News from Maison de la Gare
Arouna
TweeterA Maison de la Gare Success Story
June 2013 - Maison de la Gare's primary tool to offer hope of a
better life for the talibé children of Saint Louis is education. Regular instruction in French language skills
and math in Maison de la Gare’s classrooms can sometimes lead to children being registered in the regular public
system. 
Attending classes in a public school not only promises an independent future for the boys, but can lead
to improved living conditions. Sometimes the boys' marabouts, who control so many aspects of their lives, agree
to waive or reduce the begging requirement on school days. Also, interaction with classmates can lead to a
feeling of experiencing a somewhat normal childhood, at least during school hours. Of course, unlike the talibés,
non-talibé classmates are well nourished and clothed, supported by a family, and have a home and a bed to return
to each night, not to mention light by which to study and complete homework.
Arouna Kandé is a special case among the 30 or so talibé children whom Maison de la Gare has registered in the
public school system. Arouna was taken from his home in Kolda in the south of Senegal to live in a Saint Louis
daara in 2006. He is orphaned, and had to leave behind three younger sisters who are always in his thoughts.
Arouna dreams of being a teacher, and of someday being able to support his sisters. History is his favourite
subject.
Just 16 years old, Arouna is a leader and an example among the talibés. He is dedicated
to his studies and will
often give up the opportunity to participate in soccer games or extracurricular school activities in favour of
studying and homework. He does whatever it takes to complete his work and remain in the top half of his class
of 43 students, occasionally working in his daara by the light of the moon until after midnight. Despite his
somewhat alleviated begging requirement, he still needs to dedicate time to providing a small quota of money
for his marabout. In order to do this, Arouna sells fish in the local market
that he finds by the Senegal River
after they have been discarded by fishermen. Yet, he always has time for and watches out for younger talibés,
and he is also available as a responsible helping hand around Maison de la Gare’s centre.
Maison de la Gare provides Arouna with a family-like support system. Staff member, Aladji Gaye is a mentor and
provides brotherly support, while Mapaté Bousso
helps with math homework when help is required. Arouna is also
encouraged to persevere by email pen-pals in Canada, Maison de la Gare volunteers who recognize his special
qualities and potential, and his French teacher at École Amadou Fara Mbodj who considers Arouna to be an
excellent student with the potential to achieve his goals. Arouna is more than a Maison de la Gare success
story in the making, he and others like him are Senegal's future.
