The goal of the project is to combat the dropout of girls from school in Ziguinchor, Senegal.

The Maison de l'Éducation (House of Education) is an innovative initiative launched by the NGO PADEM, which effectively fights against child labor and school dropout among girls in Ziguinchor, a city in southern Senegal separated from the north of the country by The Gambia.

For the girls benefiting from the program, the transformation is significant: once working, exposed to violence, and out of school, they now have the opportunity to succeed academically and gain autonomy.

For their mothers, the change is equally profound: they develop sustainable income-generating activities, which allow them to achieve financial independence. This has a positive impact on household budgeting, while also increasing their authority and independence within the home and their communities. The strength of the project also lies in its integration with local communities and populations, helping to shift cultural perceptions in a lasting way.

Thanks to this project, girls are enrolled in school on a long-term basis and benefit from conditions that support their academic success. Awareness efforts directed at both parents and girls help foster an environment conducive to youth association development and girls’ empowerment. Lastly, as family incomes increase, they are better able to cover their children’s education costs independently.