Senegal

SENEGAL

When Sisters from the US and Italy arrived in Senegal in 1978, they encountered extreme poverty, infant and maternal mortality, and little access to healthcare and education. They established missions to minister to the forgotten poor in the impoverished village of Koungheul in the interior of the country and in Parcelles, a suburb of the capital city of Dakar. Today 16 Sisters operate programs across the country in Dakar, Koumbidia, Koungheul, Missira, Samine, and Rufisque-Keur Mbaye. Maternity centers at two health clinics have helped decrease the mortality rate for mothers and children through pre and postnatal care; immunization against the scourge of parasitic infections; and educational outreach on disease prevention and nutrition. Four vocational centers provide skill training for women to enhance their economic opportunities. Daycare centers and two new, well-equipped elementary schools extend educational opportunity to children who would not have had a chance to learn.

DAKAR

• Frances Schervier Vocational Center

Women from different ethnic groups who have had no formal education or those who have limited education benefit from a well-rounded curriculum that integrates life-skills courses with traditional seamstress training. Core classes in the four year program prepare them for jobs in western tailoring, embroidery, clothing production, and textile dyeing. Life skills classes include family economics, socio-cultural and spiritual integration, French literacy, health and hygiene.Some 100 young women from different ethnic groups attend the Center. They pay a small fee for their courses.

• Tuition for Education

With financial support from compassionate and caring friends, the Sisters encourage education for children and young adults—the first step in breaking the cycle of poverty.

KOUMBIDIA and MISSIRA

• St. Francis Clinics

Koumbidia has a population of more than 4,000 people with many malnourished children. The St. Francis Clinics and Maternity Centers serve all sectors of the population, with priority extended to the most disenfranchised. Community health care agents assist the Sisters with basic healthcare and education about nutrition and disease prevention.

• Missira Village Maternity Center

It is not uncommon for women in Senegal to give birth in un-hygienic conditions on dirt floors n their homes. Only 58% of births take place with a skilled medical attendant present. Trained mid-wives, provide essential pre and postnatal care to help stem infant and maternal mortality. More than 600 consultations are offered each year.

KOUNGHEUL

• Benedicta Formation Center for Women

Young women between 12 and 25 years of age receive a basic education and job training under the Sister’s direction. Each year more than 100 students learn tailoring, textile dyeing, home management and French literacy to help them grow in self-esteem and prepare them for financial independence. The program also emphasizes ethics, interpersonal relationships and spiritual development.

• Frances Schervier Daycare

Before the Sisters established the Daycare Center, working parents relied upon older children to care for their younger siblings. The program has three class levels for 70 children of varied ages who attend five days each week. Early training prepares them for elementary and high school.

• St. Anthony of Padua Elementary School

The opening of St. Anthony School in 2000 represents a major step in the advancement of girls and women who otherwise would not experience an education. Six classes serve more than 200 students from the bush around Koungheul. A dormitory with bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room and a study accommodates girls from remote villages who live too far away to commute daily to school.

LOUANGA

• St. Charles of Louanga School and Kindergarten

St. Charles Elementary School and Kindergarten is modeled on the successful St. Anthony of Padua School in Koungheul. The school has extended educational opportunities to 250 children.

ROUFISQUE-KEUR MBAYE

• Dara Yakar School for Women

Literacy classes and skill training in dyeing, sewing and embroidery promote independence and empowerment for more than 40 area women.

SAMINE

• The Samine Womens Training Center

A curriculum modeled on the programs in Dakar and Koungheul trains women in traditional fabric treatment and sewing skills, as well as fruit preserving and home and life skills. The Center accommodates 100 women each year.

• Education Outreach Program

Since 2006, Sisters have offered classes for kindergarten and elementary school children in remote villages, around Samine where there is little or no access to education.