Secure livelihoods for vulnerable youth in Senegal

56 new graduates in Dakar

I am delighted to share that since our last update 56 (out of 60) at risk young people successfully graduated from their 6-month vocational training at the Lycée Limamou Laye in Dakar. In collaboration with the Saveguarding Centre of Pikine/Guédiwaye and the 3FPT (Senegalese Government Fund for Vocational Training) we were able to provide these young people with training in welding, solar energy and car diagnostics.

During my last project visit, I had the opportunity to conduct 45 individual interviews to hear first hand from our beneficiaries what they thought of the training and what they envisaged for their future. These one-to-one’s help us evaluate the impact of the training, but most importantly, they remind us how unique each young person is. This is why individual follow up, including family visits, are an essential part of our work. 

“Family visits help us gain a better understanding of the young people's degree of vulnerability through the parents' socio-economic situation. During a recent visit for example, a mother told me she shares a 4m bedroom with her husband and her seven children…Those visits also allow us to gather further information regarding the young person's history and personality. This helps us support them better and on a case by case basis! Of course it is nice to hear parents praise Aspyre Africa's support and guidance for their children, and remind us how much our work matters to them.”  Lamine Tall - Aspyre Africa Dakar Project Officer

Together with the Lycée Limamou Laye training centre we are currently in the process of securing the appropriate internship or job for each one of our new graduates. 

Work experience in Saint-Louis

Meanwhile in Saint-Louis, our graduates in solar energy and car mechanics continued their internships with different employers, gaining invaluable work experience. During my stay in Saint-Louis, I visited the different workplaces and gathered testimonies both from our beneficiaries and their “internship supervisors”: 

“The work conditions are excellent here. I really enjoy the work I do. I have learned so much here, acquired a lot of knowledge and skills since I came here after my training. I am starting to master my trade, and know for sure now that I would like to be a car mechanic!” (Oumar, trainee)

“I really appreciate this initiative! Especially the choice of training in renewable energies, because these are the professions in process of development! These young people will have a very good chance of finding employment. I think the theory they received during their training was good, and choosing solar energy was excellent. Here they get a chance to really put into practice what they learned. Most projects in Senegal train young people but don’t do any follow up. This is different with Aspyre Africa! I really hope you will continue to support these beneficiaries until they have their own business. These young people really like this profession. All they need to succeed is continuity.“ (Mr Faye, electrician/ internship supervisor)

Thank you for your trust in Aspyre Africa, and for your continued support helping us provide this continuity! 

Late February, Aspyre Africa’s Dakar team and beneficiaries had the great privilege of being interviewed by Radio France International (RFI English). RFI is the state-owned international radio news network of France, and with 59.5 million listeners in 2022, it is one of the most-listened-to international radio stations in the world. 

In a context of political instability and rising poverty, migration continues to appear as the only option to many young people in Senegal. RFI wanted to find out what Aspyre Africa does to give young people an alternative to risking their lives at sea. 

Read the report / watch the video

After months of protests and insecurity about Senegal’s future, the Senegalese will go to the polls on Sunday 24th March to elect their new leader. We are hoping for a peaceful and prompt transition. 

Mohamed’s Story

Two beneficiaries who shared their stories with RFI were sadly edited out of the report. I therefore wanted to seize this opportunity to share one of their testimonies with you: 

“Before this training in metal welding, my only plan was to emigrate to Europe by all means. I felt desperate about my economic and social situation. The pressure was coming from all directions for me to go and find work as a construction worker.

When I had the chance to join this training programme provided by Aspyre Africa, it  was a huge relief for me. During the training I acquired a lot of technical knowledge in metal welding, which totally changed my thoughts about Europe.

Now, I have more consideration within my family than before the training. I also understand the importance of training. What I would like now is to set up my own business so that I can earn a decent living out of poverty. I also intend to train other young people who are in the same situation as I was.

I would like to thank Aspyre Africa for their help so far, and really hope they will be there all the way to support me in making my project a success.”

Matching donations are back

Last but not least, it’s that time of the year again. From the 8th to the 12th April GlobalGiving will match donations for the “Little by Little" Campaign. In a nutshell: 

• We have 5 days to fundraise
• GlobalGiving has $200,000 available in Matching Funds for participating projects!
• There will be a 50% match on all eligible donations
• Donations up to $50 per unique donor per organization will be matched (while funds remain)

Can we count on you to mark your diaries, spread the word, and seize the opportunity to increase your impact? 

Together we can make sure many more young people like Mohamed can be helped out of poverty, while working with the new government to develop long term, systemic solutions. 

Forever grateful, 

With warm wishes from the whole Aspyre Africa team

Links:

• Aspyre Africa in the news