Since 2007, the project A Senegalese Thought has engaged young people in social and professional reintegration through the ETAPS program. The first three editions took place from 2007 to 2011, involving around thirty young individuals from the UFCM training center who participated in the project.
Since 2011, it has not only been the ETAPS trainees from UFCM who are involved, but all ETAPS trainees from COTEFE04 (which includes the areas of Cannes, Grasse, and Antibes). Thus, the 4th and 5th editions together brought together more than 300 young people around Africa, sharing, and solidarity.
Since September 2012, these young people, most of whom were struggling to find their way, participated in cultural workshops aimed at introducing them to the African continent: painting, dancing, percussion, film screenings, etc. Around thirty of them chose to continue their commitment by getting even more involved: collecting, sorting donations, holding garage sales to raise funds, etc.
As a result, 135 boxes of equipment were sent to the village of Coubanao in Casamance.
Finally, thirteen young people were selected to travel to Senegal and visit the Coubanao high school to meet the locals and offer their help. They worked in the school’s library to improve its operation; with the funds raised, they bought and set up sewing machines for the village’s technical education center.
And then they discovered, shared, laughed, and emerged enriched, changed, and improved.
Learn more: https://unepenseesenegalaise.wordpress.com
