Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I woke up this morning in Senegal, a developing West African nation of nearly 12 million people. 95% of the population is Muslim; more than half live in rural areas. Senegal is a peaceful, democratic country with a growing economy. HIV/AIDS is a problem, although Senegal has one of the lowest infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa. I spent my day in and around the coast city of Dakar, where the humid summer air is refreshed by occasional sea breezes off the Atlantic. Tradition and modernity thrive side-by-side; I saw women and men strolling along the avenues in their native dress, brushing past neighbors in jeans and t-shirts.
The president of Senegal is Abdoulaye Wade, who was elected in 2000 and re-elected this year. President Wade, his wife, Viviane, and his daughter, Syndiely, welcomed my daughter Jenna (who's also on the trip) and me with Senegal's famous "teranga," or warm hospitality. At the president's palace, the Wades spoke of the president's work to develop the nation's economy, and to increase employment opportunities for Senegalese citizens.
After the meeting, Mrs. Wade and I went with our daughters to the Fann Hospital, which treats Senegalese men and women who are living with HIV/AIDS. Our government provides antiretroviral medications for Fann patients through USAID.