Discover Senegal with the 24th Crossing Cultures Senegal Program of 

Intercultural Dimensions, January 2017

Experience the real story of Senegal.  Intercultural Dimensions, Inc. offers a unique and stimulating travel and educational program focused on the Republic of Senegal, West Africa.

Led by two former U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, this is a well-established cultural immersion opportunity.  Participants experience family life and community projects in rural areas of this diverse nation. The Crossing Cultures Senegal group (three leaders and three to five participants) is small, allowing the leaders to tailor activities to the participants'  interests in areas such as dance and music training, teaching, literature, drumming, community action, environment, medicine, government, NGOs, agriculture, small business, language, politics, medicine and health.  

  

The $1431 fee is at cost. The leaders receive no compensation and pay for their own airfare and program fee. Extended stays for volunteer work or field study can be facilitated. This program is an eye-opener. For some it can be a stepping stone to their future; for others it can be an enrichment of the work they are already doing. Some have said this is a life-changing experience. Start now to plan and apply early. 

Please visit ID's website for more information and to apply:  www.interculturaldimensions.org or or call the leaders at 617 864 8442.

 Intercultural Dimensions, Inc. is a non profit 501 (C)(3) organization.

Janet Ghattas and John Hand

a few favorite sunsets and sunrise shots

Sunset near Arches National Park, Utah

Sunset at Beirut 

Sunset, Georgetown, Maine

Sunrise over the Casamance River, Sedhiou, Senegal

Sunset at Sedhiou

Sunset on Boulder Mountain, Utah

Sunset at Waikiki Beach

Sunset at Temento Samba, Kolda, Senegal

The Kolda Agricultural Fair -- March, 2013

Cakes baked by the Diedhiou Family's solar cooker

The Peace Corps in conjunction with other groups and the local  government organized the third annual Agricultural Fair at  Kolda, Senegal. Two members of our family in Sedhiou attended  and demonstrated their solar oven. We understand that the demonstrations were successful, producing delicious cakes. Good job! Solar cooking saves money, helps to alleviate the environmental damage caused by the use of wood for cooking and saves people from breathing unhealthy smoke. Samba and Néné Diedhiou --- center right interior of the Diedhiou Family's solar cooker Cake baked in the solar oven

The Kankouran in the Casamance

The Kankouran seen parading about in front of the Diedhiou family's compound in Sedhiou 

The Kankouran plays a role in the initiation of young men in the Mindinka culture. The costume is made from a tree having an interior, deep red, fibrous bark.

Boubacar showing us the bark from which the Kankouran's costume is made.

Janet and I attended President Sall's address yesterday at the Kennedy School  of Government. I liked his speech much more than Abdoulaye Wade's address  of several years ago. President Sall was down to earth and he seems to have some  solid plans for Senegal's economy and health systems. For example, he spoke  about his action to protect fishing rights of the Senegalese.  See, Greenpeace Africa at:

http://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/Press-Centre-Hub/Press-releases/Greenpeace-launches-award-winning-film-on-the-increase-of-catch-in-Senegalese-waters/

We are hopeful that President Sall will take equally solid steps to promote economic development in the southern part of Senegal, the Casamance, and resolve the conflict and violence which continues to stymie development and cause suffering. Our recent blog post (Feb. 18, 2013) showing two main roads in Senegal -- one near Dakar and one in the Casamance demonstrates vividly the need for the President's attention to this problem.

Two Roads In Senegal

January 2013 Amazing new highway near Dakar contrasts with the road in the  Casamance from Kolda east towards Velingara and Tambacounda.

Intercultural Dimensions-- Crossing Cultures Senegal

vegetables from the garden at Diedhiou-counda

Peanut fields

Dancing at a wedding

 Fields at Temento Samba

 Solar energy at Temento Samba

 Cooking for Company at Temento Samba

Crossing Cultures Senegal, January 2013

 Gorée scene by Janet

 At the Ile de Diable

 At Sobo Badé

 At the Alliance in Kaolack

 In the fields at Temento Samba

 Senabou at Diedhioucounda

 Sunset at Temento Samba

Late afternoon in Temento Samba

Crossing Cultures program in Senegal, West Africa

Intercultural Dimensions, Inc. announces its next Crossing Cultures Senegal program.

Intercultural Dimensions, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) educational organization) offers a unique and stimulating travel and educational program focused on the French-speaking Republic of Senegal, West Africa. The program dates for the 2013 Crossing Cultures Senegal program are January 5 to January 21. It will be ID's 22nd program to Senegal.

Led by two former U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, this well-established cultural immersion program appeals to people in and out of academia. It works well for those who want to experience family life and community projects in rural areas of this diverse nation and for those with special interests in dance and music training, teaching, literature, environment, medicine, government, NGOs, agriculture, language and health projects. Past participants have said this is a life-changing program.

The Crossing Cultures Senegal group (three leaders and three to five participants) is small allowing the leaders to tailor activities to the participants' interests.

Reasonable cost. Extended stays for volunteer work or field study can be facilitated. This program is an eye-opener. For some it can be a stepping stone to their future; for others it can be an enrichment of the work they are already doing. Applications are being accepted now.

Please visit ID's website for more information and to apply to participate in the next program:
Please click here:www.interculturaldimensions.org
John Hand and Janet Ghattas

 Janet with a women's cooperative

Fishermen on the Casamance River

Location:Near Sedhiou, Senegal

This shot was one of three finalist photos in the recent Boston Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers' photo contest.