The Senegal 8

Congratulations to the official Root.ED Senegal 8 team! (more bios coming soon)

name: Chris Vaughn, ing. jr

age:26

Root.ED coordinator, recent Engineering graduate (Bioresource – McGill) Head&Hands info Coordinator, musician.

It’s all connected.  People and food, communities, ideas, movements and realities.  I’m honoured and humbled to be a part of this amazing project, growing and learning with brothers and sisters at home and abroad.  Many of us are kept in the blind about how we get our ressources, where we get our food and then are blinding into believing that we can’t change..can’t move forward.  To me, Root.ED is putting light onto all these issues and making us realize that it is all connected.  So connect with us.

Name: Jeanne V Lemba

Age: 23

occupation: Liberal Arts Student, Education/Prevention Volunteer at AIDS Care Community Montreal, Writer:  I am voracious, insatiable, thirsty, passionate, bohemian, a modern nomad.

”Food Sovereignty had little meaning in my life until I embarked on this journey.  Already, the training we have begun and the people we have bet thus far have caused me to question the political and social weight our culinary choices have on the environment and on the people who grow our food.  Going to Africa has always been a dream but to be able to discover Dakar, not as a tourist, but as a contributing part of the community is a blessing.  Going to Senegal i a great experience but the outcome, for all of us and those who will come after us, will be even greater.”

Syd da Kid

Name: Sydnee Burgess
Age: 22
Occupation: Physician Assistant at Tiny Tots Pediatric Clinic (I’m the one who asks you lots of questions before your child sees the doctor.)
Where I am before this initiative: Recently graduated (BA&Sc Biology and Anthropology, McGill University)
What am I looking to learn from working with RAPDA in Senegal: Working in collaborative projects abroad is what I plan to include in my future. My part now is to learn from practical experience so I don’t just come out of my studies (which I plan on returning to) with pieces of paper. That’s where this initiative comes in.
Where I plan to go after the initiative: healthcare. in Quebec and beyond.

The way I see it: Its disturbing to see disenfranchised communities bearing the brunt of our lifestyles choices. Economic and social equity for all – period.

name: Kim McDowell

Kimberly McDowell is a Root.ed member involved in a project called Senegal 8, and is embarking on a journey to conduct a study on Food Sovereignty in Senegal. She is currently an Early Childhood Education student at Vanier College, who eventually would like to open up a daycare center of her own. She received a Scholarship from the Lea Robak Foundation, to continue with her studies. She aspires to work with underprivileged youths with the hopes of inspiring their lives. Being a part of the Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR) Army Cadets in her earlier years has equipped her with transferable skills such as organization, management and planning. She is a great team player, well-motivated, and reliable individual with an eagerness to learn. She is also the president of a co-operative project with three youths called DESTA Cafe, who are seeking to improve the success and economic development within the Little Burgundy community.

Name: Rondel Michael Mayers

Info : I’m a 19 year young Filipino/Trinidadian Canadian. Loves anything related to Art in many shapes and forms. I like drawing comics, recording music, and filming and editing Videos (www.youtube.com/RONisRETRO).

Objective/Everything else: To gain a Good and Educational experience with and as a member of the Senegal 8 team!

” Going back to the Land we came from gains us knowledge we lost many years ago, I’m also proud to be 1 out of 8 puzzle parts in this special and unique team! – We goin’ home!

name: Amda Holness age: 22

I’ve lived in Montreal since my day of birth. Ive lived in Montreal, the same apartment actually, for 22 years of my life. I am honored to be part of the Root.ED Senegal 8 family this year because we dont only stand for montrealers going to africa. We also stand for human beings from different societies, cultures, realities and communities going to a destination of our roots to explore and experience an opportunity of a lifetime. This started with a vision, continued with an opportunity, went forward with a family and will finish with the heart and soul of our family and followers/listeners. Please read more into this project by updating your knowledge of what we are doing. via Root.ED and/or our individual wordpress pages (for those who have one). #stateofmindmtl.wordpress.com**

name: Asma Babar

age: 20

Hey! I’m one of the newest members to join this great team and am incredibly excited to contribute to Root.Ed. I’m currently finishing up my second year in Dietetics/Nutrition at McGill and have been a volunteer in different roles within Head and Hands for the past 3 years. In addition to being a complete health geek and wanting to learn about the nutritional aspects and health consequences of food insecurity, I’m really interested in the social and political issues and the underlying causes. I’m already enjoying working as a team with the Sénégal 8 during our workshops and can’t wait until we arrive in Dakar and learn about some serious activism while working with RAPDA.

Laurenie Louissaint

Age :23
Recent Graduate at Florida international University with Master’s degree in Athletic therapy. I am Haitian. I was born and raised  in Montreal  but lived in Detroit and Miami. I am currently  taking the big step towards applying to medical school. I am presently a Personal trainer at Nautilus Plus. Through poetry and my aspirations in becoming a doctor, helping and connecting with other’s  has always been a goal of mine. I never knew how much of an importance  food sovereignty had until now; we are so blessed to live he the western continent. I am looking forward to this wonderful journey we are embarking on and the ability to raise awareness about issues that are affecting our brother and sisters in Senegal.  This will truly be an awesome and transforming experience!!  I only hope to bring as much help to the Senegalese community and to educate those back home about what goes on abroad. So far, I’ve learned so much  during our weekend trainings and I can’t wait to step foot in Dakar.