After experiencing an episode of burnout, I began a process of rethinking what I wanted from my life. It was at this time, during a two-week humanitarian trip to Saint-Louis, Senegal, that I discovered the harsh reality faced by talibé children.

This experience was a turning point.
After several months of reflection and work, we decided to create the La Pirogue centre, a place of care, support, and hope for these children. For over a year now, I have been dedicated body and soul to this cause.

My goal is to grow this project, expand its impact, and ultimately contribute to a real change in the living conditions of the talibé children.
At La Pirogue, I am mainly responsible for national and international relations, project implementation, and developing innovative approaches to sustainably improve the daily lives of these children.

Trained as a teacher, I worked for 10 years in special education, supporting children with disabilities. Having always been interested in the story of the talibé children, my first trip to Senegal deeply moved me.

Above all, what I want is to give love and affection to these children and provide them with a caring space where they feel respected and heard. Today, I assist Pierre in his daily work at La Pirogue. I am also in charge of our volunteers and the education/teaching aspect. My commitment is to help create an environment where these children feel safe and where they can access our learning and well-being provisions.

Working in the medical field, La Pirogue was an obvious cause for me from the beginning. Deeply moved by the daily lives of the children and committed to their well-being, I joined the team after a meaningful trip with the La Pirogue team. As the official representative of the association in Belgium, I play a key role in presenting the project to the people who support us.

I am the voice of La Pirogue at important meetings, I build lasting relationships with our partners and coordinate fundraising efforts. Through my commitment and conviction, I actively contribute to growing and spreading La Pirogue beyond borders.

I am originally from Saint Louis and grew up in Pikine, the neighbourhood where La Pirogue is based. Very close to the children, I have always enjoyed working alongside them and offer my time with care and kindness.

At La Pirogue, I represent the association locally, whether in official meetings or with other organisations. I also oversee the medical support of the children, in collaboration with social services from partner hospitals. Additionally, I play a key role in communications with the marabouts, building on our common goal of improving the children’s daily lives.

La Pirogue is built on a close-knit, skilled, and deeply committed team dedicated to the children. Each member plays a key role in the smooth running of the association and our day-to-day priorities and objectives.

Two nurses provide medical care on the ground and in our infirmary, monitor the children’s health, and conduct hygiene awareness campaigns in the daaras (religious schools).

A teacher runs the preparatory class for children from disadvantaged families and offers literacy courses to talibé children, providing them with their first mainstream educational foundations.

The local representative serves as the essential link between La Pirogue, authorities, marabouts, and partners on site. They ensure good coordination of activities and the local embedding of the project.

A cook prepares balanced meals every day for the children and the team while, our mealtime supervisor assists with meal logistics.

Educators support the children daily through educational and recreational activities, creating a stable, safe, and caring environment for each child.

A project manager and international relations officer develop new initiatives to improve the children’s daily lives and maintain connections with donors, partners, and volunteers both locally and internationally.

An educational activities coordinator supervises the association’s pedagogical programs, manages volunteers, and ensures the quality and coherence of our educational projects.

In Belgium, an association representative presents the project, develops partnerships, and actively promotes La Pirogue across Europe.

A logistics manager collects, sorts, and prepares all material donations sent to Senegal, in conjunction with the needs on the ground.

Finally, local artisans that are sold for the benefit of the association, helping to fund our activities while raising public awareness.

This committed and complementary team is absolutely essential to La Pirogue’s mission. Together, they build, each day, a space for understanding, care, learning, and hope for the children.