The Place Where I Found My Voice
Scroll to read the story ↓Aminata Solange Dieng, 19, lives in Pikine Est, Senegal. Once very shy, she is now a peer educator and the youngest departmental president of the Association of Peer Educators on Adolescent Health and Well-Being in Pikine. She is passionate about supporting young people and believes that adolescents can be active agents of change in their communities.
The place where I found my voice
The place that has shaped me the most is the Pikine Adolescent Center. I still remember my first day there. We were having a discussion about menstrual hygiene, and I was very hesitant. Talking about my period and the symptoms I was experiencing felt embarrassing.
But I was welcomed with respect and an open ear. They answered my questions, gave me practical advice and even offered me reusable pads. By the end of the session, I felt immense relief and joy. I felt understood and valued. I exchanged contact information with the programme coordinator that same day because I already knew I wanted to come back.
Since then, this place has become an important part of my life. I became a peer educator and began taking part in training sessions, awareness-raising activities, home visits and community dialogues.
I discovered abilities I did not know I had and learned to take responsibility and speak up. Today, I am proud to be the youngest departmental president of the Association of Peer Educators on Adolescent Health and Well-Being in Pikine.
“I used to be very shy, but I’ve regained my self-confidence. I discovered abilities I didn’t know I had.”
For me, the adolescent centre is much more than a place to meet. It is somewhere young people can ask questions, find reliable information, learn from one another and gain the confidence to participate in their communities.
The place I wish I could change
I chose the municipal library because I used to go there often when I had lessons to study or simply wanted to read books. It was a quiet place where I could concentrate, learn and discover new things. The library therefore holds a special place in my memories. However, the area around the library has changed a lot. There used to be a public space with benches where young people could sit, talk and spend time together, as well as a small fitness area. During the rehabilitation works on the road, this public space and the benches were removed. Inside the library, there are also fewer books than before. This has contributed to a significant decrease in young people’s use of the library.
I would like the public space around the library to be restored, with benches and a welcoming environment for young people. I would also like to see more books, reliable Internet access and digital resources. This would make the library a more attractive place for young people to read, learn, meet and grow.
I wish adults and decision-makers knew that…
I would like decision-makers and adults to realise that spaces for adolescents and young people are much more than just places to meet. They give young people access to reliable information and support, build our self-confidence and develop our leadership skills.
“When I was just 16, I had the opportunity to help prevent a forced marriage involving a 15-year-old girl. Through awareness-raising and dialogue with her family, we were able to protect her future and give her the chance to continue her education.”