Maison des Talibés

Mission of Maison des Talibés

The mission of Maison des Talibés is to provide, within its center, the conditions necessary for the development of essential skills that support the social reintegration of talibé children from Darou.

This mission is carried out through close collaboration between local actors, international volunteers, and serin daara, fostering dialogue, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.

Maison des Talibés – Call for Volunteers

Community and Educational Center – Darou, Saint-Louis (Senegal)

General Overview

Located in the Darou neighborhood of Saint-Louis, Senegal, Maison des Talibés is a community-based educational center dedicated to supporting talibé children living in situations of severe vulnerability. Through a collaborative and locally grounded approach, the center works to improve their living conditions and support their social reintegration.

Understanding the Phenomenon of Begging Talibé Children

Talibés are children who receive Qur’anic education in informal daaras, under the authority of a serin daara (Qur’anic teachers). In many cases, these children are required to beg for long hours each day and hand over the money collected to their teacher. These funds are only minimally—if at all—used to meet the children’s basic needs such as food, hygiene, healthcare, or shelter.

As a result, many talibé children live in conditions of extreme precarity, marked by insecurity, poor health, and social vulnerability.

Mission of Maison des Talibés

The mission of Maison des Talibés is to provide, within its center, the conditions necessary for the development of essential skills that support the social reintegration of talibé children from Darou.

This mission is carried out through close collaboration between local actors, international volunteers, and serin daara, fostering dialogue, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.

Target Population

• • Talibé children aged 5 to 18
  • Predominantly boys
  • Coming from daaras located in Darou and surrounding areas

Activities at the Center

Regular Activities

• • French, English, and Mathematics classes
  • Daily food distribution in the late afternoon
  • Access to hygiene facilities (showers)
  • First aid and basic medical care when needed

Occasional Activities

• • Vocational training programs
  • Sports, cultural, and recreational activities
  • Visits to local daaras to provide first aid
  • Discussion and dialogue sessions involving children, volunteers, staff, and serin daara on various topics

Activities to Be Further Developed with Volunteers

• • Vocational training (hairdressing, carpentry, etc.)
  • Sports, cultural, and recreational programming

Volunteer Profile

We welcome motivated volunteers with skills or interests in:

• • Teaching (French and/or English). Pedagogy (teaching kids how to read and write)
  • Vocational skills training (hairdressing, carpentry, other trades)
  • Cultural, sports, or recreational activity facilitation
  • First aid
  • Social media and support admin work

Volunteering Modalities

• • Minimum commitment: one week
  • Time commitment: approximately 15 hours per week or more
  • Useful languages on site: Wolof, Pulaar, French, English

Accommodation and Support for Volunteers

• • Accommodation:
  • Shared room with private bathroom at the center (2–3 people): 50,000 FCFA per week
  • Possibility of staying with a host family
  • Meals:
  • Accommodation at the center includes one hot meal per day, Monday to Friday
  • Local support:
  • Orientation, basic logistical support, and integration into daily activities

Values and Ethical Approach

Maison des Talibés is grounded in the values of respect, dignity, openness, and nuance.

Volunteers are expected to adopt a posture of listening, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration with local actors, within a framework of support rather than substitution.

Contact Information

📧 Email:

senegalmaisondestalibes@gmail.com

📘 Facebook: Maison de talibe (Children Home Association)

📸 Instagram: @maison_des_talibes