To Create

We didn't go back to the women's organization today (so we will never know the conclusion of yesterday's drama), but spent some time instead at a hospital in Dakar. It was so great to see the programs being implemented for patients suffering from mental illnesses.

First we visited the therapy garden, run by a member of the Peace Corp from Tennessee named David. Here patients and their families can spend time tending the garden, and any vegetables grown are used in the hospital kitchen.

David employs urban agriculture techniques of planting in tires and plastic bottles. In this way, he is able to both recycle and teach patients techniques that allow them to grow plants in their own homes with objects easily found littered on the streets.

Next was the art therapy studio. The workshop is open to the patients and supplies them with any type of artistic materials needed (paint, clay, canvas, etc.). Some of the patients were great artists, and some not so much, but it is the creative process that can be so therapeutic. The artwork is sold at the hospital, with part of the funds going to the patient, and part to fund the studio. 

I was very pleasantly surprised to find mental illness so recognized here and so much being offered for these patients. The patients were all so nice and very excited to show off their work to us!

After lunch, we went to the Leopold Senghor Cultural Center to visit a hip-hop organization called Africulturban. The organization is home to a recording studio and radio station, and works to support the upcoming generation of hip-hop in Senegal. They organize different events to showcase the talent - we missed a huge concert that just happened a few days ago, and there will obviously be a B-boy competition with teams from all around the world right after we leave the country. Senegal is apparently at the top of the rap game right now, and we did convince one of the artists to rap for us (in French). The rappers in the studio told me their favorite American artists are Jay-Z, Tupac, Talib Kweli (my favorite!), and Kanye West.

 

 I bought a CD that I'd be happy to share when I get home :)