This year was an unusual school year for students all over the world, and our partner schools in Senegal were no exception. Students in rural Senegal faced even more food insecurity this year due to Covid.
Students enjoying their breakfast outside of their classroom with Andando Project Manager, Camara (pictured in green shirt and green mask).
“We believe that to truly learn children must have proper nutrition to fuel their bodies and their brains. If they are hungry it’s very difficult for them to concentrate and learn.”
Thanks to a special grant from Altrusa International, Altrusa Albany, and additional support by Vibrant Village, over 1,500 students could count on getting a free, nutritious breakfast at school so they could focus on their studies.
“Altrusa International of Albany's main focus is the support of literacy and one of the ways to support literacy is to make sure the children's basic needs are met. We believe that to truly learn children must have proper nutrition to fuel their bodies and their brains. If they are hungry it's very difficult for them to concentrate and learn; helping support a nutrition program helps to meet that goal.
Being able to do that in another country helps us to extend help to the International Community . We feel honored to be able to partner with Andando in this mission.”
-Linda Tedisch, International Chair Altrusa Albany
We sat down with school PTA leader, Mbaye Ndiaye, to get his take on how the nutritional program impacts students in his community.
My name is Mbaye Ndiaye, I am the deputy of the Association of Parents of Pupils in the community of Mbouma. I am a married farmer with a wife and I have eight children.
Following a fire which destroyed the temporary straw classrooms, Andando built us new brick and mortar classrooms in Mbouma. Since then, the school has experienced a great leap forward, a considerable advancement.
Exterior of a block of classrooms.
Andando has supported the school system in Mbouma by building these two new classrooms and adding a nutritional program since the resumption of school following the lifting of restrictions with the pandemic of Covid-19.
During the resumption of classes, Andando brought breakfast to all the students until the day of their final exams, including the teachers and examiners – everyone was well taken care of.
What Andando has done is enormous!
Before when we did not have the schools, gardens, and health posts, we lived in difficulty, poverty, and precariousness. Students had to travel far to neighboring villages to attend school. As soon as Andando built classrooms, our children were excited to stay in our village and complete their schooling, Andando made this possible.
Schools provide hope for a brighter future for the students attending them as well as the larger community.
It is good to have these basic social infrastructures because it improves the living conditions of everyone in the community. Since Andando came to our village, we have witnessed a lot of positive change: education and teaching have improved, fruits and vegetables are no longer difficult to access, and health care is closer to the people.
Gardens increase food security for hundreds of families by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, year round.
Everything that was difficult before is easy to have now.
My family personally has benefited because we can enroll our children in school. I have a lot of hope because having a school allows my children to learn in very favorable conditions. For my community, the health post helps us to have good health and better access to care. When we have good health, we have time to work and go to school.
Thank you for making this possible for Mbaye and his community. There are many other parents like him, who want to provide their children with quality education for their future. You can join with them to make this happen, consider making a donation today! “Jerejef!” from us and from the people of Senegal!