After 15 years of supporting the educational goals and opportunities for many girls and young women of Guéoul, Senegal, Friends of Guéoul (FoG) is looking towards the next 15 years. As we continue to grow programming, projects, staff, and leadership opportunities we have dug deep into the roots and found alignment with many international ‘big players’ annual themes such as International Women’s Day, Africa Day and now; International Day of the Girl hosted by UNICEF and the Generational Equality Forum.
This is a day to honor the achievements of young girls who are breaking down barriers of gender oppression and paving the way for themselves and future generations to make globally bold impacts.
This year, along with UNICEFF, Friends of Guéoul aims to amplify the story of digitization. The theme; Digital Generation. Our Generation. As the world advances and what seems like new technology is being introduced daily, we must ensure that women and young girls are not being left out of the STEM conversations. We must also ensure that girls and young women have early access to the correct tools that will help empower them to be a part of the conversation. This conversation must be inclusive to rural and developing communities.
The global COVID-19 pandemic cemented this issue with mass stay at home and lockdown orders that kept girls out of the classroom – which put many of them in a more vulnerable position. With schools being closed, the only option to continue learning was through the virtual classroom. According to the World Bank, only 40% of Senegal’s population has access to internet. But that is if they have a working computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Friends of Guéoul was able to support this work through the informatique or the computer classroom/internet café that was established many years ago. With the help of in-country director Makhfou Diop and many teachers and secretaries, Friends of Guéoul scholarship recipients were able to attend classes. We were even able to support an online English as a Second Language (ESL) course that was hosted by two volunteer board members from the USA. Over the course of 8 weeks, students were able to participate in conversational English classes with board members and volunteers. At the end of the program, staff safely celebrated this learning opportunity with a party and certificate of completion. After this class, 3 students went on to pass their Baccalaureate exam.
Although classes like these have been successful, they have not come without great stress. Much of the technology FoG owns in Senegal is vastly outdated and often unreliable. Many without cameras so the students could not meet who they were speaking with.
It is through this work, that has been planted, sprouted, grown, and flourished that we hope to continue. Throughout the month of October, and the rest of 2021, we are hoping to raise funds to empower the next digital generation of female learners and leaders through technology based educational opportunities. The money raised will directly support the development of new programming, the opportunity to purchase new or gently used (and updated) computer equipment, hire more female staff and much more.
We appreciate your contribution to International Day of the Girl: Digital Generation. Our Generation: Friends of Guéoul. Your commitment and contribution will have the impact of education, opportunities, and shattering glass ceilings for the girls and young women of Guéoul, Senegal.
Thank you.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=SN