25.07.2006

Opening of the street children and educational centre in Leona

Finally, the time had come! At the end of July the centre – first of its kind – was opened in Leona in northern Senegal.

From now on the two storey building will provide shelter for street children.
Workers at the centre will attend to their problems and provide a bed for the night , as opposed to offering a permanent living home which wouldn’t target the children’s needs in the long run. Typically, children are either housed in Koranic schools, where care and support is lacking greatly due to the constant lack of money, or they live with their families.
However, due to the small living areas, financial problems or alcohol and drug abuse, situations often and repeatedly escalate in family homes. Children are driven out and end up on the run again and again.
Literacy courses for Koran students have already started – an important step for children from destitute parents. Entrusted to the care of Koran teachers, they are excluded from regular school system and are left without opportunities for future employment.

Accommodation is available for volunteers or guests visiting the project.

In fact, this is a multifunctional building, built to meet people’s needs living in this poverty-stricken quarter of St. Louis.

Along with the mayor, the citizens of Leona came out in large numbers to celebrate the opening event and enjoyed a much varied, high-energy program.
‘Griots’, the singing West African storytellers, celebrated those who contributed to the successful implementation of the building in song. This kind of
‘sing song’ is accompanied by small ‘talking drums’ called Tamas and is rather ear-splitting!

A girl dance group from the quarter, accompanied by graduates of the first two courses, performed on the small stage. Due to the high demand and interest, these courses were held in hired facilities while the centre was being constructed.
By presenting lavish hairstyles and clothes, visitors were able to witness the success of the hair dressing and tailor trades taught at the centre. But seeing these young women glowing with pride was surely the greatest gift of all and worth the effort invested in such projects.

Of course, there is still plenty to do and more work is on the way, but for now we have achieved yet another important milestone.

If everyone who made donations and helped building the centre were there to join the event, the ‘Griots’ would have been busy as bees – which leaves me to extend many thanks to all of you on their behalf!