Why this matters!

Today, nearly 50,000 young boys are begging on the streets of Senegal’s cities as a result of a traditional education system that - in the face of modernization and urbanization - has spiraled out of control into a elaborate system of forced begging. It used to be the case that these boys called talibés were sent by their parents to live and study the Quran in religious schools known as daaras located not too far from their own homes. Under the guidance of a religious teacher called a marabout, these schools provided care for the children and allowed them to be devoted to a more intensive study of the Islamic religion. The schools were supported by a combination of contributions from the community and agricultural products students would help cultivate throughout their course of study. The onset of urbanization in Senegal in the past half century has put a strain on this system. As schools prolifically opened in the cities, they relied less on agriculture for sustenance. The teachers began to rely increasingly on “la mendicite”, or begging, through which the talibés are sent out to the streets to solicit for food and money. Unfortunately, as this has become more common, some opportunistic marabouts saw the potential for profit and opened schools that were more focused on their personal enrichment rather than the religious education of the children. This issue presents itself as a conflict because not all marabouts are corrupt. The problem has resulted in tension between those who honorably do their jobs as Islamic teachers and those who claim themselves as marabouts for personal gains. The systematic neglect and exploitation of the boys has compelled us to do what we can to raise awareness, advocate for reform, and support the efforts the honoroble marabouts.