2024 Trip Chaperone: What did you hope your daughter would learn from the trip

When my daughter told me she joined Students for Senegal and was going to apply to go on the trip, I said "I wish I had done something like that at your age." She said, "you could be a chaperone..." And the rest is history. The trip was everything I hoped it would be--for my daughter and for myself! It was one of the most memorable, important, eye-opening trips of my life. As much as we try to teach our children the value, the benefit, the joy in service to others, they will never truly understand until they feel it. They were able to feel it. They witnessed first hand the disparity on this planet. They became friends with their teenage counterparts in the village with whom they shared little in common and did not speak the same language. After a short amount of time, they bridged these gaps and formed bonds. They got to actually see the difference their club's work and fundraising has made for this community. I can't imagine how anyone who went on the trip was not forever changed as a result. Senegal is a beautiful country with beautiful people. We were welcomed with open arms and hearts wherever we went. Senegal has truly gotten into my heart and soul and I can't wait to go back someday.