An Unexpected Encounter:
A personal account from one of our Team Members on joining Respond
My first encounter with the Respond: Crisis Translation team was an awesome one, to say the least! It all started during the COVID-19 pandemic when Senegal, like many countries around the globe, entered lockdown with almost all public places closed and meetings forbidden. At the time, I had received a link in one of our teachers’ WhatsApp platforms regarding an organization that needed volunteer translators and interpreters; little did I know that I would soon be in the position I am today as a Team Lead and Project Manager for Respond. At the time, I was spending my days and nights at home, enjoying catching up on sleep and making the most of family life. However I was also bored, unable to work, teach or fill my time with other practical endeavours. I therefore came to the conclusion that this would be a good opportunity to make myself available and help people who needed my services. Without further hesitation, I proceeded to fill in the form they had sent me. To my great surprise, I soon received a reply email from Meg Sears, someone who has since then inspired and assisted me and has done so much to support me. I was so glad to have talked to her, excited and looking forward to starting my career as a translator and interpreter in Wolof-Pulaar-French and English.
I go by the name of Doudou Kone, born in Saint-Louis, Senegal, and work as a High School English teacher in the northern rural area of Senegal. My experience with Respond has led to many changes in my life: I have translated files and interpreted for many individual partners and organizations and have also served in interpreter/translator outreach for many local African languages for asylum seekers in the US. Teammates like Ariel, Meg and Marie-Eve have been very inspiring to me and I have learnt a lot from them. Respond has also provided me with a new Wifi-box and Laptop, allowing me access to better internet connection, and has given me the chance to get paid monthly for my services. Alongside this, I have also benefited from trauma-informed training and online sessions with Team Leads, which have led to fruitful exchanges. I never would have thought of being where I am today without those who believed and put trust in me. Thanks to Respond, I know so much more about immigration issues in the US and have been able to support a range of immigrants and asylum seekers with their evidence and court hearing preparations alongside their attorneys, making good, professional and friendly relationships with every single client and partner I’ve met with.
Most notably, I would like to express my gratitude and everlasting thanks to the RCT team, starting with Ariel Koren who has always been so supportive, inspiring and caring on my behalf and who stood by me in times when I needed her helping hand. Next, I would like to say thank you to Meg Sears. A person who, since I made acquaintances with her, never gave up on me and has been an inspiration, a role model and a mother to me; I can’t find the right words to say how much I love and respect you. I wish you longevity as I always said that your life is worth living, I’ve never met a person like you in my life. I also would like to thank each and every one of the RCT team members, mainly the Team Leads and Valentina C. Lewis who is a partner, a friend and a talented and hard-working person. I can’t name you all but this is just to say that I love all of you, and may God anoint you with his grace and blessings. Thank you so much RCT.
Dudu Kone
Central + West African Languages Co-Lead
