By El Hadj Abdou Sy with Arouna Kande | Communications coordinator, and Social Worker
How Arouna transformed hardship into purpose and service
Arouna did more than change direction: he built his future with patience, discipline, and uncommon determination. Behind the young, qualified social worker we know today lies a demanding journey, shaped over the years thanks to Maison de la Gare’s support and to his own remarkable resolve.
From literacy classes to high school: a patient and determined ascent
It all began in the literacy classes at Maison de la Gare’s center. Very quickly, Arouna stood out: he listened, participated, asked questions. Where others saw a simple educational activity, he saw an opportunity. He understood early on that school could be the key to a different destiny. His seriousness never wavered, his results were excellent, and his teachers noticed the thirst for learning that would never leave him.
Admitted to Fara Mbodj middle school in the national system, he discovered a more demanding environment. He had to catch up on certain basics, adapt to a new rhythm, and find his place. Thanks to perseverance and steady discipline, he progressed consistently and passed the Brevet de Fin d’Études Moyennes (BFEM) with distinction — a first major academic victory. At Lycée Sidy Ndiaye, he gained maturity and began to envision a professional path connected to his own lived experience.
Arouna has never forgotten the years spent in the streets and in his daara. He remembers the precariousness, the long days in the streets, the exhaustion, the indifferent or sometimes contemptuous looks. He knows what it means to depend on the generosity of others to survive. He also knows what a helping hand from a center like Maison de la Gare represents. This memory is not a closed wound; it has become an awakened conscience.
Little by little, a conviction took shape: he wanted to support children who were still living what he had lived. His past as a talibé no longer defined him as a vulnerability, but as a strength.
Choosing social work: transforming hardship into vocation
Arouna’s goal became clear: to enter the École nationale des travailleurs sociaux spécialisés (ENTSS, the national school for social workers). The entrance exam is difficult, requiring rigor and self-confidence. On the day the results were posted, his name appeared among those admitted. It was no accident; it was the culmination of years of effort, sacrifice, and perseverance. A new chapter began.
At ENTSS, Arouna discovered a deeper academic world: theoretical courses, field internships, case analyses. He did not simply learn—he engaged, questioned, analyzed. His personal experience enriched his learning every step of the way.
His commitment even crossed national borders. As a child ambassador, he traveled to Rome and met Pope Francis at the Vatican. There, he carried the voices of thousands of vulnerable children, testifying to their reality with dignity and hope. From the streets to the highest spiritual authorities, his story became a powerful symbol.
For his thesis, Arouna chose a topic aligned with his own history: children living in street situations. He conducted his research with rigor, analyzed existing practices, and proposed avenues for improvement. On the day of his defense, he presented his work with confidence. The jury praised the quality of his analysis. He earned his State Diploma in Social Work with distinction.
A committed professional, a role model for talibé children
Today, Arouna is no longer just a former beneficiary of Maison de la Gare. He is a qualified professional driven by a deeply personal mission: to support talibé children with the understanding of someone who has lived their reality. When he reaches out to a child in difficulty, he does so both as a trained social worker and as a former talibé who has become an agent of change.
Arouna’s journey is living proof that support, combined with determination, can transform a fragile trajectory into a solid and impactful future. From talibé to social worker, from vulnerable child to ambassador meeting the Pope, he embodies a powerful promise: every child, when supported, can not only rise again but also become a pillar for others in turn.
*All names used have given consent to share their story.
Links:
By Hugh Halfhide | British volunteer with Maison de la Gare
By El Hadj Abdou Sy, Momar Talla Mbaye & Issa Kouyate | Maison de la Gare
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