By your side
for brighter futures

SEN Yakaar — Senegalese hope, planted in action

A Canadian non-profit foundation promoting equitable access to health, education, and community development for underserved populations in Senegal and across the African continent.

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Canadian non-profit Incorporated April 2025
Charitable status CRA application in progress
Founding team Toronto & Dakar
Open governance Statutes available on request

A word from home

Yakaar
/ya·kaar/ · Wolof

In Wolof, yakaar means hope — not as a wish, but as a quiet, durable confidence that things can change. It is the word our parents pass to their children. It is the word we build this foundation on.

Our Vision

A world where access to health, education, and development opportunities are not a privilege, but a right — for every mother, every child, every community.

Our Story

Roots in Senegal, reach across the world

We are both from Senegal — a country where cultural heritage is deeply intertwined with community values and solidarity. Our country is known throughout the world for welcoming generosity and sharing: the Senegalese Teranga.

Our journeys took us beyond its borders. We pursued higher education and career opportunities overseas, and we consider ourselves deeply privileged to have had access to quality education and the chance to work in globally recognized institutions — one in finance, AI, and data management, the other in global public health and medical research.

Yet no matter how far we traveled, our roots have always remained grounded in Senegal, our motherland, and in our African continent.

Two questions remained our enduring compass: How can we give back — meaningfully — to benefit future generations? And what will be our legacy?

— Founding members, SEN Yakaar Foundation

What we stand for

Four commitments that shape every program

Healthy beginnings pave the way for hopeful futures. Our work is built on four interlocking pillars.

Health access & equity for all

Making life-saving health services and information available to mothers and children everywhere. Every life deserves a fair start.

Digital pathways for learning

Harnessing technology to bridge learning gaps. Equitable, high-quality learning opportunities for all children — especially those often left behind.

Empowering communities

Lasting change starts at the community level. We invest in skills, leadership, and ground-up solutions that communities build for themselves.

Collaboration & advocacy

Strong partnerships and amplified community voices. We mobilize resources, influence policies, and build momentum for lasting change.

Our Initiatives

Five programs working together

From maternal health camps in rural Senegal to digital learning hubs and capacity-building workshops, our initiatives weave together to address the systemic barriers facing underserved communities.

SEN Health

Healthcare for every mother and child

Community health outreach, primary care access, and maternal-child health programs reaching underserved populations with free medical check-ups, vaccinations, and health education.

  • Health camps in remote and rural areas
  • Maternal & child mortality reduction
  • Telemedicine and mobile clinics
  • Health insurance enrollment support
SEN Education

Literacy, scholarships, and lifelong learning

Early childhood, children, and adult literacy programs — with special focus on girls and women. Digital learning platforms, mentorship networks, and scholarship support.

  • Literacy and digital learning platforms
  • Scholarship and immersion programs
  • Coaching and mentorship networks
  • Excellence programs for girls in science
SEN Project Development

Community-led resource projects

High-impact, low-resource development projects in agriculture, renewable energy, water, sanitation, and entrepreneurship — designed and led by the communities they serve.

  • Agriculture and renewable energy
  • Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
  • Business and entrepreneurship training
  • Capacity building for community leaders
SEN Community Centers

Spaces for learning and gathering

Building and restoring community centers with libraries, learning corners, and mother-child spaces. Promoting African literature and providing free digital access.

  • Libraries promoting African literature
  • Free internet and digital learning corners
  • Mother-and-child awareness spaces
  • Nutrition and vaccination outreach
Digital & AI Solutions

Technology that bridges access gaps

Offline-first, mobile-centric, locally-translated digital tools that work where infrastructure doesn’t. From SMS-based health platforms to community-led data collection.

  • Offline learning platforms (Kolibri, RACHEL)
  • Community health worker mobile tools
  • Local-language educational content
  • AI diagnostics for low-resource settings

Where we work

Senegal first — then outward

Our roots are in Senegal, and that is where our first programs take shape. As the foundation grows, we plan to extend across West Africa and the wider continent.

Administrative map of Senegal showing the 14 regions — Dakar, Thiès, Saint-Louis, Louga, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kaffrine, Matam, Tambacounda, Kédougou, Kolda, Sédhiou, Ziguinchor — with major cities and bordering countries (Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau).

Dakar & the urban edge

Coordination, partnerships, and digital learning hubs serving informal settlements and surrounding communities.

Saint-Louis & the North

Maternal-child health camps and adult literacy programs in partnership with regional health districts.

Casamance (South)

Community centers, libraries, and women’s entrepreneurship initiatives rooted in local leadership.

Eastern Senegal

Water, sanitation, and renewable-energy projects in remote villages co-designed with elders and youth councils.

Phase 2 (2027+): selected partner programs across West Africa, beginning with Wolof- and Pulaar-speaking communities in The Gambia, Mauritania, and Mali.

Join our journey

Together, we can spark hope

Beyond a mission, SEN Yakaar represents a long-term commitment to a legacy of hope, equity, and opportunity. Whether you partner with us, share our vision, or support our work — every contribution helps build a future where every child can dream, and every dream has a chance to soar.

Support our work Partner with us

A portion of proceeds from every Pawa Publishing children’s book (Eva Gallo Collection and Pawa Seyni Bedtime & Wisdom) supports SEN Yakaar’s programs.

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you

Questions, partnerships, volunteer interest, or grant inquiries — reach out and we’ll respond within a few business days.

Registered office

Address 628 Fleet Street, Suite 2803
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1A8
Canada
Type Canadian non-profit organization
Incorporated April 2025

A second office in Dakar, Senegal is planned for our next phase.

Contact details

General contact@senyakaar.org
Donations donations@senyakaar.org
Partners partnerships@senyakaar.org
Board Papa Seyni Nguer, Chairperson
Awa Ndir, Vice-Chairperson
Ndeye Marema Nguer, Board Member
Mamadou Ndir, Board Member