Meet Suleman Kebbeh and Maimuna Baldeh: Tostan Community Empowerment Program Participants in The Gambia.

A glimpse into the Community Empowerment Program (CEP), Tostan’s 30-month, holistic education program, implemented in local languages and which covers the topics of democracy, human rights, health and hygiene, problem solving, literacy, and numeracy.

Suleman Kebbeh, a 60-year old Community Empowerment Program class participant, loves taking part in the classes in the Fula community of Samba Tako and rarely misses a lesson. Having learned about human rights, democracy, and problem-solving, Suleman understands the value of open discussion and always invites all of his family members to contribute their opinions when making decisions. Suleman shares the knowledge he has gained about health and democracy, among other subjects, with his friend, Lamin.

 

Eager to learn, Maimuna Baldeh walks for 30 minutes from her community of Gurobba to attend lessons in the neighboring Fula community Samba Tako where the CEP classes take place. Maimuna has participated in these classes since they began and is very satisfied with what she has learned. Now she appreciates the importance of seeking medical care when she is sick and advises her family and neighbors to do the same. Having adopted a friend from her community, Maimuna passes on to her the information Maimuna learns in class.