My Path, My Pledge

Tambacounda and Kolda stand at the crossroads of challenge and opportunity for adolescents in Senegal. With some of the country’s lowest indicators for youth wellbeing – including high rates of teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and malnutrition – both cities highlight the urgent need for targeted support.  

Yet their potential is just as striking. Tambacounda, a key gateway to four neighbouring countries, and Kolda, a southern city rich in cultural ties but geographically isolated, are both led by local authorities committed to youth development. With growing attention from NGOs and a clear demand for change, these cities offer fertile ground to reimagine adolescent health, empowerment, and opportunity from the ground up. 

Quick facts

Country: senegal

Cities: Tambacounda, Kolda

Project Timeline

July 2024

–

September 2026

Project Consortium

RESOPOPDEV (Lead Partner)

Population, Development and Reproductive Health Institute (IPDSR)
Siggil Jiggen Network
Mental Health Division (Ministry of Health)
City of Tambacounda
City of Kolda

About the project

My Path, My Pledge is a youth-driven initiative tackling one of the most pressing issues for adolescents in Tambacounda and Kolda: mental health. The project addresses root causes such as school and social pressures, drug use, lack of opportunities, and the dangers posed by jakartamen (motorbike drivers linked to insecurity and substance abuse). The project takes a threefold approach: strengthening school-based mental health support, building safe and creative community spaces through art and sport, and engaging city leaders to make adolescent wellbeing a public priority. 

Key interventions

Training

Training sessions for teachers, peer educators, community members, and jakartamen to enhance their skills in mental health support, listening, referral, and employability skills.

School mental health support system

Creation of a mental health club in each school to serve as student peer learning and support mechanism, under the supervision of teachers serving as mental health coaches.

Formalisation of Jakartamen Association

Gaining a deeper understanding of the jakartamen phenomenon and generating data to support decision-making, as well as the strategy to formalise the jakartamen associations and engage them in community mental health prevention activities.

Mental health community engagement

Creation of mental health clubs and the use of art, culture and sport as tools for education and information; alongside community engagement in mental health prevention and support activities.

Advocacy

Multi-level engagement with local authorities to integrate mental health into development plans and ensure youth participation in decision-making structures. Youth-led advocacy through digital platforms, including Senjeunes TV and social media.

Project consortium and partnerships

The project consortium is led by RESOPOPDEV (a Senegalese youth network focused on population and development), IPDSR (a Senegalese population, development and reproductive health training and research institution), Siggil Jiggen Network (an advocacy network of women’s associations advocating), Mental Health Division (Ministry of Health division)