“I Still See the Talibés Begging”

Talibés begging in downtown Dakar, Senegal, May 11, 2017.
Talibés begging in downtown Dakar, Senegal, May 11, 2017.  © 2017 Lauren Seibert/Human Rights Watch
The exterior walls of this daara (Quranic school) in Guédiawaye, Dakar are spotted with holes at the base “so the children can breathe,” according to a local child protection worker, who said the talibés sleep crammed in rooms with no windows.
The exterior walls of this daara (Quranic school) in Guédiawaye, Dakar are spotted with holes at the base “so the children can breathe,” according to a local child protection worker, who said the talibés sleep crammed in rooms with no windows. The daara, located in an unfinished concrete building, houses from 70-100 talibé children. May 6, 2017.  © 2017 Lauren Seibert/Human Rights Watch
A talibé begs for money in downtown Dakar traffic in Senegal, May 5, 2017.
A talibé begs for money in downtown Dakar traffic in Senegal, May 5, 2017.  © 2017 Lauren Seibert/Human Rights Watch
This daara (Quranic school) in Guédiawaye, Dakar, which houses from 70-100 talibés is notorious among child protection workers for its horrific conditions. Sleeping mats and blankets are seen stacked against the exterior walls of the daara.
This daara (Quranic school) in Guédiawaye, Dakar, which houses from 70-100 talibés is notorious among child protection workers for its horrific conditions. Sleeping mats and blankets are seen stacked against the exterior walls of the daara. “There are so many children there that [some] have to sleep outside,” said a child protection worker familiar with the daara. “There are no toilets, there is no water, there is no electricity, there are no windows.” May 6, 2017.  © 2017 Lauren Seibert/Human Rights Watch
A poster in Dakar, Senegal that reads, in French: “Abused: child begging severely undermines Senegal’s future. Act against child begging and exploitation.” Photo taken May 2, 2017.
A poster in Dakar, Senegal that reads, in French: “Abused: child begging severely undermines Senegal’s future. Act against child begging and exploitation.” Photo taken May 2, 2017.  © 2017 Human Rights Watch
The “bathroom” area for talibés living at a daara [Quranic school] in Saint-Louis, Senegal. The children urinate here on the ground; for anything else, they “go to the river.” May 1, 2017.
The “bathroom” area for talibés living at a daara [Quranic school] in Saint-Louis, Senegal. The children urinate here on the ground; for anything else, they “go to the river.” May 1, 2017.  © 2017 Lauren Seibert/Human Rights Watch
A Quranic teacher’s assistant watches over talibés at a daara (Quranic school) in Saint-Louis, Senegal.
A Quranic teacher’s assistant watches over talibés at a daara (Quranic school) in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Around 50 talibé children, some as young as six years old, live at this Quranic school. They spend their days begging in the streets and studying the Quran. At night, they sleep outside under the structure in the background. May 1, 2017. © 2017 Veronique Koentges
At this daara (Quranic school) in Saint-Louis, Senegal, up to 50 young talibés sleep outside on the sand at night, sheltered only by this structure constructed from sticks and plastic.
At this daara (Quranic school) in Saint-Louis, Senegal, up to 50 young talibés sleep outside on the sand at night, sheltered only by this structure constructed from sticks and plastic. The children spend their days begging in the streets and studying the Quran. May 1, 2017.  © 2017 Lauren Seibert/Human Rights Watch
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