Faces of MSS: MEet the Kolda Scholarship Girls!
By Recipients!
One of the jewels in SeneGAD’s crown, the Michele Sylvester Scholarship Program was started in 1993 to honor the memory of Michele Sylvester, a Senegal PCV who was passionate about girls’ empowerment and education. Each year, the program honors nine girls – usually the highest-performing, the most dedicated, and at the greatest risk of dropping out – at the collège level by awarding them a scholarship to cover their next year’s tuition fees and school supplies. Senegal volunteers across the country have enthusiastically taken on the scholarship project, implementing it into their local collèges year after year, ensuring that each new generation of bright young girls is given a fighting chance at continuing their education.
Ask any PCV and they will probably tell you that by far the best part of the program is becoming close with the girls. Their dedication, passion, spunk, and determination are truly inspirational to witness; Senegal is lucky indeed to have these young ladies as potential future movers and shakers. So who are these gifted girls? Check out three girls from the Kolda group, brought to us by Lauren Seibert, a health volunteer in Kolda City!
Name: Tacko Ndiaye
Age: 13
Class: 6ième (6th Grade)
Though she was shy at first, once I got Tacko talking it was obvious she’s a very bright, ambitious girl with a sense of humor. She is interested in a variety of subjects at school, not just one thing – she likes science, history, reading, languages, you name it. When I asked her about her future goals, she said she wanted to be “President of Senegal” or work in foreign policy! Her essay made it clear she already is a strong advocate for girls' education and women’s rights, and she even has ideas for national policy changes. Tacko’s parents are divorced and currently her mother is the only one supporting her financially, since her father is out of work. She lives with her parents and 2 brothers. When I asked what she contributes to the family, she responded, “L’amour!”
By: Lauren Seibert, 2nd year
Kolda Health Volunteer
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