by Erin Aquino

“When I consider the life of Nelson Mandela and how he transformed South Africa, this is what comes to mind, this is how I live because of what I learned about faith, calling, reconciliation in South Africa.”

I have recently returned from my Peace Corps service in Senegal, and as I consider the life of Nelson Mandela and South Africa I immediately think of Senegal and its people who housed, fed, developed and essentially took care of me for 27 months.

I think of Aminata, Fatimata, Djiby, and Jaynaba. I think of prayer five times a day. I think of Pulaar and language superiority. Of headscarves, long skirts, and vibrant colors. Of tattered clothes, and cold feet. When kids sneak and steal each other’s food. Of death too young, and kids too skinny. Of laughter and dancing. Of not enough rice, and fifteen people around the lunch bowl. More importantly, I think of joy and friendship and community. Around the world.

Community. Around the world, injustice continues. Religious persecution, racism, ethnic cleansing, hunger, fear, fighting, domestic violence, sexism, ableism, and hunger continue.

But so does Mandela. Mandela continues. Mandela continues in all of us, and around us. Mandela did not take the world and change it. No one can. He worked hard to restore equality and stand for justice. But he did not do it alone. He was inspired by others, and will continue to inspire others for generations. He laughed and danced. He was part of a community. Mandela stood for peace, and peace stands for interconnectedness, empathy, and understanding despite any purported boundary.

South Africa was my first international experience. My first experience understanding a different world, learning from it, and knowing to always learn from it. And also to use the knowledge and experience and transform it to continue to work with others to restore equality and stand for justice. To create community. And love. And never forget to laugh and dance. Just like I did with Aminata, Fatimata, Djiby, and Jaynaba.

On njaaraama no feewi. Jam tan.

(Thank you very much. Peace only.)