Schoolchildren in Senegal

It was the singing that truly opened my heart. As I climbed up the stairs of the old school, I could hear the children before I could see them. Their teacher was leading a class lesson, singing phrases for the children to repeat. By the time I reached the top step and peered into the now-filled rooftop classroom, I was smiling.

The young teacher, dressed in a white robe, nodded a greeting my way, and I settled into the back of the classroom. When the song was finished, he introduced me and my friends to the class. They then broke into song again, singing "welcome, welcome" in perfect English. When they got to the part where they sang "Welcome, Shelley" I knew the smile would stay in my heart forever, permanently emplanted there, to be recalled whenever I needed it.

Here are more pictures of the children and teacher at Guinaw Rails School.