Secure livelihoods for vulnerable youth in Senegal

Greetings from Dakar! 

We are delighted to have expanded our work to Dakar and to Guédiawaye in particular. In partnership with the “Centre de Sauvegarde de Pikine/ Guédiawaye” (safeguarding centre) we recruited 3 groups (60 in total) of at-risk young people to be enrolled in training (solar energy, car mechanics & welding). The safeguarding centre provides education, re-education, support, prevention and rehabilitation for children in difficult situations. The centre is attached to the Ministry of Justice and part of the “Supervised education and judicial protection of minors” programme. 

The centre provides a variety of skills training but mostly in informal workshops. Training in these workshops can take up to 3 years and doesn’t guarantee employability at the end. Aspyre Africa therefore mobilized the nearby Lycée Limamou Laye (Ministry of Vocational Training), one of Senegal’s most successful educational establishments, to provide high quality 6 month training for these groups. Partnership agreements were signed, and Aspyre Africa managed to secure direct funding from the Government Fund for Vocational Training (3FPT) to the Lycée Limamou Laye for the technical training. Aspyre Africa, in addition to designing and coordinating this project, continues to provide all additional services needed to support these young people: from their transport to the individual follow up. 

Testimony Mrs Ndiagne (Safeguarding Centre): “You should have seen the smiles on their faces when I handed over their uniforms and safety shoes. You could see how excited they were about the opportunity they were given, and proud they would be wearing those uniforms. Such moments give me great joy!”

Testimonies from our students in car mechanics: “Thank you for this training! I really want to succeed because I see so many young people our age who don’t get this opportunity. We are so lucky to get this training at no cost, and we know there is plenty of work in this field. It also helps us stay out of trouble, as it prevents us having no other option but to steal to get by.”

“Many young people risk their lives at sea simply because they have no occupation. If they had received the same opportunity as us, they might have had another option.” 

In addition to changing young people’s lives in a very tangible way, this project is innovative and could truly pave the way for practical and sustainable changes in the system. It is rare in Senegal to find real synergy on the ground between government services attached to different ministries, even though it is in the best interest of the beneficiaries. With this project, Aspyre Africa has bridged a gap and is showing what can be done with a little funding, good will and using what is already there.

Every day on this trip I have met educators, trainers and directors who are passionate about their work and doing everything they can with the resources they have. For many it isn’t just work, it is a vocation and a commitment, not just to Senegal’s next generation, but also to the future of their country. As the irregular migration numbers from Senegal continue to soar, I truly believe these people are the ones who can make the difference. 

Thank you for your continued support helping us secure equal opportunities for vulnerable young people in Senegal! 

With warm wishes, 

Savina

In May I had the great joy of returning to Senegal to monitor our progress, work with the team and sign an important partnership agreement. Here are some highlights I wanted to share with you: 

• 18 Koranic pupils graduated in solar energy
• 20 Koranic pupils enrolled in car mechanics
• Partnership signed with the Senegalese Ministry of Vocational Training

Changing lives today

As always, the most rewarding part of the trip was spending time with the young people we support. In Saint-Louis it was my first opportunity to meet the 20 Koranic pupils who had been enrolled in our training in solar energy at ESEBAT, and supported by the Senegalese Government Fund for Vocational Training (3FPT). Their enthusiasm was contagious. With the proliferation of solar panels in the region, it was clear that they had understood the value of the training they were receiving. At the same time, with the general knowledge acquired in electrics, some managed to resolve electrical problems in their communities, a source of great pride! Two weeks ago they had their final examination, and I am very pleased to share with you that 18 successfully graduated! As we are preparing their internships, some have already been taken on as apprentices in their own village. With no shortage in demand, we are very hopeful about their prospects. 

Watch a short video (French) about the training created by the 3FPT.

In Saint-Louis I also spent time at the Lycée Technique André Peytavin, where I met the 20 Koranic pupils we enrolled in car mechanics (also supported by the 3FPT). It gives us great satisfaction that we were able to provide these young men not just with the most qualified trainers but also access to the best equipped centre of the region. 

In Dakar, we were able to finalize all the required documentation with the 3FPT to start our first trainings in solar energy, car diagnostics and welding at the “Safeguarding Centre of Guédiawaye” in partnership with the Lycée Limamoulaye vocational training centre. 

More updates on this in our next report.

Long term impact

Starting the collaboration with the 3FPT was a major milestone for Aspyre Africa. On this visit however we were able to take the collaboration to another level, as Aspyre Africa will soon embark on a baseline assessment in both Saint-Louis and Guédiwaye (Dakar). Initiated and undertaken by Aspyre Africa, the assessment will: 

• Map all services providing vulnerable young people with access to vocational training and employment
• Document the real training needs of vulnerable young people
• Propose solutions following the analysis of innovative good practice, remaining challenges and opportunities for collaboration between the various stakeholders

By also sharing our expertise and knowledge in supporting vulnerable young people with the 3FPT, we aim to contribute to the development of an integrated “training and integration” programme for vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, we also signed a highly anticipated partnership agreement with the Senegalese Ministry of Vocational Training (Department of Apprenticeships) to work together on sustainable solutions to reach and include the most vulnerable young people. 

Great progress, for sure, but our work isn’t done! 

One thing is certain, we could not have reached this stage without your support, and we hope you will be part of our journey until Aspyre Africa has achieved its goal and is no longer needed. 

The next opportunity to get your donation matched by GlobalGiving will be our “Little by Little” campaign from the 18th to the 22nd of September. So stay tuned for more details! 

If you have ever considered supporting us by donating monthly, GlobalGiving continues its year-long offer on new monthly donations (up to $200 per unique donor): first donation matched at 100% after four (4) total payments). 

Forever grateful, 

Savina