Like it was yesterday...

Issa Kouyaté meets two of Maison de la Gare's first vounteers in Canada

"During the summer of 2008 in the early days of Maison de la Gare, I met two young people who were very committed to social justice. They worked with me in a centre for the talibé street children in Saint Louis, meeting the children's needs for education, health care, arts and sport activities, and food. This was at the time of the first steps of a project that would expand over the years to become a model for protection of vulnerable children in Saint Louis.

I recently met Lisa LeRoy and Zoë Richard-Fortier again six years later in Canada, their home country, and was able to thank them for the work that they had done in Saint Louis.

My meeting with these two young Canadians had a great impact on me, reinforcing my commitment to join those fighting for the rights of children and human rights in general. Maison de la Gare was created by a group of young Senegalese who committed themselves body and soul to changing the fate of talibé children and to fighting against the exploitation and abuse that these children suffer.

Since the early days when Zoë and Lisa marked Maison de la Gare with their commitment and dedication, they have never stopped holding our work in their hearts. Thanks to a trip that I made to participate in a fellowship program in New York, I was able to visit Canada to reconnect with these two people, and with many others who have supported our efforts over the years. These meetings made me realize more than ever that real friends are for life, and that they continue to support us and our work with their persistent efforts in their own countries.

Zoë and Lisa, with their families, friends and people around the country, have organized events and support that generate substantial funds to allow us to respect our commitments to the talibé children. Reinforcing their personal commitments to children in vulnerable situations, I'll share with you that Lisa has become a lawyer advocating for the rights of children, and Zoë a psychologist serving children affected by family breakdown and other challenges.

In Canada I made presentations at two churches, in Montreal and Ottawa. Many people came to listen and to understand the situation of the talibé children. They asked many questions and also suggested ideas about how to meet the needs of these children. At Cedar Park United Church in Montreal, the community that has given so much support to Maison de la Gare over the years was warmly welcoming. And I finally got the chance to meet the Hornby/Desrochers family who have supported our initiatives for years and have inspired me with their unwavering commitment.

Two people touched me deeply with their emotional presentations, from their hearts, of the situation of the talibé street children. At their church in Ottawa, Sonia LeRoy and Rowan Hughes spoke of their determination to never stop supporting our efforts until these children are no longer begging in the streets. With her wisdom, Rowan affirmed that the place of the children is with their families. She said that she had been lucky to have two parents who love her and care for her, but that she could just as easily been born into the situation of the talibés. Her words touched the hearts of everyone in the church.

Zoë and Lisa were pioneers among the generations of volunteers who have come to Senegal and have made an enormous difference in the lives and prospects of the talibé street children. They both are planning to return, to share their skills and knowledge with us.

Thank you with all my heart, all our friends in Canada, for opening your doors to me and giving me strength and encouragement to continue this work!"

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