USAID camps become focal points of learning during summer vacation

Summer vacation is often considered a time to relax, spend time with friends, maybe try to find part-time work.  In some communities in Senegal, however, vacation this year was also a time for students to come together at their new school to learn about each other, their communities, and to gain valuable skills to use in and outside the classroom.

USAID’s middle school education project designed and led summer camps for more than 1,000 students in four regions of Senegal in September 2007. These weeklong camps, which took place in recently-built, USAID-funded rural middle schools, provided an opportunity for teenage boys and girls to address stereotypes and learn more about their communities. They also participated in computer and English language training, and cultural, sports, and art programs.  Community members showed their support and participated in the program.

The theme of the camps was “Celebrating Equality in our Differences.” Through group activities, drama, and role-playing, the middle school students touched on issues related to gender roles, stereotypes, and health issues such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases. “Men and women both have leadership roles in their families and communities,” said Amadou Diallo, one of the students in the region of Fatick. “It’s important for everyone to play their role.”

Inspired by discussions at the camp in Keur Samba Dia, student Fatou Soukeye, 18, believes her role will be to work with her friends to create an association to encourage more girls to remain in school, even if they become pregnant at an early age. “We need training, but we have to organize ourselves and act.”

The students also learned about the importance of the environment, particularly the issue of deforestation.  Many of the students and community members took it upon themselves to plant trees in their villages, with more than 200 trees being planted around the school in Keur Samba Dia in the Fatick region.

The community members were also involved in the camps.  For many of these teenagers, it was the first time they had sat down with elders and others in the community and learned about the history of their towns and villages.  Many enjoyed learning about the history of their communities.  “It’s good that these children learn about where they come from,” said one elder.  “It’s important for their future to know about their past.”

The summer camps also provided an opportunity for USAID to promote and utilize public/private partnerships, as their Microsoft partner provided t-shirts, software licensing and computer trainers for the camps.

USAID will expand this program next summer, providing more Senegalese teenagers and their communities an opportunity to enjoy themselves while learning about important social issues that will shape their lives.