Diary from Senegal, 19. January 2015

In this first account from Niaguis, Senegal, I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who is involved and who supported me with my plan and project. Thank you also for all the help to realize the kindergarten project. To the board members and to the members of the association, to the sponsors, as well als to all of the people who helped in different ways - to everyone of you: thank you very much, for your confidence in this project and all of your work. It is only because of your generous help, that my vision of opening the door to an adequate education for the children of Senegal can turn into reality. With an account balance of over Fr. 60'000.- I could confidently fly towards this project.

With this letter, I want to share the sence of recognition and high regard that the responsible and involved people here brought my way in the last two weeks. And I hope, that a few sparks from the shiny eyes of the children will reach all the way to you.

A new year, a new life and a neu project becomes reality.

When I arrived in Senegal at Christmas, I was welcomed with open arms from my many acquaintances from the past two years. In the beginning, I needed some days to rest after the last couple of very busy weeks in Switzerland. My rest only lasted a few days until 2. January. That was when I met with Salif Kantouné from the "Federation Dimbaya" (our partner organization in Senegal), to discuss the current status of our project. 

It was wonderful to see one another after all this time, and of course we were all curious about what had been accomplished by both sides in the meantime. I was very surprised how far the specific planning had progressed. This absolutly thorough groundword exceeded all my expectations. I was not only delighted, but also very impressed too. The responsible people from the Federation Dimbaya were just as pleased, when I told them all about the work and activities that the board of our association had done and planned, as to reach the amount of money that we currently have. There was applause, as well as bright eyes, appreciation and acknowledgement for our work.

We planned a meeting right away for the 10. January, so that everyone involved could be briefed about the current state of the kindergarten project in Niaguis.

The people that were present at the meeting were very enthusiastic, and the appreciation and words of thanks that were directed towards me, touched me deeply. Afterwards we worked on the exact time schedule with all of the milestones, and also clarified the finances and other matters. The new building should be finished by 23. June, before the rainy season begins and the opening of three kindergarten classes is planned for 17. October 2015. This meeting didn't just touch me deeply, but also convinced me once again, that the Federation Dimbaya is the right partner for a reliable and professional collaboration. It took over three hours of hard work to go over all the important points in our concept. The time line with all of the information and the names of the people who are responsible, was printed. It was a very solemn moment, when both parties signed this document. 

The next week I was on the road with Federation Dimbaya daily, so I could meet all the authorities of the area and to brief them about our project and clarify all the details. I had never expected such a reliable, precise and responsible procedure in Senegal.

On 17. January 2015, only three weeks after arriving in Senegal, the children from Niaguis, the president from Federation Dimbaya and I could lay the first stone on the building site. For this special ground-breaking ceremony even the TV and Radio stations were present, it was very touching. The great appreciation, the noticeable enthusiasm and the heartfelt words of thanks, as well as african music, dancing women and the shining eyes of the children,... it was a festive and significant moment that I will never forget.

Thank you to everyone, who helped in any way and those of you who will continue to support this project. A Happy New Year from the sunny Senegal.

Yours truly, Marielle Furter

Head of Project