Education Senegal Project #29284

Secure livelihoods for vulnerable youth in Senegal

by Aspyre Africa

Project Report | Jul 15, 2025
From Grassroots to Government

By Savina Geerinckx | Project Leader

Signing of the Partnership Agreement

Dear Friend,

I’m writing to you with exciting news and heartfelt gratitude.

During my most recent visit to Senegal in May, Aspyre Africa signed a landmark partnership agreement with the Ministry of Vocational Training—a true milestone for our organisation and the young people we serve. It was a great honour to meet the new Secretary General in person and formalise this collaboration. With recent changes in government, we’ve been given a unique opportunity for a fresh start—and we couldn’t be more hopeful.

This new partnership goes beyond words on paper. It gives us both the framework and legitimacy to scale up what works, influence policy, and bring about sustainable change at the national level. For the first time, we have a seat at the table where key decisions are made—and that means the voices of vulnerable young people are finally being heard.

A particularly meaningful development is the appointment of Mrs Ndiaye as our official liaison. From day one, she’s shown a genuine commitment to our mission. Her involvement allows her to truly understand our work on the ground—whether she’s participating in coordination meetings or joining us on family follow-up visits. Having someone like her championing our cause from within the Ministry is a game-changer.

In the coming months, our focus is on conducting two in-depth baseline surveys—one in Saint-Louis and one in Guédiawaye (Dakar). These surveys will:

Map out the existing landscape of services that guide, train, and support young people into decent work or self-employment
Identify the challenges—both systemic and individual—that hold back youth and service providers alike
Highlight innovative practices and opportunities for greater collaboration
Propose practical, evidence-based solutions that can be adopted nationally

We have wanted to carry out this work for years, but, without official support, the time was never quite right. Now, with full Ministry backing and genuine political will, we’ve hit the ground running. The results of these surveys will shape how youth employment services are delivered in Senegal—and ensure that solutions are rooted in real-world needs and lived experiences.

At the same time, our team has been hard at work on the ground in both Saint-Louis and Dakar, providing intensive individual follow-up and support to each young person in our programmes. Their commitment has been nothing short of inspiring—working tirelessly to connect vulnerable young people with real, sustainable livelihood opportunities. I can’t wait to share more updates and powerful personal stories from the field in my next report—so stay tuned!

And before I sign off, a huge thank you to all of you who contributed to our recent Little by Little campaign. Together, we raised $1,635 towards supporting our next cohort of young electricians in Saint-Louis. You are the lifeblood of our mission. Your generosity not only transforms lives today, but also fuels the research and advocacy needed to ensure that one day, our work will no longer be necessary—because the system itself will have changed for good.

With deepest thanks and hope,

Savina Geerinckx
Co-founder & Director, Aspyre Africa

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Mar 17, 2025
Aspyre Africa March 2025 update

By Savina Geerinckx | Project Leader

Saint-Louis Projects Manager Anta on a site visit

Dear Aspyre Africa Supporter,

I hope you had a wonderful start to 2025.The Aspyre Africa team certainly has been busy!

Saint-Louis : seven toolkits issued, monitoring, and preparing for the next cohort

Seven electrical toolkits were recently awarded to our trainees who are ready to work independently. We will continue to monitor their progress, but we are very excited for them! Their success has inspired other koranic pupils to request training, and other koranic teachers to collaborate.

Our Projects Manager Anta has been busy following up on past trainees, individually monitoring beneficiaries in our electricity and car mechanics work placements, undertaking a needs assessment and recruiting the next cohorts.

(Photo above: Saint-Louis Projects Manager Anta (right) on a site visit with Mr Ndao (Electrician/placement supervisor), and trainees Abdou, Ibrahima, Harouna, and Oumar)

Here are some testimonies she wanted to share with you:

“We know very well that we will never be able to pay you back for this wonderful opportunity you have given us. We would like to thank you for eternity!” (Abdou, Ibrahima, Harouna & Oumar)

“Before this training, I didn't know a thing about electricity. Ever since I was a child back in my village, I just loved everything to do with electricity. Here in Saint-Louis, I had the opportunity to participate in this training in electricity, which I loved so much and am so grateful for! I've already solved so many electrical problems and can even create electricity now!” (Ibrahima)

“I hope that all my fellow students and I will be successful and that each of us will become a great man in this profession, not only to help ourselves but also to be a source of pride for our parents and relatives in the village.” (Oumar)

“I've been working in this field of work out of love for 7 years now. Seeing those young men on the right path to success makes me so happy. ” (Projects Manager Anta)

Dakar : new donor, 56 graduates and intergenerational impact

We are delighted to share that we have secured a donor to cover all follow up work with our 56 graduates in Dakar. The work includes setting up three “training enterprises” at the Lycée Seydina Limamou Laye in Guédiawaye, undertaking follow up and family visits, providing internships, toolkits, and further training fees for some.

Our Dakar Projects Manager Lamine has been working individually with each of our graduates, and received this testimony from Khalifa’s father during a recent family visit: “I'd like to thank you for your support and guidance for my son. Without you, how would we have been able to manage his education? The whole family is grateful for your support!”

Khalifa benefited from a training in electricity and is currently working as a day labourer with an electrician to strengthen his skills.

(Photo below: Dakar Projects Manager Lamine with Khalifa during a family visit)

Our long term impact

Recent government changes mean that we are currently reviewing our partnerships at the national level. It is looking very promising and we look forward to sharing more soon.

Our next campaign

With our current work in Dakar covered, we are urgently looking for funding for Saint-Louis. The 3FPT (Senegalese Government Fund for Vocational Training) is very much on board to cover the technical part of the training of the new cohorts, but Aspyre Africa still needs to cover the recruitment of the beneficiaries, the monitoring of the training, the provision of internships (including transport and breakfast), toolkits and long term follow up. If you can support us in this endeavour it will have an immediate impact.

From the 25th to the 28th March we will be participating again in the GlobalGiving “Little by Little” campaign where donations up to $50 will be matched to 50%.

Stay tuned for more details on the campaign and we hope we can count on you to help us reach our target! Thank you for your continued support and trust in Aspyre Africa, it means so much.

With warm wishes from the whole Aspyre Africa Team!

Dakar Projects Manager Lamine with Khalifa

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Nov 18, 2024
The Fantastic Four - a Dakar success story

By Savina Geerinckx | Project Leader

The "Fantastic Four" with their supervisor

In our last update we mentioned that we were looking for work placements for our recent graduates in Dakar. Here is an example of what can be achieved when the right support is offered at the right time.

Soon after the training, four of our auto diagnostics graduates were placed at the "Garage Moderne" in Dakar for a two month internship. Aspyre Africa had found the workshop, negotiated the placements, provided transport, lunches and follow-up visits. At the end of the internship, the manager of the garage decided to give two of them a two month trial period with the possibility of employment at the end! The other two were offered an extension of two months to give them time to consolidate their skills.

"I like young people who are honest, punctual and do the job they are asked to do. These guys could work in any garage! They have the drive and the discipline. I used to be an apprentice like them and now I am the manager of the garage! I was helped a lot on my way here. Now it is my turn to give something back! I teach them how to deal with customers, how to research the problems they face because cars are always changing, ... I have also met their families and understand their needs. I am 100% behind Aspyre Africa and would like to encourage you to continue your work! " (Cherif - work placement supervisor)

When I asked to take a picture of the four of them with their supervisor, they happily huddled together and laughed, "the Fantastic Four!

"I am very happy with my supervisor because he is so humble and available and helps us in all areas, just like brothers who share everything. I really feel at home here and I am happy to continue working here! "(Nestor, trainee)

"I'm very happy with the internship because I've learnt a lot of practical things, and it has far exceeded my expectations. I am very grateful!" (Mohamed, trainee)

Hearing their testimonies and seeing how Cherif interacted with the four of them reminded me of how important it is for us to find placements where these young people can gain practical experience, but even more importantly to find mentors they can look up to and who can truly inspire them. It is not an easy task, but that is where we add value! Work we couldn't do without the support of people like you!

Our current priority is to raise funds for toolkits so that these young people can start their own income-generating activities on the side. "Providing young people with a toolkit will help them perfect their skills and take their lives into their own hands." (Lamine, Aspyre Africa Project Manager in Dakar)

Our next GlobalGiving Campaign will take place on Giving Tuesday - 3rd December. SAVE THE DATE, show your support and help Aspyre Africa benefit from GlobalGiving Incentive funding!

With warm wishes from Dakar,

Savina

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