USAID 60th anniversary
Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Senegal
USAID has been in Senegal since the passing of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 which effectively established the Agency to combine the efforts of various foreign assistance programs. For these past six decades USAID has worked together with Senegal and its development partners to create sustainable solutions to economic challenges. A key component to this partnership is to encourage and support the economic growth of women to improve the everyday lives of Senegalese families. In celebration of the 60 year anniversary of USAID in Senegal, the stories of eight women who have benefited from USAID activities and projects in the country are featured.
Ndeye Marie Ndieguene, multi-faceted and perceptive on the world’s climate issue
Ndeye Marie Ndieguene is a young social entrepreneur and author with a focus on implementing solutions to environmental issues. She is the founder and CEO of the start-up Eco Builders MS specializing in green building solutions using recycled and natural materials.
Marie wears the Certified Positive Youth Development Trainer's cap thanks to the Feed the Future Senegal Youth in Agriculture project that strengthened her ability to train young club leaders. Since becoming a trainer she has been very committed to serving her community through this program and continues to coordinate activities to fight and raise awareness about COVID-19.
With her 4-H club members, she relays information from the Ministry of Health and Social Action on the state of the pandemic (i.e., number of tests, positive cases, recovered cases). She and her club are also involved in donation campaigns that provide basic food to organizations that welcome vulnerable people (e.g., orphans, young single mothers, etc.). The group also makes masks to help prevent the spread of the disease.
During the first wave of COVID-19 in Senegal, Marie organized an online summit on climate change: SOMMET CLIMAT SN 2020. The summit provided a platform for the exchange and promotion of environmental solutions. As Marie explains, "The environmental issue is at the heart of the global debates and Senegal is no exception. We want to get out of this crisis with a new vision of this struggle but above all clear solutions.”
Feed the Future