Lara took on the challenge of traveling to Senegal to help children at a school for the deaf and mute. She overcame difficulties with the language barrier by learning basic sign language to communicate with the children. The experience gave her a deeper understanding of global issues and encouraged her to seek more opportunities to help underprivileged communities.

1. Question 1
DESCRIBE A MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU TOOK
ON A GREAT CHALLENGE. WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
Lara Sartori

2. Les Cajoutiers in Warang, Senegal
Senegal is a region of staggering beauty, inhabited by
people of welcoming spirits.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been passionate about helping
people in any way I could, whether it was someone from school or children
at orphanages. I have had several opportunities to visit orphans in Hungary
and Romania, but I had never traveled somewhere farther. Travelling to
Africa, to help less privileged kids, but also to gain a unique cultural
experience, has been one of my dreams.
On October 2017, I took the opportunity to travel to Warang, Senegal.
During my service at the school “Les Cajoutiers,” in Senegal, I had the
opportunity to meet children of exceptional kindness, but also experienced
first hand the issues of education, health, housing, jobs, and food. Working
with kids who don’t have the luxury of all these basic necessities is one of the
hardest, but most amazing opportunities that I have ever been given.
During my trip, I encountered several challenges, which helped me grow as a
person. Above all, there was a language barrier, as many of the children at
the local school were both death and mute. This required me to be creative
and find an alternative way to communicate. Overcoming the language
barrier was difficult, however the kids at the school were welcoming and
helpful in teaching me the fundamentals of sign language. By the end of the
trip, I was able to communicate with them on a basic level. I developed a
passion for sign language, and continued learning it when I got home. The
idea that I could not use sound to communicate with these children was
mostly emotionally challenging, as I was confronted with the difficulties that
they had to go through.
Although also essential, rather than classroom learning, I truly believe that
these are the memories that I will forever remember and cherish. In class,
learning about the theory of the cause and effect of a global issue provides
me with an understanding of the challenges we face. However, only first
hand experience offers the opportunity to gain a deep knowledge of the
word’s reality. Traveling to Senegal raised my awareness of problems
different cultures face, and encouraged me to gain first hand experiences of
different communities in order to positively contribute to society.

3. Greetings - One of the most symbolic parts of the Senegalese culture is greeting everyone you see.
Exchanges wishes of peace and good luck on the street are an essential part of daily life.

4. Transportation by Horse Cart - Wild life and wild places enrich our spirits in irreplaceable ways.
Baobab Trees
are the national
symbol of Senegal.

5. Lunch Time Walk - Before lunch time, kids line up and walk to lunch together. For some kids this is the only proper meal of the
day, as they are coming from extremely poor villages.

6. Lunch Time at “Les Cajoutiers” - During recess, ten children gather around one plate and enjoy a bowl
of rice and fish.

7. Classroom - Education is a very important part of the children's life in Senegal, as it allows them to feel
valued and opens up unique opportunities for them.

8. Animal Market - Every weekend the Senegalese men bring their animals to the center of the village and
exchange them for other goods.

9. Rush Hour - Walking past chickens, horses, dogs, and donkeys is a part of daily life in Senegal.

10. Common Area - Despite the basic living conditions, the traditional country houses are smartly constructed huts with hay
roofs and are usually inhabited by large families.

11. Creativity - Creativity is innate and shows up in the least expected situations.

12. All Smiles - Despite the difficult living conditions, the children of Senegal share joy and appreciation for the
little things in life.

13. Poor is a “Poor” Choice of Word - Some of the students and teachers who I have met are some of the richest people I have
encountered. Although they are not materially rich, the strength that they have gained by overcoming difficult circumstances makes
them the richest people.

14. Anything Can be Celebrated - The Senegalese people encourage dancing and singing to celebrate life all the
time. Its an admirable and wonderful costume.

15. “The experiences we live, are the most valuable assets we have, because
at some point they define us and they cannot be taken away by anyone.”
– Lara Sartori