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Transcript/ScriptSENEGAL SINGLE MOTHERS
HEADLINE: Shelter Offers Protective Cocoon for Single Mothers in Senegal
TEASER: La Maison Rose,provides living space for the vulnerable moms, some who hail come from different countries
PUBLISHED AT: 03/01/23 at 10:10am
BYLINE: Allison Fernandes
WRITER: Salem Solomon
DATELINE: DAKAR, SENEGAL
VIDEOGRAPHER: Allison Fernandes
VIDEO EDITOR: Betty Ayoub
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 2:34
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TV PKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[In Senegal, having a child out of wedlock often leads to shame and social exclusion. It can be even more difficult for a foreigner without a family support system. A Congolese single mother living in the suburbs of Dakar shares her story of perseverance. Allison Fernandes has this report from Dakar, narrated by Salem Solomon.]]
((NARRATOR))
In the district of Guediawaye, a suburb of Dakar, Madeleine Masengu prepares her son for school.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, she arrived in Senegal five years ago, at the end of a difficult journey. Once in Dakar, Madeleine quickly found herself on the street with her two children, then aged 8 years and 8 months.
Despite the hardships and warnings of those close to her, there was no question of Madeleine abandoning her children.
((Madeleine Masengu, Single Mother)) ((In French))
“I didn’t want to see the children suffer. Because if the children suffer, you will pay for it one day. But the children did nothing. That’s why I said to myself: I’m going to keep my children. What I’m going to eat, I’m going to eat with my children. I will stay with my children under any circumstance.”
((NARRATOR))
Today, Madeleine has overcome many difficulties with the help of the La Maison Rose, a shelter where she lived for more than two years with her children.
Madeleine was able to receive training to bake pastries there and today she works for a fast-food chain.
Unfortunately, her financial woes continue, her meager monthly salary of 60,000 CFA francs, or less than $100, is not enough to cover her household expenses.
((Madeleine Masengu, Single Mother)) ((In French))
“My salary doesn’t even allow me to feed the children for the full month. Because, after I pay the rent and the school fees, I have practically nothing left.”
((NARRATOR))
Single-parent families are particularly vulnerable around the world. Life for families is more difficult in Senegal where the poverty rate is over 37%, according to official figures from 2019.
So, Madeleine continues to regularly go to La Maison Rose, where she receives material assistance and support.
((Mona Chasserio, La Maison Rose Founder)) ((In French))
[1:54] “Almost all the women either go back to their families, and it’s no longer a problem because they are in a house with the others. But if they are on their own — either because they’re from another country or because they were thrown out of their house — where they have to find a room, it’s terrible.”
((NARRATOR))
Since its opening in 2008, more than 200 babies have been born at La Maison Rose. The staff say they want it to be a place that welcomes women when they are most vulnerable and offers them an opportunity to put their lives back together.
((For Allison Fernandes in Dakar, Salem Solomon, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
DAKAR, SENEGAL
Embargo DateFebruary 28, 2023 22:21 EST
Byline
((For Allison Fernandes in Dakar, Salem Solomon,
VOA News.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
