Caring, teaching and protecting
The people of Senegal fall victim to devastating diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and respiratory diseases every day and, unfortunately, medical treatment and resources are in short supply in this country. To treat those who are sick and control the spread of these diseases, especially for mothers and children under five, we have established health huts and sanitary facilities in program areas in Senegal.
Our work here also includes distributing 800,000 insecticide-treated bed nets, coordinating indoor residual spraying to prevent malaria, and supporting Senegal’s national program to fight tuberculosis and monitor and evaluate our HIV and AIDS program. Our affiliated communities also provide pregnancy care, vaccinations, nutritional and breast feeding education and vitamin supplementation for mothers and children.
Not only do we support more than 120 primary schools in Senegal by constructing classrooms and libraries, but we also advocate gender equality in Senegal, which means we work to give girls an equal opportunity to education as their brothers. And we believe that parents are just as integral to children’s education as the children themselves. Another element of our education initiative is providing literacy training and reading, writing and math skills development to parents – especially mothers. This training is conducted in partnership with Senegal’s government. We also provide ancillary services such as constructing water and sanitation facilities and supplementing school fees, school feeding programs, school gardens and after-school tutoring.
In Tivaouane and Diourbel, there are no primary schools so community-based, non-formal schools were established to provide children with a place to learn. Many affiliated communities also have established dream corners in primary schools, giving children access to a “library” of donated books to improve their reading skills. Many schools now have cafeterias with people in the community helping prepare the meals so that children do not have to walk home to eat a mid-day meal.
Our Early Childhood Development centers, targeting children ages three through six, use toy libraries to engage children and motivate learning. These libraries use toys made from local materials. In cooperation with the local government, we provide training for workers and volunteers, some of whom in turn educate families in the communities on proper childhood nutrition. These “guide mothers” not only tell parents what to feed their children and how to supplement their diets with vitamins, they also show them how to prepare traditional nutritious recipes.
To promote awareness of child rights throughout the community, we have educated 57 teachers and 70 community leaders about the importance of child protection for both the education and development of children.
We give the children of Senegal health, education and the rights they deserve. Help us give Senegal hope for a better future.
