The project has, for example, provided funds to women to invest in income-generating activities that will support the daaras. The villages the migrant talibes come from have been targeted by the programme, and 40 community daaras have already been opened. They are supervised by local committees. The programme is beginning to pay off. Throughout Senegal, more than 6,000 talibes have gained free access to health centres and 45 have been trained as health assistants.
Local participation is crucial.
The rehabilitation programme, which is being closely studied by neighbouring Mali, will end in 1996. It may be renewed for another five years, but eventually the future of the 'community daaras' will be in the villagers' hands. It will take further economic development and better rural schooling to eradicate the 'migrant talibe problem, but Ndioro Ndiaye, Senegal's Minister of Women, Children and Family, already sees a change in society. I see fewer and fewer people giving seven sugar cubes to the talibes as their daily absolution. They are starting to understand that they have to give something more important, something that is really useful.