A New Beginning

It's about that time again! Packing, emailing, saying good-bye's just as fast as I said hello. This break was a good little vacation considering all that I have done. I have been south to San Diego, throughout LA area and up to Fresno, seeing friends and family. I am here but it's about time for me to leave again.

Friday night I will be on a flight to New York, Saturday I will have a 12 hours layover and Sunday I will be able to sleep in my own bed in Dakar. There are alot of things that I miss and alot of things that I am looking forward in doing. I will have an Independent Research project through CLU exploring the differences and influences of the Torah and the Bible on the Qur'an. If you are interested in my research you can email me and I will be more then happy in emailing you a copy of my research papers while I am abroad. My email is, mariahbabiah@msn.com. I am looking forward to explore the research areas of prostitution, polygamy, the Taliba system, and others as they pertain to holy texts. I will also be taking French, Wolof, History of Islam, and West African History: Atlantic Slave Trade and others.

I will still be very involved with CIPFEM, the non-profit organization that encourages girls between the ages of 9-14 to stay in school. We provide a safe environment that helps young girls learn about sports, art, and computer science. We also tutor in all subject. Funding was low last semester but I am hoping this semester we will be able to do some feild trips with the girls. They are so greatful and love to learn, it is beautiful. If you want to see our "need to be updated" website, it is www.cipfem.org. I am in the process of trying to update it.

I am excited to see what this semester brings! I know I will be learning alot, and I am ready for that. I will be back in the middle of May ready for my little sister to graduate and the heat of Fresno. I hope you will continue reading, for I promise I will continue updating!

Counting her blessings,
Mariah!