Download SBCDM 2023 Brochure Here
You’re Invited to Spring Break in Africa 2023 On a Cultural Discovery Mission To
SENEGAL and THE GAMBIA
10-Day Spring Break 2023 APR 6-17, 2023
-Senegal and The Gambia, West Africa
-For those interested in:
Learning about West Africa and
Enjoying a unique Spring Break
• Visit Goree Island Slave Trading Post
• Visit Juffure, Ancestral Home of Kunta Kinte
• Learn about Village Cultures of Africa
• Teach at a Primary or Middle School
Spring Break Cultural Discovery Mission in West Africa 2023 (SBCDM-WwA 2023)
What is the Spring Break Cultural Discovery Mission in West Africa?
The project is designed as an introductory mission to Africa for college students and others with an interest in discovering the culture, history and people of West Africa. The mission is designed to give the participant an in-depth look into the daily lives of the people of the 2 host countries by including counterpart discussions, village visits and a rural teaching experience. The SBCDM is an exploration experience that draws on the expertise of The African Cultural Exchange in fostering educational and cross-cultural partnerships between counterparts all around the continent of Africa. These partnerships provide the framework for continued relationships that lead to two-way benefit and participants often gain insights and inspiration that provide benefit throughout their professional development. These partnerships are encouraged by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-17) to create Global Partnerships for sustainable development to support the UN 2030 Agenda for Development-Transforming our world.
Program Highlights:
• Designed for College Students and others interested in learning about culture and development in West Africa
• Interact with your local counterpart students and villagers
• Learn about the Educational Systems in Francophone Senegal and English speaking The Gambia
• Improve cultural awareness
• Have a fun and meaningful spring break experience
Dear Spring Break Participant:
We are happy to invite you to join us on this unique and entertaining experience to explore the cultures of two West African countries– Senegal and The Gambia. During the 10-day journey you will engage in an in-depth discovery of the educational systems in these countries and interact with your counterparts to gain insight into critical development and cultural issues such as health care, gender equality and sustainability in Africa. Also you will forge new significant partnerships while simultaneously experiencing the splendor, power and culture of Africa . In conjunction with the new UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the purpose of the Spring Break Cultural Discovery Mission to West Africa (SBCDM-WA) is to give students and other participants the opportunity to visit with local families, to teach children and to learn about the lifestyles of those in low and middle income countries in Africa. These experiences often lead to long-term strategies for assisting with problem solving at home and in the developing world and may assist with academic progression.
About the Countries
Senegal, with a population of about 14 million, is equipped with one of Africa’s most efficient and modern infrastructures. Yet the nation is ranked 18th from the bottom on the UNDP’s human development index. The Wolof make up the largest ethnic group and their language is a lingua franca in Senegal along with French, the official language. Goree Island served as a slave trading post and is today an important memorial and tourist site.
The Gambia, an English-speaking nation of about 1.8 million people is the ancestral home of Kunta Kinte’ of Roots fame. The multi-ethnic country has many tribes including the Mandika, Fula, Wolof, Jola, Serahuli, Serer and Manjago. Explored by the Portuguese in the 1400s, this very peaceful former British colony, with its beautiful beaches, now boasts tourism as its main industry.
About The Program Leaders
Dr. Reginald Hughes, MD, MPH, FAAFP– President and founder of The A.C.E., has broad experience in Africa. His interest in Primary Health Care, Sickle Cell Anemia and Health Care Recovery have led him to over 20 countries in Africa over the past 25 years. He is also the founder of the TARRACE, The Trans Africa Road Rally of the African Cultural Exchange, where teams traverse the continent to connect the health care community and the Roots Record Road Rally (RRRR) to commemorate the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Mr. Tamba Johnny, ACE Africa and Sierra Leone Country Director, will lead the groups from Senegal and has extensive experience through-out Africa, hosting medical students and coordinating other groups including coordinating the TARRACE-The Trans Continental Health Care Road Rally. Mr. Johnny has coordinated with health care and sickle cell teams in Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Uganda to name a few.
Professor Michael Orlando Sharpe, Academic Coordinator of this project, is an Associate Professor of Political Science at York College in Queens, New York and has a long interest in Africa that began in 1987 when heparticipated with Operation Crossroads Africa in Kenya. Dr. Sharpe’s areas of expertise are comparative politics of migration, immigrant political incorporation and political transnationalism. Dr. Sharpe has published a book entitled Postcolonial Citizens and Migration: The Netherlands and Japan and he is very excited to lead a team of young scholars on this cultural discovery mission West.
The Travel
Visas
A visa is required to enter The Gambia for those with a US Passport. No visa is required for entry into Senegal with a US passport. Passports should not expire six months before travel
Immunizations
An electronic travel medical briefing will be provided via email. Take this briefing to your physician to obtain your international yellow book along with the necessary immunizations documented for entry into each country.
Clothing
The temperature in West Africa will range in the mid-80’s to 90’s, therefore light clothing is recommended. Sunscreen lotion, light cotton pants and short sleeve shirts will also aid in comfort during any hot spells. Slippers are needed for the shower. An effective mosquito repellent is necessary. A packing list will be provided.
Meals
Three meals a day are included in the cost of the trip and will consist of local African cuisine.
The Itinerary
Thu Apr 6 Day 0 Departure from NYC, USA (PM)
Fri Apr 7 Day 1 Arrival in Dakar, Senegal Orientation/Tour Dakar/Meeting with Hosts
Sat Apr 8 Day 2 Tour Senegal Red Cross/Goree’ Island
Sun Apr 9 Day 3 Departure for The Gambia Fahtala Animal Park/Juffure, Kunta Kinte’s Village Tour
Mon Apr 10 Day 4 Orientation to The Gambia US Embassy/Gambia Museum/Serekunda
Tue Apr 11 Day 5 The Gambia College
Wed Apr 12 Day 6 Penyem Village Experience Village Schools, Clinic, Families
Thu Apr 13 Day 7 Free Day Beach
Fri Apr 14 Day 8 Cultural Exploration/Shopping
Sat Apr 15 Day 9 Individual Cultural Schedules
Sun Apr 16 Day 10 Farewell Dinner Departure for Dakar, Senegal Departure for NYC
Mon Apr 17 Day 11 Arrival in NYC, JFK 06:05a