Grand Opening of the Lambaye Learning Center

Feb 29

LAMBAYE - SENEGAL: On February 17, 2020, the Lambaye Learning Center was inaugurated in a ceremony with the 5th Students for Senegal Trip To Senegal. The ceremony included performances by both the Senegalese and American attendees and a speech from President Amary Seck's mother praising the work that has been done and exclaiming that we have “fulfilled her heart's deepest wishes.”

This moment marks the culmination of nearly 10 years of work by hundred’s of U.S. high school students, who raised over $500,000 to build a 4,000 sq ft Learning Center in the village of Lambaye, Senegal. The center includes a computer room with 20 desktops, library, meeting space, performance space, and dedicated women’s education center and early childhood center. Programming is available to teach STEM skills such as robotics, computer coding and job training classes such as culinary and fabric classes to serve a community of over 30,000 people in rural Senegal.

Amary Seck (center) giving a speech at the grand opening

Mr. Seck spoke as well and emotionally conveyed his deepest thanks and admiration for all the thousands of people who have made it possible to bring this dream into reality.

William Derby, MHS PACE Teacher and students singing a song at the grand opening of the learning center

Over 40 students and travelers returned earlier this week. After the inauguration, they were incredibly busy helping to set up the learning center including getting over 20 computers working. They also delivered crates of school supplies, art, and sports equipment and even, thanks to the MHS robotics program, held a robotics workshop with students in the village.

A documentary film about the grand opening will be premiered at the Students for Senegal Gala on June 3rd, 2020. More info to come soon.