A summary article of the United Nations World Food Programme's Walk the World Event in Senegal West Africa designed to build awareness and fundraise to fight child hunger worldwide.

1. Programa Programme
World Food
Mundial de Alimentaire
Programme
Mondial
Alimentos
L’Organisation d’Aide Alimentaire du Système des Nations Unies
SUMMARY
WALK THE WORLD SENEGAL
By Angela Adrar
THE PEOPLE
Walk the World: La Marche Contre la Faim in Senegal counted on
more than 18 500 men, women and children early on a Sunday
morning singing, drumming, dancing, rollerblading and walking
against hunger in the streets of Dakar, Kaolack and Ziguinchor.
May 21st, 2006 was an exhilarating day in Senegal that
empowered people to take action against hunger with the
encouragement and involvement of the United Nations World
Food Programme-WFP regional and country staff, the
government, sponsors, NGOs, associations, schools, and
volunteers.
Mothers and Children benefiting from WFP’s School Feeding
Programs in the regions of Kaolack and Ziguinchor walked to
show the world that a child studying with a full stomach makes
the difference. In Dakar, 8 500 school children from over 300
local schools woke early, travelled from the outskirts of the city
by bus (donated by Dakar Dem Dikk) with their classmates and
teachers to participate in this unforgettable experiential learning
Dakar
lesson in fighting hunger.
“The Walk in Senegal
The sound system was checked, drummers, dancers, health and security in place
marked the point of
before 10:00am. More than 300 employees of sponsor organizations and companies
departure for what is
had found their banner, each other, their motivation and place of departure. The final
possible, if a community
touch to prepare for the opening ceremony was to get 50 brave preschoolers from
in solidarity is
the ages of 4 to 6 to their spot up front and center which, participated on behalf of
committed to their
l’Agence National de la Case des Tout-Petits, an initiative of the First Lady, Madame
future...to their children,
Vivian Wade. Linked hand in hand these preschoolers walked through the crowd of
and to a better world.”
supporters to naturally lead this historical Walk the World manifestation through the
Angela Adrar
streets of Senegal West Africa.
Walk the World
Senegal Coordinator
REPRESENTATION AU SENEGAL
10, avenue Pasteur X rue Galiéni – BP 6288 Dakar-Etoile - Dakar (République du Sénégal)
Tél. +(221) 849 65 30 - Fax +(221) 822.37.98 E.Mail wfp.dakar@wfp.org

2. THE WALK
The tender voices of a local children's choir singing the
National Anthem carried through the crowd of thousands
lifting the spirit and attention of all the to the stage where
the motivational opening speech took place with the
Minister of Literacy Mr. Diégane Sène, the President of
CONGAD, the largest NGO consortium of Senegal, and
the Representative of WFP Senegal; Omar Bula Escobar.
Dakar
The Opening Speech emphasized food security, the end
of
of child hunger and the importance of reaching our Millennium Goal for 2015 with the help of the Senegalese people.
Omar Bula Escobar WFP Country Director quoted a famous Brazilian activist that captured the emotion of the day and set
us on our way. « La Solidarité ne se remercie pas, elle se Commémore » (Solidarity is not thanked, it is commemorated)-
Herbert de Souza Betinho.
The music and Fight Hunger banners « Ensemble Contre la Faim » held up by
the representatives of the Senegalese Government, the WFP Representative,
and Sponsors such as CitiGroup, Mobil and World Vision led the well organised
crowd along the circuit. Children were leading walkers in front of the Mayors
Office, past the historic Train Station, through the colorful street markets, to
the Presidential Palace and back to the Place de l’Independance. Along the
way, the walkers were met by drummers and dancers that marked the rhythm
of the Walk and kept the walkers in high spirits. Water points were positioned
by Kirene, our sponsor water supplier to keep walkers cool and quenched in
the heat of the sun. Upon reaching the finish line, the songs sung by local
Senegalese performers like Pape Ndiaye Thiopète, DJ Awadi, and many others
during the closing concert marked the success of an excellent event and the
Ziguinchor
beginning of a new Senegalese tradition.
THE RESULTS Kaolack
We surpassed by almost 3 times our modest Goal of mobilizing 7500 walkers in
Senegal. A great accomplishment! Local schools taught session on CHILD HUNGER
prior to the Walk in over 800 schools. Over 500 private companies, public
organisations, and embassies were informed about Walk the World, CHILD HUNGER
and the WFP’s role in the Fight.
Some 40 Sponsors generously contributed approximately 100 000 USD in cash and in
kind contributions to make Walk the World in Senegal a success. Our goal is to raise
200 000 USD. The fundraising strategy closes at the end of September, events and
activities are planned in the following months to continue collecting funds for the
Ziguinchor
WFP-School Feeding Programmes and promote www.fighthunger.com
REPRESENTATION AU SENEGAL
10, avenue Pasteur X rue Galiéni – BP 6288 Dakar-Etoile - Dakar (République du Sénégal)
Tél. +(221) 849 65 30 - Fax +(221) 822.37.98 E.Mail wfp.dakar@wfp.org