Amadou Diao - from Begging to a Promising Future

A smile in adversity to inspire us all

Rod LeRoy recalls: "I first met Amadou Diao in Maison de la Gare's then-new library in January of 2012. He, in common with many young talibés, was enthralled by the pictures in the books and by the stories read to them by staff and volunteers. Amadou stood out, however ... he was intently studying a book held upside down. Taken with his beaming smile, I had no idea at that moment of the difficult life that he had endured."

The youngest of eight siblings, with four sisters and three brothers, Amadou was entrusted to a Saint-Louis daara by his family in Kolda, in Casamance in the south of Senegal. This was in 2005 when he was only five years old. Issa Kouyaté, Maison de la Gare's president, first became aware of Amadou's situation in 2010 through other children from his daara. He reports that Amadou "lived in a daara where the Koranic teacher demanded, in addition to the money which had to be paid each day, charcoal, rice and sugar as well as water needed for the daara. After running away and living on the streets for six months, Amadou was found in Dakar and returned to his parents in Casamance. However, they sent him back to Saint Louis to another daara that was equally bad. Amadou ran away for another two months and began to get into serious trouble associating with children living in the streets."

It was in January 2012 that Amadou, then 12 years old, committed himself fully to Maison de la Gare's programs. He explored the books in the library, participated enthusiastically in regular soccer matches, and involved himself in all of Maison de la Gare's other activities. Many of Maison de la Gare's international volunteers got to know him well, and their caring and support helped him enormously on his way.

Most importantly, Amadou began attending French literacy classes regularly. He applied himself diligently for three years working with teacher Bouri Mbodj, progressing from a base of no spoken French and no written language skills to an impressive level of competence in both reading and writing. Bouri writes "Amadou Diao is a brilliant student. Despite his experience subjected to extreme exploitation, he studied for three years at Maison de la Gare. Now he has returned to his home village to continue his studies. He is in the sixth level and is a disciplined and courageous student."

It was on October 13th, 2014 that Amadou left Saint Louis to return to his family in Kolda. His father had registered him in formal schooling there, with Maison de la Gare's help. After brave farewells and a final spin on Arouna's bicycle, Amadou walked away to catch the bus home.

Issa stays in regular contact with Amadou and his family. To no one's surprise, he is thriving in school and has finished his first year at the top of his class. Speaking with Amadou just before he left, it was clear that this move was his personal decision. He hopes to complete his education, and then return to Saint Louis to live and work. There is no doubt that this exceptionally kind, gifted and determined young man will succeed in realizing his potential and making a major contribution to his community.

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