Overview

Senegal, located on the western coast of Africa and bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the Gambia, is known for being one of the continent’s most stable democracies. Despite this, Senegal faces significant challenges with poverty and education, with over a third of the population living below the poverty line and 75 percent of families enduring chronic poverty. These hardships mainly affect children in Senegal, especially in rural areas where livelihoods depend on farming and fishing. These industries are increasingly threatened by drought and other climate-related challenges, leaving families struggling to meet basic needs. Moms Against Poverty Canada has focused its efforts in Senegal on addressing these issues, particularly in the city of Mbour on Senegal’s central coast. Once a small fishing town of about 50,000 people, Mbour has seen explosive growth over the past two decades, housing over 700,000 residents. This surge, fueled by internal migration from rural and desert areas affected by desertification, has created a severe shortage of schools and resources for the growing population.