Through AEI, Senegal will receive more than a million primary-school textbooks. These books are developed through a partnership between Dakar University and North Carolina's Elizabeth City State University -- whose chancellor, Dr. Willie Gilchrist, was with me at Grand Medine.

The books are Africa-centered, and tailored to the culture and curriculum of Senegal. Many of the books were tested at the Grand Medine School. From their health books, the students have learned how to prevent malaria and HIV/AIDS. For the first time, math texts teach basic statistics. The students are so excited by the new books that they can't wait to learn what's coming next -- they want to skip ahead of the curriculum and the teachers. They're also eager to share what they're learning. They inform their parents how mosquitoes transmit malaria, and pass along lessons about basic first aid. Dakar suffers outbreaks of cholera -- so the children have taught their families about hygiene practices that halt the spread of the disease.

As a former teacher, I loved seeing the students' eager faces at the Grand Medine School. And as a mom, I am happy to see Jenna -- who's now a teacher herself -- playing with the kids, and teaching them a few photography tricks with her digital camera. As an American, I'm inspired by the gratitude expressed by Senegal's minister of education, Dr. Moustapha Sourang. Senegal has made a huge investment in education. Dr. Sourang explained that the country has recently increased its mandatory education age from 6 to 16, and built 42 new high schools. Senegal dedicates 40% of its national budget to education. As the Senegalese implement major educational reforms, they're very appreciative of the support they receive from the American people.