Chance For All in an African Magical Classroom

Who am I in my society? What is my real place in this world?

Why have I been brought into the world to live in these sad and bad conditions? Sometimes I am wondering why my life is so different from the other children.

Indeed, they live in house and have parents, they have nice clothes and shoes, also, schools are open to them and they have good food in the right time, but why not me?

Am I responsible for what happens to me? In which world do we live in? Why do people ignore us talibés?

Oh yes, sometimes we are ignored, even if we used to annoy them to have alms or food because we are hungry. They categorically refuse to help us, even if they see the distress in our little faces. If we don’t give money to our marabouts everyday, he will beat us; he doesn’t care about our hunger, our thirst or our clothes. People know that and nobody says a word. Nobody can help us.

 Sometimes we are seen, because they need us (in some circumstances) and it is just to sweep their homes, take out the trash or when they need God to grant one of their wishes, in such case, they give us offerings.

Otherwise, we have nothing from people around us. Nowadays, it’s common to see groups of activists (opinion leaders, a political candidate…), in Senegal fighting for the high cost of living (especially food, rent and transportation).

Other groups are talking about parity, Women’s rights and every day they are in the media, shouting loud and clear in order to force an immediate reaction of the Senegalese government. How come? What about the fight for the children’s right? Normally, the situation of the talibés should be a priority over all the others anyway? Is there any humanity left in this life?

Instead of that, we are abandoned in the cold, the heat, the hunger or in the floods, without it shocks anyone. We are raped by predators because we are vulnerable and accessible to everyone; we are victims of car accidents all the time. Just because we don’t have real parents, and we do not belong to anyone so we have to face all dangers.

The community offered us to all winds. Society accepts to deliver us to all dangers. And every evening, people keep us out of their memory and then they hide in their home, eyes and ears blocked so that they no longer see us, no longer hear us.

Nevertheless, when we beg for food outside doors, or when we are beaten at night, our howls pierce the silent night. But since men now have hearts of stone, it is very rare to see someone coming to save us. Until when?

However, we didn’t fall from sky, we have parents and they are the first responsible for the hell we live in. Why having children and leaving them at the age of three? It’s necessary to solve the problem by starting from the roots. Find our parents in the villages and repress them so that it stops forever.

When will the day come when our cause will be defended? Major international organizations should think of the talibés of Senegal who suffer in silence

Even if many associations and foreigners are helping us by providing talibés with food, clothes and medication, our issue remains the same. We need to get back to our villages, see our parents and live our normal life. In the meantime, we will try to survive while waiting for Senegal government to take strict measures against child begging and labour.

                               There is a big gap between just thinking of it and doing it.