On 16 and 17 September 2023, an activity for Young Single Adults (YSA) from Senegal was held. It was two very rich days of discovery, services, learning and sharing. About 45 YSA from the cities of Dakar and Saly gathered to participate in activities and service. This was an opportunity for the YSA from the Ouakam, Dakar, Parcelles, and St. Louis branches of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to get to know each other better, share their talents, strengthen their testimonies, and have fun with new friends.
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The activity began with an exploratory visit to the Ngor Island, which is the westernmost point in all Africa. The YSA enjoyed a boat ride together out to the island and spent time exploring.
Later that evening they held a special fireside with President R. Wade Litchfield and Sister London L. Litchfield, Mission Leaders in the Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan West Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The focus of the fireside was dating for young single adults.
“We were impressed by how many of them there were. For a small district in a country very newly introduced to the Church, it was amazing to see 40+ young single adult disciples come together as one in the body of Christ,” said Sister Litchfield.
“Their friendship was impressive. They seemed determined to find ways to “date” in higher and holier ways. We also noticed that the inspired questions they asked, are the same questions that young single adults around the world are asking regarding dating for eternal marriage,” added Sister Litchfield.
The following day the group attended Sacrament meeting at the Parcelles Branch in Dakar. Afterwards they participated in a service activity with other branch members.
That evening they attended the Institute new year launch in Dakar. Sister Sophia Benide, the Institute supervisor shared information about the program and answered their questions. Institute will begin in Senegal on October 7th at the Ouram branch with all Dakar YSA attending. Those in Saly will participate remotely. Those in attendance showed a great deal of excitement and anticipation for the beginning of the Institute program in Senegal.
Senegal is a country in West Africa with a population of over 17 million. The country has a Muslim population of over 97%. On May 22, 2017, Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, came to Senegal and dedicated it for the preaching of the gospel. Senegal’s government gave the Church legal recognition in 2018 and the first branch of the Church was organized. In 5 years, the Church has grown to 257 members in four branches. The official language of Senegal is French.