Learning for 100 more adults in Senegal.

This is Babou's story, told by Babou in Wolof then translated into Engish.

Hello, my name is Babou, I am 28 years old. I am originally from the district of Sakal, located in the region of Louga (230 Km from Kaolack). I have 3 sisters and a half-brother. My parents chose to send me to a daara (Koranic school) here in Kaolack from a young age because my father's marabout (religious guide) lived here in Kaolack. I don't remember how old I was. Thank God today I have mastered the Qur'an and now I am learning more religious knowledge in the daara.

Every day I wake up very early, Then I pedal my bike to the market. There I help a few stallholders to get ready, sweep, and display their wares. With the money I earn, I am able to save a little so that when I finish my religious studies, I can use my savings to start doing a little business.

However, being aware that I also need to read, write, speak and understand the minimum in French [our national language] and maybe in English, I started coming to the Diapalante Centre 3 months ago to try to fill this gap in my knowledge so important for my future.

Now I can send and read a message on my phone. I can also do calculations. I'm also starting to understand a lot of French words that people mix with Wolof for example: aujourd'hui, responsable, projet, etc. I have also learned some important short phrases in French and English e.g. come here, come back, go there, go back, what is your name, my name is, thank you, sorry etc.

Beyond my business project, if I can read and write French well, I will be able to apply to some private religious schools as a teacher. But above all, I come to learn for my personal development. When I come to the Centre, I also take the opportunity to chat and socialise with the other learners.

I really thank the Diapalante Centre for giving me the opportunity to catch up because without the Centre it would have been very difficult.