Bonjour, or hello! My name is Mamadou, and I live in Senegal. I have lived here ever since I was born. I have the most common name given to a boy in Senegal. My name is as common as James or John would be in America. French is the official language of Senegal, but in school I also learn Wolof.
Today, my two brothers, two sisters, and I woke up very early. We woke up for one reason only, to play soccer. Soccer is our favorite sport like most people in Senegal. We play it all the time with all of the other kids that we know. Normally around this time of year, we don’t get to play it that often because we are just beginning our rainy season.
When I grow up I want to be just like my dad. He is the best soccer player in our village. Every dry evening we practice with a net behind our house. He teaches me new techniques and new tricks. All of my friends wish their dad could play as good as mine. He also got into the best Senegalese team in the country! Not many people can say that about their dads.
I rounded up my four younger siblings and led them outside. I was very surprised by the beauty of our land. The sun was coming up and I could see all of the baobab trees swaying lightly in the breeze. The sky was the clearest, most beautiful blue I have seen in years. It was the perfect day for a soccer game.
When I grow up, I want to be on a professional soccer team, and maybe I can go to the Olympics! Representing my country in the Olympics would mean everything to me because there are not many from my country who get the chance to. I am already the best player of all our friends; everybody wants me to be on their team. I am good at all positions, but my favorite is goalie. It is so much fun to block all of the kickers’ shots, but it is more fun to see their reactions after I block the ball.
Immediately I got into a zone. Nothing got past my amazing soccer skills. They kept kicking that white and black soccer ball at me, and my smile kept getting bigger and bigger. Thump thump thump the ball kept coming but I kept blocking each hard hit. The other team got more and more irritated, which is what I love the best. Of course, like always, my team won. They lifted me and chanted. I felt like king of the world as I was carried back to my house.
I walked into my house and waved to my parents. I was about to go take a nap, but my dad cleared his throat. He said, “I am honored to ask you to be on the men’s soccer team after the rainy season. So, would you like to be?” My heart leaped high into the sky with delight. I couldn’t wait. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. “Yes,” I responded. Maybe right now, I guess I will just have to settle for playing soccer on the dirt field in our neighborhood, but soon in the future, I bet you will see me, Mamadou on TV in the Olympics. Until then, au revoir, or goodbye!
