Due to increased droughts, six-year-old Moussa’s family income has decreased, meaning at times it has been difficult for the family to eat 3 meals a day. Despite the challenges, Moussa’s mother, Awa, has worked hard to diversify her income and ensure Moussa’s wellbeing.
Moussa, a 6-year-old boy, lives in a remote village in the Louga region with his mother Awa and a large family that includes cousins and girls responsible for cooking and maintaining the courtyards. Moussa is part of the Wolof ethnic group, and traditionally, he and his family belonged to the noble class. Their main activities are agriculture, livestock, and small-scale commerce.
After attending the koranic school, Moussa helps his mother in the fields and performs small household chores at home. He also participates in the marketing of their harvest at the weekly village market, attracting customers and regular buyers.
Increased drought affects livelihoods
Despite being aware of the difficulties faced by his mother and cousins, Moussa keeps his playful spirit and enjoys playing football with his cousins and neighbours in the evening.
Due to increased drought, lack of rain, and bird pests, the family’s income has significantly decreased, making it difficult for Moussa to eat 3 meals a day. Fruits often serve as a substitute for Moussa’s meals. Despite the challenges of drought and increasing poverty, Moussa’s mother, Awa, actively participates in village savings and loans associations to diversify her income sources. This involvement allows her to obtain loans to invest in livestock and sell animal products. By participating in these village savings and loans associations, Awa can ensure Moussa’s well-being, monitoring his vaccinations and dental health. As a devoted mother, Awa aspires to access more resources to obtain larger loans, improving the well-being of Moussa.
How Plan International supports Moussa and his community
In 2023, Moussa enrolled in Plan International’s sponsorship programme. Moussa’s sponsor is Ai Tanaka, a young Japanese woman who is a rally-athlete and humanitarian. She recently had the opportunity to meet Moussa for the first time during a visit to Senegal. The child sponsorship programme allows sponsors like Ai Tanaka to support the most vulnerable children in Senegal. Sponsored children like Moussa are chosen as ambassadors by their communities. These children come from the most vulnerable families, so it is crucial that Plan International’s programmes target and benefit them through community-based development initiatives in which they and their families can participate. The revenue generated from sponsoring boys and girls enables Plan International to establish community development programmes focused on the sponsored children and their communities.
Plan International supports Awa, Moussa’s mother, and other families in the Louga region during periods of drought by providing food baskets.
Moussa’s voice resonates as a call to action. He deserves a future where his dreams are not hindered by poverty, harmful gender norms, lack of healthcare, harassment, and violence. Awa, Moussa’s mother, says that Plan International is committed to ensuring girls return to school, promoting girls in science and technology, supporting child and youth leadership, improving maternal and neonatal health, and eradicating child marriage. Through Moussa and his family, we see a resilient yet vulnerable community that is in need of quality education, equitable long-term investments, healthcare tailored to local needs, sports and recreation opportunities, and gender equality for all children. Plan International’s programmes aim to break the cycle of poverty and promote sustainable development in communities like Moussa’s.
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