Every human being has the inherent right to life. Arguably, it is the most fundamental right humans posess. The right to life of a child proceeds through the necessity of assuring that children have the possibility to grow and develop, and ultimately create a dignified life for themselves.

This sounds good on paper. Almost too good to be true.

Unfortunately, it sometimes is.

In Senegal, Talibé [pupil] children are sent by their families to study the Quran in daara [schools]. Their marabouts [teachers] ought to teach them the values of the Islam and the Arabic language. However, they often pocket the money and neglect the children. Rather, they send them to the streets to beg for food and money. If the daily quota is not reached, the children get abused and beaten. Even if this quota is reached, the children are forced to sleep in dilapidated, battered buildings, with no water and electricity. They sometimes have to share small rooms with more than thirty children, which causes them to sleep on top of each other or even without bed. The children are wounded and infected, as a consequence of the often-occurring beatings.

Currently, there are an estimated 100.000 Talibé living in Senegal (UNICEF data). Luckily, there are organisations that aim to end the mistreatment of these children. Such an organisation is Maison de Talibés (see picture 1). Its workers take care of former Talibé, by cleaning them, washing their clothes, educating them, and entertaining them.

Coming December, I will start working for this organisation in Saint Louis, Senegal. I believe it is important to support a cause that aims at creating a dignified and joyous life for children, amongst others as I was privileged to have such a childhood myself (see picture 2). The work of Maison de Talibes however depends enormously on funding. In order to raise money for this association, I will therefore run a 21K (Singelloop Breda).

If you do not want to donate, nor have the money to miss, I understand and respect your choice. However, in that case, I ask you to spread this message and spread the story of Talibé. As Mamadou, the founder of the association, and former Talibé himself, said: “In Europe, the reality of the Talibé is not known, and each of us can do something by simply talking about it.”

Further information on Talibé can be found through the following links:

🔍 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/9/1/senegal-children-face-modern-day-slavery 

🔍 https://www.unicef.org/wca/stories/adama-reunite-family-after-few-years-living-daara 

🔍 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7RHOXkIAz0

I thank you for reading.

I thank you for donating.

I wish you a nice day.