A Day in the Life: Jabari

Get a glimpse of life as a Global Citizen Year Fellow, where no two days are ever the same.

Hey everybody, I'm Jabari

I went to high school in New York and am currently studying Africana and Photography at Cornell University. This is a glimpse into my life in Senegal.

3:00am

Walk to Work

As a baker, I walk to work through streets surprisingly crowded, with sheep, goats and cows. It’s a strange feeling being the only person awake, but my walk to work provides time for reflection, star gazing and Beyoncé listening!

4:00am

Light the Oven

Usually we have prepared the dough for the bread and now have to light the oven. It is a Senegalese oven made of stone and clay and is heated with a mixture of wood and hay. It takes a while to cut the wood and wait for the dough to rise.

5:00am

Bread in the oven

The Bread is rolled and in this picture you can see a fraction of the 100-200 pieces of bread we make a day. We feed most of the village every morning! Soon people will line up ready to by the warm fresh bread. “This bread is probably the best in the world” – Me everyday

7:00am

Breakfast with Bouba

As the sun comes up I get to enjoy the bread I have just made with my host family. It is always funny when my family exclaims how dirty I am, as I am usually covered in flour and exhausted.

9:00am

Sleep

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11:00am

Health Post

After my nap I go to the health post to begin my second apprenticeship. The health post mostly receives patients with Malaria and women having check-ups.

1:00pm

Lunch

I gather with my family to eat lunch out of the communal bowl.

3:00pm

Soccer

If its not too hot after lunch, I go walking or watch the kids play soccer.

6:00pm

Hiking

My region is covered in beautiful mountains and hikes with the most rewarding views. I don’t hike everyday, but go everytime I get the chance! After this I eat dinner and promptly K.O. from exhaustion.