U.S. Embassy Supports Seydi Djamil Daara

Serigne Mansour Sy Djamil [US Embassy photo]

Ambassador Lukens receiving a traditional tablet [US Embassy photo]

On May 12, 2012, Ambassador Lukens visited the Seydi Djamil Foundation to officially hand over an allotment of laptops, school supplies, printers, photocopiers, and other materials.  All of these tools, in addition to the gift of access to wireless Internet, enhance teachers’ ability to teach, and students’ ability to learn.

The U.S. government is a strong supporter of education in Senegal.  As Ambassador Lukens stated in his remarks, the Seydi Djamil Foundation’s mission to create a truly modern and functional daara in the heart of Dakar aligns perfectly with the U.S. Embassy’s goals to support modern Koranic schools that teach children more than just how to memorize religious texts.

After the Ambassador spoke, three students performed a brief sketch in French and English.  A young Senegalese-American thanked the U.S. Embassy for its support and looked forward to using the new technology.  Finally students recited from the Koran while an older female student translated the recitation to English.

At the end of the ceremony, Ambassador Lukens cut a ribbon to officially present the Embassy’s gift to the 600+ students from neighboring communities in who will benefit.  In turn, the Ambassador received a traditional tablet for learning Koranic verses and a personalized Keur Seydi Djamil backback.

Finally, the ambassador toured the mosque and the mausoleum that houses the ancestors of this prestigious religious family.  The Embassy looks forward to continuing its support of Senegalese education, both in traditional and non-traditional settings.