In rural Senegal, Awa Fall is learning to read and write for the first time, and helping her whole community rise with her through buildOn’s Adult Literacy Program. Read her story in our new blog post!

Awa’s Next Chapter: How Adult Literacy is Changing Lives in Ndanghar, Senegal

  1. Home
  2. Get Involved
  3. Awa’s Next Chapter: How Adult…
June 4, 2025
buildOn in Senegal, Stories
Share
Twitter Icon
Facebook Icon
Linkedin Icon

In Ndanghar, a rural village in Senegal, 44-year-old Awa Fall is rewriting her story, one page at a time.

A longtime public health advocate and community leader, Awa serves as the Badianou Gokh, a key liaison between Senegal’s healthcare system and her village. She regularly attends health seminars, leads awareness campaigns, and supports local families. But for much of her life, one challenge stood in her way: illiteracy.

“I didn’t go to school because there were no schools in my village at the time,” Awa explains. “Since our family didn’t have enough money, I couldn’t go and study elsewhere. Before, I suffered the consequences of not going to school. I couldn’t read or write. I relied solely on my voice and my experience as a woman leader here in our community.”

Before learning to read and write, Awa had to sign documents using her fingerprint—like in this moment, where she can be seen signing the buildOn covenant before construction began on Ndanghar’s school.
Before learning to read and write, Awa had to sign documents using her fingerprint—like in this moment, where she can be seen signing the buildOn covenant before construction began on Ndanghar’s school.

That all changed when buildOn, in partnership with the Carnevali Foundation, collaborated with the community of Ndanghar to construct a new school and launch an Adult Literacy Program in the village.

“Before, I suffered the consequences of not going to school.” —Awa Fall

Building Classrooms, Building Confidence

Awa didn’t just benefit from the project—she led it. During the construction of the first school block, she took on a leadership role, organizing women in the village and advocating for children’s education.

The children of Ndanghar outside of their new school, which Awa played a key role in building.
The children of Ndanghar outside of their new school, which Awa played a key role in building.

“During the project, I was a group leader. I organized all the women,” she said. “buildOn and the Carnevali Foundation helped enable us to be more aware of our children’s education.”

Literacy as a Tool for Transformation

Once the school was completed, buildOn launched an Adult Literacy Program in Ndanghar. The classes, which were held in the same classrooms where the village’s children learned, began to shift what was possible for Awa, and for her entire community.

“Through the literacy program, we’re learning to read, calculate, and write, as well as life and social skills,” Awa shares. “The three hamlets that the school encompasses have become a family thanks to buildOn. We’ve forged very close bonds.”

Awa plunged headfirst into learning to read and write through buildOn’s Adult Literacy Program.
Awa plunged headfirst into learning to read and write through buildOn’s Adult Literacy Program.

Two years in, Awa now attends health seminars with a notebook and pen in hand, powerful symbols of the literacy and confidence she’s gained.

Now, Awa always takes a notebook and pen to health seminars.
Now, Awa always takes a notebook and pen to health seminars.

“Now I take a notebook and pen with me when I go to meetings, something I didn’t dare to do before.”

Passing on the Gift of Education

In addition to her public health work, Awa runs a business selling fabrics and toiletries. This income has allowed her to finance her children’s education, giving the gift of learning to future generations. She was able to expand her business thanks to financial assistance from buildOn, a key aspect of our Adult Literacy Program.

“With the financial support we received from the program, I took out a loan to strengthen my business,” she said. “I help my son who has to travel to continue his studies. I’m also in charge of my grandchildren’s education.”

Thanks to seed capital from buildOn, Awa was able to expand her business selling fabrics and toiletries.
Thanks to seed capital from buildOn, Awa was able to expand her business selling fabrics and toiletries.

With support from their now-literate mother, her children are now pursuing higher education, with one studying at Dakar University and another at Bambey University. Her youngest has recently completed their baccalaureate.

A Commitment That Grows

After the success of the first school block, the community came together again to build a second, thanks in large part to Awa.

“Like the first block, I also took part in raising awareness during the construction of the second block,” she said. “I spoke a lot with parents about enrolling their children at the school, and the new principal confirmed that student enrollment had risen from 75 to 146.”

Awa proudly holds up her public health booklet, which she uses to educate her community.
Awa proudly holds up her public health booklet, which she uses to educate her community.

Her advocacy doesn’t end with construction. Awa continues to champion school enrollment, public health, and community engagement.

“I will always work alongside the teachers to show them the importance of children’s health and about their enrollment in school.”

Building a More Equitable Future, Together

Awa’s story is proof that it’s never too late to learn, and that anyone can become a leader in their community. Through community-driven school construction and adult education programs, buildOn and the Carnevali Foundation are working in solidarity with leaders like Awa to expand access to education, unlock opportunity, and ignite generational change.

Want to help transform the lives of families and entire communities? Consider making a tax-deductible donation to buildOn today.