Why We Are Here

Saturday, November 14

I’ll admit that over the course of this two month training, there have been times when I have asked myself “Why am I here.” Or more precisely “What the f**k am I doing here?”

The Paris happened. And I am beginning to understand. Sure, I am here in Senegal to share my agricultural experience and skills to make growing easier and more sustainable for farmers and urban gardeners. That’s good in and of itself. But now I understand that there is more to it. 

As we have read over the several hours, one purpose of these horrific terrorist attacks is to drive a wedge between the west and moderate Islam--to reduce the world to a stark black and white--to make all westerners hate and fear all Muslims.  (In that regard they seem to be walking in step with some of our own jingoistic pundits and politicians.) But today it hit me that in a small way I am here to counter that hateful aim. Senegal is a nation that is 90% Muslim (and all whom I have met have been accepting, generous, and kind.) While here, I can play a small role in fostering civility, understanding and genuine friendship between, in this case, a long-lapsed Catholic and the Muslims I meet every day—in gardening classes, seed exchanges, at the market or just passing in the street.

There is a certain personal symmetry at work here. Nearly 45 years ago I declined to be drafted into the U.S. “War Corps,” and here I am now, in Senegal doing finally doing my alternate service (or should I say opposite service) in the Peace Corps, sowing the seeds of peace in small person-to-person exchanges. It feels right.

The content of this blog do not reflect the thoughts, philosophy or beliefs of the U.S. Peace Corps. The opinions are those of the author alone.