Vulnerable Children's Education Program

In partnership with the Academy for Educational Development (AED), Counterpart International (Counterpart) targets vulnerable school children attending under-resourced Koranic schools, called Daaras. The project enrolls 50,000 Talibes (religious students) and street children into the Koranic schools; improves the physical conditions of the schools and the quality of education through teacher training; builds the capacity of 50 community based organizations to get off the streets and into schools; and works with the government of Senegal to develop a comprehensive policy to assist vulnerable children. The work is taking place in the rural area of St. Louis and Matam regions along the northern border of the country.

A large percentage of the vulnerable children are Talibes or religious students; many of them are boarding at the school far from their families. The largest concentration of these children is in the St. Louis region: more than 90 percent of Talibe beggars are children. This makes them especially vulnerable to exploitation as the teachers often require them to beg for money in the streets to support the Daara. Other children are sent to work in the streets by their parents, making them vulnerable as well.

This project puts in place an effective vulnerable children prevention strategy that encourages parents and communities to find local, community based options near their homes for meeting the religious and academic education needs of their children. In addition, Counterpart is building a network of Koranic Maitres who serve as an advisory and advocacy body to improve conditions in poorly resourced or poorly operated Daaras. Throughout this program, vulnerable children receive first-aid and hygiene kits, de-worming medications and school meals, as well as increased educational support. Counterpart is also working collaboratively with AED and other partners to implement a new school curriculum. Koranic Teacher Associations are being strengthened and are expected to work towards improving the living conditions and educational opportunities for Talibes. As part of this initiative, latrines and school shelters will be constructed, and water infrastructure will be rehabilitated or constructed.

Recent Highlights: 

• Nearly 5,000 vulnerable children (1,083 girls) are newly enrolled in educational structures. This is almost double the number of targeted children for the year and five times as many girls.
• 65 educational structures have been identified for targeted interventions. Developing and testing a new education curriculum has been a priority.
• 500 children, identified as being vulnerable to school drop-out, have been selected for support in the current school year.
• A family reunion camp was held in partnership with Enda Jeunesse Action. 70 children who had been separated from their families attended; 51 were reunited with their families and will be monitored throughout the year.

Photos: © Counterpart International.