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Women for Girls (WFG) is a dynamic organization that all began with a visit to Senegal in 2005.  The founders of the organization, Sarah Wallace and Elena Roveta were visiting Senegal and their friend Abdoulaye Tall, a WFG project coordinator.  From Mr. Tall, they learned of Adama, a young girl of twelve who that summer, found her way to Dakar from her native village in search of domestic work so she could continue school.  She went from door to door and as chance would have it, she knocked on Mr. Tall’s mother’s door. 

Considering the reality of growing up in the United States or Europe and the opportunities available, Sarah and Elena were heartbroken to think that this little girl had to work so she could continue school.  Through Mr. Tall, they promised Adama that if she maintained good grades, they would provide the necessary support for her to finish school and eventually university. A month later at a dinner in New York City with a close knit group of university friends, Sarah described her visit and Adama’s plight.  Sarah and many of her friends have children Adama’s age and had a hard time comprehending the situation.   Everyone at the dinner wanted to contribute in some way. And, as wine glasses were raised they came up with the name Women for Girls and hoped to pass on opportunities to girls whose living conditions and gender deny them possibilities.

Without education the vicious cycle of poverty continues. These girls would be locked into a future of remaining second class citizens unaware of their human rights.  Recently, in Italy, Sarah and Elena were able to establish Women for Girls as a tax-exempt non profit (Onlus). What makes Women for Girls so dynamic is that every time Sarah and Elena visit Senegal the project grows!  They began with one girl (actually two, when they discovered Adama has a twin sister, Awa) and now they support nearly 20, they have a women’s micro credit development project and a village they were invited to call “home”.  If one looks at statistics, the help seems like a drop in the bucket and can’t really make that much difference, but each girl is making the most out of her new opportunity and her dreams are coming true.  It’s a partnership that works. 

Twice a year in Senegal, Sarah and Elena grow personally and professionally as they work with teachers and school directors, meet with government officials, and above all meet with the girls’ families who are beginning to understand the importance of girls’ education.   In developing countries, when you educate a boy you educate an individual; but when you educate a girl you educate a community - African Proverb.  These girls have the chance to break the cycle of poverty, and become educated mothers and influential community members whose children will be healthy and attend school.