There is a word in Susu, the language of Guinea’s coastal region, that I think very well sums up the Guinean way of life. When asked to describe the way Guineans treat one another, one specific Susu word comes to mind before anything else: Wontanara, the equivalent of nous sommes ensemble in French and we are together in English. Wontanara means more than those literal translations. It means that we are friends, we are family, we look out for each other, have each other's backs, and are one. The spirit of this word is alive in the nature of Guineans.
Having a collective focus and the urge to support others is something that I found more present in Guinean culture than anywhere else I’d been in the world. There are merits to both individualistic and collectivist cultures, and it was interesting to experience each.
In the United States, we are taught to view ourselves independently and define ourselves based on personal traits. Guineans have told me that they define themselves by their communities. They see themselves as connected to others and as a small piece of something greater. While it was hard to shake a lot of my American instincts, I found myself appreciating and embracing a more communal approach to life in which we all have an obligation to each other.
While looking back on my experience as an Education Volunteer in Guinea, I’ve realized that a lot of the things I learned have shaped the way I live my life today. My experiences in the Peace Corps have not only changed my perception of the world, but my career goals as well.
After nearly two years of seeing the positive impact that capacity-building grassroots development work can have on small communities, I was inspired to pursue a career in which I could continue to do similar work. Joining the USADF team has given me the chance to support the agency's mission of empowering organizations and individuals across the African continent who are underserved but motivated to test out solutions to their communities’ challenges.
In addition to the impactful work that USADF does, the feeling of community that I missed so much after leaving Guinea is present in this agency's culture. During my short time at USADF, I've experienced mutual support among colleagues, teamwork on projects, and an overall collaborative effort to fulfill the agency's vision of creating pathways to prosperity for underserved communities.
For me, this Peace Corps Week is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how everyone involved in the work that USADF does, no matter how small the role, contributes to fostering hope, growth, and goodwill across Africa. In this effort, we are together. Wontanara.