FRIENDS OF GUEOUL INC
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Mission Statement
Friends of Guéoul enables female students in Guéoul, Senegal to achieve economic and life successes by creating access to education through annual scholarships and learning enrichment opportunities to pursue education through high school and beyond.
About This Cause
Friends of Guéoul (FoG) stands as a testament to the power of grassroots, sustained effort in international development. Founded in 2005 and based in Colorado, this dedicated nonprofit organization has spent the last two decades making a tangible difference in the lives of young girls in Guéoul, Senegal. Situated in the Louga Region on the edge of the Sahara Desert, Guéoul is a rural commune facing the significant challenges of poverty and limited access to education, particularly for girls. FoG's core mission revolves around improving educational access for girls from kindergarten through university. Recognizing that poverty often forces girls out of school to contribute to household duties, FoG's primary strategy is the provision of scholarships. These scholarships are not merely tuition assistance; they represent a comprehensive support system. Since 2005, over 270 female students have received scholarships that enable them to attend local public schools. Crucially, their families also receive a $150 stipend at the end of the school year. This financial support acts as a vital buffer, offsetting household expenses and covering the costs of essential school supplies, clothing, and books – resources often beyond the reach of these families. The need-based selection process, thoughtfully managed by local staff, the parent-teacher association, and school administrators, ensures that the scholarships reach the girls who stand to benefit the most. Without this intervention, these girls would likely face the prospect of early withdrawal from education to engage in domestic labor. Beyond financial aid, FoG recognizes that sustained educational success requires more than just school enrollment. To this end, the organization provides invaluable after-school tutoring, e-learning opportunities, and internet access. For many students, this marks their first encounter with computers, opening up a world of digital literacy and learning. The summer school program further reinforces their academic progress, preventing learning loss during school breaks. The effectiveness of FoG's programs is deeply rooted in its commitment to close collaboration and communication between its U.S. and Senegalese teams. For the past 20 years, American board members have made regular trips to Guéoul, fostering strong relationships, providing operational oversight, contributing to educational initiatives, and ensuring the responsible allocation of donor funds. This hands-on approach underscores FoG's dedication to transparency and impact. In a region where education for Muslim females has historically been less common and where early marriage remains a challenge, FoG's impact is particularly significant. The organization proudly reports a remarkable statistic: their scholarship recipients complete high school at a rate of approximately 38%, a stark contrast to the less than 1% completion rate among similarly situated girls in rural Senegal (based on their internal data and World Bank statistics). This dramatic difference highlights the transformative power of FoG's intervention in breaking down barriers to education. The operational backbone of FoG comprises a dedicated team both in the U.S. and Senegal. In Senegal, Field Director Makhfou Diop, with his background in information technology and 15 years of experience with the organization, oversees the educational enhancement programs, manages the budget and accounting, and maintains crucial connections with schools, students, and staff. His annual collection of student academic data provides valuable insights into the program's effectiveness. Since 2020, a fully functioning Senegalese board, predominantly composed of women, has further strengthened local oversight and brought diverse professional expertise to the organization. The mature and locally driven scholarship selection process, involving nominations from parent-teacher associations and a rigorous needs assessment by a local supervisory committee, ensures that the most vulnerable girls receive support. In the United States, Elke McGuire serves as the full-time Executive Director, managing domestic operations, including fundraising and oversight, while maintaining close communication with the team in Senegal. Her extensive experience living and working abroad, coupled with her language skills in French and her ongoing acquisition of Wolof, are invaluable assets in bridging cultural and linguistic divides. A volunteer board of seven directors, comprised of professionals in law, finance, education, and medicine, provides strategic guidance and oversees the Executive Director's work through regular meetings and subcommittees. A dedicated group of volunteers further supports FoG's efforts in areas such as grant writing, graphic design, and copy editing. The long-term vision of Friends of Guéoul extends beyond individual educational attainment. The organization recognizes the profound ripple effects of educating girls. Educated girls tend to marry later, are less susceptible to HIV/AIDS and female genital mutilation, experience safer childbirth, have fewer children, and are more likely to raise children who will also value and pursue education. They become agents of change within their families, their communities, and ultimately, their nation, contributing to a cycle of progress and poverty reduction. FoG has cultivated deep trust within the Guéoul community over the past two decades. This is evident in the active participation of local schools, the support of the mayor, collaborations with organizations like the Rotary Club in St. Louis, Senegal, and the establishment of the Senegalese board. The profound respect and appreciation for FoG's work are further underscored by the key to the town awarded to co-founder Judy Beggs (a former Peace Corps volunteer) in 2016 and the naming of a street in her honor after her passing in 2020. In conclusion, Friends of Guéoul is more than just a scholarship program; it is a holistic and deeply embedded initiative that empowers young women in a marginalized community through education. Its long-term commitment, strong local partnerships, dedicated leadership in both the U.S. and Senegal, and demonstrable impact make it a compelling example of effective and sustainable international development.