The Diapalante Community Education Centre supports learners who are balancing work, family responsibilities, and a determination to improve their futures. For many, education is not just personal—it benefits their whole family.
Meet Mariama
Mariama is 24 years old and lives in Kaolack with her mother and younger siblings. Following the loss of her father, she took on significant responsibility to help support her family. Like many girls, she left school at an early age, but her determination to create a better future has never diminished.
Mariama works each morning at a local bakery, where she carries out cleaning and support tasks. In the evenings, she prepares and sells traditional juices with her mother and sister. Together, these efforts provide a vital source of income for the household, helping to cover daily needs and support her siblings’ education.
Encouraged by her employer, who recognised her potential, Mariama began to think seriously about returning to learning. Improving her skills in reading, writing, and mathematics would allow her to take on greater responsibility at the bakery, with the possibility of progressing to a more senior role and significantly increasing her income.
Mariama joined the Diapalante Community Education Centre to build these skills. With encouragement from her siblings, who were already attending, she quickly became part of the Centre’s supportive learning community.
Since starting, Mariama has made strong progress in literacy and numeracy. She has also grown in confidence and developed leadership skills. These changes are already helping her in her work and strengthening her ability to support her family. Mariama’s ambition is to secure a more responsible position and continue improving her circumstances. Her story shows how access to education can empower individuals who are already contributing so much, enabling them to strengthen their livelihoods and create new opportunities for those around them
