In the fall of 2016, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Dakar, Senegal. While there, I stayed with a family who was incredibly supportive of me, my classmates, and their community. They were an older middle-class couple whose life centered around work, their faith, and spending as much time as possible with their young son. In other words, they lived a life familiar to many of us. 


Unfortunately, that life has changed dramatically this past year. I am keeping this brief because I don’t want to make too much of their pain public, but I really cannot overstate how dire things are for them at the moment. My host mother Aissatou has given me permission to share a little bit of what they have gone through, in the hopes that some of you might be able to help. 


A cascade of events including severe illness and long-term hospitalization has caused them to lose their home and all sources of income. Aissatou is now the primary caregiver for her very ill husband and her 9-year-old son Mohammed. Unfortunately, Mohammed was also recently diagnosed with appendicitis and is currently hospitalized awaiting surgery.


Right now they need funds to pay for medical care, secure housing, and keep Mohammed in school. Aissatou said that of all these things, the most important to her is that Mohammed is able to get healthy and continue his education. She has asked for 2,000 USD to cover her rent for this month and Mohammed’s medical bills but I think we can do way better than that. I am hoping to raise 5,000 USD to help them get some long-term stability. 


I can promise that if they had other options available to them, this family would not be asking their former exchange students for help. They are some of the most generous people I have ever met and they made me feel at home in a place that couldn’t have been more unfamiliar. I hope that you’ll join me in repaying some of that kindness!