Who are the people?
Most Senegalese families live in and around the capital of Dakar or along the coast. The population is comprised of many ethnic groups, primarily the Wolof (43%), Pular (24%), Serer (15%), Diola (4%), and Mandink (3%). French is the official language, but more than 30 dialects are spoken as well.
Senegal faces many deep-seated social problems. Chronic unemployment, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction are rampant in the cities, while poor health conditions prevail in rural areas. In addition, only 48 percent of children are enrolled in school.

Most of the families World Vision is working with are subsistence farmers who are barely able to grow enough food for their children. They rarely have extra crops to sell to provide for their children’s basic needs.

Only 39 percent of Senegal’s people can read and write. Many families cannot afford the books and learning materials their children need to attend school. Without a good education, it will be difficult for these boys and girls to move beyond a life of poverty and pursue their dreams.

World Vision projects show the love of God by working to improve health, education, clean water, food, and income generation activities, especially for women.
Most Senegalese families live in and around the capital of Dakar or along the coast. The population

Country Comparison	Senegal	United States
Population	11.3 million	295.4 million
Land Mass	74,132 sq. miles	3,537,439 sq. miles
Life Expectancy	56 years	78 years
Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000)	78	7
Literacy Rate	39%	97%
Primary School Enrollment	48%	92%
Access to Safe Water	72%	100%
Average Annual Income (GNI per capita)	$670	$41,400

Religion

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What is it like to live there?
The Republic of Senegal lies on Africa’s west coast and is bordered by Mauritania, Guinea Republic, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali. The confederated state of Gambia is virtually enclosed by Senegal. Most of Senegal consists of savannah-covered lowlands that enjoy a tropical climate.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Senegal was occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and English. The country gained independence in 1960. Today, Senegal’s economy is primarily agrarian, although industry is expanding. Ground nuts are the most lucrative cash crop, accounting for 75 percent of farm exports and fueling the largest industry of groundnut processing. Corn, rice, and cotton also are grown. Other important industries include fish processing, petroleum refining, and phosphate mining.

The country is heavily dependent upon foreign aid for food and other essentials. World Vision is working in farming communities to help families learn improved agricultural techniques that can ensure greater food supplies when rainfall is inadequate.

Through child sponsorship, World Vision is demonstrating the love of God by offering the skills and tools that Senegalese children, families, and communities need to become self-sufficient.
The Republic of Senegal lies on Africa’s west coast and is bordered by Mauritania, Guinea Republic
Senegal Projects
With the support of generous donors like you, World Vision is partnering with families throughout Senegal to build brighter futures filled with hope for their children.

Many activities are under way to help meet immediate needs and promote lasting changes that will strengthen communities and move families toward self-reliance.

Overall program goals include:

• Providing boys and girls with necessary textbooks and school supplies.
• Repairing classrooms to create an improved learning environment.
• Making clean water available to more children and their families to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.
• Training mothers in hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention to improve their children’s health.
• Ensuring that all children receive regular medical check-ups and have access to necessary health care.
• Improving community sanitation conditions.
• Training farmers in agricultural skills and providing new seed varieties and tools that will help them grow more nutritious foods for their families.
• Helping families start small enterprises that can increase their incomes and better provide for their children.

• Pray that your sponsored child might respond to God’s love and grace.
• Ask God to guide your sponsored child as he or she learns, grows, and moves toward a future full of hope and possibilities.
• Pray for God to protect the health of your sponsored child and his or her family.

Please click here to peruse online picture folders of children from this country.