Scott Le

Another successful cessation day. The crispness that I gain from the fresh morning air better than anything I could ever waste my time and money with. 

I guess I have been on somewhat of a streak. I tend to forget to log in during the weekends but I am glad to be updating consistently. The cessation progress is all normal - nothing to report here. 

The first 3 months of cessation is relatively easy. Cherif Diao, my host father in Senegal, had a rule of three, 3-days, 3-weeks, 3-months, 3-years. I really like this idea. 

The greatest challenge is remembering to log in and mark off all of the challenges that I try to practice in my every day life pre-ecochallenge 2016.

I have created my own smoking cessation program and I will outline the parameters below, 

Every time I have an urge to step outside and smoke I will deposit the amount that it would cost me to purchase a pack into a travel savings account. Moreover, I plan on being much more active - running, cycling and working out. These activities especially when going hard really make me realize how brutal smoking can be to my personal health. I am glad to have checked off this achievement today and look forward to what lies ahead. 

Not sure if I am calculating my # of disposable cups not sent to landfill correctly, however, I use my nalgene every day and my tea is always in my mason jar! (:

Let Girls Learn

Yesterday was the International Day of the Girl which is a day dedicated to promoting girls' rights and highlighting gender inequalities between girls and boys. It is a United Nations observance that is annually held on October 11th.

Background

"Discrimination and violence against girls and violations of their human rights still happen. The UN felt a need to raise awareness of the challenges that millions of girls face every day. In December 2011, the UN declared that it would annually observe the International Day of the Girl Child, starting from October 11, 2012."

Peace Corps Senegal & Michelle Sylvester

There are 283 Volunteers in Senegal working with their communities on projects in agriculture, community economic development, the environment, and health. During their service in Senegal, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Bambara, Fulakunda, Jaxanke, Malinke, Pulafuta, Pulaar du Nord, Mandinka, Seereer, and Wolof. More than 3,690 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Senegal since the program was established in 1962.


The Michele Sylvester Scholarship (MSS) was established in 1993 in memory of a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) dedicated to girls’ education in Senegal. Its purpose is to help close the education gender gap, which many experts contend is the foremost challenge facing international development today. The ideal scholarship candidate shows academic promise but a lack of financial resources or familial support; scholarship winners are aided through ongoing interaction with PCVs in addition to the financial support provided by the scholarship.

In the photo above are my amazing group of bright, courageous, and strong students in the small region of Kolda from Cours Moyen (CEM) Dialambere. Eight of my nine MSS scholars were able to join in on a day trip to the city of Kolda. Normally, after awarding the scholars with school supplies and providing a scholarship for their inscription fees Peace Corps volunteers have been known to write an additional grant for an awards certification ceremony, however, I thought to myself that it would be much cooler to take these scholars out to the "big" city so that they could meet with a accomplished business woman, Fatou Sene as known as "Nene Fatou" (Mama Fatou). Also in this photo is a teacher from CEM Dialambere, Monsieur Dieng and Jojos mother - Nene Jojo.

There are so many memories associated to this experience. There are so many stories to share about each and every one of my scholars.   

Taken from my instagram,
"Girls rule, boys drool. Garnished and decorated with the highest awards, on achievements, on accolades are four of nine MSS girls crushing their first semester. I'm so proud of these girls and I am honored to have been at their award ceremony to congratulate them."

Even though International Day of the Girl was yesterday I am still reflecting on my time and relationships back in Senegal and the necessary and important work that still needs to happen in order to overcome the adversities and challenges that millions of girls face every day. I'm not much of a blogger nor do I like to broadcast my work but I am trying something different for a change.

Sources

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/girl-child-day

https://www.peacecorps.gov/senegal/

http://about-france.com/primary-secondary-schools.htm

https://vimeo.com/111020187