Gene Sperling, one the the President's top economic advisors said, “educating girls is the most important investment in
the world [because of] how much they give back to their families”. So far in my service I have found that statement wildly accurate and
I long to drive positive change for these women and girls who give so much to
their communities.
As Communications Coordinator, I help manage our facebook, blog, twitter, and write press releases and news articles about our organization.
PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER STARTS GYM NEGECEE
Peace Corps Senegal Volunteer Connor LaClair starts local and sustainable gym with self-defense classes for girls and boys.
Amy, Asu, Safi, and Sorhna – the first class of Gym Negecee!
An Interview with Connor LaClair
Tell me about the exercise program you are implementing in your village:
I founded Gym Negecee (Bambara for ‘Ironman Gym’) in late January. I built a simple gym structure in the backyard of my hut out of posts and double-thick rice sacks filled with peanut shells. I have a strong background in workout/self-defense methods, and I am currently teaching three self-defense classes for an hour each week to eight girls and four boys aged 9-12.
What kind of classes do you hold?
When I introduced the idea of a gym program to my community there was massive initial interest and the potential for incredible demands on my time. I made it clear I would only accept up to four classes of four students each, and planned to set a number of demanding credentials for the small number of students I wanted to teach. With the aid of teachers at the French school and adults from throughout the community, I chose twelve students who were not only very interested in the program, but also had good reputations as mature, responsible, studious, and committed young men and women. After working with them for almost a month now, I can say that those are the students I received.
I teach proper technique and self defense methods to my students, but Gym Negecee is more than just a gym. I do all my lessons in French, and lecture my students every lesson about morals, mental and physical health, working hard, and living their dreams.
What was your inspiration to start Gym Negecee?
Gym Negecee is a team, and I tell my students to stand up for not only themselves but for each other. The guiding philosophy of my Gym is a well-known quote from Spiderman; ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’
Why is it important to include women in your classes?
In my village, and in all of Senegal, there are not many options for girls to be part of a team, and to train and exercise in an environment that has traditionally been the domain of males only. At Gym Negecee, everyone is equal, and Negemusoow (Ironwomen) get just as much attention and opportunity as Negeceew (Ironmen). I hope that my program allows all my students to not only better envision their dreams, but to build their confidence and believe in themselves and their capabilities.
Where do you see this project going in the future?
I am taking the time to build a strong foundation for my Gym so that it may continue when I complete my service, and next year I envision expanding the program to a few more classes each week.
Anyway, at the very least I showed my community that they can easily build an entire gym out of materials that are readily available in just about any Senegalese community. Where there is a will, there is a way!
Connor is a Sustainable Agriculture Volunteer in Botou, Tambacounda, and originally from Hyde Park, VT.
Please continue to email your SeneGAD updates and stories to your communication coordinators Lauren and Lisa at thomas.lauren.nicole@gmail.com and lisajbacon@gmail.com
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