On May 22, 2024 I visited the Diilor Saloum  Vocational Training Centre  in Senegal. There I met several yong women studying horticulture.  They are pursuing their studies with the aid of Winrock International scholarships.  During my visit, they showed me cabbage, radishes, tomtoes, cucumbers, eggplants, sweet peppers and my favorite–okra.  They are experimenting with strawberries and are testing the viability of a hybrid lettuce.  These young women have created a seed bank to esnure they have access to high-quality seeds, the key to sustainable produce. Once weekly, they take their products to the market.  In the process of undertaking their studies, they are learning practical skills that contribute to Senegal’s prosperity.

I had the opportunity to address these impressive young women.  In so doing, I asked them to attend to their mental gardens.  To remember to take to plant the seeds that lead to abundant prosperity.  I charged them to remember to water those seeds with positive thoughts and affirmations.  I also cautioned them to weed out negative thoughts of fear and failure.  Reminding them that they already know how the system of sowing and reaping works, I assured them that I look forward to returning to Senegal to find them supplying helathy foods to Senegals schools, restaurants and other business establishments.  Thank you Winrock International for investing in Senegal’s women; they are a force multiplier. #Dr. G, #Generative_Gaze, #Senegal