to one of our hosts, Mme Beye for a great lunch on the Sunday (Ed. I just have to note that when I visited Senegal I also had lunch with Mme Beye and she cooks a mean mamfe)!

Mme Beye and Suzi, St. Louis, Senegal

The island of St Louis itself, where our office is now based, still retains its crumbling colonial charm with goats wandering the pale sandy streets and the sound of the wailing mosques calling people to prayer mixing with strains of traditional Senegalese music, and at this time of the year – Jazz. The famous St Louis Jazz festival starts later this month and I’m told gets the whole town partying.

Moctar, our Senegal Country Director has just returned from a visit to the UK, where he got to meet all the UK team, attend a careers fair in Norwich and a school talk in London. I’m sure he’s returned full of stories of his first visit to England.

As for me, I’m back in the UK office, but I hope I get to return to Senegal again soon.

Moctar, Suzi and Issa. What a team!

Anyone recognize this handsome R and B crooner? This is Akon who released his most recent album “Konvicted” in the fall of 2006 with the single “I Just Wanna Love You” making it to the upper reaches of the Billboard charts (I actually have it on my IPod and I recomend that you check it out if you haven’t heard it yet).

Akon moved to New Jersey when he was 7 but he was actually born in one of Projects Abroad’s destinations and even in the same exact city where our volunteers work! Can you guess which country?

If Google fails you, don’t be afraid to ask for hints!