Visit to the Projects Shared with the Piarist Province of West Africa

These days, the Itaka-Escolapios network is carrying out a working visit to the projects we share with the Piarist Province of West Africa (AFO). This twelve-day trip will allow us to closely experience the reality of the boarding schools in Sokone, Oussouye, Toubakouta, and Mlomp, in Senegal, strengthening network-based work and support for local teams.

Day One – Dakar

The visit began with an initial meeting in Dakar, at the Notre Dame of Africa community of the AFO Piarists. This was a key space to meet, share, and lay the foundations for the work we will carry out during these days.

The following people participated on behalf of AFO: Soine Gandaho (Itaka-Escolapios AFO Coordinator); Bienvenu Manga (AFO Treasurer); Divine Kali (AFO Projects Coordinator); Anna Dieme (Project Technician and Pastoral Coordinator); and Víctor Kantoussan (AFO Communications Manager).

On behalf of the Itaka-Escolapios network: Adalbert Fouda (Executive Committee); Jon Sustatxa (Projects Coordinator); and Pedro Landim (Project Technician).

After a presentation of the Itaka-Escolapios network and the objectives of the visit, we established the working framework and the daily follow-up for the trip.

Day Two | Foundiougne and Sokone

We visited a diocesan boarding school in Foundiougne and later the girls’ and boys’ boarding schools in Sokone. We toured the facilities and took part in an assembly with all the students, a very meaningful moment in which they shared their concerns and needs.

Later, we met with the supervisors and the school director, listening to their concerns and challenges. We would like to sincerely thank them for the enormous work they do with the children and adolescents of both boarding schools.

At the end of the day, we met with the Bethel Piarist community. It was a special moment to present the Itaka-Escolapios network and to feel part of the same mission begun by Calasanz.

Day Three | Toubakouta and Karang

The day began in Toubakouta with a visit to its coeducational boarding school. Children and adolescents welcomed us with a magnificent reception full of songs, dances, and music. Their joy is incredible, as is the music they create with drums, rain sticks, and tambourines.

We also shared an assembly marked by closeness and dialogue. We took the opportunity to meet with the principal of the public high school attended by the students, leaving very satisfied with the collaborative work between the boarding school and the high school.

Finally, we visited the Piarist Agricultural School of Karang, a spacious, educational, and productive center that can become a key element of support and learning for our boarding schools.

We continue walking together, strengthening the network and sharing our mission.