Project Launch:

The Department of Velingara is located in the poorest region of Senegal, which, though poor, is ironically the highest producer of agriculture in the country. Economic opportunities exist, but are not being seized by young people or are being overlooked due to lack of skills, training and awareness. This project aims to provide young people from 21 different villages throughout the department with the resources, training, and encouragement to seize new opportunities through educational and engaging activities over their summer break. These young leaders will participate in workshops on agriculture, business, health and the environment, workshops that will include classroom hours as well as hands-on experience and skill building time. They will then be tasked with taking their new knowledge and skills and re-teaching it to the youth in their own villages, growing their leadership potential and a spreading knowledge about economic opportunity throughout the department of Velingara. Two public events, a soccer tournament and a concert, will be held at the end of the summer to bring together youth from across Velingara, emphasize community and collaboration, and to celebrate the completion of the training sessions.

 

Project Update:

Business, waste management, agriculture and health training sessions were led by experts in the field. After the trainings, the youth recieved review sheets and returned to their villages to educate the community members on what they had learned. The community trainings garnered a lot of interest and had favorable turnouts. As a result of the waste management training, a few youth groups are planning to arrange regular monthly clean ups in their communities.

Instead of a formal health training, a health competition, Genie en Sante (Health Geniuses), was implemented over the course of a week where youth groups competed in health topics covered in the training. Eight participating youths competed in seven matches, and the semi-final and final matches were broadcasted live on the radio. The radio show reached the entire department of Velingara, and touched on various health topics, as well as took time to explain and re-ask questions in previous matches that confused the teams. The community enjoyed the event so much that they want to make Genie en Sante a bi-annual event. The community also enjoyed the soccer tournament and end of summer concert.

 

Testimonials

“The trainings give us knowledge that we might have not had before. We better understand lots of topics and can teach our communities and our children.” – Oumar, 23, Project Participant
“The Health Geniuses is great fun for the community to listen to on the radio. People look forward to it and listen for their favorite team to win. It is wonderful to see people excited and happy.” – Issatou, 16, Project Participant