Pour le sourire d'un enfant
Pour le sourire d’un enfant association bases its work on access to education, psychological support, and legal assistance for children living on the streets, children in conflict with the law, and minors in detention. It operates in Thiès, Senegal. The association has developed an educational response structured around the “Fencing and Restorative Justice” method, an alternative pedagogical approach.
Depending on each beneficiary’s situation, the association offers:
- Shelter and educational support within its residential center
- Literacy and/or schooling
- Vocational training
- Physical and psychological well‑being activities
It also develops additional initiatives, including: BioJëmm, a training program in agroecology/agroforestry that also contributes to the food autonomy of the reception center; and JiggenArt, a workshop for training and producing furniture, design pieces, and crafts.
The Foundation supports the “Fencing and Restorative Justice” project — an innovative solution designed to break the cycle of reoffending and promote the inclusion of vulnerable young people (FencinginJail).
The program targets young people in conflict with the justice system and integrates a variety of activities, with fencing as its central component. The practice of fencing serves as a therapeutic medium for identity reconstruction. By fostering life‑skills development and offering the conditions for positive personal growth, the association aims to:
- Prevent reoffending
- Strengthen young people’s autonomy
- Promote gender equality
The project also includes strengthening the psycho‑educational capacities of prison staff and specialized educators who supervise and support young people, through the creation of a Fencing and Restorative Justice Academy.
Finally, the project aims to generate new knowledge on juvenile justice and youth mental health. Implemented in Thiès, Senegal, it is currently in a phase of modeling and scaling.