My Personal Childhood Web

My Mother: When I think about my early childhood, I remember the image of my mother carrying me on her back and the rocking back and forth doing the household chores. . I was raised in a very traditional family, and yet she made sure that I was up to the challenges of the twentieth century. She nurtured my spirit, my body and my mind. She taught me everything I know about motherhood. She supports and truly loves me unconditionally. We are close to each other and enjoy each other’s company. I treasure her love and support and seek her guidance because, she truly is amazing!

My Grandfather: My grandfather was the storyteller of the family. At night, we would all get our blankets, gather around him, and listen to his stories. They were exciting, captivating, and there was always a lesson to be learned. When I think of my grandfather, I remember what Aristotle once said “the love of learning starts in wonder." I would imagine what it was liked to be the main character. There was always a … to the story. He made me realize how life can be fun and exciting if one uses one’s own imagination. In addition, he was a hugger. His stories always ended with a tight hug and a good night kiss that left me wondering. I treasure his memory and often think about how sweet and caring he was.  He was a great man, and I loved him dearly.

My Family: I grew up in a nuclear African family. I was not the youngest, nor the older, and I live among cousins, aunts, and uncles. My family loved me unconditionally, nurtured, and always supported me. At an early age, I was taught that about the values of respecting people, myself and our family honor. I had responsibilities to the family as much as they did to me. I learn to navigate the complex family system; to negotiate to have my needs met. They taught me, among others core values, that my individual needs are as important as the family’s needs.   

Mame Say Fall: My neighbors were part of my extended family. They looked after us and loved us. I was born in a small village in Senegal where I knew everyone and everyone knew me. When I was 4 years my father took a teaching job at an elementary school in the capital.  After arrival, I decided to check out my neighborhood. I could not find my way home, and to this day I remember how terrified I was. I was lost in a town with unfamiliar people.  I started crying. Suddenly, this woman comes and said she knew my dad. She took my hand and told me everything was going to be ok. She was going to take me home to my parents. She was my angel and we bonded from that day one. She made it her mission to make sure I was alright. She came to check on me as often as she could. She deeply cared about me. She was there when I graduated in college, when I got married, when I needed someone to talk to. Sometimes, she was there just to give me a hug. And I will always be grateful that I had her in my life.

Mr. Ndiao:  I have had great teachers throughout my schooling but the one the teacher who left an indelible impression on me is Mr. Ndiao. He always made me feel so important. I was an active member of my classroom community. I read stories to the class. I helped prepare the lessons and wrote class activities. He made me feel special and welcomed. I was always excited to go to school, to get my homework done. I wanted to be a good student because I knew my success mattered to him. I knew he cared about me.