Senegal: Training camp for the socio-professional reintegration of street youth

As part of its mission to support and promote the socio-professional reintegration of children and young people in street situations, the Collective of Organizations and Structures Supporting Children and Youth in Difficulty, with the support of Dynamo International, organized an innovative and inclusive training camp.

Designed for 35 street youth aged 12 to 22, including 15 girls, this initiative brought together young people from seven regions of Senegal : Saint-Louis, Dakar, Kaolack, Tambacounda, Kolda, Ziguinchor, and the municipality of Oussouye. This camp, organized in two phases held in Tambacounda and Ziguinchor, aimed to promote the socio-economic reintegration of youth through practical training in urban agriculture and livestock farming. The main objective was to strengthen their autonomy and provide them with the necessary tools for sustainable integration into working life.

Arrival in Tambacounda

From August 16 to 21, 2025, the first phase of the professional initiation camp took place in Tambacounda. This stage focused on learning micro-gardening, an innovative method of plant production that is ecological, economical, and suited to urban environments or limited spaces.

Through practical workshops, participants were able to acquire the basics of urban gardening while being made aware of issues related to food security, self-sufficiency, and sustainable management of natural resources.

Supervised by two specialized trainers, Khalifa Bar Kanté and Say Aboubacar, the young people learned how to design and maintain urban vegetable gardens incorporating crops of vegetables and aromatic plants. Emphasis was placed on simple, reproducible, and low-cost techniques, allowing for quick implementation in their living environments. This practical training module not only helped impart concrete skills but also introduced participants to a potential income-generating activity accessible without significant initial investment.

To ensure the success of this phase, six street social workers from the Tambacounda region were mobilized. Their role was crucial both upstream, in mobilizing the youth, and downstream, in providing daily supervision during the camp. Thanks to their attentive and caring support, the young participants benefited from an environment conducive to learning, group cohesion, and personal development.

Practical cases

From August 22 to 28, 2025, the second phase took place in Ziguinchor with the same group of 35 young people. This session helped strengthen the skills acquired through intensive training in market gardening and poultry farming, two promising sectors for self-employment and income-generating activities.

Participants were trained in market gardening techniques and poultry farming, using an approach that combined theory, practice, hygiene, management, and entrepreneurship. The goal was to impart immediately applicable skills while boosting self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and initiative.

in Ziguinchor

Beyond the purely technical aspect, this camp also represented a powerful moment of cohesion, personal empowerment, and the building of autonomy. On this occasion, COSAED reaffirms its commitment to children and youth living on the streets by continuing its work in close collaboration with local authorities, child protection agencies, and technical and financial partners.

Annick Niyonzima.

The success of this initiative was made possible thanks to the effective coordination provided by Ms. Thiané DIAKHATE, coordinator of the COSAED North division, and Mr. Augustin Carvalho, coordinator of COSAED in the Dakar region, whose dedication greatly contributed to the smooth running of both phases of the camp.