THE PROJECTS

Today, in a context characterized by the presence of street children, illegal immigration, the marginalization of women, desertification, the degradation of ecosystems, insalubrity, persistent pandemics, a solution must be found but most of all concrete actions should be deployed. Therefore, the Foundation has envisioned a number of projects in various areas of intervention in order to alleviate a multitude of needs.

Projet Yaakar (HOPE)

Presently in Senegalese large cities, it is quite impossible to witness heartbreaking scenes such as poorly dressed and barefoot children, carrying metal pots, walking around and begging. Other children, less visible are abandoned to their fate in lost places known only to vagrants. They are called “Street Children”.

Those children are in the streets for various reasons such as poverty and / or parental mistreatment. They are estimated at around 100 000 children 80 % or whom are talibés (Coranic school students). These tés are the subject of controversial arguments that oppose two schools of thoughts: On one end, the managers of the Daaras (Schools) who think that their students are wrongly characterized as street children and on the other hand, the non government organizations who beg to differ. The only common argument for their presence in the streets is the lack of resources in the Daaras.
Originally, these Daaras were real education centers, mostly located in rural areas and where well off parents could send their children for their education (socialization, intellectual and religious awakening), and training for lucrative activities (herding, agriculture, etc…). Each parent’s contribution in nature was guaranteed because they themselves had resources deriving from agriculture, herding or business in general. Those whose parents were unable to contribute could benefit from the solidarity and remained anonymous. Therefore, the children could acquire values deriving from a Negro-African civilization, in majority Muslim.
Today, the transplantation of the so-called traditional model in urban areas produces identifiably pervert effects, because of the lack of contribution in nature and in money. Therefore, there’s an economic problem leading to millions of children beggars in the streets, as the remuneration of their education and training. To date, many pertinent initiatives emanate at the same time from the state, the non government organizations and from regular citizens, but the problem remains ever so present. In that context, the Youssou Ndour Foundation proposes to restore the Children’s natural rights (protection, performance, participation) as recognized by religion and law and it is incumbent upon the responsibility of adults to respect it.
The project seeks to conciliate all positions and interests for the sole benefit of the youth.

Health (Malaria)

In Senegal, malaria represents a problem of priority in public health. Its epidemiological profile is characterized by a stable endemic nature marked by a seasonal recrudescence and an important lethality in sanitary surroundings as well as within families.

The government of Senegal, with the support of partners has contributed relevant efforts in the development for the drop in morbidity and mortality related to malaria. A policy prevention based on the promotion and better accessibility of insecticide treated mosquito nets has been put in place, as well as a new treatment against malaria based on artemisinine (ACT)
However all those efforts should be supported by community actors in the private sector, notably by opinion leaders. The partnership between the National Program in the fight against Malaria and the Youssou Ndour Foundation lay within this dynamic for the implementation of community based activities in target areas such as Khombole.
The objective is to create an area without acute malaria during the rainy season, thanks to an in depth intervention based on: the increase in the use of MII, the rise in activities destined to reduce the proliferation of mosquitoes, the immediate referral of malaria cases toward health structures for an adequate care and the systematic recourse to pre natal and post natal check ups.

Scholarships

Within the framework of its policy of socio-professional insertion among vulnerable groups, notably among the youth, the Youssou NDour Foundation offers scholarships within its capacity and that of its partners.

In 2003 the Adama Diop scholarships gave 10 young women high school graduates from all over the country, selected according to their criteria for excellence, the opportunity to attend training schools. Since 2007, scholarships attributed by the Institut Africain de Management (IAM) allow 10 new students selected according to the same criterias to study for a Bachelor Degree

The Sinking of the « Joola »

Le Joola was a ferry linking Dakar to Ziguinchor (Casamance). As a real umbilical cord from the North to the South of Senegal, its wreck was a true tragedy for all Senegalese.

That tragedy has generated a large wave of solidarity implicating everyone in Senegal. Along with his artist friends, Youssou Ndour offered a financial contribution to the families of the victims and survivors of the wreck through a donation to the Senegalese Government.

Business Skills

The goal of the partnership with the Ford Foundation was to contribute to the professionalism of actors in West African music within the framework of socio professional insertion of vulnerable groups such as the youth.

The project helped train young West Africans in the environment of the music industry and the use of new technologies thanks to a system of training trainers, artists and other affiliated people. The training sessions concern copyright, career management, contracts and stage management.

World Culture

Created in 2001, the « World Culture Forum Corporation » is an initiative of the Ford Foundation along with some American and European Foundations.

As a guest of honor at the initial meeting, Youssou Ndour took the matter concerning West Africa into his own hands. The main objectives of this initiative are to create a worldwide dynamic for the promotion of culture, socio-economic development and peace. The first preparatory meeting of the World Culture Forum for the Africa region was organized by the Youssou Ndour Foundation on November 27 and 28, 2003 in Bamako (Mali).

Biennial of Art

The Youssou Ndour Foundation often lends its support to the Arts and to Culture in general, thus its participation to the biennial of contemporary Arts in Dakar

The Partnership with organizers of the Biennial of contemporary Arts in Dakar “Dak’art 2004” hosted an evening gala and the Youssou Ndour Foundation offered the proceeds to the Organization.

Fight against the invasion of crickets

In 2004, an invasion of crickets destroyed crops in Senegal

Confronted with threats against farming production, it was imperative that all contributions be mobilized. Following a call of the Senegalese President, the Youssou NDour Foundation reacted by handing its financial and material contribution to the Government.

Blood Drive

To celebrate Youssou Ndour’s birthday on October 1, the Foundation made a call for a blood drive to its fans’ clubs.

Youssou Ndour, other artists and various celebrities of the country as well as doctors came together at the Centre de Transfusion Sanguine for a blood drive. Its virtues have been commented on Radio Futurs Medias, one of the partners of the event. More than 500 donors were registered which constitutes a record for one day.

Africa Live Festival

The Africa Live Festival was a worldwide event that contributed to raising awareness on the necessity of mobilization at all levels against malaria

For weeks before the event, an awareness campaign and the diffusion of printed supports were directed to the local public through the media. Then the festival took place for three days during which various activities successively took place.
The afternoon exposition « Malaria Fair » served as a mean of grassroots communication.
An important concert brought together artists known worldwide such as Salif Keïta, Faty Salama, Angélique Kidio, Corneille, Oumou Saé, Tiken Jah Fakoly, etc.).
Africa Live was realized through a multi-sectorial partnership composed among others of the World Health Organization, the National Program for the fight against Malaria, a service of the Senegalese Health Ministry, The French Cooperation, Sumitomo Chemical responsible for the Insecticide treated Mosquito net (Olyset), Exxon Mobil, Novartis, Air Senegal International, the Port Autonome de Dakar, Alizé, the National Lottery and Sedima.

The registration of Talibes (students)

Invisible children are those who are not legally registered which means they are unable to take advantage of all their rights. Thus a need to mobilize and communicate so that authorities react toward granting them their first rights.

A registration campaign targeting « invisible children » in birth registries has been conducted at the same time that the West African conference on Birth registry was taking place from February 23 to 27, 2004 in Dakar.
This campaign is the result of a partnership between Plan International, the Initiative for the Defense of Human Rights Committee (CIDDH) and the Association of Music trades (AMS).
Youssou NDour’s participation corresponds to a big mobilization concert at the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium.
On the other hand, the Léopold Sédar Senghor Foundation organized a gala dinner with Myriam Makeba and 400 children as their guests of honor
The campaign scored a big success in the community of Pikine where, for the occasion, over 13 000 children were added to the birth registry.

Mosquito net donation

The fight against malaria is a priority of the Youssou Ndour Foundation. Therefore, the organization is constantly in search of stocks of nets to give away to its most vulnerable targets.
The goal is to have a permanent stock for distribution

The Indian company Syngenta contributed a stock of 10.000 insecticide treated long lasting « Icon life » mosquito nets that was in turn distributed in priority to children under 5 and pregnant women. However, groups such as students and those involved in sports are eligible.
The goal is to distribute the product during mobilizations organized by partnering community based organizations. That gives the opportunity to incite beneficiaries to use this barrier again the female anopheles.
The mosquito nets are distributed through a network of partners on different sites : the Association Education et Santé (Education and Health Association) of Madame Viviane Wade (2000 nets), Crédit Mutuel du Sénégal (The Senegal Mutual Credit) was given 500 nets for each of the following regions (Ziguinchor, Kaolack, Thiès, Mbour, Rufisque), the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (300), the town of Guéoul (200), The College of Bambey (350), the An Nour Boarding school in Sébikhotane (200), the Ciclap for the Rural Community of Popenguine (200), the nutritive center of the Chérif neighborhood in Rufisque (200), the zone liable to flooding in Médina Gounass (500), the Médina Basket Association (20).

Culture

Youssou Ndour is a product of African culture therefore it’s obvious that the Foundation he’s created intervenes in that sector, so much so that his experience demonstrates the added value it can produce.

As a tool for development, the touring festival has a goal to promote cultural exchanges and music related vocations.
Every event in tourist prone areas is an opportunity to organize training workshops, discover new talents and new tendencies in order to promote at the national and international levels.
In addition to the touring festival, the Youssou Ndour Foundation wants to contribute to the improvement of conditions for professional artists, by supporting their production and mutual assistance as it relates to health benefits.

Health (HIV / AIDS)

No country is protected from the AIDS pandemic. Senegal is affected by an HIV rate evaluated at less than 1%. However, the so called concentrated epidemic is devastating in some at-risk areas, with rates of prevalence over the fatidic 3%.

Therefore, there is a necessity to pursue prevention efforts. According to the strategic plan of the CNLS, projections demonstrated that HIV prevalence in the adult population (15-49) should remain stable in 2011. “That stability must be maintained thanks to a general concerted effort in the nation’s response to the infection, notably by reinforcing the prevention of sexual transmission within the most vulnerable groups by, among others, targeting more than 5 Million young people, women and adults”.
In addition to that, the willingness of the Senegalese supreme governing body in charge of leading the fight against AIDS is to extend testing at the district (departments), national and regional levels in order to realize over 700 000 voluntary tests between 2007 and 2011.
The motivation stems from the fact that testing is the only way for the individual to know his or her HIV status, most of all after being in a risky situation. It triggers a real awareness and generally results in subsequent responsible behavior.
Since the Youssou NDour Foundation benefits from a real ability to mobilize and communicate, its goal is to contribute to the effort in partnership with the actors in the fight against AIDS. The project consists of organizing outstanding mobilizations, communicating on issues related to HIV/AIDS, and promoting voluntary and anonymous testing at chosen sites

Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets

Malaria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children under 5 years old. In Senegal, it constitutes about 2 500 000 individuals each year (500 000 pregnant women and 1 900 000 individuals under 5 years)

According to EDS 4 in 2004, the rate of treated mosquito nets’ use among children under 5years old is 18%. The increase in the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets among the target audience is a real problem in the fight against malaria, most of all in disadvantaged communities.
The main activity consists in mobilizing all willpower in order to obtain insecticide treated mosquito nets.
Then, these products are distributed to beneficiaries thanks to the collaboration of community based organizations whose role is to mobilize and sensitize for the occasion.
More than 6000 nets have already been distributed from June to December 2007 and more is yet to come.

Job creation (Women)

The present project results from the expressed will of a French Entrepreneur, high fashion optician, who appreciates Youssou Ndour’s music, to participate in the development of Africa and of Senegal in particular.

The suggested intervention consists in creating employment for women and the physically challenged in Senegal by making high end products geared toward export. These products are a raw material of residues collected from the manufacture lines of Beau Soleil glasses.
This project contributes in promoting another vision of job creation in the fight against unemployment and risky immigration worldwide.

Job creation (Youth)

The project in the promotion of productive employment of the youth in Medina translates a shared vision between BIT (International Labor Organization), ONUDI (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), FITT (a clothing business) and the Luxembourg Mission of Cooperation (Lux Mission)

The area of intervention is Youssou Ndour’s native neighborhood, the oldest in Dakar. The area is also characterized by a strong density of activities per square mile as well as a hypertrophy of commercial and artisan related activities. Like many working class neighborhoods, Medina’s population is composed of youths confronted with socio-professional insertion issues.
Financed by the Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, this project located within the Youssou NDour Foundation, will contribute in taking up the challenges of the Senegalese Government in terms of sustainable management in economy, urban environment, the fight against unemployment, and underemployment among the youth. It is destined to produce a dynamic for the rebirth of a new hope for the youth, the economic actors as well as the residents of the Medina.
The project execution is entrusted to ONUDI which in turn will use BIT’s expertise in the support of small and medium-sized enterprises through its GERME Program and FITT in the development of a niche for the high end craft industry.
This project is expected to develop an integrated model for the improvement of conditions in working class communities and the reinforcement of capacities to implement a foundation that seeks the socio economic promotion of the youth.
The model will be based on the dynamism of the youth as well as in collaboration between partners in development, civil society, local collectivities and the private sector.