The Mahdi Family~ From Atlanta, GA to Senegal, West Africa

Meet the Mahdis, a black family driven by purpose and passion for African people and the African continent.  Originally from Atlanta, GA, The Madhis are based in Kaolack, Senegal, where they are currently raising their 3 year old son. The Madhis had no desire to raise their son in America and their desire to give him a life worth living has been the driving force behind their move abroad. This is their motivating story below!

The Mahdi Tribe

1. Where are you all living now and where did you move from?

Peace and Blessings. I am originally from Atlanta Georgia, my wife and son are both from Northeast Ohio. We currently living in Senegal West Africa. 

2. How long have you been in Senegal?

We've been here in Senegal for 2 and a half years. 

3. How many kids do you have and what are the ages?

My son is 3 and a half years old. 

4. What was the reason for the move?

Having lived in several U.S. cities including New York, Philly, Miami, Memphis, Atlanta, Cleveland, Tampa etc, I began to see the same story in every city. Terrible schools, overt racism, rogue cops, gun violence, drug culture, alcoholism, poor health care, crumbling political climate and the ever growing commercial prison population filled 60% with our people. Seeing these things I couldn't bring myself to raise my son and family there. Being that I had traveled previously to this part of Senegal as a teenager in the early 2000's I was pretty sold on moving here and starting our life.  

5. How did you prepare for the move?

My wife and I had discussed the moved a few years before making it happen. Once we got pregnant with our son we began taking it seriously. We moved out of our beach side home in Tampa Florida and to Ohio to stay with family so that we could save money. We sold our electronics, our furniture, our gently used clothes, etc. This helped us purchase passports, plane tickets and other materials. We cut back on eating out, unnecessary spending and hanging out. We took extra part time jobs and stacked everything we could until time for our flight. I think the biggest preparation was mental. Knowing that we didn't intend to return helped us to let go of most of our physical possession and focus on building the necessary resources to start a life elsewhere. Once we had our mind set, it was easy breezy. 

Grande Mosque Medina Baye

6. What were the travel requirements (visas, passports, etc)

At the time of our move there was a VISA required to enter Senegal and it had to be renewed every 3 months. The VISA has since been lifted and now only a passport is required for entry. 

7. Have you all had any bouts with homesickness?

Homesickness is a natural occurrence but I don't think I've allowed it to bother me because I know why I left and I know what opportunities are available to me now. We often miss our family the most but Facetime, Facebook, Messenger and other tech options allow us to speak to and interact with them quite frequently. Other things we often miss is some of the foods we're used to that are hard to find here but we have visitors who come and bring us those treats every now and then. 

8. How did your extended family respond to the decision to move abroad?

My family was very supportive because they have been familiar with the community here for years, as I said I lived here as a teenager. My wife's family was a bit more reserved simply because they had never known anybody to make this kind of move and they were not aware of what to expect. After a while though, they also became supportive and still support us to this day. 

9. Did you all travel on a regular basis before moving?

Yes. Since the time my wife and I met in 2010, we have traveled quite a bit throughout the U.S. As I mentioned early we lived together in about 6 different U.S. cities as we worked in a business that called for us to travel. In addition to those states we lived in, in the 4 years prior to moving to Africa one or both us traveled to Dallas and San Antonio Texas, Little Rock Arkansas, Santa Ana California, Tupelo Mississippi, Detroit Michigan, Nashville Tennessee, Youngstown Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, and tons of small towns all throughout the Midwest and Southeast.  This was however our first time traveling internationally together. 

10. Are your kids in traditional school or home-schooled?

My son is enrolled in an Arabic preschool but also does independent English studies at home. 

Brother Rashad Working Hard to Bridge The Gap 

11. Are your kids learning or have learned the local language?

Yes. My son has learned and speaks the local language, Wolof, fluently. He was only 1 when we arrived here so he learned the language very organically from the other local kids. 

12. How has the move affected your family (pros & cons) 

I feel it has affected us very positively as we have been able to connect spiritually and culturally with the people here. We have learned so much about ourselves and our ancestors all while building very genuine friendships. My son has an appreciation for nature and outdoors rather than being addicted to video games, high tech toys and pop culture like kids back in the states often are. He has several families here that have adopted him as their own and they teach him so much that I feel like he wouldn't have been exposed to in the U.S. It's just an all around more wholesome and family oriented environment that is great for personal development. 

13. Have there been any cultural shocks?

Of course. Mainly the lack of environmental measures such as effective garbage collection, recycling etc. Where we live in Kaolack has a bit of a trash problem and since we have been here it has been one of the many things we have volunteered our time and efforts to helping eradicate. For my wife relearning how to cook, grocery shop and communicate have been big things to adjust to as well. 

14. Have you experienced any racism in Senegal?

Nope. Not at all. If anything as black Americans we are received very well. Sometimes however you have to be careful when shopping etc because people will automatically assume you are rich and try to hike up prices etc. Being aware of this allows us to negotiate accordingly and once they see we understand the language and how to negotiate they gain a new respect and often become quite fond of us. 

15. Do you think it’s important for black families to travel and if so why?

Yes. Simply because you never understand what your missing until you experience it. We have been told so many lies about the rest of the world simply to keep us in America and keep us from experiencing our true potential and how we should be treated. Everybody I know that has traveled here has expressed that if only black people back in the states knew how good we have it abroad, they would definitely travel more. In my opinion traveling is the best education. 

Battling the Sub-Saharan Heat in Style 

16. Did you secure employment before the move?

No. I'm an entrepreneur. I was confident I would be able to create my own income opportunities. I currently own an export program that helps to expose the works of African artisans abroad. We sell tons of local products such as clothing, herbs, wooden crafts, Shea butter etc to buyers around the world. Readers can learn more about the program at www.MadeInAfricaProject.com 

17. Do you plan on staying permanently? 

If God wills we plan to live abroad and travel more, maybe even solidifying homes in other countries as well. 

18. How has raising 3rd culture kids changed your outlook on the world?

It has showed me that the world is spacious and opportunities are limitless. Don't limit yourself or your children. 

19. Any advice for potential expats who desire to raise their children abroad?

Do it. Without a doubt! You wont regret it. 

20. Obviously people looking to live abroad need an income to sustain, do you have any suggestions of businesses or employers hiring there and what qualifications might be needed?

I never really pay attention to employers so to speak. I would advise anybody planning to travel here to identify industries that you can invest in and start businesses. Come with a mentality of being a creator of opportunities. When it comes to coming and looking for a job you will find that salaries here are not even remotely close to what they are in the states and most skilled Americans can earn more by building something from scratch than by working for someone. My company helps people looking to invest, those interested can learn more at http://www.madeinafricaproject.com/investments.html

21. What do you love the most about living in Senegal?

The spirituality of the people. Senegal is a majority Muslim country and I find being surrounded by Muslims like myself has helped me to understand my religion better but also its allowed my wife and son to learn it organically from people who are deeply rooted in it. The natural calm and peace is like nothing I have seen anywhere before. 

22. Best advice for someone who wants to move abroad?

Come with a humble mentality. Be ready to pitch in and become a part of the community you move to. Don't try to isolate yourself and don't come looking for handouts. Bring your skills, talents, experiences and come put in work towards the development of the community you choose to live in.

23. What do you find most appealing in your new environment?

Being around Black people and Muslims all day, everyday.

24. What is something that took your family a bit longer to get used to?

The Sub-Saharan Heat

Who Needs A Camel When Baba Gives Free Rides!

25. Are Senegalese people very social?

Very social and community oriented. We visit our friends daily and everybody here knows everybody so its a very close knit family of a community. We spend most of our time with our spiritual advisors and in service to the community. 

26. How would you say the cost of living compares to life in America? What can someone expect to spend on housing, utilities and food in the area you live in?

Very inexpensive comparably. Land plots are between $500 and $2000 in most areas. Rental apartments about $150-$300/mth. Water and Electric bills come every two months and average about $50 each depending on usage. Wifi Internet is $50 monthly. Food is relatively inexpensive unless you buy a lot of American type products which are extremely expensive here but if you shop the local markets you can make meals for a family of 4 to 6 people for just a few bucks.  

27. What would you say to other black families to encourage them to travel more and even move

abroad?

Do it. Without a doubt! You wont regret it. 

28. Many people who move abroad often find that the places they move to teach them things they didn't learn or experience in their former communities. What have you learned?

That with peace of mind, faith in God and community support, life can be great! 

Miss Senegal Fashion Show

29. Favorite family memory thus far?

Visiting the Renaissance Monument in Dakar and recreating it with my family.

30. You can keep up with RJ, his family and their projects in Africa at...

PanAfricanDaily.Tumblr.com 

MadeInAfricaProject.com 

Facebook.com/KingRJMahdi

Instagram: KingRJMahdi

Look to the East!