I learned a lot during my two months as a volunteer nurse at Maison de la Gare. Above all, I will always remember the wonderful boys and staff I met at the center. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey, both in Senegal and back home in Norway. I could not have done this without you.

After two months in a foreign country, I am left with many impressions, experiences and stories. The time that I spent in Senegal was not easy, but I've learned more than I could have wished for. I am really proud to have been a part of the Maison de la Gare team and I will continue to support their vision. I want my country to learn about the begging street children called “talibés”. We in Norway have some things to learn from these malnourished, sometimes fun-loving and very grateful boys.

The job as a volunteer has been educational and at the same time challenging. Sometimes when you feel everything seems complicated, slow and impossible, it is good to think that there are many people working for the same cause. There are many good people in Saint Louis, with positive visions and big hearts. I would like to mention the two caring nurses at Maison de la Gare, Awa and Anta, who provide care to the children every day, a solid anchor in their otherwise turbulent lives.

The Senegalese taught me how to share, how to make the most of what you have, how to take care of the people you love and to take your time. I will never forget that. I came back to Norway with a new vision of my life. I am grateful to have been born in one of the most developed countries in the world. In comparison, the talibés deserve the opportunity to have a better future.

Thank you, Maison de la Gare, for helping us to help these talibé children. We will never stop doing that. And thank you to all the children who have given me so many irreplaceable experiences and a new perspective on life.

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Mari is with Maison de la Gare's nurse Awa Diallo in this photo.

Please click here for the article that the Øyen family wrote about their experiences at Maison de la Gare. It is illustrated with many photos from Mari and her sister Lise’s time as volunteers.