Senegal

In Senegal it is important to make a distinction between children in street situations as defined for other countries and the specific phenomenon of talibe children. Talibe children are usually boys aged between 3 and 4 years old that have been sent by their parents to a Daara for their religious education. They often come from neighbouring countries like Guinea Bissau. At the Daara the Marabout teaches them the Koran  and they receive a practical initiation into community life, and learn both humility and endurance. However, the conditions in which they live are precarious and most of them are forced by the Marabout to go begging on the streets. Without their daily (financial) contribution to the Daara, they become easy victims of ill treatment, and often run away to the streets.

Other issues that are particularly relevant to Senegal are child domestic workers, child migration and trafficking.