Ak xam xam – With knowledge

Last Wednesday in my Wolof class, the professor passed out a worksheet that he'd quickly thrown together that morning. The other Beloit girls and I have taken to referring to the worksheets he gives us for homework as “des cadeaux” (gifts) after he jokingly referred to our first worksheet as such. If he hasn't given us a worksheet by the end of class, we often give him a little grief about not having a gift to give us.

That day, the “cadeau” was not for homework but rather for us to discuss in-class in Wolof.

Among the questions:

What is the usefulness of education for humanity?

Seeking money or seeking knowledge, which is more importance? Why?

Is the lie that repairs better than the truth that destroys?

As we discussed the first two questions, we repeated the phrase “ak xam xam” (with knowledge) several times.

Ak xam xam, men na an liggey (one can have work)

Ak xam xam, men na waxtaan ak nit (one can talk with humanity)

Ak xam xam, men may ay lejaasa (one can give diplomas)

Ak xam xam, one develops oneself, a society develops.

Ak xam xam, men may xam xam (one can give knowledge)

What is knowledge? What is truth?

You are accountable for what you know. -Prof. Majeed

“Give knowledge”

The education system here is significantly different than the education system in the states. I could rattle your ears off with all the differences I've noticed but I for now I'll focus on just one: Knowledge is primarily something that you receive, not obtain. Libraries are often sparsely equipped and the internet is not widely or easily accessible. If you have a question, you don't “google” it, you ask a teacher. The other Beloit girls and I have noticed that the difference between the way many of the Baobab Center professors teach and the way many Beloit professors teach reflects this different perception of knowledge. At Beloit, much emphasis is placed on learning how to learn and exhibiting critical thinking. At the Baobab Center, the emphasis seems to be placed on understanding what the professors are teaching us, regardless of whether or not they are supporting the statements they're making. Granted, part of that emphasis is because the classes are held in French. Adjusting to this different way of learning is frustrating at times because my brain is so wired to question the information that is presented to me and to support the statements I make. Despite this frustration, I am grateful for the “insider” knowledge and insights our professors have given us. They have given us the gift of knowledge that we likely wouldn't have received otherwise.

If knowledge is power, when you give knowledge, you also give power.

For everything that I have learned in the classroom, I have learned leaps and bounds more outside the classroom. The notion of “informants” in social science field work – people within the culture informing you about the culture through your interactions- seems very true here and is much easier to see than back in the states.

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return. - "For Good" from Wicked

Philosopher Jacques Maritain: the culmination of knowledge is not conceptual but experiential.

If knowledge is power, when you give knowledge, you also give power.

Empire des Enfants

Addie, Val, and I have started teaching English at Empire des Enfants, a home for boys rescued from the streets of Dakar. Our partnership with them has so far been a roller coaster of eagerness, conviction, overwhelm, optimism, anxiety, different standards of communication, passion, frustration, creativity, and courage. Several times, we have questioned our involvement with the organization: What are the appropriate ways for us to help the organization? Are we causing harm? (Are we doing more harm than good?) What should we be teaching? Amid all the questions and thoughts, I was struck by the fact that knowing English is an incredibly valuable skill, a privilege, a gift. Who am I to keep it to myself?

You're accountable for what you know.

If knowledge is power, when you give knowledge, you also give power.

Education is definitely a ladder between social classe

All this about knowledge, what about truth? How are they connected? The same? Different?

So many thoughts!!!

This was a picture I took at a street school we visited within the first few weeks. The words read: We would like for all children to be able to go to school, especially the girls.