Senegal

Every year, Global Citizen Year chooses a group of young Americans to spend nine months working as apprentices in rural communities all over the world. Mat Davis, a 2009-2010 fellow, talks about his experience working on a farm in Senegal.

Agriculture is a love of mine. I have been gardening on plots of land in inner city Indianapolis for five years.

Youssou NDour, one of the most celebrated African musicians in history, played for one night only at the Barbican in London this week.

Crowds, including a healthy contingent of local and national Senegalese press, packed Pikine stadium and the rooftops of surrounding buildings to witness the first United Against Malaria /

Tonight is the finale of the “Xeex Sibbiru” (“Fight Malaria”) Song Contest, led by international superstar Youssou Ndour. Senegal will declare the winner: the face not only of Senegal’s musical future but also of a country on the brink of ending malaria deaths for once and for all.

I am here in Dakar with fellow board member Youssou Ndour. Tonight will be the finale of an American Idol style song contest that has captured the hearts and minds of thousands.