Address
2121 Decatur Place, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Website
www.tostan.org
Description
Tostan is a US 501(c)(3) organization that works to empower some of the most marinalized and impoverished communities in Africa. Using traditional methods of communication such as theater, song, dance, and poetry, Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) provides participants with knowledge and skills in human rights, problem solving, health and hygiene, literacy, math, and small project management—empowering them to become self-sufficient leaders in their communities’ development. Results include the abandonment of early marriage, dramatic improvements maternal and infant health, increased school registration and attendance rates for youth, increased community income, and many, many more. The CEP has also led to the abandonment of Female Genital Cutting by over 1600 communities in Senegal, representing roughly one third of those estimated to practice as of 1997. The word Tostan means “breakthrough” in the language of the Wolof people of Senegal and Gambia.
Category
Education – Other, Global Relief