
What we do
Since its creation, La Pirogue has been working toward the well-being of street children in Saint-Louis, Senegal.
We provide them with a safe space and comprehensive support through five essential areas: nutrition, healthcare, hygiene, education, and psychological support.
Discover how we take strong action, every single day, to improve their daily lives and build a calmer, brighter future with them.


Meal Provision
Every day, we prepare and distribute a hot meal to about one hundred children. In their daily lives, these children have to beg to eat. Here, they find a carefully prepared meal. This provision allows them to eat properly and is often the only real meal of their day.

Healthcare
Access to healthcare is a priority. Every month, more than 1,000 treatments are provided to talibé children, both in the field and at the centre’s infirmary. We treat wounds, everyday injuries, and scabies outbreaks, while raising awareness about hygiene. In cases of emergency or more serious issues, we ensure they are accompanied to medical consultations and receive the necessary treatments.

Hygine
We help the children adopt good hygiene practices: showering, brushing their teeth, washing their clothes, and getting haircuts. They have constant access to water, soap, and essential toiletries. Through simple and engaging awareness sessions, they learn the daily habits required to stay clean and healthy.

School Integration Class
We offer a school integration class for children aged 5 to 8 from underprivileged families who are not enrolled in school. Over the course of one year, they learn French, mathematics and school rules to prepare for entry into primary school. The class also fosters their independence and social skills. Each child is sponsored to ensure ongoing support and follow-up (covering costs, supplies, and clothing).

Literacy Classes
We offer literacy classes tailored to talibé children, either in the daaras or at the centre. These classes provide them with basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills useful for daily life. The learning takes place in a supportive environment where each child's pace is respected in order to restore confidence and engender a desire to learn.

Activities
We provide the children with a daytime space where they can rest and unwind. They take part in fun and educational activities such as crafts, painting, group games, and educational outings. The screening room also allows them to relax by watching a movie. This welcoming environment offers them a precious break to reconnect with their childhood.

Psychological Support
Some talibé children experience trauma related to abuse and harsh living conditions. We provide a space for listening and sharing to support them, help them express their emotions, and regain self-confidence.

Awareness Raising
We regularly go out to visit the daaras in order to engage with the children and marabouts. We raise awareness about living conditions and hygiene, aiming to better understand the children's needs and work together to find concrete solutions to improve the children’s daily lives.

Rehabilitation of the Talibé Children
We aim to develop sustainable solutions together with the marabouts to improve the living conditions of talibé children in the daaras. The goal is to reduce their reliance on begging, ensure regular access to meals, and enable them to study in better conditions. This project is ongoing and is based on dialogue and cooperation with the daaras’ leaders.
Thanks to your donations and your support, we can continue to grow and help even more talibé children regain their dignity and build a better future for themselves
We need your support
Make a difference. Support the talibé children
How can I get involved?
Make
A Donation
Every contribution helps provide meals, healthcare, and education to talibé children, improving their daily lives.
Sponsor a Child
For just €25 a month, you can sponsor a disadvantaged child's catch-up classes and help them start school with confidence
Volunteer
Get involved in your own way whether on the ground or remotely and support the children with your time and skills
