Secure livelihoods for vulnerable youth in Senegal

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