Soccer tournament Supports Talibés

Soccer tournament Supports Talibés (Photo US Embassy)

Soccer tournament Supports Talibés (Photo US Embassy)

From April 5-6 2012, the U.S. Peace Corps, in collaboration with the humanitarian association "Taliberté," organized a soccer tournament in St. Louis pitting teams from "daaras" (Koranic schools), soccer schools, the Peace Corps, and the local Catholic church.

The sponsors organized the tournament to help talibés (Koranic school students) flourish and avoid stigmatization.  Taliberté, which provided uniforms and equipment for the competing teams, wanted to give the talibés a change from their daily routine of begging after attending Koranic lessons.  Taliberté hopes to keep ties with young talented players from the soccer schools, opening their eyes to the lives of the talibés, and giving them a new perspective on those lives.

126 talibés from eight daaras participated in this tournament, organized and supported by Peace Corps volunteers.

After the competition, participants received prizes, including U.S. Embassy backpacks containing school supplies, provided by the U. S. Embassy in Dakar.